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LDWF Minden field office area
Jackson Parish Hunting
Plan a Jackson Parish hunt in the LDWF Minden 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.
Photo: Frank Ezelle (CC BY 2.0)
Jackson Parish in brief
Biologists from the LDWF Minden field office cover Jackson Parish along with the rest of the northwest corner: Caddo Lake, the Red River valley, the Kisatchie hills of Claiborne and Webster and the pine and hardwood country around Shreveport. Jonesboro is the parish seat, and the Census Bureau estimated 14,797 residents in 2024, 1.6% down from the 2020 base of 15,031.
Census measures 569 square miles of dry land here against 11 square miles of water (2%). Hunters crossing the parish line land in Bienville Parish, Caldwell Parish, Lincoln Parish, Ouachita Parish and Winn Parish.
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 Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish deer dates by area
Every private acre in Jackson Parish follows the Deer Area 2 calendar in the 2026-27 regulations. Wildlife management areas and federal land do not follow the area dates.
| Area | Covers | Share (GIS) | Total deer | Antlered | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 2 | Whole parish | 100% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
Bow, primitive and gun dates in Jackson Parish
| Area | Archery dates | Primitive dates | Still-hunt dates | Dog dates | Youth dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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, August 29 to September 6, 2026, applies on private ground inside the Management Zone here. Daily, one antlered and one antlerless deer; seasonally, 6 in all with caps of 3 antlered and 4 antlerless. 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.
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 2); shares from the LDWF Deer Management Areas layer; tag and weapon rules from pamphlet p. 22 and p. 23. Checked November 4, 2026.
Public acres around Jackson Parish
None of the WMA, national forest, refuge, Corps or Park Service layers draws public hunting land inside Jackson Parish, so hunters here rely on private land or travel to the areas listed below. The starred acreage is left out of the public figure because refuges, parks and military ground are not general public hunting land. Acreages come from overlaying map polygons and will not match official area figures exactly.
| Public land | GIS acres |
|---|---|
| State parks* | 287 |
Public tracts around Jackson Parish
- D'Arbonne NWR29 miles, national wildlife refuge, Union Parish
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 Jackson 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 Jackson Parish.
| Game | Segment | Area | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | CWD zone archery | Area 2 | Aug 29, 2026 | Sep 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 2 | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 2 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 2 | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 2 | Oct 31, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 2 | Dec 10, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 2 | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Challenged hunters | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Lottery permit hunt | Bear Area 6 | 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 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | West zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Split 1 | West zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Split 2 | West zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | West zone | Jan 30, 2027 | Jan 30, 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 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Regular season | West zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Conservation Order | West zone | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Regular season | West zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Snow and blue geese | Conservation Order | West 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 | |
| Specklebellies | Regular season | West zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Specklebellies | Regular season | West 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 | |
| Canada geese | Regular season | West zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Canada geese | Regular season | West 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.
Deer and turkey numbers for Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish reported 4,252 deer in 2024-25, placing it 8th of the 64 parishes. In 2022-23 the parish reported 3,330 deer (9th). The change from 2022-23 to 2024-25 works out to +28%.
In 2024-25 hunters took one deer per 74 acres of forest here, 16th in that LDWF ranking.
| Report year | Rank | Deer | Forested acres per deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | #8 | 4,252 | #16 (74 ac) |
| 2022-23 | #9 | 3,330 | #15 (94 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 2: 7,207 days and 382 deer in 2025-26, unexpanded respondent sums.
Reading the parish labels on the 2026 Wild Turkey Program map gives 149 gobblers for Jackson Parish (4,024 tagged statewide).
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 Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish CWD zone check
The single CWD Management Zone set up on June 2, 2026 reaches into Jackson 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. The detection list (55 deer) does not include Jackson Parish.
Jackson Parish Bear Area
Jackson Parish is part of Bear Area 6. Lottery winners hunt bears there from December 5 to 20, 2026 (Area 6: 2 general permits). 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.
Jackson Parish recreational gator zone
Recreational gator hunters drawn for Zone B may hunt Jackson Parish, Union, Lincoln, Caldwell, Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Franklin, Tensas, Madison, East Carroll and West Carroll; 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.
Jackson Parish bird hunting zones
Jackson Parish spring turkey
Jackson Parish falls in Turkey Area A, so the spring gobbler season on private land runs April 3 to May 2, 2027. 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.
Jackson Parish duck zone and splits
West Zone duck splits: November 14 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 24, 2027. Youths and veterans get November 7, 2026 and January 30, 2027. 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. A highway line (LA 79 to LA 9, LA 147, US 167, US 90) divides Jackson Parish between the East and West duck zones. 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.
Jackson 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).
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.
Jackson Parish hunting events
This Parish lists 1 date still ahead; the kinds are NWTF banquet.
Upcoming
| Scheduled | Event | Where held | Link | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2027 | Dugdemona Gobblers Banquet · NWTF banquet, Jonesboro | Jonesboro | Buy tickets | Source |
Contacts and services for Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish is in LDWF Enforcement Region 2; the regional captain is Kurt Hatten, based in Monroe. For a walk-in visit, Monroe Field Office (Monroe) is the nearest LDWF office at about 36 miles.
Jackson Parish towns and nearby land
| Town | Census 2024 | Close areas | Wider areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | 4,028 | 1 | 2 |
Other towns and CDPs in Jackson Parish:
- Chatham480
- Hodge371
- North Hodge290
- East Hodge200
- Quitman158
- Eros134
Within Jackson Parish the directory holds 2 deer processors and 1 gun or outdoor store and lacks taxidermists and guides and preserves. LDWF and Hunters for the Hungry supply the processors; stores come from locators and Yellow Pages. Call first.
Meat processors, Jackson Parish area
Taxidermy shops, Jackson Parish area
Gun and outdoor stores, Jackson 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.
Jackson Parish shooters: ranges and match dates
Arcadia Gun Club is the closest listed range to Jackson Parish, 18 miles from its centre.
For a public line, Jackson Parish shooters can drive 62 miles to Bodcau Shooting Range in Bossier Parish. Details
Ranges from the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Jackson 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 Jackson Parish.
| Day | Marker | Sun up | Sun down | Big game | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Area 2 archery opens | 7:03 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Oct 31, 2026 | Area 2 gun opens | 7:26 a.m. | 6:22 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 6:52 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 6:22 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:38 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:57 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 10, 2026 | Area 2 dog season | 7:00 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:07 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:57 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:31 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.
Jackson Parish quick answers
How do I reach LDWF agents in Jackson Parish?
Region 2 office in Monroe, (318) 343-2417.
Can drones be used to recover deer in Jackson Parish?
Yes on private land under the new rules; never on WMAs.
Has Jackson Parish produced a record deer?
No top all-time entry lists it.
Is there a Hunters for the Hungry processor near Jackson Parish?
Check the tags on the processor cards above.
Do Deer Area lines cross Jackson Parish?
No; it lies entirely in Deer Area 2.
How fast must a Jackson Parish deer tag be validated?
Within 72 hours, by text, web, LA Wallet or phone.
What is the turkey limit in Jackson Parish?
Two gobblers a season, one a day.
How many bear permits cover Jackson Parish?
Area 6: 2 general permits.
Is there a coastal duck zone for Jackson Parish?
No; Louisiana uses East and West only, and Jackson Parish is West and East.
Is Jackson Parish North or South for doves?
North.
Can I take a whole deer carcass out of Jackson Parish?
Not out of the zone portion; only boned meat and cleaned parts.
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.
Jackson 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); peterichman (CC BY 2.0).