Louisiana 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Louisiana's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens between October 17, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 24, 2027.
Archery deer season opens between September 19, 2026 and October 1, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027.
Duck season opens between November 14, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Louisiana LDWF.
- firearm deer
- opens Oct 17-Nov 21, 2026 by zone
- archery deer
- opens Sep 19-Oct 1, 2026 by zone
- duck
- opens Nov 14-21, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Louisiana's seasons
Deer areas run on very different calendars
Louisiana divides the state into deer hunting areas whose archery, primitive-weapon, and modern-firearm dates vary substantially, and dog-hunting traditions add another layer in some parishes. Read the rows below by area, not statewide.
Confirm area boundaries, either-sex days, and any WMA rules with the official Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Louisiana LDWF before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Louisiana
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 10 stations in Louisiana. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
- LA · NWR
Atchafalaya NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENING - LA · NWR
Bayou Cocodrie NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR
LouisianaFISHING: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Big Branch Marsh NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Bogue Chitto NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Cat Island NWR
LouisianaUPLAND GAME: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
D'Arbonne NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENINGFISHING: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Delta NWR
LouisianaUPLAND GAME: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Red River NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - LA · NWR
Upper Ouachita NWR
LouisianaMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION
Deer
79 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 10
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 3
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 7
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 8
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 4
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 2
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either Sex
Zone: Area 1
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Either Sex
Either Sex
Zone: Area 6
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Either Sex
Either Sex (unless a Bucks Only Firearms Season is in progress)
Zone: Area 5
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Either Sex
Either Sex (unless a Bucks Only Firearms Season is in progress)
Zone: Area 9
White-tailed Deer
Firearms - Still-Hunt Only
Either Sex
Zone: Area 10
White-tailed Deer
Firearms - Still-Hunt Only
Either Sex
Zone: Area 3
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 8Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 7Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Honorably Discharged Veterans · Area 1Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Honorably Discharged Veterans · Area 4Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Honorably Discharged Veterans · Area 6Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Honorably Discharged Veterans · Area 5Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Honorably Discharged Veterans · Area 9Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 2Either Sex | Open | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 1Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms - Either Sex · Area 9Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 6Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms - Either Sex · Area 5Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 4Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 1Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 6Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 4Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Either Sex · Area 5Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Either Sex · Area 9Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Bucks Only · Area 5Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Bucks Only · Area 9Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Either Sex · Area 5Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Either Sex · Area 9Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 8Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 7Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 3Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Bucks Only · Area 9Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only - Bucks Only · Area 5Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 2Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 4Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Either Sex · Area 9Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Either Sex · Area 5Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 1Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs · Area 6Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Bucks Only · Area 5Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Bucks Only · Area 9Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Either Sex · Area 9Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Either Sex · Area 5Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Bucks Only · Area 5Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - With or Without Dogs - Bucks Only · Area 9Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 4Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 3Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 8Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms - Still-Hunt Only · Area 1Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 7Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 10Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 2Either Sex | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms - Bucks Only · Area 5Bucks Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Firearms · Area 1Either Sex | Upcoming |
Showing 60 of 79 listed deer rows, open and upcoming seasons first. See all 79 Louisiana deer seasons →
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth and Physically Challenged
Restricted to youth and wheelchair-confined physically challenged hunters on private land only
Zone: Areas A, B, and C
Wild Turkey
Regular
Private lands only. See separate WMA, National Wildlife Refuge, and Federal Lands schedules for season dates on those areas.
Zone: Area A
Wild Turkey
Regular
Private lands only. See separate WMA, National Wildlife Refuge, and Federal Lands schedules for season dates on those areas.
Zone: Area C
Wild Turkey
Regular
Private lands only. See separate WMA, National Wildlife Refuge, and Federal Lands schedules for season dates on those areas.
Zone: Area B
Waterfowl
23 listed rowsDucks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry
Zone: East Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry
Zone: West Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Youth and Veterans
Zone: West Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Youth and Veterans
Zone: East Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular
Zone: West Zone
Light Geese, White-fronted Geese, Canada Geese
Regular
Zone: West Zone
Light Geese, White-fronted Geese, Canada Geese
Regular
Zone: East Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular
Zone: East Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry
Zone: East Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry
Zone: West Zone
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)
Conservation Order
Only snow, blue, and Ross's geese may be taken under the terms of the Conservation Order.
Zone: East Zone
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)
Conservation Order
Only snow, blue, and Ross's geese may be taken under the terms of the Conservation Order.
Zone: West Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bellied Whistling DucksRegular (Special Permit Required) · StatewideSpecial Permit Required | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular · East Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular · West Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersExtended Falconry · West Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersYouth and Veterans · West Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersYouth and Veterans · East Zone | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)Conservation Order · East ZoneOnly snow, blue, and Ross's geese may be taken under the terms of the Conservation Order. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)Conservation Order · West ZoneOnly snow, blue, and Ross's geese may be taken under the terms of the Conservation Order. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese, White-fronted Geese, Canada GeeseRegular · East Zone | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese, White-fronted Geese, Canada GeeseRegular · West Zone | Upcoming | |
| Teal (Blue, Green, and Cinnamon)Regular · Statewide | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Dove, Collared Dove
Regular
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Dove, Collared Dove
Regular
Zone: South Zone
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Dove, Collared Dove
Regular
Zone: South Zone
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Dove, Collared Dove
Regular
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Dove, Collared Dove
Regular
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Dove, Collared Dove
Regular
Zone: South Zone
Quail
Quail
Regular
Rabbit
Rabbit
Regular
Squirrel
Squirrel
Fall
Squirrel
Spring
CLOSED on Kisatchie National Forest, some national wildlife refuges, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property and some state WMAs
Squirrel
Youth (private lands only)
Select state wildlife management areas and other public lands will be open for youth squirrel hunting - check WMA and public lands season schedules
Furbearer
Bobcat
Experimental Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Experimental year-round season
Raccoon and Opossum
Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Small Game
Squirrel
Fall
Possession limit: 24. Season listed as 2025/2026.
Squirrel
Spring
Possession limit: 9. Closed on Kisatchie National Forest, some NWRs, USACE property, and some WMAs. Season listed as 2025/2026.
Migratory Birds
Rails and Gallinules
Extended Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Extended Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Rails and Gallinules
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Rails and Gallinules
Extended Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Rails and Gallinules
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Regular
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Louisiana Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Louisiana?
Archery deer season opens between September 19, 2026 and October 1, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027. Firearm deer season opens between October 17, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 24, 2027. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Louisiana LDWF.
When is Louisiana's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens between October 17, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 24, 2027. Check zone and permit details with Louisiana LDWF before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Louisiana?
Spring turkey season opens April 3, 2027 in every zone and closes between April 18, 2027 and May 2, 2027 depending on zone. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
Do I need a license to hunt in Louisiana?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Louisiana hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Louisiana LDWF.