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Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Wildlife management area in Vernon Parish, 105,545 acres on file.
Photo: Mrs. Gemstone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Fort Polk-Vernon WMA habitat and ownership
Size on file: 105,545 acres (LDWF area page). Of 52 wildlife management areas, only 3 are larger. Owner and manager on the LDWF page: U.S. Army, U.S. Forest Service. Pamphlet owner line: U.S. Army and U.S. Forest Service (105,545 acres, Lake Charles Office). LDWF records 1965 as the year it was set up.
Area description (LDWF): Fort Polk-Vernon WMA is a military training facility. The area has many all-weather roads, which make all portions accessible for recreational use when it is open.
The WMA’s terrain is primarily rolling hills interspersed with flats. There are several fairly large stream bottoms in addition to numerous small creeks. Longleaf pine dominates about 70 percent of the area. Blackjack, sandjack, and red and post oaks are scattered throughout the pines. The understory is very sparse and is composed of wax myrtle, dogwood, huckleberry, yaupon, French mulberry, and seedlings of the overstory.
The creek bottom overstory consists of willow, water, and cow oak; beech; sweetgum; blackgum; and magnolia. The understory contains seedlings of the overstory as well as red and white bay, sweetleaf, ironweed, fetterbush, wild azalea, gallberry, deciduous holly, and viburnums. The area also has bog communities with unusual plant forms such as butterwort, sundew, pitcher plant, and sphagnum moss.
What LDWF says about hunting: Game species available for hunting include deer, squirrel, quail, woodcock, dove, rabbit, and turkey. There is a youth turkey lottery hunt . Trapping is allowed for raccoon, fox, bobcat, skunk, opossum, beaver, mink, and coyote.
Game listed for the area: White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, Ducks and geese, Small game, Feral hogs, Squirrels, Rabbits, Quail, Woodcock, Doves, Raccoon, Coyote, Furbearer trapping, Opossum, Beaver.
From the area page, 2026-27 regulations (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries); checked November 4, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area
Zone and parish rules for Fort Polk-Vernon WMA
For limits, Fort Polk-Vernon WMA counts as Deer Area 3. Waterfowl here runs on the West zone calendar. For doves, read the North zone splits. For black bear research and management LDWF files it under BMA 6 (WGCP).
| Deer Area | Daily | Season total | Antlered | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Area 3 | 1 + 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Rule | Vernon Parish |
|---|---|
| Deer Area(s) | 3*, 2* |
| Turkey Area | A |
| Bear lottery area | 6 |
| Duck zone | West |
| Dove zone | North |
| CWD zone | No |
| Gator zone | C |
| Field office | Lake Charles |
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.
Hunting dates on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA
LDWF prints 9 lines for Fort Polk-Vernon WMA in the 2026-27 regulations, 4 of them for deer. Archery deer opens with "Deer Archery (either-sex)": September 19 – January 15. Special Archery regulations apply to Archery Only Areas, check locally at Building 2396, 22nd Street, Fort Polk. On Archery Only Areas, either-sex deer are legal September 19 – January 15, with no bucks-only restrictions. Remainder of WMA restricted to bucks only when bucks only firearms season is in progress.. Rifle and shotgun days: Deer Firearms (either-sex) (October 31 – November 1 and November 29, self-clearing permit. November 27-28, mandatory deer check.).
| Segment | Dates and conditions |
|---|---|
| Physically Challenged Wheelchair-Confined Deer Hunting Area | Access restricted. Check WMA map for location and call Lake Charles or Baton Rouge offices for details and applications. Hunting by reservation for wheelchair confined PCHP permittees only. Same deer seasons listed below. |
| Deer Archery (either-sex) | Sept. 19 – Jan. 15. Special Archery regulations apply to Archery Only Areas, check locally at Building 2396, 22nd Street, Fort Polk. On Archery Only Areas, either-sex deer are legal Sept. 19 – Jan. 15, with no bucks-only restrictions. Remainder of WMA restricted to bucks only when bucks only firearms season is in progress. |
| Deer Firearms (either-sex) | Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 and Nov. 29, self-clearing permit. Nov. 27-28, mandatory deer check. |
| Deer Firearms (bucks only) | Nov. 2-26 and Dec. 12 – Jan. 1 |
| Deer Primitive Firearms (either-sex) | Oct. 10-16, self-clearing permit. |
| Turkey | April 3 – May 2 |
| Turkey Youth Lottery | March 27. Hunting by pre-application lottery only. Visit www.wlf.la.gov/page/lottery-hunts to apply online. |
| Small Game and Waterfowl | Same as outside EXCEPT WATERFOWL CLOSED after 12 noon, and EXCEPT CLOSED Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 and Nov. 27-29 and EXCEPT CLOSED to squirrel hunting during the spring season. Hunter Orange or Blaze Pink must be worn when bucks only gun hunts for deer are in progress. Squirrel hunting with dogs allowed Nov. 30 – Dec. 11 and Jan. 2 – Feb. 28. |
| Feral Hogs | May be taken by properly licensed hunters from Sept. 19 – Jan. 1. Hunters may hunt feral hogs with shotguns loaded with buckshot or slugs from Jan. 2 – Feb. 28. Hunters must display 400 square inches of Hunter Orange or Blaze Pink and wear a Hunter Orange or Blaze Pink cap during special shotgun season for feral hogs. |
Rules above the schedule: Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities. All or portions of the area may be closed daily due to military activities. Information on open areas and special ATV regulations can be accessed at the following website: https://home.army.mil/polk/my-Fort-Polk/fort-Polkhunting. Hunters are cautioned not to pick up any foreign material or objects while hunting on the WMA. Also, it is mandatory for hunters to check the open area maps, located at check stations, daily for sudden closures. Fishing: Magnet fishing is prohibited
From the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations, WMA and federal schedules; cover dated October 16, 2026; checked November 4, 2026.
Lottery hunts and dove fields on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA
- Turkey Youth Lottery: March 27. Hunting by pre-application lottery only. Apply on LouisianaOutdoors.com.
- Game species available for hunting include deer, squirrel, quail, woodcock, dove, rabbit, and turkey. There is a youth turkey lottery hunt . Trapping is allowed for raccoon, fox, bobcat, skunk, opossum, beaver, mink, and coyote. See LDWF's seasons and regulations for details.
| Lottery | Application window |
|---|---|
| turkey (youth and general) | early January-early February (WMA youth turkey applications due Feb. 8) |
LDWF lottery hunts, the 2026-27 WMA schedules (area source); checked November 4, 2026.
Fort Polk-Vernon WMA: permits, bait and orange
Hunters 18 and older on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA carry a WMA Access Permit, and everyone checks in and out with the free Self-Clearing Permit.
- Baiting is banned on all WMAs; bait may stay inside a vehicle on a WMA road.
- Wear the full 400 square inches and a cap during gun deer days; only duck and dove hunters are exempt.
- The noon closure for waterfowl applies here.
| Pass | Fee | Duration | Holder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access Annual Permit | $20 | 1 year | Ages 18 and up |
| Access 5-Day Permit | $5 | 5 consecutive days | Ages 18 and up |
| Self-Clearing Permit | Free | Daily | Every visitor |
| Camping Permit | $7 per day | Per day | Campers |
WMA rules (pamphlet p. 47), permit fees (p. 6), hunter orange, baiting; checked November 4, 2026.
Other hunting ground near Fort Polk-Vernon WMA
Nearest neighbour: Walnut Hill WMA, 9 miles north.
| Public land | Kind | Acres | Parish | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Hill WMA | WMA | 595 | Vernon | 9 miles | north |
| Fort Polk North WMA | WMA | 74,309 | Natchitoches, Sabine | 19 miles | northwest |
| Clear Creek WMA | WMA | 52,559 | Vernon | 23 miles | west |
| Calcasieu Ranger District | Ranger district | 183,020 | Rapides, Vernon | 24 miles | east |
| West Bay WMA | WMA | 59,189 | Allen | 26 miles | southeast |
| Kisatchie Ranger District | Ranger district | 102,489 | Natchitoches | 27 miles | north |
Point: LDWF WMA/Refuge/Conservation Area boundary shapefile (09/26/2025) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Fort Polk-Vernon WMA managed hunt deer results
192 deer came off Fort Polk-Vernon WMA in the 2024 managed either-sex hunts (1,970 efforts). For comparison, every WMA managed hunt together averaged 7.7 efforts per deer (1,768 deer). LDWF's table uses the post name, Fort Johnson.
| Hunt | Trips | Deer | Bucks | Does | Trips per deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Johnson (Oct.) | 615 | 75 | 44 | 31 | 8.2 |
| Fort Johnson | 1,355 | 117 | 49 | 68 | 11.6 |
Annual Louisiana Deer Report 2024-25 (WMA managed either-sex hunts, 2024); checked November 4, 2026.
Private land around Fort Polk-Vernon WMA: Vernon Parish dates
29 species and 60 dated windows cover Vernon Parish this season; the last column compares each one with today.
| Species | Window | Coverage | From | Until | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | West zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Specklebellies | Regular season | West 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.
Nearest towns to Fort Polk-Vernon WMA and what they offer
Fort Polk North is the nearest town with a page here, 7 miles from Fort Polk-Vernon WMA. Leesville is the largest of these, with 5,339 people in 2024. LDWF enforcement in Vernon Parish: regional office, led by John Volentine.
| Town | Parish | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Polk North | Vernon | – | 7 miles | west |
| Fort Polk South | Vernon | – | 9 miles | west |
| New Llano | Vernon | 2,064 | 12 miles | west |
| Simpson | Vernon | 549 | 13 miles | north |
| Leesville | Vernon | 5,339 | 14 miles | west |
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.
Paper-punching stops on the way to Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area
Woodworth Shooting Range is 35 miles from Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area and is the nearest state-run line. Private or club ranges within 30 miles fill the other cards.
From the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Fort Polk-Vernon WMA hours on key season dates
Deer, bear, turkey, squirrels, rabbits and other quadrupeds may be hunted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks, geese and doves stop at sunset.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer window | Duck window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Area 3 archery opens | 6:58 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Area 3 gun opens | 7:16 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:39 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Area 3 dog season | 6:52 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 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. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:07 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:44 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 7:00 a.m. | 7:33 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 8:03 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:33 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.
Views and game near Fort Polk-Vernon WMA
Fort Polk-Vernon Wildlife Management Area and the calendar nearby
About 10 straight-line miles from the area there is 1 date still ahead. The 1 lottery hunt listed takes only hunters whose application was drawn.
On the way
| Date | Title | Mi away | Location | Sign-up or details | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27, 2027 | Fort Polk-Vernon WMA youth turkey lottery | On this land | Apply | Source |
Fort Polk-Vernon WMA: the common questions
How productive are the Fort Polk-Vernon WMA hunts?
192 deer (2024 managed hunts).
Bait and Fort Polk-Vernon WMA: allowed?
Not on a WMA: no bait and no hunting over bait.
How far is Fort Polk-Vernon WMA from town?
Fort Polk North (Vernon Parish) is about 7 miles away in a straight line.
Shooting light on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
Half an hour before sunrise: 6:21 a.m. on November 28 in Vernon Parish; deer end 5:41 p.m.
Where do I report poaching near Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
Report it to LDWF at 1-800-442-2511.
Which LDWF office covers Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
LDWF Pineville Field Office in Pineville, (318) 487-5885.
How wide an area does Fort Polk-Vernon WMA take in?
105,545 acres.
Is there an access fee or permit for Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
License, WMA Access Permit for adults, and self-clearing at a station or in the LDWF app every day you go.
Do Deer Area limits apply on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
The LDWF layer gives Deer Area 3 (6 a season, 3 antlered max).
In what part of Louisiana does Fort Polk-Vernon WMA sit?
The ground sits in Vernon Parish.
What about turkeys on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
The schedule line reads "Turkey: April 3 – May 2".
When is Fort Polk-Vernon WMA open for deer?
September 19 – January 15. Special Archery regulations apply to Archery Only Areas, check locally at Building 2396, 22nd Street, Fort Polk. On Archery Only Areas, either-sex deer are legal September 19 – January 15, with no bucks-only restrictions. Remainder of WMA restricted to bucks only when bucks only firearms season is in progress. for deer archery (either-sex); gun days follow in the table.
Are CWD carcass rules in force on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
No zone overlap is recorded.
Duck hunting on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
It is open for waterfowl in season. Shooting stops at noon on public ground.
How do I get a lottery hunt on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
Turkey Youth Lottery: March 27. Hunting by pre-application lottery only. Apply on LouisianaOutdoors.com. Preference grows with each unsuccessful year.
Ready for Fort Polk-Vernon WMA?
Validate deer and turkey tags within 72 hours, and keep your permits on you while hunting Fort Polk-Vernon WMA.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5 · source 6; seasons from the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations. Checked November 4, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0).