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Deer Area 10, Deer Area 3, Deer Area 6 and Deer Area 9
Lafayette Parish Hunting
From the first archery morning to spring gobblers, this Lafayette Parish guide gathers dates, deer limits, harvest tables, public tracts and the services closest to Lafayette.
Photo: Richard Byrd (CC BY 2.0)
Lafayette Parish basics for hunters
The Lafayette field office handles LDWF wildlife work in Lafayette Parish, part of a district that spans Acadiana and the Atchafalaya Basin: cypress swamp, sugarcane and rice fields, and the bottomland hardwoods along the Mississippi. Census puts the 2024 population at 254,241, 5.2% up from the 2020 base of 241,759, and Lafayette serves as the parish seat.
By the Census gazetteer it holds 269 square miles of land plus 0 of open water (0% of the total). On its landward and water edges sit Acadia Parish, Iberia Parish, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish and Vermilion 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 Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish deer dates by area
For private-land deer, Lafayette Parish divides into Deer Area 10 (part, about 61% by the LDWF layer), Deer Area 3 (part, about 18% by the LDWF layer), Deer Area 6 (part, about 11% by the LDWF layer) and Deer Area 9 (part, about 10% by the LDWF layer). Highways and rivers mark where one Deer Area stops and the next begins, so confirm the side of the line your lease is on with the LDWF map. Area shares were measured on an older LDWF layer (November 2021 edit) and may not match every current boundary.
| Area | In parish | Share | Season total | Bucks max | Does max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 10 | Part | 61% | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Area 3 | Part | 18% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Area 6 | Part | 11% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Area 9 | Part | 10% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
Lafayette Parish deer segments by area
| Deer Area | Archery | Muzzleloader | Still-hunt firearms | Dog season | Youth and vets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 10 | Sep 19–Jan 15 | Oct 10–Oct 16 Jan 4–Jan 10 | Oct 17–Jan 3 | None | Sep 26–Oct 2 |
| Area 3 | Sep 19–Jan 15 | Oct 10–Oct 16 Jan 4–Jan 10 | Oct 17–Nov 29 | Nov 30–Jan 3 | Sep 26–Oct 2 |
| Area 6 | Oct 1–Feb 15 | Nov 14–Nov 20 Jan 25–Jan 31 | Nov 21–Dec 11 | Dec 12–Jan 24 | Oct 31–Nov 6 |
| Area 9 | Oct 1–Feb 15 | Nov 14–Nov 20 Jan 25–Jan 31 | Nov 21–Dec 11 | Dec 12–Jan 24 | Oct 31–Nov 6 |
Mind the area when counting tags, because the caps differ (Area 10: 3 deer (2 antlered, 2 antlerless), Area 3: 6 deer (3 antlered, 4 antlerless), Area 6: 6 deer (3 antlered, 4 antlerless) and Area 9: 6 deer (3 antlered, 4 antlerless)); one antlered and one antlerless per day. 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 10, Area 3, Area 6, Area 9); 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 Lafayette Parish
Public hunting land is absent from Lafayette Parish on every layer checked, so the list of nearby areas matters more here. Treat these acre counts as map measurements rather than the agencies' official totals.
Hunting areas close to Lafayette Parish
- Indian Bayou Area (Corps)22 miles, Corps of Engineers land, St. Martin 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.
What opens when around Lafayette Parish
Louisiana sets deer dates by Deer Area, and Lafayette Parish falls in Deer Area 10, Deer Area 3, Deer Area 6 and Deer Area 9; each area has its own archery, primitive, still-hunt and dog segments. The 89 rows below come from the LDWF pamphlet.
| Game | Weapon or split | Area or zone | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 10 | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 10 | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 10 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 10 | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 10 | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 3 | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 3 | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 3 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 3 | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 3 | Nov 30, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 3 | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | CWD zone archery | Area 6 | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 6 | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 6 | Oct 16, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 6 | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 6 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 6 | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 6 | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 6 | Jan 25, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 9 | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 9 | Oct 16, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 9 | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 9 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 9 | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 9 | Nov 23, 2026 | Nov 26, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 9 | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 9 | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 9 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 9 | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 9 | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 9 | Dec 21, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 9 | 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 1 | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| 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 | South zone | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | South zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | South zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 10, 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.
Lafayette Parish harvest record
Neither the 2022-23 nor the 2024-25 top-20 table includes Lafayette 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 10: 464 days and 18 deer, Area 3: 1,067 days and 66 deer, Area 6: 2,392 days and 102 deer and Area 9: 1,343 days and 42 deer.
Turkey harvest for Lafayette Parish is unclear: the 2026 map label of 15 could mark St. Martin (upper) or Lafayette.
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 Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish CWD status
The June 2, 2026 zone map leaves Lafayette 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 Lafayette Parish.
Black bear lottery in Lafayette Parish
Bear hunting in Lafayette Parish (Bear Area 1) is by lottery permit only, December 5-20, 2026; permits: Area 1: 8 permits (5 landowner, 3 general). 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.
Lafayette Parish alligator lottery zone
For the new recreational alligator lottery, Lafayette Parish belongs to Zone D (400 opportunities), shared with St. Landry, Iberia, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iberville and St. Martin. 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 Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish turkey rules
Lafayette Parish is one of the 16 parishes closed to turkey hunting in 2026-27; no Turkey Area covers it.
Lafayette Parish duck dates
For the West Zone the duck dates are November 14 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 24, 2027. Youth and veterans hunt November 7, 2026 and January 30, 2027. 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. Lafayette Parish is split between duck zones along the LA 79, LA 9, LA 147, US 167 and US 90 line; LDWF derives the parish lists from that route. 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.
Lafayette Parish dove dates
South Zone dove segments run September 5 to September 20, 2026, October 17 to November 29, 2026 and December 12, 2026 to January 10, 2027, 15 birds a day.
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 Lafayette Parish has on the calendar
Kinds on file here: DU banquet, DU bingo night, NWTF banquet and hunter education course. Count: 4 dates still ahead.
Coming soon
| Scheduled | Event | Where held | Link | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | Lafayette Banquet · DU banquet | River Oaks Event Center Lafayette | Buy tickets | Source |
| Nov 18–19, 2026 | LDWF Hunter Education Course – Lafayette · hunter education course | LDWF Lafayette Office | Register | Source |
| Nov 18, 2026 | UL Lafayette Duck Bingo · DU bingo night, Broussard | Cavalry Creek Broussard | Buy tickets | Source |
| Feb 25, 2027 | Acadiana Limbhangers Banquet · NWTF banquet, Lafayette | Lafayette | Buy tickets | Source |
Lafayette Parish offices, towns and shops
LDWF agents covering Lafayette Parish work out of Lafayette in Region 4 under Captain Scott Dupre. About 1 miles separate the parish centre from the nearest LDWF office, Lafayette Field Office in Lafayette.
Lafayette Parish base towns
| Town | 2024 people | Areas near (10 mi) | Areas near (25 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | 122,280 | 0 | 3 |
Lafayette Parish also includes:
- Youngsville19,038
- Broussard15,312
- Carencro12,883
- Scott9,468
- Duson1,341
- Milton
- Ossun
Listed in Lafayette Parish: 4 deer processors, 5 taxidermists and 12 gun and outdoor stores. Not listed: guides and preserves. We built the list from LDWF layers, Hunters for the Hungry and directory listings; ring before you go.
Processors, Lafayette Parish area
Taxidermy, Lafayette Parish area
Gun shops and stores, Lafayette Parish area
Guides, Lafayette 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.
Lafayette Parish shooters: ranges and match dates
Up to six Lafayette Parish ranges show as cards, with any others in a table.
Sherburne WMA Shooting Range is the LDWF range nearest Lafayette Parish, 30 miles away, open to WMA permit holders. Full page
Lafayette Parish shoot dates
| Date and shoot | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 20-21, 2027 | Gun show | Posted at |
Ranges from the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Lafayette Parish hours on key season dates
LDWF prints no sunrise and sunset table, so these times for Lafayette Parish are worked out with the NOAA solar formula.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and turkey | Ducks and doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Area 10 archery opens | 6:54 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Area 10 gun opens | 7:11 a.m. | 6:36 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:33 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:50 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:00 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:12 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.
Lafayette Parish rules in brief
What deer schedules apply in Lafayette Parish?
Those of Deer Area 10, Deer Area 3, Deer Area 6 and Deer Area 9, depending on which side of the area line you hunt.
Do WMA deer count toward the Lafayette Parish limit?
Yes, WMA deer count toward the Deer Area season limit.
Is Lafayette Parish closed to turkey hunting?
Yes, all of it.
How many bear permits cover Lafayette Parish?
Area 1: 8 permits (5 landowner, 3 general).
Is there a coastal duck zone for Lafayette Parish?
No; Louisiana uses East and West only, and Lafayette Parish is West and East.
Is Lafayette Parish North or South for doves?
South.
Does Lafayette 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 Lafayette Parish?
Louisiana residents 16 and older with hunter education.
How many public acres does Lafayette Parish have?
None mapped.
How do I reach LDWF agents in Lafayette Parish?
Region 4 office in Lafayette, (337) 735-8728.
Can a tracking dog trail a wounded deer in Lafayette Parish?
Yes on private land, one leashed or GPS-collared dog.
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.
Lafayette Parish reminders for 2026-27
Get permission before hunting private land in Lafayette 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: Watts (CC BY 2.0); wikiphotographer (CC BY-SA 2.0).