Louisiana Duck Season and Hunting Information and Regulations

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.

There are many different types of hunting opportunities available in Louisiana. The most popular game animals sought after by hunters include deer, turkey and quail and the state also hosts some great alligator hunting.

Louisiana offers both private and public hunting land. Private hunting land is typically owned by individuals, companies, or organizations. These landowners typically charge a fee for hunters to use their land. Public hunting land is owned and managed by state or federal agencies and is open for anyone to use.

When hunting on public land in Louisiana, hunters must follow all regulations set forth by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. These regulations include things such as the type of weapon that can be used, the number of animals that can be harvested, and the seasons during which hunting is allowed.

Louisiana Deer Seasons

Archery	Oct. 1	Jan. 31
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11 – Jan. 17	Jan. 22 – Jan. 31
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18 – Dec. 8	Jan. 8 – Jan. 21
with/without dogs	Dec. 9	Jan. 7
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
Archery	Oct. 1	Jan. 31
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 21 – Oct. 27	Jan. 15 – Jan. 21
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 28 – Dec. 5
with/without dogs	Dec. 6	Jan. 14
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 14 – Oct. 20
Archery	Sept. 16	Jan. 15
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 14 – Oct. 20	Jan. 1 – Jan. 7
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 21 – Nov. 26
with/without dogs	Nov. 27	Dec. 31
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Sept. 23 – Sept. 29
Archery	Oct. 1	Jan. 31
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11 – Nov. 17	Jan 22 – Jan. 31
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18 – Dec. 8	Jan. 8 – Jan. 21
with/without dogs	Dec. 9	Jan. 7
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
Archery	Oct. 1 – Oct. 15	Feb. 15
Archery	Oct. 16	Feb. 15
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11 – Nov. 17	Jan. 31
Primitive Firearms	Jan. 22 – Jan. 31
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11 – Nov. 17	Jan. 31
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18 – Dec. 8
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18 – Dec. 8
with/without dogs	Dec. 9 – Jan. 21
with/without dogs	Dec. 9 – Jan. 21
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
Archery	Sept. 16 – Jan. 15
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 14 – Oct. 20
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 21 – Nov. 26
with/without dogs	Nov. 27 – Dec. 31
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Sept. 23 – Sept. 29
Archery	Oct. 1 – Oct. 15	Feb. 15
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11 – Nov. 17	Jan. 31
Primitive Firearms	Jan. 22 – Jan. 31
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18 – Dec. 8
with/without dogs	Dec. 9 – Jan. 21
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
Archery	Sept. 16 – Jan. 15
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 14 – Oct. 20
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 21 – Dec. 31
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Sept. 23 – Sept. 29

*Louisiana has a variety of different areas with their own hunting rules and regulations. Some of these can vary by species as well. For more information, be sure to check the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

Louisiana has all of its deer seasons classified by Areas. There is a daily bag limit of one antlered deer and one antlerless deer (during the appropriate antlerless dates). Primitive Weapon is defined as a single- or double-barreled muzzle-loading rifle of at least a .38 caliber.

In order to hunt deer in Louisiana, hunters must obtain a license from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The department offers several different types of licenses, including an annual hunting license, which allows hunters to take an unlimited number of deer during the season.

Louisiana Duck Seasons

East Zone Duck, Coots and Mergansers	Nov. 19 – Dec. 4, Dec. 17 – Jan. 29
West Zone Duck, Coots and Mergansers	Nov. 12 – Dec. 4, Dec, 17 – Jan. 1, Jan. 9 – Jan. 29
East Zone Veterans and Youth	Nov. 12 – Feb. 4
West Zone Veterans and Youth	Nov. 5 – Nov. 6
All Zone Extended Falconry	Nov. 3 – Jan. 31

To hunt ducks in Louisiana, you’ll need a few things: a valid hunting license, a duck stamp, and a HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification, which is actually free. You’ll also need to purchase a WMA permit if you plan on hunting on a wildlife management area.

There is a daily bag limit of 6 for ducks, but only 4 can be mallards and only half of those can be female. Can’t have more than 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, or 2 redheads. You can only have max of 1 of each mottled duck, black duck, or pintail, and scaups are limited to the 1 in the first 15 days of the season. Coots have a limit of 15 and mergansers have a limit of 5, but only 2 can be hooded.

So get your license, purchase your stamps, grab your shotgun, and head on down to Louisiana for some great duck hunting!

Louisiana Wild Turkey Seasons

Spring Youth and Disabled Hunters	March 25, 2023 – March 26, 2023
Spring C	April 1, 2023 – April 16, 2023
Spring A	April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023

Basic Season, Big Game, and Turkey Tags are required for all hunters intending to harvest turkey in Louisiana. There is a daily limit of one gobbler per day and a season limit of two gobbler per hunter. Taking of hens and bearded hens is prohibited.

Legal Equipment: Shotguns, Muzzle-loading Shotguns no larger than a 10-gauge, traditional bow, compound bow, or crossbow.

Alligator Hunting Seasons

East Alligator Hunting Zone	Last Wednesday of August for 60 days
West Alligator Hunting Zone	First Wednesday in September for 60 days

If you’re planning on hunting gator, you will have to enter the lottery unless going on private land. Make sure to check the alligator website for more info.

Louisiana Bobcat Seasons

Bobcat

Year Round

Season dates are year-round and there is a season limit of one per hunter per fiscal year.

Louisiana Bear Seasons

Black Bear are protected by state laws and Louisiana does not currently allow hunting of this species.

Louisiana Small Game Seasons

Quail	Nov. 19 – Feb. 28
Rabbit	Oct. 1 – Feb. 28
Squirrel	Oct. 1 – Feb. 28, May 6 – May 28
Raccoon & Opossum	Year Round
Crows, Blackbirds, Cowbirds and Grackles	Sep. 1 – Jan. 1

Louisiana Crossbow Regulations

Louisiana is a very crossbow friendly state. Pretty much free reign as long as you steer clear of the waterfowl!

Crossbows are classified as archery equipment and are legal for all seasons except migratory water fowl.
Mechanical broadheads are legal.

Louisiana Hunting License

To hunt in Louisiana, everyone age 18 or older must have a Basic Hunting License. You can get this license from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

If you’re 17 or younger and actively hunting deer or turkey, participating in a lottery hunt, or trapping, you need a Youth Hunting License. If you’re only spectating (not actively hunting), you don’t need a license.

In addition to the Basic Hunting License, you’ll need a special license to hunt deer, turkey, or migratory waterfowl. You can get these licenses from the LDWF as well.

If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Maine.

Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Kentucky.