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Home › Louisiana › Public land › Atchafalaya Delta WMA

Louisiana wildlife management area

Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area hunting

Wildlife management area in St. Mary Parish, 137,695 acres.

Get driving directionsAll St. Mary Parish spots

This picture was made on Atchafalaya Delta WMA itself.

Photo: Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Louisiana State University (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Atchafalaya Delta WMA habitat and ownership

Atchafalaya Delta WMA covers 137,695 acres by the count in the LDWF area page. Sorted by acres, Atchafalaya Delta WMA comes 1st of the 52 wildlife management areas. The area page names State of Louisiana / LDWF as owner or manager. The 2026-27 schedule heading reads: State of Louisiana (137,695 acres, Lafayette Office). The LDWF boundary file dates it to 1978.

LDWF describes it this way: Located at the mouths of the Atchafalaya River and the Wax Lake Outlet, Atchafalaya Delta WMA mostly consists of open water in Atchafalaya Bay. Within the bay, two deltas (Main Delta and Wax Lake Delta) have formed from the accretion of sediments from the Atchafalaya River and from dredged material deposited by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Main Delta has about 15,000 acres of marsh and scrubby habitat; Wax Lake Delta has about 12,000 acres of marsh.

LDWF hunting note: Deer hunting is not permitted on Wax Lake Delta; deer hunting on Main Delta is restricted to archery hunting and annual youth shotgun and archery hunts. Harvest per unit effort on deer is extremely high. Waterfowl and rabbit hunting are also permitted.

137,695Acres
LafayetteLDWF field office
6Enforcement region
OwnedOwn or lease

Huntable species on file: White-tailed deer, Small game, Ducks and geese, Feral hogs, Rabbits.

From the area page, 2026-27 regulations (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries); checked November 4, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge

Public land · 25 mi from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Attakapas Island Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 33 mi from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge

Public land · 36 mi from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Elm Hall Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 38 mi from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Lake Boeuf Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 51 mi from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Directions
Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 57 mi from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Directions

The Atchafalaya Delta WMA calendar

Here is every line of the Atchafalaya Delta WMA schedule, 5 in all, copied from the pamphlet. Archery: Deer Archery (either-sex), October 1 – January 31 on Main Delta only; no deer hunting on Wax Lake Delta..

SeasonDates and rules as printed
Deer Archery (either-sex)Oct. 1 – Jan. 31 on Main Delta only; no deer hunting on Wax Lake Delta.
Deer Youth Shotgun (buckshot only, either-sex) and Archery (either-sex)Oct. 3-4 & 10-11 on Main Delta only; no deer hunting on Wax Lake Delta.
Small GameSame as outside EXCEPT Rabbit Only: – Wax Lake Delta: Oct. 3-31 and Feb. 1-28, with or without beagles. Nov. 1 – Jan. 31 without beagles only. – Main Delta: Feb. 1-28, with or without beagles. CLOSED October through January.
WaterfowlSame as outside, EXCEPT shooting hours shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon during opening weekends of teal and duck season and 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset the remainder of the season, and EXCEPT shooting hours are the same as outside for the Youth Hunt weekend.
Feral HogsMay be taken by properly licensed hunters Oct. 1 – Feb. 28. In addition, hunters may hunt feral hogs with archery equipment, shotguns loaded with buckshot or slugs or rimfire rifles no larger than .22 caliber from Feb. 16 – March 31.

Printed area rules: Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities. Self-clearing permits available from Main Delta campground, Wax Delta Campground, Culde-sac on Big Island, and Berwick Public Boat Launch (Jesse Fontenot Boat Launch) or through the LDWF Self-clearing Permit app or internet/web portal. Camping and houseboat mooring allowed ONLY in designated campgrounds. Houseboat mooring allowed by permit only in designated areas, during hunting season (see page 52 for details). Vessels/Vehicles: Mudboats or air-cooled propulsion vessels powered by more than 36 total horsepower are prohibited on the WMA. All ATVs/UTVs, motorcycles, horses and mules prohibited EXCEPT as permitted for authorized WMA trappers. Big Island: EXCEPT for Youth Deer Hunting (provided for below), all other hunting CLOSED from Oct. 1 through the last day of youth deer seasons. AREA CLOSED: Main Delta area CLOSED to all hunters EXCEPT for Youth Deer Hunters when youth deer season is open. Limited Use Area: Access prohibited March 1 – Jan. 31. Hunting restricted to rabbit with shotgun only from Feb. 1-28. Non-toxic (maximum size #6) shot only, without beagles only. See WMA map for specific location

From the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations, WMA and federal schedules; cover dated October 16, 2026; checked November 4, 2026.

Atchafalaya Delta WMA: permits, bait and orange

Expect to self-clear on the way in and out of Atchafalaya Delta WMA; adults also need the WMA Access Permit.

  • All WMAs prohibit bait and baited hunting.
  • Even bowhunters show 400 square inches of orange or pink here when gun deer season is open.
  • No noon closure for ducks on Atchafalaya Delta WMA.
ItemPriceTermApplies to
Access Annual Permit$201 yearAges 18 and up
Access 5-Day Permit$55 consecutive daysAges 18 and up
Self-Clearing PermitFreeDailyEvery visitor
Camping Permit$7 per dayPer dayCampers
All WMA rules

WMA rules (pamphlet p. 47), permit fees (p. 6), hunter orange, baiting; checked November 4, 2026.

Atchafalaya Delta WMA: Deer Area, duck zone and CWD

Deer Area: Deer Area 7 and Deer Area 9. Private-land dates in that area do not open this ground. The West waterfowl zone covers the area. Mourning dove dates come from the South zone. LDWF’s bear management layer marks it as BMA 1 (LARB/Coast).

Deer AreaDailySeasonAntlered maxAntlerless max
Deer Area 71 + 1634
Deer Area 91 + 1634
ZoneSt. Mary Parish
Deer Area(s)7*, 9*, 5*
Turkey AreaClosed
Bear lottery area1
Duck zoneWest and East
Dove zoneSouth
CWD zoneNo
Gator zoneF
Field officeLafayette

* only part of the parish.

St. Mary ParishDeer Area guideWaterfowl zones

Zones from the LDWF Outdoor Explorer layers (deer areas, waterfowl and dove zones, CWD and bear management) as recorded in lands.json; parish rules from the 2026-27 pamphlet deer area lists, turkey areas, bear areas, CWD rules and CWD detections; checked November 4, 2026.

Other hunting ground near Atchafalaya Delta WMA

Bayou Teche NWR sits 25 miles north of here.

Public landKindAcresParishDistanceDirection
Bayou Teche NWRRefuge11,682St. Mary25 milesnorth
Attakapas Island WMAWMA27,962Iberia, St. Martin33 milesnorth
Mandalay NWRRefuge4,333Terrebonne36 mileseast
Elm Hall WMAWMA2,839Assumption38 milesnortheast
Lake Boeuf WMAWMA800Lafourche51 milesnortheast
Pointe-aux-Chenes WMAWMA33,488Lafourche, Terrebonne57 mileseast

Point: LDWF WMA/Refuge/Conservation Area boundary shapefile (09/26/2025) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.

Atchafalaya Delta WMA: towns and stores close by

The first stop out of Atchafalaya Delta WMA is Patterson, about 19 miles. Franklin counted 6,284 residents in 2024. Enforcement agents for St. Mary Parish work out of the regional office; the captain is Joey Thompson.

TownParish2024 populationAwayWhich way
PattersonSt. Mary5,61419 milesnorth
CentervilleSt. Mary–23 milesnorth
FranklinSt. Mary6,28425 milesnorth
BaldwinSt. Mary1,66530 milesnorth
CharentonSt. Mary–31 milesnorth
LDWF Enforcement Region 6 Office (Thibodaux)

LDWF office · Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish · about 41 mi away

(985) 447-0821Map it hereOfficial page
Tideland Gun & Tackle

sporting goods · Morgan City, St. Mary Parish · about 22 mi away

(985) 384-2724Map it hereOfficial page
Skipper's Sporting Goods

sporting goods · Morgan City, St. Mary Parish · about 22 mi away

(985) 384-8121Map it hereOfficial page
Dirty Bird Taxidermy

taxidermy · Franklin, St. Mary Parish · about 26 mi away

(337) 578-0955Map it here
Real Life Taxidermy Studio

taxidermy · Morgan City, Assumption Parish · about 28 mi away

(985) 631-2078Map it here
G & M Processing

deer processing · Jeanerette, Iberia Parish · about 38 mi away

(337) 276-6110Map it here

Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); LDWF offices from the LDWF Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 4, 2026.

Seasons on private ground near Atchafalaya Delta WMA

For St. Mary Parish the table lists 89 seasons for 2026-27: deer, turkey, small game, waterfowl, doves and the year-round quadrupeds.

AnimalKind of huntApplies inStartFinishRight now
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 5Oct 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 5Oct 16, 2026Feb 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth and veteransArea 5Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 5Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 5Nov 21, 2026Nov 22, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 5Nov 23, 2026Nov 26, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 5Nov 27, 2026Nov 29, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 5Nov 30, 2026Dec 11, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 5Dec 12, 2026Dec 13, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 5Dec 14, 2026Dec 18, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 5Dec 19, 2026Dec 20, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 5Dec 21, 2026Jan 24, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 5Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 7Sep 19, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth and veteransArea 7Sep 26, 2026Oct 2, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 7Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 7Oct 17, 2026Nov 29, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 7Nov 30, 2026Jan 3, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 7Jan 4, 2027Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 9Oct 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026
White-tailed deerArcheryArea 9Oct 16, 2026Feb 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth and veteransArea 9Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 9Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 9Nov 21, 2026Nov 22, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 9Nov 23, 2026Nov 26, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 9Nov 27, 2026Nov 29, 2026
White-tailed deerStill-hunt firearmsArea 9Nov 30, 2026Dec 11, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 9Dec 12, 2026Dec 13, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 9Dec 14, 2026Dec 18, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 9Dec 19, 2026Dec 20, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms, dogs allowedArea 9Dec 21, 2026Jan 24, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive FirearmsArea 9Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerChallenged huntersStatewideOct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026
Black bearLottery permit huntBear Area 1Dec 5, 2026Dec 20, 2026
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 1South zoneSep 5, 2026Sep 20, 2026
DovesSegment 2South zoneOct 17, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DovesSegment 3South zoneDec 12, 2026Jan 10, 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
Ducks and cootsYouth and veteran dayWest zoneNov 7, 2026Nov 7, 2026
Ducks and cootsSplit 1West zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Ducks and cootsSplit 2West zoneDec 19, 2026Jan 24, 2027
Ducks and cootsYouth and veteran dayWest zoneJan 30, 2027Jan 30, 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
Snow and blue geeseRegular seasonWest zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Snow and blue geeseConservation OrderWest zoneDec 7, 2026Dec 18, 2026
Snow and blue geeseRegular seasonWest zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Snow and blue geeseConservation OrderWest zoneFeb 8, 2027Mar 7, 2027
SpecklebelliesRegular seasonEast zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
SpecklebelliesRegular seasonEast zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
SpecklebelliesRegular seasonWest zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
SpecklebelliesRegular seasonWest zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Canada geeseRegular seasonEast zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Canada geeseRegular seasonEast zoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Canada geeseRegular seasonWest zoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Canada geeseRegular seasonWest 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

Bear hunting needs a lottery permit for the area.

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.

Atchafalaya Delta WMA hours on key season dates

Big game light near Atchafalaya Delta WMA begins 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset; migratory birds end at sunset.

DateWhy it mattersSunriseSunsetDeer windowDuck window
Sep 19, 2026Area 7 archery opens6:52 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, 2026Area 7 gun opens7:08 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, 2026West zone ducks open6:29 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, 2026Area 7 dog season6:42 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, 2026Bear lottery hunt opens6:46 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, 2026Shortest day6:56 a.m.5:11 p.m.6:26 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.6:26 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.

Hunters may enter most WMAs from 4 a.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.

Views and game near Atchafalaya Delta WMA

Aerial view of the marsh islands and channels of the Atchafalaya Delta WMA
Aerial view of the marsh islands and channels of the Atchafalaya Delta WMA
Group of feral hogs standing together on bare ground
Group of feral hogs standing together on bare ground
Eastern cottontail rabbit on alert
Eastern cottontail rabbit on alert

Paper-punching stops on the way to Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area

Waddill Outdoor Education Center Ranges (public, wma permit) is 76 miles from Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area.

Waddill Outdoor Education Center
Ranges
LDWF range

Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish · 76 mi

Covers: archery, air gun

Public, WMA permit · wlf.louisiana.gov, checked Nov 3, 2026

From the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.

More hunting near Atchafalaya Delta WMA

Refuge

Bayou Teche NWR

11,682 acres, 25 mi

WMA

Attakapas Island WMA

27,962 acres, 33 mi

Refuge

Mandalay NWR

4,333 acres, 36 mi

WMA

Elm Hall WMA

2,839 acres, 38 mi

WMAs by field officeWaterfowl hunting areasAll public land

Atchafalaya Delta WMA: short answers

Which Louisiana parish holds Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

You will find it within St. Mary Parish.

How wide an area does Atchafalaya Delta WMA take in?

137,695 acres.

When does archery start on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

The schedule starts with Deer Archery (either-sex), October 1 – January 31 on Main Delta only; no deer hunting on Wax Lake Delta..

How do deer limits work on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

GIS places it in Deer Area 7 (6 a season, 3 antlered max) and Deer Area 9 (6 a season, 3 antlered max).

CWD zone and Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

No. CWD carcass import rules still apply to deer brought from other states.

Duck hunting on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

Ducks are allowed under West zone dates.

Shooting light on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

For St. Mary Parish on November 28: 6:11 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. for deer, 6:11 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. for migratory birds, worked out with the NOAA formula.

Can deer corn go out on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

No. Bait is banned on all WMAs; it may stay in a vehicle on a WMA road.

Which office can answer Atchafalaya Delta WMA questions?

LDWF Enforcement Region 6 Office (Thibodaux), (985) 447-0821, about 41 miles away.

How far is Atchafalaya Delta WMA from town?

Patterson (St. Mary Parish) is about 19 miles away in a straight line.

Do I need more than a license on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

A Louisiana hunting license plus the WMA Access Permit if you are 18 or over, and the free daily Self-Clearing Permit for everyone.

How do I report a violation on Atchafalaya Delta WMA?

Operation Game Thief: 1-800-442-2511 (24/7).

Last checks before Atchafalaya Delta WMA

Schedules, closures and lottery dates on Atchafalaya Delta WMA can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the last word.

Louisiana hunting land mapAll public landSt. Mary ParishWMAs by field officeManaging agency site

Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5; seasons from the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations. Checked November 4, 2026.

Other photos on this page: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0); USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0).