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Plaquemines Parish · WMA
Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area hunting guide
Wildlife management area in Plaquemines Parish; 115,000 acres.
Photo: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area
The lie of the land on Pass-a-Loutre WMA
At 115,000 acres, Pass-a-Loutre WMA is measured here from the LDWF area page. Wildlife management areas by size: Pass-a-Loutre WMA sits at 2nd of 52. The land belongs to LDWF, per the area page. The schedule credits the ground to LDWF (115,596 acres, Lafayette Office). It entered the WMA system in 1921 by the boundary file.
What LDWF writes about it: Pass-a-Loutre WMA is characterized by river channels and their associated banks, natural bayous, and manmade canals which are interspersed with intermediate and freshwater marshes. Hurricane damage and subsidence have contributed to a major demise of vegetated marsh areas and the subsequent formation of large ponds. LDWF is developing habitat on the WMA primarily by diverting sediment-laden waters into open bay systems (i.e., creating delta crevasses), which promotes delta growth.
Hunting text: Waterfowl and other migratory game bird hunting, rabbit hunting, and archery hunting for deer are permitted on Pass-a-Loutre WMA. There is also a youth deer season.
Species with open seasons or named by the agency: White-tailed deer, Ducks and geese, Small game, 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 Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area
Pass-a-Loutre WMA: the LDWF schedule line by line
The 2026-27 schedule for Pass-a-Loutre WMA runs to 5 entries; deer take up 3. The first archery line reads Deer Archery (bucks only), October 1 – February 15.
| Season line | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| Deer Archery (bucks only) | Oct. 1 – Feb. 15 |
| Deer Youth Shotgun (bucks only) | Oct. 24-25 |
| Deer Shotgun | Bucks only may be taken with shotguns with either slugs or buckshot for seven days starting the day after the closure of the first split of duck season. |
| Small Game and Waterfowl | Same as outside. Beagles prohibited October through the last day of waterfowl season. |
| Feral Hogs | May be taken by properly licensed hunters from 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. Hogs may be taken with the aid of dogs Feb. 16 – March 15. Hunters must also 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. |
Before the season lines, LDWF adds: Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities. Permits available through the LDWF Self-clearing Permit app or internet/web portal or at Passa-Loutre Headquarters, Camp Canal and all designated camping areas. Oyster harvesting is prohibited. Camping allowed ONLY in designated areas. See self-clearing permit stations at headquarters for designated camping areas. Vessels/Vehicles: All ATVs/UTVs, motorcycles, horses and mules are prohibited. Mud boats or air-cooled propulsion vessels powered by more than 36 total horsepower prohibited. Operation of mud boats and air-cooled propulsion engines prohibited after 2:00 p.m. Sept. 1 – Jan. 31, EXCEPT allowed after 2:00 p.m. in South pass, Pass-a-Loutre, Southeast Pass, Loomis Pass, Dennis Pass, and Cadro Pass
From the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations, WMA and federal schedules; cover dated October 16, 2026; checked November 4, 2026.
What you need on Pass-a-Loutre WMA
Two pieces of paper for Pass-a-Loutre WMA: the WMA Access Permit (18 and up) and the daily Self-Clearing Permit for every visitor.
- WMA rule: no baiting and no hunting over bait.
- During open firearms deer seasons, archers, small game hunters and trappers wear 400 square inches of orange or pink plus a cap.
- Waterfowl may be hunted past noon on Pass-a-Loutre WMA, an LDWF exception.
| Permit | Price | Good for | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Pass-a-Loutre WMA by Deer Area and zone
The LDWF deer area layer puts Pass-a-Loutre WMA in Deer Area 9. Those season limits count toward your total, though the dates on the area come from its own schedule. It falls in the West duck zone. It sits in the South dove zone. The bear layer gives BMA 1 (LARB/Coast) and BMA 7 (EGCP).
| Area | Day | Season | Max antlered | Max antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Area 9 | 1 + 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Parish rule | Plaquemines Parish |
|---|---|
| Deer Area(s) | 9 |
| Turkey Area | Closed |
| Bear lottery area | 1, 7 |
| Duck zone | West |
| Dove zone | South |
| CWD zone | No |
| Gator zone | H |
| Field office | Hammond |
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.
Distances from Pass-a-Loutre WMA
Go 10 miles northwest and you reach Delta NWR.
| Area | Type | Acres | Parish | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta NWR | Refuge | 49,389 | Plaquemines | 10 miles | northwest |
| Biloxi WMA | WMA | 35,644 | St. Bernard | 62 miles | north |
| Barataria Preserve | NPS preserve | 22,200 | Jefferson | 78 miles | northwest |
| Timken WMA | WMA unit | 2,867 | St. Charles | 81 miles | northwest |
| Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR | Refuge | 27,460 | Orleans | 82 miles | northwest |
| Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA | WMA | 33,488 | Lafourche, Terrebonne | 83 miles | west |
Point: LDWF WMA/Refuge/Conservation Area boundary shapefile (09/26/2025) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Where to buy ice and shells near Pass-a-Loutre WMA
Closest town: Venice, 19 miles away in a straight line. For more shops, Jean Lafitte (1,815 residents) is 74 miles away. Captain Tim Fox heads the enforcement office that covers Plaquemines Parish.
| Place | Parish | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice | Plaquemines | – | 19 miles | northwest |
| Pointe a la Hache | Plaquemines | – | 51 miles | northwest |
| Delacroix | St. Bernard | – | 61 miles | northwest |
| Jean Lafitte | Jefferson | 1,815 | 74 miles | northwest |
| Meraux | St. Bernard | – | 74 miles | northwest |
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.
Plaquemines Parish seasons off the area
Bear permits, turkey areas, duck zones and dove zones each cover only part of Louisiana, so read the area column to see which rows apply in Plaquemines Parish.
| Game | Segment | Area | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Black bear | Lottery permit hunt | Bear Area 7 | 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 | 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.
Pass-a-Loutre WMA legal shooting light
LDWF prints no sunrise and sunset table, so these times for Pass-a-Loutre WMA are worked out with the NOAA solar formula.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and turkey | Ducks and doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Area 9 archery opens | 6:50 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:21 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 5:51 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 5:51 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Area 9 gun opens | 6:27 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:38 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Area 9 dog season | 6:43 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:48 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:04 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.
Pictures from the Pass-a-Loutre WMA region
Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area: closest ranges for a zero check
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office: Gun Range, 47 miles away, is the closest range to Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule first.
From the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Pass-a-Loutre WMA: the common questions
Which LDWF field office answers for Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
Call the LDWF New Orleans Office (Enforcement Region 8): (504) 284-2023.
How do I reach an enforcement agent near Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
The LDWF hotline is 1-800-442-2511, day or night.
What paperwork rides along to Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
Self-clear daily, carry your Louisiana license, and if you are 18 or older buy the WMA Access Permit ($20 annual, $5 for five days).
How much huntable ground is in Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
About 115,000 acres on the agency count.
Which parish lines does Pass-a-Loutre WMA fall inside?
The record places it in Plaquemines Parish.
Which LDWF Deer Area overlaps Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
Deer Area 9 (6 a season, 3 antlered max); the daily limit is 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer.
What is the first deer date on Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
LDWF prints Deer Archery (bucks only) as October 1 – February 15.
Can I shoot ducks on Pass-a-Loutre WMA all day?
Yes, in the West zone; the noon closure does not apply here.
Does the Louisiana CWD Management Zone reach Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
No, the LDWF CWD Management Zone layer does not touch it.
May I hunt a baited spot on Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
No. Private land surrounded by a WMA may not be hunted over bait either.
Legal hours for Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
Times worked out for Plaquemines Parish: 6:03 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. for deer on November 28, 2026.
Which town page is nearest to Pass-a-Loutre WMA?
The closest town page is Venice (19 miles).
Other photos on this page: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Susan Young (Public Domain Mark 1.0).