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LDWF Pineville field office area

Catahoula Parish Hunting

Plan a Catahoula Parish hunt in the LDWF Pineville field office area: Deer Area dates and limits, turkey and bear rules, duck and dove zones, public ground in and near the parish and who to call.

1, 2Deer Areas
Area A, CTurkey
Area 3, 4Bear lottery
EastDuck zone
NorthDove zone
#11 of 64Top-20 deer rank

The photo shows Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge, 6 miles off, used in place of a Catahoula Parish picture.

Photo: Walmart (CC BY 2.0)

Catahoula Parish at a glance

Biologists from the LDWF Pineville field office cover Catahoula Parish along with the rest of central Louisiana: Kisatchie National Forest, the Red River, Catahoula Lake and the longleaf pine hills around Alexandria. Harrisonburg is the parish seat, and the Census Bureau estimated 8,280 residents in 2024, 7.0% down from the 2020 base of 8,907.

Census measures 709 square miles of dry land here against 30 square miles of water (4%). Hunters crossing the parish line land in Avoyelles Parish, Caldwell Parish, Concordia Parish, Franklin Parish, LaSalle Parish and Tensas Parish.

HarrisonburgParish government
8,280Residents (2024)
709Land (sq mi)
48,248Public ground
PinevilleOffice area
Region 3Agents

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 Catahoula Parish

J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 13 mi from Catahoula Parish

Directions
LaSalle Parish

County · 19 mi from Catahoula Parish

Directions
Concordia Parish

County · 19 mi from Catahoula Parish

Directions
Boeuf Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 26 mi from Catahoula Parish

Directions
Little River Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 31 mi from Catahoula Parish

Directions
Hunting Near Georgetown, Louisiana

Town · 32 mi from Catahoula Parish

Directions

Catahoula Parish deer dates by area

Catahoula Parish is split for deer: Deer Area 1 (part, about 78% by the LDWF layer) and Deer Area 2 (part, about 22% by the LDWF layer). Those area lines follow named roads, rivers and bayous rather than parish lines, so a hunter near one should read the boundary text and the LDWF Deer Area map before choosing which dates apply. The share figures are approximate overlays; the 2026-27 pamphlet lists are authoritative.

AreaCoversShare (GIS)Total deerAntleredAntlerless
Area 1Part78%625
Area 2Part22%634

Bow, primitive and gun dates in Catahoula Parish

AreaArchery datesPrimitive datesStill-hunt datesDog datesYouth dates
Area 1
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
Area 2
Oct 1–Jan 31
Oct 24–Oct 30
Jan 18–Jan 24
Oct 31–Dec 9
Dec 10–Jan 17
Oct 10–Oct 16

A bucks-only CWD-zone archery season, September 12 to September 20, 2026, applies on private ground inside the Management Zone here. Which side of the line you hunt changes the season cap: Area 1: 6 deer (2 antlered, 5 antlerless) and Area 2: 6 deer (3 antlered, 4 antlerless). One antlered and one antlerless deer a day in each. The Area 1 split of two antlered and five antlerless is new in the 2026-27 pamphlet. Bucks still in velvet are legal this season once an antler reaches three inches. Before the deer leaves the spot, tag it; within 72 hours, validate the tag by text, web, LA Wallet or phone. During primitive firearms dates, hunters aged 65 or more may now carry any legal deer weapon, a change for 2026-27. Daily limits apply on WMAs too, and deer taken on a WMA count toward the area season limit.

White-tailed deer moving through autumn woods

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 1, Area 2); shares from the LDWF Deer Management Areas layer; tag and weapon rules from pamphlet p. 22 and p. 23. Checked November 4, 2026.

Catahoula Parish public land map

The overlay counts about 48,248 public acres in Catahoula Parish, or 10.6% of its land; the largest kind is LDWF WMAs. Acreages come from overlaying map polygons and will not match official area figures exactly.

Public landGIS acres
LDWF WMAs30,462
NWR land17,785

Catahoula Parish WMAs, refuges and forest land

Dewey W. Wills WMA

WMA · 63,984 acres · also LaSalle Parish and Rapides Parish

Game: deer, waterfowl, small game, raccoon and squirrel. Dewey W. Wills WMA is managed to provide wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. 75 deer checked on 2024 managed hunts.

Boeuf WMA

WMA · 51,110 acres · also Caldwell Parish

Game: deer, waterfowl, small game, raccoon and squirrel. Boeuf WMA is bordered by the Bouef River for approximately 47 miles on its eastern side. 195 deer checked on 2024 managed hunts.

Catahoula NWR

National wildlife refuge · 25,285 acres · also LaSalle Parish

Game: waterfowl, woodcock, squirrel, rabbit and raccoon.

J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert WMA

WMA · 7,524 acres

Game: deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game and raccoon. The unique habitat on J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert WMA supports a diversity of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species. 6 deer checked on 2024 managed hunts.

Public tracts around Catahoula Parish

Before hunting a WMA, adults buy the WMA Access Permit ($20 for a year, $5 for five days) and everyone self-clears for the day. Baiting is banned on every WMA, entry starts no earlier than 4 a.m., and waterfowl shooting on WMAs and other public land ends at noon.

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.

Hunts that reach Catahoula Parish

Bear permits, turkey areas, duck zones and dove zones each cover only part of Louisiana, so read the area column to see which rows apply in Catahoula Parish.

GameSegmentAreaOpensClosesToday
White-tailed deerCWD zone archeryArea 1Sep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 1Oct 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth and veteransArea 1Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 1Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 1Nov 21, 2026Dec 11, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 1Dec 12, 2026Jan 3, 2027
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 1Jan 4, 2027Jan 24, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 1Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerCWD zone archeryArea 2Aug 29, 2026Sep 6, 2026
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 2Oct 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth and veteransArea 2Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 2Oct 24, 2026Oct 30, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 2Oct 31, 2026Dec 9, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 2Dec 10, 2026Jan 17, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 2Jan 18, 2027Jan 24, 2027
White-tailed deerChallenged huntersStatewideOct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026
Black bearLottery permit huntBear Area 3Dec 5, 2026Dec 20, 2026
Black bearLottery permit huntBear Area 4Dec 5, 2026Dec 20, 2026
Wild turkeyYouth and challengedTurkey A, B, CMar 26, 2027Mar 28, 2027
Wild turkeySpringTurkey Area AApr 3, 2027May 2, 2027
Wild turkeySpringTurkey Area CApr 3, 2027Apr 18, 2027
Feral hogsNight take, private landPrivate landJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
Feral hogsYear-round, daylightStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
AlligatorRecreational lotteryZones A-HOct 1, 2026Oct 31, 2026
SquirrelsYouth (private lands only)StatewideSep 26, 2026Sep 27, 2026
SquirrelsFallStatewideOct 3, 2026Feb 28, 2027
SquirrelsSpringStatewideMay 1, 2027May 23, 2027
RabbitsSeasonStatewideOct 3, 2026Feb 28, 2027
QuailSeasonStatewideNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027
PheasantSeasonStatewideNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027
DovesSegment 1North zoneSep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026
DovesSegment 2North zoneOct 10, 2026Nov 15, 2026
DovesSegment 3North zoneDec 19, 2026Jan 17, 2027
TealSeptember tealStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
Whistling ducksSpecial seasonStatewideOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026
Ducks and cootsYouth and veteran dayEast zoneNov 14, 2026Nov 14, 2026
Ducks and cootsSplit 1East zoneNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Ducks and cootsSplit 2East zoneDec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027
Ducks and cootsYouth and veteran dayEast zoneFeb 6, 2027Feb 6, 2027
Snow and blue geeseRegular seasonEast zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Snow and blue geeseConservation OrderEast zoneDec 7, 2026Dec 18, 2026
Snow and blue geeseRegular seasonEast zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Snow and blue geeseConservation OrderEast zoneFeb 8, 2027Mar 7, 2027
SpecklebelliesRegular seasonEast zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
SpecklebelliesRegular seasonEast zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Canada geeseRegular seasonEast zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Canada geeseRegular seasonEast zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
King and clapper railsSeasonStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
King and clapper railsSeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 2027
Sora and Virginia railsSeasonStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
Sora and Virginia railsSeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 2027
GallinulesSeasonStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
GallinulesSeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 2027
SnipeSeasonStatewideOct 31, 2026Jan 10, 2027
SnipeSeasonStatewideJan 25, 2027Feb 28, 2027
WoodcockSeasonStatewideDec 18, 2026Jan 31, 2027
CrowsSeasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Jan 1, 2027
CoyoteYear-round, daylightStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
ArmadilloYear-round, daylightStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
NutriaRecreational huntingPrivate landSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
BobcatYear-round huntingStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
RaccoonYear-round, day and nightStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
OpossumYear-round, day and nightStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
Foxes (chase)Chase only (hunting)StatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027

WMA dates differ: read the area schedule before you go.

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.

What Catahoula Parish hunters take

Catahoula Parish reported 3,659 deer in 2024-25, placing it 11th of the 64 parishes. In 2022-23 the parish reported 3,244 deer (10th). The change from 2022-23 to 2024-25 works out to +13%.

In 2024-25 hunters took one deer per 50 acres of forest here, 5th in that LDWF ranking.

Report yearRankDeerForested acres per deer
2024-25#113,659#5 (50 ac)
2022-23#103,244#5 (56 ac)

Statewide, LDWF counted 143,527 reported deer in 2024-25, and the 2025-26 hunter survey estimates 276,200 deer taken by about 226,200 hunters.

Survey takers reported Area 1: 1,438 days and 127 deer and Area 2: 7,207 days and 382 deer in 2025-26, unexpanded respondent sums.

Catahoula Parish managed hunts, deer checked

Area huntEffortsHarvestBucksDoes
Dewey Wills652753441
Boeuf75919511976
JC Sonny Gilbert79642

Reading the parish labels on the 2026 Wild Turkey Program map gives 41 gobblers for Catahoula Parish (4,024 tagged statewide).

The Louisiana Big Game Records all-time list names Catahoula Parish for the top entry in gun, typical antlers (194 3/8, 2024) and eastern wild turkey (58.75, 2016).

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.

CWD zone, bear lottery and alligators in Catahoula Parish

Catahoula Parish CWD zone check

The single CWD Management Zone set up on June 2, 2026 reaches into Catahoula Parish, judging from the official map. For 2026-27 the zone allows bait and feed from September 1 to March 31 only. Whole carcasses may not leave the zone; deboned meat, quarters without the spine or head, antlers, cleaned skull plates, capes and finished mounts may, with a possession tag. Hunters returning from other states must bring only boned meat, clean quarters and cleaned parts into Louisiana. Of the 55 CWD-positive deer in Louisiana, 1 came from Catahoula Parish (1 in 2024-25).

Catahoula Parish Bear Area

Catahoula Parish is part of Bear Area 3 (part) and Bear Area 4 (part). Lottery winners hunt bears there from December 5 to 20, 2026 (Area 3: 4 permits (2 landowner, 1 general, 1 WMA) and Area 4: 19 permits (14 landowner, 4 general, 1 WMA)). The Bear Area line through the parish follows named roads and waterways. The lottery cost $50 to enter this year (July 28 to August 28, 2026); a successful hunter also buys a $25 Bear License and completes training. Rules for the hunt: still hunting only, bait from November 1, and cubs (75 pounds or less) protected.

Catahoula Parish recreational gator zone

Recreational gator hunters drawn for Zone C may hunt Catahoula Parish, Sabine, Vernon, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Rapides, Avoyelles, Concordia and LaSalle; the zone has 1,250 spots. Two hide tags per zone, an October 1-31 season and a 72-hour reporting rule frame the new recreational hunt. Commercial harvest uses East and West alligator zones and ends 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.

Catahoula Parish bird hunting zones

Spring gobblers in Catahoula Parish

Catahoula Parish falls in Turkey Area A (part) and Turkey Area C (part), so the spring gobbler season on private land runs Area A April 3 to May 2, 2027 and Area C April 3 to April 18, 2027. Only the part of the parish inside a listed Turkey Area is open; the LDWF map shows the line. Youths and wheelchair-confined hunters get March 26 to March 28, 2027 on private land; the limit is one gobbler a day and two a season. Baiting rules for turkeys are strict: 200 yards from bait, and 15 days after it is removed.

Catahoula Parish duck zone and splits

For the East Zone the duck dates are November 21 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Youth and veteran days: November 14, 2026 and February 6, 2027. September teal (September 19 to September 27, 2026) and the new whistling duck season (October 3 to October 11, 2026, free permit, four a day) apply here too.

Catahoula Parish dove segments

Doves in the North Zone: September 5 to September 27, 2026, October 10 to November 15, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 17, 2027 (15 daily, 45 in possession).

Eastern wild turkey gobbler

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.

Dates and results in Catahoula Parish

This Parish lists 1 date still ahead; the kinds are LDWF general lottery. 1 row is a WMA lottery hunt: draw first, hunt second.

Upcoming

ScheduledEventWhere heldLinkOrigin
Apr 3–11, 2027J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert WMA general turkey lotteryApply
first hunt Apr 3–11
9 hunt days left
apply early January to early February
Source, checked 11/3/2026

A Louisiana date nearby that we missed? Send it

Catahoula Parish LDWF contacts, towns and services

Catahoula Parish is in LDWF Enforcement Region 3; the regional captain is John Volentine, based in Pineville. For a walk-in visit, Pineville Field Office (Pineville) is the nearest LDWF office at about 41 miles.

Pineville Field Office

Biologists' office · 1995 Shreveport Hwy., Pineville 71360

Enforcement Region 3

Led by Captain John Volentine · 1995 Shreveport Hwy., Pineville 71360

Town pages in Catahoula Parish

TownCensus 2024Close areasWider areas
Harrisonburg26235
Sicily Island33327
Wallace RidgeCDP26

Other towns and CDPs in Catahoula Parish:

  • Jonesville1,562

For services, hunters in Catahoula Parish look to adjoining parishes, shown below.

Meat processors, Catahoula Parish area

Keene's Deer & Hog Processing

Jena, LaSalle Parish · 17 mi on the map · Hunters for the Hungry

Pooles Processing

Monteray, Concordia Parish · 18 mi on the map · Hunters for the Hungry

Raley Processing

Ferriday, Concordia Parish · 19 mi on the map · Hunters for the Hungry

Hunter’s Meat Processing

Winnsboro, Franklin Parish · 22 mi on the map · Hunters for the Hungry

Taxidermy shops, Catahoula Parish area

Buckfever Taxidermy

Newellton, Tensas Parish

Tensas Taxidermy

Newellton, Tensas Parish

Gun and outdoor stores, Catahoula Parish area

Hewitt's Archery & Pro Shop

Ferriday, Concordia Parish · 17 mi on the map

Tanners Outdoor Supply

Vidalia, Concordia Parish

Armstrong Firearms

Gilbert, Franklin Parish · 26 mi on the map

Deercreek Gunsmithing

Gilbert, Franklin Parish · 30 mi on the map

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.

Catahoula Parish shooters: ranges and match dates

No range in Catahoula Parish is on file, so the three closest to the parish centre follow.

LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Office
Rifle Range
outdoor range

Jena, LaSalle Parish · 17 mi

Lines: rifle

Access not stated · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 3, 2026

Eutaw Rifle & Gun
Club
gun club

Gilbert, Franklin Parish · 26 mi

Lines: rifle

Access not stated · gunranges.org, checked Nov 3, 2026

Winnsboro Gun Club
gun club

Winnsboro, Franklin Parish · 33 mi

Lines: rifle, silhouette

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 3, 2026

Of the 6 LDWF ranges, Woodworth Shooting Range is closest, about 51 miles from the Catahoula Parish centre. Details

Neighbouring parishes list 3 more.

Ranges from the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.

Catahoula Parish hours on key season dates

The sun rises up to twenty minutes later on the Sabine than on the Pearl, so use the times worked out for Catahoula Parish.

DayMomentFirst sunLast sunDeer hoursDuck hours
Oct 1, 2026Area 1 archery opens7:00 a.m.6:54 p.m.6:30 a.m. to 7:24 p.m.6:30 a.m. to 6:54 p.m.
Nov 21, 2026Area 1 gun opens6:41 a.m.5:07 p.m.6:11 a.m. to 5:37 p.m.6:11 a.m. to 5:07 p.m.
Dec 5, 2026Bear lottery hunt opens6:52 a.m.5:04 p.m.6:22 a.m. to 5:34 p.m.6:22 a.m. to 5:04 p.m.
Dec 12, 2026Area 1 dog season6:57 a.m.5:05 p.m.6:27 a.m. to 5:35 p.m.6:27 a.m. to 5:05 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:03 a.m.5:08 p.m.6:33 a.m. to 5:38 p.m.6:33 a.m. to 5:08 p.m.
Apr 3, 2027Spring turkey opens6:55 a.m.7:27 p.m.6:25 a.m. to 7:57 p.m.6:25 a.m. to 7:27 p.m.

Clock time: Central Daylight Time until Nov. 1, 2026 and from March 14, 2027.

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.

Old store and trees along a street in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish
Old store and trees along a street in Harrisonburg, Catahoula ParishPhoto: md. childress (CC BY 3.0)
Late light on cypress trunks and duckweed in a Louisiana swamp
Late light on cypress trunks and duckweed in a Louisiana swampPhoto: jc.winkler (CC BY 2.0)

Catahoula Parish quick answers

Can drones be used to recover deer in Catahoula Parish?

Yes on private land under the new rules; never on WMAs.

Has Catahoula Parish produced a record deer?

Yes: 194 3/8 (2024) and 58.75 (2016).

Which processor is nearest Catahoula Parish?

Keene's Deer & Hog Processing.

How do I know which Deer Area my land in Catahoula Parish is in?

Read the boundary roads and rivers in the pamphlet or the LDWF map; the parish has Deer Area 1 and Deer Area 2.

Are velvet bucks legal in Catahoula Parish?

Yes, from 2026-27 velvet antlers of three inches or more count as legal antlered deer.

When can I hunt gobblers in Catahoula Parish?

April 3 to May 2, 2027 and April 3 to April 18, 2027.

How many bear permits cover Catahoula Parish?

Area 3: 4 permits (2 landowner, 1 general, 1 WMA) and Area 4: 19 permits (14 landowner, 4 general, 1 WMA).

Is there a coastal duck zone for Catahoula Parish?

No; Louisiana uses East and West only, and Catahoula Parish is East.

Is Catahoula Parish North or South for doves?

North.

Can I take a whole deer carcass out of Catahoula Parish?

Not out of the zone portion; only boned meat and cleaned parts.

How many gator tags does a Catahoula Parish winner get?

Two hide tags per zone.

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.

Catahoula Parish trip reminders

This page covers the 2026-27 season only; where it and the LDWF regulations differ, the regulations govern.

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: NPS Photo (Public domain); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).