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Deer Area 4
Washington Parish Hunting
From the first archery morning to spring gobblers, this Washington Parish guide gathers dates, deer limits, harvest tables, public tracts and the services closest to Franklinton.
Photo: Kevin Crosby (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Where Washington Parish sits
The Hammond field office handles LDWF wildlife work in Washington Parish, part of a district that spans the Florida Parishes and the southeast: Pearl River and Lake Maurepas swamps, the Lake Pontchartrain basin, Delta marsh and the pine flats north of Lake Pontchartrain. Census puts the 2024 population at 45,090, 0.8% down from the 2020 base of 45,457, and Franklinton serves as the parish seat.
By the Census gazetteer it holds 670 square miles of land plus 6 of open water (1% of the total). Neighbours inside Louisiana are St. Tammany Parish and Tangipahoa Parish; over the state line lie Marion (MS), Pearl River (MS), Pike (MS) and Walthall (MS).
Population from the Census Vintage 2024 estimates; area from the 2024 Census gazetteer; neighbours from Census adjacency; seat from the list of Louisiana parishes; LDWF offices from the LDWF Contact Us page. Checked November 4, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Washington Parish
Washington Parish deer area, dates and bag
No boundary splits Washington Parish: the whole parish is Deer Area 4. Public areas inside it keep separate dates, printed in each WMA or federal schedule.
| Area | In parish | Share | Season total | Bucks max | Does max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 4 | Whole parish | 100% | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Washington Parish deer segments by area
| Deer Area | Archery | Muzzleloader | Still-hunt firearms | Dog season | Youth and vets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 4 | Oct 1–Jan 31 | Nov 14–Nov 20 Jan 25–Jan 31 | Nov 21–Dec 11 Jan 4–Jan 24 | Dec 12–Jan 3 | Oct 31–Nov 6 |
A season limit of 4 deer applies here (2 antlered at most, 2 antlerless at most), with a daily limit of one of each. Antlered means one visible hardened antler, or under the new rule velvet antler at least three inches long. Attach the tag (or tag electronically) before moving the deer, then validate it inside 72 hours. Primitive segments are now open to any legal weapon for hunters 65 and older and qualifying disabled hunters, as well as youths 17 and under. Public-land deer still count against the season total for the area.
Areas and limits from the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, deer and the LDWF Deer Area map; segment dates from the area schedules (Area 4); shares from the LDWF Deer Management Areas layer; tag and weapon rules from pamphlet p. 22 and p. 23. Checked November 4, 2026.
Public land in and near Washington Parish
Roughly 2,512 acres of Washington Parish are public land open to hunting by the LDWF and federal layers (0.6% of the parish), led by LDWF WMA ground. Starred rows are mapped but not counted as public hunting land: state refuges and parks are closed to hunting, and military land is reached only through the WMAs LDWF runs on it. Treat these acre counts as map measurements rather than the agencies' official totals.
| Owner or kind | Mapped acres |
|---|---|
| LDWF WMA ground | 1,637 |
| Federal refuges | 875 |
| State parks* | 1,731 |
Washington Parish public ground by area
Bogue Chitto NWR
Species: waterfowl, dove, snipe, woodcock and rail.
Bogue Chitto WMA
Species: deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game and raccoon. Bogue Chitto WMA includes approximately 6.5 miles of riverfront along the Bogue Chitto, with extensive bottomland forests and rugged forested hills.
Hunting areas close to Washington Parish
- Tangipahoa Parish School Board WMA18 miles, WMA, Tangipahoa Parish
- Sandy Hollow WMA22 miles, WMA, Tangipahoa Parish
- Lake Ramsay WMA23 miles, WMA, St. Tammany Parish
A WMA Access Permit ($20 annual, $5 five-day) covers adults, and everyone fills out a Self-Clearing Permit each day. Waterfowl hunting on WMAs closes at noon, baiting is prohibited and entry begins at 4 a.m.
Acres from the LDWF WMA layer, USFS ownership, USFWS refuge layer and LDWF federal layers; areas from the LDWF WMA, refuge and conservation area list and each area page; permits from pamphlet p. 6 and WMA rules. Checked November 4, 2026.
What opens when around Washington Parish
Louisiana sets deer dates by Deer Area, and Washington Parish falls in Deer Area 4; each area has its own archery, primitive, still-hunt and dog segments. The 54 rows below come from the LDWF pamphlet.
| Game | Weapon or split | Area or zone | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 4 | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 4 | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 4 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 4 | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 4 | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 4 | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 4 | Jan 25, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Challenged hunters | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Lottery permit hunt | Bear Area 7 | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth and challenged | Turkey A, B, C | Mar 26, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | Turkey Area A | Apr 3, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Night take, private land | Private land | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Year-round, daylight | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Alligator | Recreational lottery | Zones A-H | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Youth (private lands only) | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Spring | Statewide | May 1, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | |
| Rabbits | Season | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Quail | Season | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Season | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Doves | Segment 1 | North zone | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | North zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | North zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Whistling ducks | Special season | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | East zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Split 1 | East zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Split 2 | East zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | East zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Regular season | East zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Conservation Order | East zone | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Regular season | East zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Conservation Order | East zone | Feb 8, 2027 | Mar 7, 2027 | |
| Specklebellies | Regular season | East zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Specklebellies | Regular season | East zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Canada geese | Regular season | East zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Canada geese | Regular season | East zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| King and clapper rails | Season | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| King and clapper rails | Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Sora and Virginia rails | Season | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Sora and Virginia rails | Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Gallinules | Season | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Gallinules | Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Snipe | Season | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Snipe | Season | Statewide | Jan 25, 2027 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Season | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Crows | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Year-round, daylight | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Armadillo | Year-round, daylight | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Nutria | Recreational hunting | Private land | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Year-round hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Year-round, day and night | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Year-round, day and night | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Foxes (chase) | Chase only (hunting) | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 |
From the LDWF seasons and regulations and the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries), checked November 4, 2026.
Washington Parish harvest record
Neither the 2022-23 nor the 2024-25 top-20 table includes Washington Parish; LDWF publishes no other parish harvest figure.
| Report | Harvest rank | Deer count | Acres per deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Not in top 20 | — | Not in top 20 |
| 2022-23 | Not in top 20 | — | Not in top 20 |
Louisiana as a whole reported 143,527 deer in 2024-25, and survey estimates put 2025-26 at about 276,200.
Raw 2025-26 survey answers for the parish's areas: Area 4: 2,125 days and 83 deer.
On the LDWF turkey harvest map for 2026 the label for Washington Parish reads 313 (statewide 4,024); treat it as read from a map.
Parish deer from the Annual Louisiana Deer Report 2024-25 and 2022-23 (top-20 tables only; the 2023-24 report link is dead); statewide and WMA figures from the 2024-25 report; survey from the 2025-26 harvest survey; turkey from the 2026 Wild Turkey Program report (Figure 5 map, read by eye); records from the Big Game Records page. Checked November 4, 2026.
Disease, bear and gator rules for Washington Parish
CWD in Washington Parish
The June 2, 2026 zone map leaves Washington Parish outside the CWD Management Zone. The import rule is statewide: no whole carcasses or heads from other states, only processed meat and cleaned parts. None of Louisiana's 55 CWD-positive deer came from Washington Parish.
Black bear lottery in Washington Parish
Bear hunting in Washington Parish (Bear Area 7) is by lottery permit only, December 5-20, 2026; permits: Area 7: 2 general permits. Applications ran July 28 to August 28, 2026 for a $50 fee, the resident Bear License costs $25, and winners must attend bear-hunter training. From November 1 bear permit holders may bait (no raw sweet potatoes or chocolate); no dogs, no cubs.
Washington Parish alligator lottery zone
For the new recreational alligator lottery, Washington Parish belongs to Zone G (400 opportunities), shared with West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension. October 1-31, 2026 is the recreational window: two tags per zone, reported within 72 hours. Commercial tags follow East and West zones and run to December 31.
CWD from the June 2, 2026 CWD map, pamphlet p. 12 and the LDWF CWD page; bear from the LDWF black bear lottery page and lottery hunts page; alligator from the LDWF recreational alligator page. Checked November 4, 2026.
Turkey and waterfowl rules for Washington Parish
Washington Parish turkey rules
Turkey season reaches Washington Parish through Turkey Area A, with dates April 3 to May 2, 2027. Two gobblers per season, one per day; the youth hunt is March 26 to March 28, 2027. No turkey hunting within 200 yards of bait; ground counts as baited for 15 days after cleanup.
Washington Parish duck dates
The East Zone regular season comes in two splits, November 21 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Youths and veterans get November 14, 2026 and February 6, 2027. Teal hunters had September 19 to September 27, 2026; the new whistler season ran October 3 to October 11, 2026 under a free LDWF permit.
Washington Parish dove dates
The North Dove Zone has three segments: September 5 to September 27, 2026, October 10 to November 15, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 17, 2027, with a daily bag of 15.
Turkey from pamphlet pp. 30-31 and the LDWF turkey map; waterfowl from pamphlet p. 34 and p. 36; doves from p. 34; baiting from p. 12. Checked November 4, 2026.
What Washington Parish has on the calendar
Kinds on file here: DU banquet and LDWF general lottery. Count: 2 dates still ahead. LDWF lottery rows (1) admit drawn applicants alone.
Coming soon
| Days | What | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2027 | Washington Parish Banquet – Bogalusa · DU banquet | Coke Plant Bogalusa | Buy tickets | Source |
| Apr 3–11, 2027 | Bogue Chitto WMA general turkey lottery | Apply | Source |
Washington Parish offices, towns and shops
LDWF agents covering Washington Parish work out of Baton Rouge in Region 7 under Captain Will Roberts. About 36 miles separate the parish centre from the nearest LDWF office, Hammond Field Office in Hammond.
Washington Parish base towns
| Town | 2024 people | Areas near (10 mi) | Areas near (25 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklinton | 3,592 | 1 | 5 |
| Bogalusa | 10,367 | 1 | 3 |
| Rio | CDP | 1 | 5 |
Washington Parish also includes:
- Varnado318
- Angie251
Listed in Washington Parish: 1 taxidermist, 1 gun or outdoor store and 1 guide or preserve. Not listed: deer processors. We built the list from LDWF layers, Hunters for the Hungry and directory listings; ring before you go.
Processors, Washington Parish area
Taxidermy, Washington Parish area
Gun shops and stores, Washington Parish area
Guides, Washington Parish area
Offices from the LDWF Contact Us page and LDWF local law enforcement page; towns and places from the 2024 Census gazetteer and Census population estimates; services from LDWF processor layers, Hunters for the Hungry, store locators and Yellow Pages listings. Checked November 4, 2026.
Washington Parish shooters: ranges and match dates
Washington Parish has no listed range; the nearest three are below, with miles.
Of the 6 LDWF ranges, Pearl River-Honey Island Shooting Range is closest, about 37 miles from the Washington Parish centre. Full page
Ranges from the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Sunrise, sunset and legal hours in Washington Parish
LDWF prints no sunrise and sunset table, so these times for Washington Parish are worked out with the NOAA solar formula.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and turkey | Ducks and doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Area 4 archery opens | 6:53 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Area 4 gun opens | 6:32 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:43 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Area 4 dog season | 6:48 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:54 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:48 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations and La. R.S. 56:116.1; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Central Time); checked November 4, 2026. Legal hours for every parish.
Washington Parish rules in brief
Is Washington Parish in the East or West duck zone?
East.
Where is the dove line near Washington Parish?
LA 12, US 190, I-12 and I-10.
Does Washington Parish have CWD archery?
No, that segment is only for zone parts of Areas 1, 2 and 6.
Who can enter the alligator lottery for Washington Parish?
Louisiana residents 16 and older with hunter education.
What is the biggest public area in Washington Parish?
Bogue Chitto NWR, 28,846 acres.
Who is the LDWF Enforcement captain for Washington Parish?
Will Roberts, Region 7 (Baton Rouge).
Can a tracking dog trail a wounded deer in Washington Parish?
Yes on private land, one leashed or GPS-collared dog.
Has Washington Parish produced a record deer?
No top all-time entry lists it.
Which processor is nearest Washington Parish?
Bergeron's Boudin & Cajun Meats Covington.
Which LDWF deer area includes Washington Parish?
Deer Area 4, the whole parish.
Do WMA deer count toward the Washington Parish limit?
Yes, WMA deer count toward the Deer Area season limit.
Answers from the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, LDWF seasons and regulations, hunter orange rule, tagging rules, Sunday hunting, hunter education, the Annual Louisiana Deer Report and the sources above. Checked November 4, 2026.
Washington Parish before opening day
Get permission before hunting private land in Washington Parish, and self-clear every time you enter a WMA.
Sources: 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, LDWF hunting, Census and the sources in each section. Checked November 4, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren (CC BY 2.0).