Louisiana Hunting Seasons 2023-2024: New Regulations & Schedule Changes!

Details about the next 2023-2024 hunting season in Louisiana have been made public. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has created 10 separate zones around the state (LDWF). Important dates and rules for Louisiana’s hunting season are outlined in this page. We’ll talk about where to go hunting and the many species of wildlife in Louisiana.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never gone hunting before or if you’ve been doing it for years, the information provided here will add value to your hunting expedition this year. What are we waiting for? Dive in and discover the great hunting in Louisiana has to offer!

Louisiana Hunting Seasons

Most of you are likely making preparations for the latest hunting season. Our team has compiled the following schedule of upcoming hunting seasons for your convenience.

Deer season Louisiana 2023

Louisiana Deer season may begin as early as mid-September and last as late as mid-February. Because each season starts on a Saturday, the dates vary.

Deer Hunting Method	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Area
Archery	Oct. 1	Jan. 31	Area 1
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11-17	Jan. 22-31	Area 1
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18-Dec. 8	Jan. 8-21	Area 1
with/without dogs	Dec. 9	Jan. 7	Area 1
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28-Nov. 3		Area 1
Archery	Oct. 1	Jan. 31	Area 2
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 21-27	Jan. 15-21	Area 2
Modern Firearms/still hunt only	Oct. 28-Dec. 5		Area 2
with/without dogs	Dec. 6	Jan. 14	Area 2
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 14-20		Area 2
Archery	Sept. 16	Jan. 15	Area 3
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 14-20	Jan. 1-7	Area 3
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 21-Nov. 26		Area 3
with/without dogs	Nov. 27	Dec. 31	Area 3
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Sept. 23-29		Area 3
Archery	Oct. 1	Jan. 31	Area 4
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11-17	Jan 22-31	Area 4
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18-Dec. 8	Jan. 8-21	Area 4
with/without dogs	Dec. 9	Jan. 7	Area 4
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28-Nov. 3		Area 4
Archery	Oct. 1-15 (bucks only)	Feb. 15	Area 5
Archery	Oct. 16	Feb. 15	Area 5, Area 6, Area 9
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11-17 (either sex)	Jan. 31 (bucks only)	Area 5, Area 9
Primitive Firearms	Jan. 22-31 (bucks only)		Area 5, Area 9
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11-17	Jan. 31	Area 6
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18-Dec. 8 (bucks only, either-sex take allowed Nov. 18-19 & Nov. 24-26)		Area 5, Area 9
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18-Dec. 8		Area 6
with/without dogs	Dec. 9-Jan. 21 (bucks only, either-sex take allowed Dec. 9-10 & Dec. 16-17)		Area 5, Area 9
with/without dogs	Dec. 9-Jan. 21		Area 6
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28-Nov. 3		Area 5, Area 6, Area 9
Archery	Sept. 16-Jan. 15		Area 7, Area 8
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 14-20 & Jan. 1-7		Area 7, Area 8
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 21-Nov. 26		Area 7, Area 8
with/without dogs	Nov. 27-Dec. 31		Area 7, Area 8
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Sept. 23-29		Area 7, Area 8
Archery	Oct. 1-15 (bucks only)	Feb. 15	Area 9
Primitive Firearms	Nov. 11-17 (either sex)	Jan. 31 (bucks only)	Area 9
Primitive Firearms	Jan. 22-31 (bucks only)		Area 9
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Nov. 18-Dec. 8 (bucks only, either-sex take allowed Nov. 18-19 & Nov. 24-26)		Area 9
with/without dogs	Dec. 9-Jan. 21 (bucks only, either-sex take allowed Dec. 9-10 & Dec. 16-17)		Area 9
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Oct. 28-Nov. 3		Area 9
Archery	Sept. 16-Jan. 15		Area 10
Primitive Firearms	Oct. 14-20 & Jan. 1-7		Area 10
Modern Firearms/still-hunt only	Oct. 21-Dec. 31		Area 10
Youth-only and honorably discharged veterans	Sept. 23-29		Area 10

Rabbit Season

Louisiana Rabbits Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Rabbits	Saturday, October 07, 2023	Thursday, February 01, 2029	Statewide, private lands only

Louisiana Bobcat, Hog and Coyote Season

Louisiana Bobcat, Hog and Coyote Season	Hunting Season Start Date	Hunting Season End Date	Note
Bobcat	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023	experimental season all year round.
Coyote	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023	Seasonal hunting. There is no restriction.
Hog	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023	Throughout the Year hunting. No limit.

Raccoon and Opossum Season

Louisiana Raccoon and Opossum Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Raccoon and Opossum	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023	Year-round. 2 raccoons and 2 opossums

Squirrels Season

Louisiana Squirrels Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Squirrels	Saturday, October 07, 2023	Thursday, February 01, 2029	Statewide, private lands only
Squirrels	Saturday, May 04, 2024	Sunday, May 26, 2024	Statewide, private lands only

Alligator Season

Louisiana Alligator Season	Hunting Season Start Date	Hunting Season End Date
Alligator (East Zone)	31-Aug	30-Oct
Alligator (West Zone)	7-Sep	6-Nov

Regulations

Topic	Description
Hunting Season	Last Wednesday of August for East Zone, First Wednesday of September for West Zone, and continuing 60 days for each zone
Resident Guidelines	Need a Resident Alligator Hunter License, authorization to hunt on public lands via a lottery or bidding process, and a Helper License.
Non-Resident Guidelines	Specific tags for both private and public areas are necessary for alligator hunting, and those without private property may purchase an alligator sport hunter license.
Private Lands	Tags for appropriate wetland habitats are given by LDWF.
Public Lands	Tags distributed by auction or lottery based on certain requirements and application procedures
Bidding Guidelines	Minimum standards, bid specifications, guidelines to follow, and required hunting education
Lottery Guidelines	Open to inhabitants of Louisiana; application criteria; issuing of tags and licenses for alligator hunting
Rules	regulations governing the use of weapons, hook-and-line fishing, bows and arrows, and size restrictions when hunting
Tag Requirements	Alligators must be promptly tagged, and missing tags must be reported within 15 days after the end of the season.
Important Exceptions	Regulations on farm alligators, research on alligators with special markings, alligator egg harvesting guidelines, and hunters for nuisance control

Quail Season

Louisiana Quail Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Quail	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Thursday, February 01, 2024	Statewide, private lands only

Pheasant Season

Louisiana Pheasant Season	Hunting Season Start Date	Hunting Season End Date	BagLimit
Pheasant	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Thursday, February 01, 2024	No limit restriction

Turkey Season 2023

Louisiana Turkey Season (2023)	Hunting Season Start Date	Hunting Season End Date	Area
Spring Youth and Disabled hunters.	Saturday-March 25, 2023	Sunday-March 26, 2023	Areas A, B, and C. For a comprehensive map, see the rules.
Spring C	Saturday-April 1, 2023	Sunday-April 16, 2023	In Area C; for further information, please refer to the rules and regulations.
Spring A	Saturday-April 1, 2023	Sunday-April 30, 2023	Area A; for a more in-depth map, please refer to the rules and regulations.

Turkey Season 2024

Louisiana Turkey Season (2024)	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
Turkey (Area A)	Saturday, April 06, 2024	Sunday, May 05, 2024
Turkey (Area B)	Saturday, April 06, 2024	Sunday, April 28, 2024
Turkey (Area C)	Saturday, April 06, 2024	Sunday, April 21, 2024
Turkey (Youth/Physically Challenged weekend)	Friday, March 29, 2024	Sunday, March 31, 2024

Crows, Blackbirds, Cowbirds, and Grackles

Louisiana Crows, Blackbirds, Cowbirds, and Grackles Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Crows, Blackbirds, Cowbirds, and Grackles	Friday, September 01, 2023	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Year-round. 2 raccoons and 2 opossums

Louisiana Migratory Birds & Waterfowl Season

Goose Seasons

Louisiana Geese Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, and Ross') and White-fronted Geese	Saturday, November 04, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023	East Zone
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, and Ross') and White-fronted Geese	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Sunday, January 28, 2024	East Zone
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, and Ross') and White-fronted Geese	Saturday, November 04, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023	West Zone
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, and Ross') and White-fronted Geese	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Tuesday, January 02, 2024	West Zone
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, and Ross') and White-fronted Geese	Saturday, January 13, 2024	Wednesday, February 07, 2024	West Zone
Canada Geese	Saturday, November 04, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023	East Zone
Canada Geese	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Saturday, January 28, 2023	East Zone
Canada Geese	Saturday, November 04, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023	West Zone
Canada Geese	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Tuesday, January 02, 2024	West Zone
Canada Geese	Saturday, January 13, 2024	Wednesday, February 07, 2024	West Zone
Geese/Conservation Order (East Zone)	Monday, December 04, 2023	Friday, December 15, 2023
Geese/Conservation Order (East Zone)	Monday, January 29, 2024	Sunday, March 03, 2024
Geese/Conservation Order (West Zone)	Monday, December 04, 2023	Friday, December 15, 2023
Geese/Conservation Order (West Zone)	Wednesday, January 03, 2024	Friday, January 12, 2024
Geese/Conservation Order (West Zone)	Thursday, February 08, 2024	Sunday, March 03, 2024

Note

• Geese: includes Ross’, specklebellies, blue, snow, and Canada. In several areas of the Cameron and Vermilion parishes, lake of Canada geese are forbidden.
• Geese/Conservation Order: only permitted to snap pictures of blue, snow, and Ross’ geese. neither a daily nor a possession limit. Electronic calls and shotguns with a capacity of more than three rounds are permitted for hunters.

Rails/Gallinules Season

Louisiana Rails/Gallinules Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Gallinules	Friday, September 15, 2023	Monday, October 30, 2023	Statewide
Gallinules	Saturday, November 11, 2023	Wednesday, January 03, 2024	Statewide
King Rails	Friday, September 15, 2023	Saturday, September 30, 2023
Clapper Rails	Friday, September 15, 2023	Saturday, September 30, 2023
Sora Rails	Saturday, November 11, 2023	Wednesday, January 03, 2024
Virginia Rails	Saturday, November 11, 2023	Wednesday, January 03, 2024

Snipe Season

Louisiana Snipe Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Snipe	Thursday, November 02, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023	Statewide
Snipe	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Wednesday, February 28, 2024	Statewide

Louisiana teal season 2023

Louisiana Teal Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
TEAL (BLUE-WINGED, GREEN-WINGED AND CINNAMON)	Friday, September 15, 2023	Saturday, September 30, 2023	Statewide

Woodcock Season

Louisiana Woodcock Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
WOODCOCK	Monday, December 18, 2023	Wednesday, January 31, 2024	Statewide

Dove Season

Louisiana Dove Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Doves (South Zone)	Saturday, September 02, 2023	Sunday, September 17, 2023	South Zone
Doves (South Zone)	Saturday, October 14, 2023	Sunday, November 26, 2023	South Zone
Doves (South Zone)	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Saturday, January 14, 2023	South Zone
Doves (North Zone)	Saturday, September 02, 2023	Sunday, September 24, 2023	North Zone
Doves (North Zone)	Saturday, October 07, 2023	Sunday, November 12, 2023	North Zone
Doves (North Zone)	Saturday, December 23, 2023	Saturday, January 21, 2023	North Zone

Regulations

Topic	Details
Opening Day	Shooting hours on LDWF private dove field leases and WMAs are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Dove Season	Opens on Saturday, September 2nd.
Shot Restrictions	Only non-toxic shot size 6 or smaller is allowed on these fields.
HIP Certification	Required for all migratory gamebird hunters, available for free on the LDWF website.
Dove Hunting Info	Additional information on dove hunting can be found on the LDWF website.
Lease Fields	LDWF will have lease fields available in DeRidder and Colfax for opening day.
Permits	Permits for lease field hunts can be accessed through the LDWF website for a fee.
Registration Fee	$10 for adults; free for youths aged 17 and younger.
Shot Type	Only non-toxic shot size 6 and smaller may be used; no lead shot is allowed.
Rules for Dogs and ATVs	Dogs are allowed; ATVs may be restricted to field roads in wet conditions.
DeRidder Field Details	Two fields located on Highway 190, totaling approximately 150 acres of milo and 375 acres of corn.
DeRidder Field Hours	Fields open to the public at 5 a.m.
DeRidder Contacts	Contact the Lake Charles Field Office at 337-491-2575 for more information.
Colfax Field Details	Located on the north side of Highway 492 with 175 acres of shredded and burned corn.
Colfax Field Hours	Field opens to the public at 5 a.m.
Colfax Contacts	Contact the Pineville Field Office at 318-487-5885 for more information.
WMAs Offering Dove Fields	Several LDWF Wildlife Management Areas offer dove hunting opportunities.
Dove Season Start Date	Opens in Louisiana's north and south zones on Saturday, September 2nd.
Additional Resources	More information about dove hunting in Louisiana and WMA dove fields can be found on the LDWF website.
Vernon Unit Dove Hunting	Contact the Calcasieu Ranger District Office at 318-793-9427 for more information.
Contact Information	For more information, contact Dr. Jeff Duguay at jduguay@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-2353.

Louisiana duck season

Duck Zones	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
West	11-Nov-23	3-Dec-23	-
West	16-Dec-23	2-Jan-24	-
West	13-Jan-24	31-Jan-24	-
East	18-Nov-23	3-Dec-23	-
East	16-Dec-23	28-Jan-24	-
East	11-Nov-23	11-Nov-23	Youth-only and veterans-only special hunt
East	3-Feb-24	3-Feb-24	Youth-only and veterans-only special hunt
West	4-Nov-23	5-Nov-23	Youth-only and veterans-only weekend

Coots and Mergansers Season

LA Coots and Mergansers Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Coots (West Zone)	11-Nov-23	3-Dec-23
Mergansers (West Zone)	11-Nov-23	3-Dec-23
Coots (West Zone)	16-Dec-23	2-Jan-24
Mergansers (West Zone)	16-Dec-23	2-Jan-24
Coots (West Zone)	13-Jan-24	31-Jan-24
Mergansers (West Zone)	13-Jan-24	31-Jan-24
Coots (East Zone)	18-Nov-23	3-Dec-23
Mergansers (East Zone)	18-Nov-23	3-Dec-23
Coots (East Zone)	16-Dec-23	28-Jan-24
Mergansers (East Zone)	16-Dec-23	28-Jan-24
Coots (East Zone)	11-Nov-23	11-Nov-23	Youth-only and veterans-only special hunt
Mergansers (East Zone)	11-Nov-23	11-Nov-23	Youth-only and veterans-only special hunt
Coots (East Zone)	3-Feb-24	3-Feb-24	Youth-only and veterans-only special hunt
Mergansers (East Zone)	3-Feb-24	3-Feb-24	Youth-only and veterans-only special hunt
Coots (West Zone)	4-Nov-23	5-Nov-23	Yuth-only and veterans-only weekend
Mergansers (West Zone)	4-Nov-23	5-Nov-23	Youth-only and veterans-only weekend

Hunting Location

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries maintains over 1.6 million acres. There are also large tracts of government maintained hunting territory in the state.

Forests and parks: Kisatchie National Forest & Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve limit hunting. These sites may have restrictions and need permissions.

Wildlife camps: The USFWS maintains 23 national wildlife refuges in Louisiana. Many of these areas allow hunting, with certain constraints. Louisiana’s wildlife refuges cover 550,000 acres.

Wildlife-protected areas: Louisiana has many WMAs for public hunting (WMAs). These areas are carefully conserved because of their relevance to ecosystems and animal species.

State wildlife preserves: Louisiana has 8 wildlife refuges. Some of these areas allow hunting, although the techniques and sorts of wildlife differ.

Protected Natural Areas: Louisiana’s Nature Reserves include White Lake and Ben Lilly. Only White Lake allows hunting, although it has good waterfowl opportunities. White Lake hunting permits are lottery-based.

Hunting Resources

Here’s an information link for deer hunters. Others who like migratory game birds can also find official info here. Learn when to hunt turkeys, bunnies, quail, and squirrels in Louisiana.

Hunting License & Fees

In Louisiana, you need a Basic Hunting License to capture or transit wild birds or quadrupeds.

Bow or archaic rifle hunting, turkey, bobcat, or migratory duck hunting may need a license and/or fee. Refer to the below chart for fees.

License Type	Fee	Additional Tags (if any)
Basic Hunting	$20.00	Varies based on the type of hunting
Deer	$15.00	$35.00
Waterfowl	$12.00	$35.00
Turkey	$12.00	$35.00
Youth Hunting	$5.00	Included
Federal Electronic Duck Stamp	$27.72	Not applicable
Harvest Information Program (HIP)	Free	Not applicable
Hunting Preserve	$15.00	Not applicable
WMA Access Annual Permit	$20.00	Not applicable
WMA Access 5-Day Permit	$5.00	Not applicable
WMA Camping Permit	$7.00/day	Not applicable
Sportsman’s Paradise (Combination License)	$100.00	$120.00
Senior Hunt/Fish (born before June 1, 1940)	Free	Not applicable
Senior Hunt/Fish (born between June 1, 1940 and May 31, 1962)	$5.00	Not applicable
Senior Hunt/Fish (65+ on or after June 1, 2027)	$20.00	Not applicable
Resident or Native-Born Retired Military	$20.00	Not applicable
Disabled	$4.00	Not applicable
Disabled Veteran	$4.00	Not applicable
Lifetime Hunting/Fishing Combo License (from birth to age 64)	$500.00	$4,000.00
Senior Lifetime Hunting/Fishing Combo License (65 and older)	$100.00	$4,000.00

FAQ on Louisiana Hunting Seasons

Is hunting allowed on any of Louisiana's public lands?

Various government organizations control a large number of acres in Louisiana. These areas are great for hunting, fishing, and birding, like state-owned public lands. Many activities on government land need permits and approvals.

Does Louisiana require a hunting license?

Those born on or after September 1, 1969 who wish to hunt in Louisiana must undergo an approved hunter education course. Certification needs a 10-year-old.