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WMA · 2026-27
Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area for hunters
Wildlife management area in St. Landry Parish of 11,100 acres.
Photo: Michael Gras, M.Ed. (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area
About Thistlethwaite WMA
Going by the LDWF area page, there are 11,100 acres to hunt or scout at Thistlethwaite WMA. Which parishes? LDWF lists St. Landry in one place and Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides, St. Landry in another. The boundary lies in St. Landry. By acreage it is number 24 of 52 wildlife management areas. Title and management: Thistlethwaite Heirs. Regulations owner line, word for word: Thistlethwaite Heirs (11,100 acres, Lafayette Office). Year established on the LDWF layer: 1996.
From the LDWF area page: The terrain on Thistlethwaite WMA is generally flat bottomland, with a gentle north-south slope. Drainage is slow, with standing water after heavy rains. Forest cover is predominantly water, willow, overcup, white, cherrybark, nuttall, cow, and post oak. Other species are bitter and sweet pecan, hickory, hackberry, sweetgum, ash, elm, and maple. The lower areas contain cypress and tupelo gum. There is a dense understory of palmetto in many areas of the WMA. Selective timber harvesting has enhanced browse species such as dogwood, redbud, elderberry, French mulberry, greenbrier, rattan, and blackberry.
Game on the area page: Available game species include deer, squirrel, rabbit, wood duck, and woodcock. The deer herd is high-quality—hunters take many trophy bucks on this WMA. There is a youth deer season. Trapping for furbearers is permitted; species include beaver, raccoon, mink, bobcat, otter, and opossum.
You can pursue: White-tailed deer, Ducks and geese, Small game, Squirrels, Rabbits, Woodcock, Raccoon, 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 Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area
Louisiana zones that cover Thistlethwaite WMA
Overlaying the boundary on the Deer Areas gives Deer Area 6. Waterfowl zone: East. Dove zone: North. LDWF maps it inside BMA 2 (UARB/Pointe Coupee) for bear management.
| Area | Daily | Season | Antlered | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Area 6 | 1 + 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Topic | St. Landry Parish |
|---|---|
| Deer Area(s) | 6*, 3* |
| Turkey Area | C |
| Bear lottery area | 2, 6 |
| Duck zone | West and East |
| Dove zone | North and South |
| CWD zone | No |
| Gator zone | D |
| Field office | Lafayette |
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.
Thistlethwaite WMA seasons for 2026-27
Private-land Deer Area dates do not apply here; Thistlethwaite WMA follows the 7 lines below. For archers the schedule begins: Deer Archery (bucks only), October 1-15. For guns, the first entry is Deer Firearms (either-sex), November 27-28, mandatory deer check. November 29 and December 5-13 & 26-27, self-clearing permit..
| Season | 2026-27 entry |
|---|---|
| Deer Archery (bucks only) | Oct. 1-15 |
| Deer Archery (either-sex) | Oct. 16 – Feb. 15 |
| Deer Youth (either-sex) | Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 |
| Deer Firearms (either-sex) | Nov. 27-28, mandatory deer check. Nov. 29 and Dec. 5-13 & 26-27, self-clearing permit. |
| Deer Firearms (bucks only) | Dec. 28 – Jan. 10, self-clearing permit. |
| Deer Primitive Firearms (bucks only) | Nov. 14-15 and Jan. 11-17 |
| Small Game and Waterfowl | Same as outside EXCEPT WATERFOWL CLOSED after 12 noon, and EXCEPT CLOSED Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 5-13 & 26-27, and OPEN to squirrel hunting during the spring season, May 1-9. Beagles allowed for rabbits and dogs allowed for squirrel hunting Feb. 1-28. |
Schedule notes for the area: Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities. All motorized vehicles restricted to improved roads only. All users must enter and leave through Main Gate only. Restricted Area: Small game hunting allowed with shotgun only loaded with shot no larger than BB lead or F steel. Deer hunting allowed by archery only. AREA CLOSED: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, EXCEPT to Youth Deer Hunters
From the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations, WMA and federal schedules; cover dated October 16, 2026; checked November 4, 2026.
Thistlethwaite WMA paperwork and WMA rules
Thistlethwaite WMA is LDWF ground, so the WMA Access Permit and daily self-clearing apply on every trip.
- Hunting over bait is illegal on WMAs.
- Hunter orange or blaze pink, 400 square inches with a cap, for nearly everyone during firearm deer dates.
- No duck shooting after 12 noon on this ground.
| Permit | Fee | Lasts | Required of |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Thistlethwaite WMA and its neighbours
The list starts with Acadiana Conservation Corridor WMA, 14 miles away (northwest).
| Name | Kind | Size (ac) | Parish | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadiana Conservation Corridor WMA | WMA | 2,285 | Avoyelles, Evangeline | 14 miles | northwest |
| Indian Bayou Area | Corps land | 28,500 | St. Martin, St. Landry | 22 miles | southeast |
| Atchafalaya NWR | Refuge | 15,789 | Iberville, St. Martin | 26 miles | southeast |
| Sherburne WMA | WMA | 43,637 | Iberville, Pointe Coupee | 27 miles | southeast |
| Pomme de Terre WMA | WMA | 6,434 | Avoyelles | 29 miles | north |
| Spring Bayou WMA | WMA | 12,506 | Avoyelles | 31 miles | north |
Point: LDWF WMA/Refuge/Conservation Area boundary shapefile (09/26/2025) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
How the Thistlethwaite WMA deer hunts went
The 2024-25 deer report lists 19 deer and 357 efforts for the Thistlethwaite WMA managed hunts. LDWF's WMA managed hunts totalled 1,768 deer in 2024, against a ten-year mean of 1,770.
| Hunt as listed | Efforts | Deer | Bucks | Does | Efforts per deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thistlethwaite | 357 | 19 | 5 | 14 | 18.8 |
Annual Louisiana Deer Report 2024-25 (WMA managed either-sex hunts, 2024); checked November 4, 2026.
St. Landry Parish private-land calendar near Thistlethwaite WMA
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 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 | CWD zone archery | Area 6 | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 6 | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Area 6 | Oct 16, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 6 | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 6 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Still-hunt firearms | Area 6 | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, dogs allowed | Area 6 | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive Firearms | Area 6 | 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 2 | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 20, 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 C | Apr 3, 2027 | Apr 18, 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 | |
| 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.
Fuel, ice and help near Thistlethwaite WMA
For gas, ice and a meal, Washington is 4 miles off. Biggest nearby town: Opelousas, 15,176 people. For enforcement questions in St. Landry Parish, the regional office answers; captain Scott Dupre.
| Nearest towns | Parish | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | St. Landry | 711 | 4 miles | southwest |
| Opelousas | St. Landry | 15,176 | 10 miles | southwest |
| Ville Platte | Evangeline | 6,148 | 16 miles | west |
| Krotz Springs | St. Landry | 875 | 17 miles | southeast |
| Arnaudville | St. Landry | 999 | 18 miles | south |
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.
Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area hunters: public line plus clubs
For a permit-only line, Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area hunters head 20 miles to Sherburne WMA Shooting Range. Clubs and shops within a 30-mile drive take the remaining spots.
From the LDWF shooting ranges page, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 4, 2026.
Photos for Thistlethwaite WMA
Shooting hours for Thistlethwaite WMA
The sun rises up to twenty minutes later on the Sabine than on the Pearl, so use the times worked out for Thistlethwaite WMA.
| Day | Moment | First sun | Last sun | Deer hours | Duck hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Area 6 archery opens | 7:00 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:33 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Area 6 gun opens | 6:39 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:51 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Area 6 dog season | 6:56 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:01 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:56 a.m. | 7:27 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:57 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:27 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.
Thistlethwaite WMA questions, answered from agency data
Which parishes does Thistlethwaite WMA cover?
Parish lines put it in St. Landry Parish.
Which Deer Area number applies to Thistlethwaite WMA?
Deer Area 6 (6 a season, 3 antlered max). Tags are validated within 72 hours.
What are the 2026-27 deer dates on Thistlethwaite WMA?
Deer Archery (bucks only): October 1-15. The full schedule is above.
Is waterfowl hunting allowed on Thistlethwaite WMA?
Yes. Be done by noon: WMAs and public land close to waterfowl at 12.
Is there chronic wasting disease near Thistlethwaite WMA?
No overlap with the CWD Management Zone was found.
Is bait legal anywhere on Thistlethwaite WMA?
No feeders and no bait.
What did hunters take on Thistlethwaite WMA?
19 deer were reported from the 2024 managed hunts.
What time can I shoot on Thistlethwaite WMA?
On November 28, 2026, deer hours in St. Landry Parish run 6:15 a.m. to 5:38 p.m.; ducks and doves 6:15 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. (NOAA solar formula).
Where can I buy ice and fuel near Thistlethwaite WMA?
Washington in St. Landry Parish, 4 miles off.
LDWF contact for Thistlethwaite WMA?
Try LDWF Lafayette Field Office at (337) 262-2080.
Is there a poaching hotline for Thistlethwaite WMA?
LDWF enforcement agents take reports through Operation Game Thief, 1-800-442-2511.
What permit or pass does Thistlethwaite WMA call for?
Yes. Hunters 18 and older need the WMA Access Permit ($20 a year or $5 for five days, included in the Sportsman's Paradise, Senior and lifetime licenses), and every visitor self-clears each day.
Is Thistlethwaite WMA a big piece of ground?
Roughly 11,100 acres by the source used here.
Other photos on this page: Robert Nunnally (CC BY 2.0); Birding for Climate (Public domain); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0).