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Lafayette area parish
St. Mary Parish Hunting
St. Mary Parish hunting in one page: Deer Area 7, Deer Area 9 and Deer Area 5, Turkey season closed, West and East duck zone, South dove zone, public acres, processors and contacts.
Photo: Brandye Flowers (CC BY 2.0)
Where St. Mary Parish sits
For wildlife staff, St. Mary Parish belongs to the Lafayette field office of LDWF, a district covering Acadiana and the Atchafalaya Basin: cypress swamp, sugarcane and rice fields, and the bottomland hardwoods along the Mississippi. Parish government sits in Franklin. Census counted an estimated 46,799 people in 2024, 5.3% down from the 2020 base of 49,408.
The parish covers 559 square miles of land and 561 square miles of water, so water makes up 50% of its total area. Drive out of St. Mary Parish in any direction and you reach Assumption Parish, Iberia Parish, St. Martin Parish and Terrebonne 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 St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish Deer Areas and limits
The 2026-27 pamphlet tables put St. Mary Parish in Deer Area 7 (part, about 72% by the LDWF layer), Deer Area 9 (part, about 21% by the LDWF layer) and Deer Area 5 (part, about 7% by the LDWF layer). The boundary is the road or river the pamphlet names, not a parish line, so the map and the written description settle any doubt. Shares come from the LDWF Deer Management Areas map layer (last edited November 2021) laid over Census parish lines; the pamphlet lists are what count.
| Area | Parish coverage | Share | Season cap | Max antlered | Max antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 7 | Part | 72% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Area 9 | Part | 21% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Area 5 | Part | 7% | 6 | 3 | 4 |
When each deer segment opens in St. Mary Parish
| Area | Archery | Primitive | Still-hunt gun | Gun, dogs allowed | Youth and veterans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 7 | 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 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 |
| Area 5 | Oct 1–Feb 15 | Nov 14–Nov 20 Jan 25–Jan 31 | Nov 21–Dec 11 | Dec 12–Jan 24 | Oct 31–Nov 6 |
The daily limit is one antlered plus one antlerless deer; across the season the cap is 6 deer, with at most 3 antlered and 4 antlerless. Velvet bucks are new this season: velvet antlers of three inches or more now make a deer legal as antlered. Carcass tags go on before the deer is moved, and validation is due within 72 hours through text, web, LA Wallet or a phone call. Any legal weapon may be used in primitive segments by youths, seniors 65 and up and qualifying disabled hunters. WMA deer are not extra: they come off the same 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 7, Area 9, Area 5); shares from the LDWF Deer Management Areas layer; tag and weapon rules from pamphlet p. 22 and p. 23. Checked November 4, 2026.
St. Mary Parish WMAs, refuges and nearby areas
About 8.4% of St. Mary Parish, near 29,952 acres, is mapped public hunting land, the largest part WMA land. Map-measured acres differ from the acres an agency publishes, so use the area pages for official numbers.
| Kind | Acres mapped |
|---|---|
| WMA land | 18,421 |
| Refuge land (USFWS) | 10,913 |
| Corps WMAs and spillways | 2,281 |
St. Mary Parish public ground by area
Atchafalaya Delta WMA
Species listed: deer, small game, waterfowl, feral hog and rabbit. Located at the mouths of the Atchafalaya River and the Wax Lake Outlet, Atchafalaya Delta WMA mostly consists of open water in Atchafalaya Bay.
Attakapas Island WMA
Species listed: deer, waterfowl, small game, raccoon and squirrel. The state acquired Attakapas Island WMA in 1976. Managed-hunt deer, 2024: 18.
Bayou Teche NWR
Species listed: waterfowl, dove, snipe, woodcock and rail.
Hunting areas close to St. Mary Parish
- Elm Hall WMA29 miles, WMA, Assumption Parish
Every WMA visit needs the free daily Self-Clearing Permit, and adults also carry the WMA Access Permit, $20 yearly or $5 for five days. WMA rules ban bait, open the gates at 4 a.m. at the earliest and end waterfowl hunting 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.
Every dated season in St. Mary Parish
Ducks follow East or West zone splits and doves the North or South zone, which is why one parish can show two sets of bird dates.
| Quarry | Season part | Zone | Begins | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 5 | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 5 | Oct 16, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 5 | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 5 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 5 | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 5 | Nov 23, 2026 | Nov 26, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 5 | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 5 | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 5 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 5 | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 5 | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 5 | Dec 21, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 5 | Jan 25, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 7 | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 7 | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 7 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 7 | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 7 | Nov 30, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 7 | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 10, 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.
St. Mary Parish deer and turkey harvest
The deer reports name just 20 parishes a year, and St. Mary Parish misses both published lists, so this page shows no parish harvest.
| Year | Deer rank | Total deer | Forest acres per deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Not in top 20 | — | Not in top 20 |
| 2022-23 | Not in top 20 | — | Not in top 20 |
Across the state, reported deer reached 143,527 in 2024-25, while survey estimates for 2025-26 run to 276,200 deer.
Survey respondents broke their effort down by Deer Area for 2025-26: Area 7: 297 days and 14 deer, Area 9: 1,343 days and 42 deer and Area 5: 364 days and 9 deer. LDWF does not expand these raw figures.
St. Mary Parish WMA either-sex hunts, 2024
| Managed hunt | Efforts | Deer taken | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attakapas | 162 | 18 | 9 | 9 |
St. Mary Parish holds a state record line in the Big Game Records Program: archery, typical antlers (175, 1981).
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.
Bear, alligator and CWD in St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish carcass and feeding rules
St. Mary Parish lies beyond the CWD Management Zone, which sits in northeast and central Louisiana. Anywhere in Louisiana, out-of-state deer must arrive as deboned meat, quarters without spine or head, antlers or cleaned parts. The detection list (55 deer) does not include St. Mary Parish.
St. Mary Parish black bear season
Only lottery permit holders may take a bear in Bear Area 1, which covers St. Mary Parish, between December 5 and 20, 2026 (Area 1: 8 permits (5 landowner, 3 general)). Expect a $50 lottery application, a $25 Bear License and required training if drawn. Bait is legal for permit holders from November 1; dogs are not, and cubs or females with cubs are protected.
St. Mary Parish alligator rules
The parish falls in Recreational Zone F (400 opportunities), alongside St. Martin, Assumption, St. James, Lafourche and Terrebonne. The recreational season runs October 1 to 31, 2026; each winner gets two hide tags per zone, and tags must be reported within 72 hours. Licensed commercial hunters work East or West zones through 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.
Birds in St. Mary Parish: turkey, waterfowl, doves
St. Mary Parish Turkey Area
St. Mary Parish has no open turkey season; LDWF lists it among the closed parishes.
St. Mary Parish waterfowl zone
The West Zone regular season comes in two splits, November 14 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 24, 2027. Youth and veteran days: November 7, 2026 and January 30, 2027. East Zone duck splits: November 21 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Youth and veterans hunt November 14, 2026 and February 6, 2027. Part of St. Mary Parish is East Zone and part West, split by the LA 79, LA 9, LA 147, US 167 and US 90 line. The early teal season is September 19 to September 27, 2026; whistling ducks had their first season October 3 to October 11, 2026, by free permit.
St. Mary Parish dove zone
Doves in the South Zone: September 5 to September 20, 2026, October 17 to November 29, 2026 and December 12, 2026 to January 10, 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.
St. Mary Parish agents, towns and processors
Captain Joey Thompson heads Region 6 in Thibodaux, which covers St. Mary Parish. Measured from the centre of the parish, the closest LDWF office is Thibodaux Enforcement Office, Thibodaux, roughly 38 miles away.
Towns of St. Mary Parish
| Town | Population | Land within 10 mi | Land within 25 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | 6,284 | 2 | 4 |
| Patterson | 5,614 | 2 | 4 |
| Baldwin | 1,665 | 2 | 4 |
| Centerville | CDP | 2 | 4 |
| Charenton | CDP | 2 | 4 |
More communities in St. Mary Parish:
- Morgan City10,813
- Berwick4,495
- Amelia
- Bayou Vista
- Glencoe
- Siracusaville
- Sorrel
Inside the parish we found 1 taxidermist and 5 gun and outdoor stores but no deer processors and guides and preserves. Sources are LDWF processor maps, Hunters for the Hungry, chain store locators and Yellow Pages, so phone first.
Deer cut and wrap, St. Mary Parish area
Mounts, St. Mary Parish area
Sporting goods, St. Mary Parish area
Guide services, St. Mary 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.
St. Mary Parish shooters: ranges and match dates
Shooters in St. Mary Parish cross a parish line to shoot; these three are nearest.
Pointe Coupee Parish has the LDWF range closest to St. Mary Parish: Sherburne WMA Shooting Range, 63 miles off. See the range
Ranges from the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Legal light in St. Mary Parish
Whistling ducks in the October season may be taken only from sunrise to sunset in St. Mary Parish.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer window | Duck window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Area 7 archery opens | 6:52 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Area 7 gun opens | 7:08 a.m. | 6:34 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 7:04 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:34 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:29 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Area 7 dog season | 6:42 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:46 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:56 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:11 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.
St. Mary Parish FAQ
Who is the LDWF Enforcement captain for St. Mary Parish?
Joey Thompson, Region 6 (Thibodaux).
Who needs hunter education in St. Mary Parish?
Anyone born on or after September 1, 1969, with some supervised exceptions.
What was the 2022-23 deer harvest in St. Mary Parish?
Not published (outside the top 20).
Is there a Hunters for the Hungry processor near St. Mary Parish?
Check the tags on the processor cards above.
What deer schedules apply in St. Mary Parish?
Those of Deer Area 7, Deer Area 9 and Deer Area 5, depending on which side of the area line you hunt.
How many deer can I take in St. Mary Parish?
One antlered and one antlerless a day; Area 7 allows 6 a season (3 antlered, 4 antlerless).
Does St. Mary Parish have a spring turkey season?
No.
Can bear hunters use dogs in St. Mary Parish?
No; still hunting only, with bait allowed from November 1.
When is duck season in St. Mary Parish?
West Zone November 14 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 24, 2027 and East Zone November 21 to December 6, 2026 and December 19, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
Where is the dove line near St. Mary Parish?
LA 12, US 190, I-12 and I-10.
Can I take a whole deer carcass out of St. Mary Parish?
Yes, within Louisiana; the zone export rules do not apply here.
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.
St. Mary Parish season reminders
Validate every deer and turkey tag within 72 hours, and keep proof of sex with the carcass until it is tagged.
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 Natural Resources (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS – Pacific Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).