Louisiana › Species › Turkey Hens
Protected wildlife with no season
Turkey hens in Louisiana: protected, with no 2026-27 season
Turkey Hens status for 2026-27, checked against LDWF pages and Title 56.
Photo: Justin Meissen (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Why there is no hen season
Every month is closed for turkey hens. LDWF puts it as "Hens (including bearded hens) protected", so the only legal action is to leave them alone and report anyone who does not.
- Species entry (hen): Hens (including bearded hens) protected.
- 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.
- Turkey limit: One adult gobbler per day; two gobblers per season. Licensed youth under 18 may take one jake (beard under 6 in.) per season. One turkey per hunter on WMA lottery hunts.
From 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, PDF p. 34, checked November 4, 2026.
Louisiana protected wildlife for hen readers
Other protected wildlife in Louisiana, listed beside turkey hens.
- 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).
- 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.
From 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, PDF p. 30, 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, PDF p. 31, LDWF black bear lottery page and 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, PDF p. 25, checked November 4, 2026.
Turkey Hens violations and Title 56
Fines, jail terms and forfeiture tied to turkey hens.
| Violation | Penalty | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | La. R.S. 56:35 |
| 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. | La. R.S. 56:33 |
| Wildlife restitution | Restitution at Commission-adopted values in addition to criminal penalties. | – |
Report a hen case to Operation Game Thief or an LDWF enforcement agent; parish pages list the Enforcement region captain.
From Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 56, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 56 and 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations, PDF p. 12 (no currency date printed), checked November 4, 2026.
Two black bear cubs walking along a gravel road edge. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Open seasons related to turkey hens
The nearest open seasons to turkey hens.
| Species | Season | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Wild Turkey | Mar 26–May 2 | One adult gobbler daily, two per season; youth one jake. |
| Bobwhite Quail | Nov 21–Feb 28 | Daily 10, possession 30. |
From the LDWF seasons and regulations page, checked November 4, 2026.
Wild turkeys feeding in a grassy field. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Wild turkeys on a leaf-covered trail through autumn woods. Photo: Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0)
Turkey Hens FAQ for Louisiana
Can landowners take turkey hens at night?
No. Night take on private land covers outlaw quadrupeds, nutria and beaver only: Prohibited for game, except private-land nighttime take of outlaw quadrupeds, nutria and beaver and permitted visually impaired hunters.
Do turkey hens have an open season in Louisiana?
No open season applies. 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.
What can happen to someone who kills turkey hens?
Class five violation (5-A / 5-B) (La. R.S. 56:35): 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.
Where are hen violations reported?
The LDWF Enforcement Division runs Operation Game Thief: Report violations 1-800-442-2511 (24/7).
Is restitution owed for turkey hens on top of fines?
Restitution at Commission-adopted values in addition to criminal penalties.
Is there a related season to turkey hens?
Eastern Wild Turkey: Mar 26–May 2. Limit: One adult gobbler daily, two per season; youth one jake.
Is the 2026-27 pamphlet the law on turkey hens?
The pamphlet states it is not an official copy of the law; Title 56, Commission rules, federal law and parish ordinances govern.
Is this hen information up to date?
The LDWF sources were read on November 3, 2026 and the page was checked on November 4, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0).