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Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes and the 2026-27 LDWF pamphlet
Louisiana Hunting Laws
Legal and protected species, weapons by season, 16 method rules, hunter orange or blaze pink, bait, Sundays and the 10 penalty entries from Title 56, each linked to the pamphlet page or statute it came from.
Photo: Renee Grayson (CC BY 2.0)
What may be hunted in Louisiana
Louisiana law sorts its game into big game, resident game birds and quadrupeds, migratory birds, furbearers and outlaw quadrupeds, with the alligator handled by tag. Swans, brant, cranes and pigeons are on the federal migratory list but have no Louisiana season.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game with 2026-27 seasons | white-tailed deer, black bear (lottery permit), wild turkey (spring gobblers) | Bear hunting reopened by lottery permit in Bear Areas 1-7 (December 5-20, 2026). No elk, pronghorn or mule deer in Louisiana seasons. |
| Resident game birds and small game quadrupeds | bobwhite quail, pheasant, squirrels, rabbits | – |
| Migratory game birds with 2026-27 seasons | mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared-dove and ringed turtle dove, teal, black-bellied whistling duck, ducks, coots, mergansers, light geese, white-fronted goose, Canada goose, king, clapper, sora and Virginia rails, gallinules, snipe, woodcock, crow | Federal list also includes swans, brant, cranes and pigeons, which have no Louisiana season. |
| Furbearers (trapping) | beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, river otter, raccoon, skunk | Trapping November 20, 2026-March 31, 2027; bobcat, raccoon, opossum and nutria also have hunting seasons. |
| Outlaw quadrupeds | coyote, feral hog, armadillo | Year-round in daylight with a hunting license; nighttime take on private land by landowner or permitted agent. |
| Reptiles (licensed harvest) | American alligator | Commercial tag program and new recreational lottery season. |
| Pen-raised and farm-raised game | pen-raised quail, pheasant and mallards on licensed preserves, farm-raised white-tailed deer and exotics on supplemented shooting preserves | – |
The pamphlet states it is not an official copy of the law; Title 56, Commission rules, federal law and parish ordinances govern. The Louisiana Administrative Code (Title 76) could not be opened for this page, so Commission rules are cited through the LDWF documents that print them.
Sources: LDWF seasons and regulations page; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 27; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 33; 2026-27 trapping regulations; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 28; LDWF alligator program page; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 46; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 1. Checked: last pass over the cited pages November 4, 2026.
Hunter orange and blaze pink in Louisiana
The colour rule follows the open firearms deer season and applies to anyone afield with buckshot, slugs, a primitive firearm or a centerfire gun, whatever they are hunting. Blaze pink counts everywhere orange does, and breaking the rule is a class one violation.
The statewide rule
Anyone hunting any wildlife during the open firearms deer season and possessing buckshot, slugs, a primitive firearm or a centerfire firearm must display at least 400 square inches of hunter orange or blaze pink on the head, chest and/or back. Blaze pink is legal everywhere hunter orange is required.
On private land
On privately owned land a hunter orange or blaze pink cap or hat may be worn instead; not required in elevated stands on private land (but required walking to and from stands where firearms are allowed) or for archers where the landowner bars firearm hunting.
On WMAs
On WMAs all hunters (including archers and small game hunters) and trappers, except waterfowl and mourning dove hunters, must display 400 square inches and wear an orange or pink cap during open firearms deer seasons; quail/woodcock hunters and special dog seasons need at least a cap; concealed deer blinds need 400 square inches visible 360 degrees.
Bear hunters
Bear hunters: 400 square inches (cap or hat on private land; same stand/archery exceptions).
La. R.S. 56:143 allows the cap on privately owned land that is also legally posted, while the pamphlet says privately owned land; on unposted ground, the full 400 square inches is the safer reading.
Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 24; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 52; LDWF black bear lottery page; La. R.S. 56:143. Checked: last pass over the cited pages November 4, 2026.
Legal weapons by Louisiana season
Modern deer guns start at .22 centerfire or .30 rimfire, and pre-charged air rifles of .30 calibre or more qualify. New for 2026-27: hunters 65+ and disabled veteran licensees or qualifying disabled hunters (R.S. 56:3000.H) join youth 17 and under in using any legal weapon during primitive firearms seasons.
| Season or game | Legal | Not legal | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer archery | Traditional, compound and crossbows or any bow drawn/held/released mechanically; 30 lb+ draw; broadheads. | Poisoned/drugged or explosive arrows; projecting or illuminating sights (non-projecting red dots legal); dogs. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 25 |
| Deer primitive firearms | Muzzleloaders .44 cal+ or 10 ga or smaller; single-shot exposed-hammer breech-loading rifles/pistols .35 cal+; single-shot exposed-hammer shotguns 10 ga or smaller with buckshot/slug; scopes. | Dogs; other firearms except for youth, 65+, disabled veteran and qualifying disabled hunters. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 24 |
| Deer modern firearms | Centerfire .22 cal+, rimfire .30 cal+, shotguns with buckshot or slug, handguns, pre-charged pneumatic devices (.30 cal+, 150 gr+, 800 fps or 215 ft-lb). | Smaller calibers or bird shot; night-vision or laser/IR sights. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 23 |
| Bear | Centerfire .25 cal+, rimfire .30 cal+, breech-loading shotguns 10 ga or smaller with slugs; muzzleloaders .44 cal+; pre-charged pneumatic .30 cal+; archery 30 lb+. | Dogs; all other methods. | LDWF black bear lottery page |
| Turkey | Shotguns (including muzzleloading) 10 ga or smaller with #2 lead/#2 non-toxic/BB steel or smaller; bows and crossbows. | Rifles, handguns, dogs, bait, electronic calls, live/motorized decoys, shotguns holding more than 3 shells, shooting from vehicles. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 32 |
| Small game and resident game birds | Archery; shotgun 10 ga or smaller from the shoulder (3 shells); rifles/handguns (except turkey); air rifles for squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum and outlaw quadrupeds; falconry by permit. | Squirrel/rabbit with centerfire rifles, breech-loaded rifles/handguns over .22 or muzzleloaders over .36; shotguns over 10 ga or holding more than 3 shells. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 28 |
| Raccoon and opossum | Day: rimfire .22 or smaller, muzzleloader .36 or smaller, archery, air rifles, shotguns. Night: rimfire .22 or smaller with dogs. | Hunting from boats or vehicles; lights at night without dogs. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 27 |
| Migratory birds | Shotgun 10 ga or smaller plugged to 3 shells; non-toxic shot for ducks, geese and coots. | Rifles, pistols, traps, nets, sink boxes, motor vehicles/aircraft, moving boats, live decoys, recorded calls (except light-goose Conservation Order), bait. | 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 40 |
| Trapping | Traps and snares; nutria by rifle sunrise-sunset for licensed trappers; firearms to dispatch. | Traps with teeth (R.S. 56:121.1); traps set more than one day before the season or left after it. | 2026-27 trapping regulations |
| Alligator (recreational) | Hook and line or snatch hook anchored to eligible property (300 lb test, 2 lines per unused tag); firearm or bang stick to dispatch. | Pole hunting; shooting free-swimming alligators; night take. | LDWF recreational alligator page |
Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 23; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 24; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 25. Checked: last pass over the cited pages November 4, 2026.
Louisiana method rules, 16 in all
Each card gives the rule in short form and links the pamphlet page or Title 56 section it was read from.
Hours, darkness and optics
Shooting hours (statute)
Resident game birds and game/outlaw quadrupeds from one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset (except as provided).
Night hunting of deer
Hunting or taking deer from one-half hour after official sunset to one-half hour before official sunrise is a class six violation and may cost all hunting privileges for up to five years.
Night-vision, laser and IR sights
Prohibited for game, except private-land nighttime take of outlaw quadrupeds, nutria and beaver and permitted visually impaired hunters.
Roads, vehicles and boats
Roads and rights-of-way
No hunting, standing, loitering or shooting game from a public road or right-of-way, across a road, or on/across LMV roads; no spotlighting from public roads.
Vehicles and aircraft
No taking game from aircraft or moving land vehicles; no deer from a boat with motor attached in operating position (amputees excepted); no swimming deer.
Dogs, drones and suppressors
Dogs
Deer may be hunted with dogs only in designated "with or without dogs" segments; archery and primitive seasons and still-hunt areas are dog-free. One leashed/GPS-collared tracking dog may trail wounded deer on private land. Coyote running with dogs banned in turkey areas during turkey season.
Drones
Drones may recover mortally wounded deer or bear on private land outside hunting hours under the 2026-27 rule; drones banned on WMAs.
Suppressors
Legal with ATF registration; persons convicted of a class four or greater hunting violation may not hunt with a suppressor for five years.
Bait, scent and hog traps
Baiting
Banned on WMAs, for turkey (200 yards) and migratory birds; restricted seasonally in CWD Management Zones; allowed for bear permit holders November 1 to close.
Deer urine lures
Natural deer urine products banned unless from certified RHSA/ATA program manufacturers, RT-QuIC tested and labeled.
Feral hog traps and snares
Cage/corral traps need a Basic Hunting License and a 22×22 inches or 25 inches diameter top opening (bear escape); snares need a trapping license.
Tags, colours and WMA ground
Tagging and validation
Deer and turkey tagged before moving and validated within 72 hours (text, web, LA Wallet or phone).
Hunter orange/blaze pink
400 square inches during open firearms deer seasons for anyone hunting with buckshot, slugs, primitive or centerfire firearms (class one violation).
WMA rules
WMA Access Permit and self-clearing permit; no bait, drones, permanent stands, tree spikes, organized deer drives; still hunting only for deer; stands removed within a day of the WMA deer season close; no firearms during closed seasons except ranges/transport.
Parish ordinances and restitution
Parish curtailment
A parish governing authority may, with the secretary's consent, close or curtail open seasons for up to one year by ordinance.
Restitution
Commission-set monetary values for illegally taken wildlife must be reimbursed in addition to criminal penalties (Act 169 of 1988).
Bait, Sundays and drones in Louisiana
Bait rules turn on where you stand and what you hunt. A WMA is off limits to bait altogether, a gobbler cannot be hunted within 200 yards of it, and inside the CWD Management Zone feed may go out only from September through March in 2026-27.
| Where or what | Louisiana bait rule |
|---|---|
| Private land, deer | No statewide ban on hunting deer over bait on private land outside CWD Management Zones was found in the 2026-27 regulations; inside a zone feeding/baiting is allowed only September 1-March 31 for 2026-27. |
| WMAs | Baiting, hunting over bait or possessing bait is prohibited on all WMAs (bait may stay in a vehicle on a WMA road). Private land surrounded by a WMA may not be hunted over bait. |
| Turkey | No hunting turkey by aid of bait, on or over a baited area, or within 200 yards of a baited area; an area stays baited 15 days after all bait is removed. |
| Migratory birds | Federal rule: no hunting migratory birds over bait; area stays baited 10 days after removal. |
| Bear permit holders | Bear permit holders may hunt over raw or processed bait and scent lures November 1 to season close; no raw sweet potatoes or chocolate. |
| Sweet potatoes | Intentionally feeding raw sweet potatoes to wild game quadrupeds is prohibited. |
| CWD Management Zone | For the 2026-27 season, baiting and supplemental feeding are allowed in all CWD Management Zones September 1-March 31 and prohibited April 1-August 31. Later seasons depend on surveillance: no bait if the surveillance goal (up to 300 samples) is not met or apparent prevalence exceeds 2.5%; bait allowed again above 20%. Bait not normally eaten by deer is allowed for hog trapping and bear permit holders. Baiting is prohibited on all WMAs and USFWS refuges. |
Sundays
No statewide Sunday hunting restriction appears in the 2026-27 pamphlet or the Title 56 sections read; statewide seasons run every day. Some WMA and federal-land schedules limit hunting to certain days of the week (for example WMA dove days on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays).
Drones
New for 2026-27: FAA-registered drones with thermal imaging and a light may recover mortally wounded deer or bear on private land outside legal hunting hours by a Part 107 pilot, with no weapon present; drones are banned on WMAs.
Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 12; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 50; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 32; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 40; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 33. Checked: last pass over the cited pages November 4, 2026.
Protected wildlife in Louisiana
Foxes may be chased with hounds but taken only by licensed trappers in season, whooping cranes are endangered, bear cubs of 75 pounds or less and sows with cubs are off limits, and white or albino alligators may not be taken by recreational hunters.
| Protected | Rule |
|---|---|
| Foxes (gray and red) | Protected quadrupeds: may be taken only with traps by licensed trappers in the trapping season; licensed hunters may chase with dogs only (La. R.S. 56:140, class two violation). |
| Whooping crane | Endangered; illegal to shoot. Report sightings to LDWF. |
| Black bear (outside lottery) | Bears may be taken only by lottery harvest-permit holders in the December season; cubs (75 lb or less) and females with cubs are protected. |
| Spotted fawns | Taking or possessing spotted fawns is prohibited (class 5-A violation). |
| Turkey hens and jakes | Hens (including bearded hens) and juvenile turkeys may not be taken, except one jake per season by licensed youth; live wild turkeys/eggs may not be taken or held without a game breeder license. |
| Migratory nongame birds | All migratory birds are federally protected except those with open seasons; unprotected: house sparrow, feral pigeon, European starling, Eurasian collared-dove, mute swan. |
| White or albino alligators | Intentional take prohibited for recreational hunters. |
| Nests, eggs and young of wild birds and quadrupeds | Possessing game or disturbing nests, eggs or young is prohibited except as provided by law (La. R.S. 56:116.1(B)(6)). |
| Non-game wildlife on WMAs | Damage to or removal of non-game wildlife (including reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, skippers and moths) on WMAs requires an LDWF permit. |
Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 28; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 29; LDWF black bear lottery page; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 23; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 32; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 40; LDWF recreational alligator page; La. R.S. 56:116.1; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 47. Checked: last pass over the cited pages November 4, 2026.
Louisiana penalty classes
Title 56 grades wildlife offenses from class one, a $50 fine for a first offense, to class six, which carries $900 to $950, up to 120 days in jail and forfeiture. Restitution for the animal is charged on top of the criminal penalty.
Class one violation
First offense $50 (including court costs); second $75-$250; third and later $200-$550. Default class for Title 56 Chapters 1-3 and 5 without a specific penalty (R.S. 56:23); hunter orange violations are class one.
Class two violation (2-A / 2-B)
2-A: $100-$350; $300-$550; third $500-$750 plus forfeiture. 2-B: $250-$500; $500-$800 plus forfeiture; third $750-$1,000; license revocation possible on repeat. Examples: deer methods violations under R.S. 56:116.3(A) and fox/bobcat rules (56:140) are class two.
Class three violation
First offense $250-$500 and/or up to 90 days; second $500-$800 and 60-90 days plus forfeiture; third $750-$1,000 and 90-120 days plus forfeiture. Violations of R.S. 56:116.1 (general methods/times) and turkey baiting/electronic calls (56:116.4(A)) are class three.
Class four violation
First offense $400-$950 and/or up to 120 days; second $750-$999 and 90-180 days; third $1,000-$5,000 and 180 days-2 years; forfeiture. Possessing illegally taken or closed-season deer, bear or turkey is class four.
Class five violation (5-A / 5-B)
5-A first offense $500-$750 and 15-30 days jail (higher for repeats); 5-B first offense $350-$500 and 30 days; license revoked for its term plus one year; forfeiture. Taking illegal deer, bear or turkey in season, spotted fawns, and turkeys at night are class 5-A.
Class six violation
$900-$950 and/or up to 120 days per offense plus forfeiture. Hunting deer, bear or turkey in closed season and deer at night (plus up to 5-year loss of privileges) are class six.
Deer and turkey tag misuse
Using another hunter's tags or letting others use yours: fines, administrative penalties and forfeiture of remaining tags for the season.
Migratory bird baiting (federal)
Maximum federal penalties: hunting over bait $15,000 and six months; placing bait $100,000 and one year.
Wildlife restitution
Restitution at Commission-adopted values in addition to criminal penalties.
Recreational alligator validation
Failure to validate a harvested alligator bars future recreational lottery participation.
Sources: La. R.S. 56:31; La. R.S. 56:32; La. R.S. 56:33; La. R.S. 56:34; La. R.S. 56:35; La. R.S. 56:36; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 22; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 40; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 10; LDWF recreational alligator page. Checked: last pass over the cited pages November 4, 2026.
Louisiana hunting law questions
What is the penalty for hunting deer at night in Louisiana?
Hunting or taking deer from one-half hour after official sunset to one-half hour before official sunrise is a class six violation and may cost all hunting privileges for up to five years.
Can a drone be used to find a wounded deer in Louisiana?
New for 2026-27: FAA-registered drones with thermal imaging and a light may recover mortally wounded deer or bear on private land outside legal hunting hours by a Part 107 pilot, with no weapon present; drones are banned on WMAs.
Which shotgun loads are legal for Louisiana turkeys?
Shotguns (including muzzleloading) 10 ga or smaller with #2 lead/#2 non-toxic/BB steel or smaller; bows and crossbows.
Can I bring a deer carcass into Louisiana from another state?
No cervid carcass or part from outside Louisiana may be imported, transported or possessed except cut-and-wrapped or boned-out meat, quarters without spinal column or head, antlers, clean skull plates, cleaned skulls, capes, tanned hides, finished taxidermy and cleaned teeth; approved parts need a tag with name, out-of-state license number, address, species, date and state and place of harvest.
How much hunter orange is required in Louisiana?
At least 400 square inches of hunter orange or blaze pink on the head, chest or back during open firearms deer seasons; on private land a cap or hat may be worn instead.
Can a parish close a hunting season?
A parish governing authority may, with the secretary's consent, close or curtail open seasons for up to one year by ordinance.
Can you hunt deer with dogs in Louisiana?
Deer may be hunted with dogs only in designated "with or without dogs" segments; archery and primitive seasons and still-hunt areas are dog-free. One leashed/GPS-collared tracking dog may trail wounded deer on private land. Coyote running with dogs banned in turkey areas during turkey season.
Do Louisiana bowhunters wear orange during gun season?
On private land, not when the landowner bars firearm hunting. On WMAs every hunter except duck and dove hunters shows 400 square inches and an orange or pink cap during firearms deer seasons.
How close to bait can I hunt turkeys in Louisiana?
No hunting turkey by aid of bait, on or over a baited area, or within 200 yards of a baited area; an area stays baited 15 days after all bait is removed.
Are suppressors legal for hunting in Louisiana?
Legal with ATF registration; persons convicted of a class four or greater hunting violation may not hunt with a suppressor for five years.
The official Louisiana text
Private land in Louisiana runs on Deer Area dates, while every WMA, refuge and the Kisatchie districts keep their own schedule in the back half of the pamphlet, so open the schedule for the exact tract before a hunt on public ground.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Jason Crotty (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CC BY 2.0); spycup (CC BY 2.0); grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0).