Open season is just a few weeks away for most of the US. It’s an exciting time of year for veteran hunters and beginners alike. But before heading out on your first hunt in the Pelican State, make sure you’re familiar with Louisiana hunting laws.

Most seasoned hunters may be well aware that hunting laws evolve on almost a yearly basis. The governments’ objective is to address public safety. Mainly these changes are made for the benefit of the hunter and the hunted.

Hunters in Louisiana Must Know Louisiana Hunting Laws

It’s a must to keep up to date on Louisiana hunting laws before heading out on your first hunt. Studying your state’s hunting laws might be a bit time consuming, and we know you’re impatient to get out there and start shooting. But breaking the law and having to pay a fine can put a serious damper on your hunting season.

Keep reading to learn about Louisiana hunting laws including dates, which animals you’re allowed to hunt, which weapon you’re allowed to use, how to get a hunting license, and much more.

 1. Deer Hunting in Louisiana

 

• Area 1:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 10 – January 8
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • November 19 – December 9
    • January 9 – 22, 2017
  • Muzzleloader:
    • November 12 – 18
    • January 23 – 31, 2017
  • Archery:
    • October 1 – January 31
• Area 2:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 8 – January 15
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • October 29 – December 7
  • Muzzleloader:
    • October 22 – 28 | January 16 – 22
  • Archery:
    • October 1 – January 31
• Area 3:
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • October 15 – November 27
    • December 3 – January 8
  • Muzzleloader:
    • October 8 – 14
    • November 28 – December 2
  • Archery:
    • September 19 – January 15
• Area 4:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 12 – 16 (Bucks)
    • December 19 – 23
    • December 26 – January 6 (All Deer)
    • December 10 – 11
    • December 31 – January 1
    • January 14 – 15
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • November 21 – 24 (Bucks Only)
    • November 28 – December 2
    • December 5 – 9
    • January 9 – 13
    • January 16 – 20 (All Deer)
    • November 19 – 20
    • November 25 – 27
    • December 3 – 4
    • January 14 – 15
    • January 21 – 22
  • Muzzleloader:
    • January 30 -31 (Bucks Only)
    • November 12 – 18 (All Deer)
    • January 23 – 29
  • Archery:
    • October 1 – January 31
• Area 5:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 12 – 30 (Bucks Only)
    • January 2 – 13
    • January 16 -22 (All Deer)
    • December 10 – 11
    • December 31 –January 1
    • January 14 -15
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • November 19 – 24 (Bucks Only)
    • November 28 – December 9 (All Deer)
    • November 25 – 27
  • Muzzleloader:
  • • November 12 – 18 (Bucks Only)
    • January 30 – 31  (All Deer)
    • January 23 – 29
  • Archery:
    • October 1 – 15 (Bucks Only)
    • October 16 – February 15 (All Deer)
• Area 6:
  •  Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 10 – January 22
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • November 19 – December 9
  • Muzzleloader:
    • November 12 – 18
    • January 23 – 31
  • Archery:
    • October 1 -15 (Bucks Only)
    • October 16 – February 15 (All Deer)
• Area 7:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • November 28 –December 30 (Bucks Only)
    • December 31 –January 1 (All Deer)
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • October 17 –November 4 (Bucks Only)
    • November 12 – 18
    • November 21 – 24
    • November 21 – 24  (All Deer)
    • October 15 – 16
    • November 19 – 20
    • November 25 – 27
  • Muzzleloader:
    • November 5 – 11 (Bucks Only)
    • October 8 – 14 (All Deer)
  • Archery:
    • October 1 – January 31
• Area 8:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 3 – January 8
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • October 15 – November 27
  • Muzzleloader:
    • October 8 – 14
    • November 28 – December 2
  • Archery:
    • September 17 – January 15
• Area 9:
  • Firearms (with or without Dogs):
    • December 12- 30
    • January 2- 13 (Bucks Only)
    • January 16 – 22
    • December 10 – 11  (All Deer)
    • December 31 – January 1
    • January 14 – 15
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • November 19 – 24 | November 28 – December 9 (Bucks Only)
    • November 25 – 27
  • Muzzleloader:
    • November 12 – 18 | January 30 – 31 (Bucks Only)
    • January 23 – 29
  • Archery:
    • October 1 – 15 (Bucks Only)
    • October 16 – February 15
• Area 10:
  • Firearms (No Dogs):
    • October 17 – November 11  (Bucks Only)
    • November 14 – 24
    • December 3 – 30
    • January 2 – 8
    • October 15 -16 (All Deer)
    • November 12 -13
    • November 25 – 27
    • December 31 – January 1
  • Muzzleloader:
    • November 28 – December 2 (Bucks Only)
    • October 8 – 14 (All Deer)
  • Archery:
    • September 17 – January 15

Know more on 2016 – 2017 deer season, bag limits and map, you can start skimming right here.

Legal Gear

• Primitive Firearms
  • Rifles, shotguns or Pistols:
    • Must be loaded from the muzzle
    • Black powder of approved substitute only
    • Take ball, shot or bullet (including saboted)  projectile only
    • Magnified scopes are allowed
    • At least .44 caliber, 10-gauge or smaller
  • Single shot, breech loading rifles or pistols:
    • .35 caliber or larger
    • Has an exposed hammer
    • Uses metallic cartridges loaded with modern smokeless or black powder
    • Magnified scopes are allowed
  • Single shot, breech loading shotguns:
    • .10 – gauge or smaller
    • Has an exposed hammer
    • Uses a buckshot or rifled slug
• Archery
  • Traditional bow, compound bow, crossbow or any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means.

Read on to know more about Louisiana regulations on bag limits, WMA schedules, hunter orange, Deer Management Assistance Program and more.

2. Duck Hunting in Louisiana

 

• September Teal: September 10 -25
• Coastal Zone:
  • November 12 – December 4
  • December 17 – January 22
  • November 5 – 6 (Youth Waterfowl)
• West Zone:
  • November 12 – December 4
  • December 17 – January 22
  • November 5 – January 28 (Youth Waterfowl)
• East Zone:
  • November 19 – December 4
  • December 17 – January 29
  • November 12 – February 4 (Youth Waterfowl)
• Extended Falconry for All Zones:
  • November 3 – January 31

Find out about the bag & possession limits, other waterfowl seasons, maps, by flying in here.

Legal Gear

• Shotgun:
  • Can hold a maximum of 3 shells only unless plugged with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.
  • Lesser than a 10-gauge

Restrictions and regulations start on page 52 of the 2016 -2017 Louisiana Hunting Regulations.

3. Turkey Hunting in Louisiana

 

• Area A: March 26 – April 24
• Area B: March 26 – April 17
• Area C: March 26 – April 10
• Youth & Physically Challenged Hunt: March 19 – 20

See other turkey hunting schedules and maps, start the gobble here.

Legal Gear

• Shotguns (includes muzzleloaders):
  • Shot not larger than #2 lead
  • #2 non-toxic
  • BB steel shot
  • No larger than a 10-gauge
• Archery:
  • Traditional bow, compound bow, crossbow
  • Any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means

Keep yourself informed with Louisiana’s turkey hunting regulations, start reading on page 44 here.

Licenses and Permits

The state of Louisiana offers different types of applications for hunting licenses and permits. Some, if not all, can be purchased via telephone, in person or online with the E-License option.

Learn more about the different service fees and requirements at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Watch this video by the LAWildlifeFish in Louisiana!

Now, as long as you are knowledgeable with the hunting laws in the state of Louisiana and abide by them to the letter, you and your hunting buddies will surely enjoy every minute of hunting.

Hunt safe and hunt proud!

If hunting is in your blood you would want to know more about the hunting laws and regulations in other states. You can start stalking them here.