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Town page, Vernon Parish
Public land and parish rules near Fort Polk North, Louisiana
Hunting out of Fort Polk North, Louisiana: nearby public land with acreage and permits, Vernon Parish zones and limits, the 2026-27 calendar and businesses that take a deer.
Photo: Photographed on Kisatchie National Forest, 1.9 mi from Fort Polk North. US Forest Service – Southern Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Vernon Parish counts Fort Polk North among its communities, with parish offices in Leesville. Fort Polk North made the list as the town that touches Fort Polk-Vernon WMA. The 2024 Census city and town estimates leave out Fort Polk North, which is unincorporated. About 91,309 public acres lie within a 10-mile radius of Fort Polk North, split among 4 areas. Closest ground of any kind for Fort Polk North: Fort Polk-Vernon WMA, flush against Fort Polk North. Count every area out to 25 miles and Fort Polk North has 6 choices on some 318,731 acres of public ground. Vernon Parish carries roughly 265,032 public acres in all (219,351 acres of LDWF WMA land and 86,038 acres of Kisatchie National Forest).
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer; public acreage and boundary miles within 10 and 25 miles are a GIS measure over the LDWF WMA layer and USFS, USFWS, Corps and NPS boundaries (places.json; area counts are within 25 miles). LDWF field office from the LDWF Contact Us page. Checked November 4, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Fort Polk North
The LDWF area nearest Fort Polk North: Fort Polk-Vernon WMA
The WMA schedule that matters most for Fort Polk North belongs to Fort Polk-Vernon WMA, less than a mile off. In LDWF's words, "Fort Polk-Vernon WMA" On the hunting, LDWF says: "Game species available for hunting include deer, squirrel, quail, woodcock, dove, rabbit, and turkey." Watch the LDWF lottery windows if you want a drawn hunt on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA. Among the area rules: "All or portions of the area may be closed daily due to military activities."
| Season | Dates and rules |
|---|---|
| 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 … |
| 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 … |
| 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 … |
| 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 the LDWF area page and the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations; managed-hunt deer from the LDWF deer report 2024-25. Checked November 4, 2026.
Public ground around Fort Polk North, ranked
Rows run by nearest boundary, then by miles to the mapped centre; each land page carries the schedule, contacts and zones.
| Public land | Miles | Kind | Run by | Way in | Acres | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Polk-Vernon WMA core | in town | Military WMA | LDWF | WMA permits, closures | 105,545 | Lottery hunts |
| Kisatchie National Forest | 1.9 mi NE | National forest | USFS | Forest-wide | 607,483 | – |
| Walnut Hill WMA | 7.5 mi NE | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 595 | Acreage varies |
| Fort Polk North WMA | 9.4 mi N | Military WMA | LDWF | WMA permits, closures | 74,309 | Lottery hunts |
| Clear Creek WMA | 13 mi SW | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 52,559 | Lottery hunts |
| West Bay WMA | 25 mi SE | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 59,189 | Lottery hunts |
| Kisatchie Kisatchie Ranger District | 26 mi N | Ranger district | USFS | Forest-wide | 102,489 | – |
| Kisatchie Calcasieu Ranger District | 31 mi E | Ranger district | USFS | Forest-wide | 183,020 | Dove fields |
| Red River NWR | 37 mi NE | Wildlife refuge | USFWS | Refuge hunt areas | 18,440 | – |
| Marsh Bayou WMA | 40 mi SE | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 655 | – |
| Alexander State Forest WMA | 41 mi E | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 8,158 | Lottery hunts |
| Sabine WMA | 42 mi NW | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 7,571 | Lottery hunts |
| Flatwoods Savanna WMA | 43 mi S | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 426 | – |
| Elbow Slough WMA | 50 mi E | WMA | LDWF | WMA permits | 160 | Lottery hunts |
Of the ground within 25 miles of Fort Polk North, Fort Polk-Vernon WMA covers the most, at 105,545 acres by the managing agency. By kind, the 25-mile ring holds 5 LDWF-managed areas and 1 federal area. Waterfowl hunting on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA stops at noon this season, like every WMA except Atchafalaya Delta and Pass-a-Loutre. Kisatchie National Forest follows the Louisiana seasons plus Forest Service limits on stands, dogs and roads.
Fort Polk North: six nearest tracts in a line each
- Fort Polk-Vernon WMA: 105,545 acres; located in Vernon; species: deer, turkey, waterfowl, feral hog, squirrel
- Kisatchie National Forest: 607,483 acres; parish: Grant, Natchitoches, Winn, Rapides; open for deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, quail
- Walnut Hill WMA: 595 acres; located in Vernon; species: deer, turkey, rabbit, woodcock (printable map)
- Fort Polk North WMA: 74,309 acres; lies in Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon; open for deer, turkey, waterfowl, feral hog, squirrel
- Clear Creek WMA: 52,559 acres; located in Vernon; game: deer, turkey, waterfowl, squirrel, rabbit; deer in 2024 managed hunts: 95 (area map PDF)
- West Bay WMA: 59,189 acres; lies in Allen; open for deer, turkey, waterfowl, squirrel, rabbit; 2024 managed-hunt deer 102 (printable map)
Lands from LDWF area pages and the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations, 50 CFR 32.37, USFS, NPS and Corps records (lands.json; each land page cites its own source); 2024 managed-hunt deer from the LDWF deer report 2024-25. Boundary miles from places.json, other miles to each mapped centre. WMA permits from the LDWF license list and WMA rules. Checked November 4, 2026.
Fort Polk North dates from teal to spring turkey
Louisiana sets deer dates by Deer Area, and Vernon Parish falls in Deer Area 3 and Deer Area 2; each area has its own archery, primitive, still-hunt and dog segments. The 60 rows below come from the LDWF pamphlet.
| Game | Weapon or split | Area or zone | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Vernon Parish and neighbouring rules from Fort Polk North
Rules are set per parish and per area, and land near Fort Polk North can sit across a parish line, so each parish with nearby public land gets a row.
| Parish | Area for deer | Bag (ant./antl.) | Turkey | Bear Area | Duck zone | Doves | CWD | Alligator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Parish home parish | 3,2 | 6 (3/4) | Area A | 6 | West | North | – | C |
| Grant Parish | 2,1 | 6 (3/4); 6 (2/5) | Area A | 6 | West and East | North | – | C |
| Natchitoches Parish | 2 | 6 (3/4) | Area A | 6 | West | North | – | C |
| Winn Parish | 2 | 6 (3/4) | Area A | 6 | West and East | North | – | C |
| Rapides Parish | 2,1,6,3 | 6 (3/4); 6 (2/5) | Area A | 6 | West and East | North | – | C |
Deer dates change inside Vernon Parish: the GIS overlay shows Area 3 about 70%, Area 2 about 30%, and the boundary roads and rivers decide which applies. (Deer Area 3, Deer Area 2; LDWF map.) The firearms still-hunt segment for Deer Area 3 is October 17 to November 29, 2026 and the season with or without dogs November 30 to January 3, 2027. Kids and veterans get September 26 to October 2 on private land in Deer Area 3. Per area, the season caps read Area 3: 6 deer, no more than 3 antlered or 4 antlerless; Area 2: 6 deer, no more than 3 antlered or 4 antlerless. Vernon Parish is turkey country under Turkey Area A (Area A April 3 to May 2); youth and physically challenged hunters get March 26-28. Vernon Parish lies in Bear Area 6 for the lottery bear hunt, December 5 to 20, 2026 (Area 6: 2 general permits). (Bear Area 6) For ducks, Vernon Parish sits in the West zone; the regular splits are West zone November 14 to December 6 and December 19 to January 24. The dove calendar for Vernon Parish reads North: September 5-27, October 10-November 15, December 19-January 17. Vernon Parish lies in Recreational Alligator Zone C.
Deer Areas, limits and dates from the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations (LDWF map); GIS shares from the LDWF DeerManagementAreas layer; turkey from LDWF, bear from LDWF, ducks and doves from LDWF, CWD from LDWF, alligator zones from LDWF. Checked November 4, 2026.
Fort Polk North deer processors, taxidermists and shops
Deer processors come from the LDWF processor map layer, the Hunters for the Hungry list and directory listings; preserves partly from the LDWF preserve list. Donated deer from Fort Polk North can go to Unruh Processing (18 mi), on the Hunters for the Hungry list. Watson's Taxidermy of Leesville, 13 mi out, heads the taxidermy list for Fort Polk North. Short on shells? Roux Ga Roux Outdoors in Leesville is 6.7 mi away. Deer processors with an address inside 35 miles of Fort Polk North: 2.
| Kind | Listings 15 mi | Listings 35 mi | Nearest business | Away | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer processing | 0 | 2 | Unruh Processing | 18 mi S | DeRidder |
| Taxidermy studios | 1 | 3 | Watson's Taxidermy | 13 mi W | Leesville |
| Gear shops | 2 | 9 | Roux Ga Roux Outdoors | 6.7 mi NW | Leesville |
| Preserves and guides | 0 | 0 | Wide Open Outfitters | 45 mi N | Natchitoches |
Deer processing
Taxidermy studios
Gear shops
Preserves and guides
Processors from the LDWF deer processor and Hunters for the Hungry map layers, the Hunters for the Hungry list and Yellow Pages; preserves from the LDWF preserve list and Yellow Pages; taxidermists and shops from Yellow Pages and store locators (services.json). Listings without coordinates are placed at their town. Checked November 4, 2026; hours were not checked.
Enforcement agents and LDWF staff near Fort Polk North
Nearest LDWF door for Fort Polk North: the LDWF Pineville Field Office in Pineville, roughly 47 miles away. The LDWF Lake Charles Field Office covers Vernon Parish for biologists and WMA staff. Enforcement Region 3 (Pineville) covers Vernon Parish under Captain John Volentine.
LDWF office, Pineville
Lake Charles LDWF office
Offices and field office parish lists from the LDWF Contact Us page, enforcement regions and captains from LDWF local law enforcement contacts (counties.json, services.json). Checked November 4, 2026.
Dates within reach of Fort Polk North
Within about 30 miles, soonest first: 6 dates still ahead (LDWF general lottery, LDWF youth lottery and hunter education course). Checked November 3, 2026. 4 rows are WMA lottery hunts: draw first, hunt second.
On the way
| Date | Title | Away | Location | Sign-up or details | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11–12, 2026 | LDWF Hunter Education Course – Leesville · hunter education course | 7 | Leesville Fairgrounds- Exhibit Building | Register | Source |
| Jan 22–23, 2027 | LDWF Hunter Education Course – Leesville · hunter education course | 7 | Leesville Fairgrounds- Exhibit Building | Register | Source |
| Mar 26–27, 2027 | Clear Creek WMA youth turkey lottery | 18 | Apply | Source | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Fort Polk North WMA youth turkey lottery | 15 | Apply | Source | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Fort Polk-Vernon WMA youth turkey lottery | 7 | Apply | Source | |
| Apr 3–11, 2027 | Clear Creek WMA general turkey lottery | 18 | Apply | Source |
Fort Polk North hunters: clubs and LDWF lines close by
Fort Johnson MWR Shooting Complex (Fort Polk Recreational) tops the Fort Polk North list at 3 miles.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 4, 2026.
What hunters take in Vernon Parish
Vernon Parish ranked 2nd among Louisiana parishes for reported deer harvest in 2024-25, with 5,896 deer. Back in 2022-23 the count was 5,563. LDWF's 2026 map shows 268 turkeys for Vernon Parish.
Deer from the LDWF deer report 2024-25 and 2022-23; turkey from the LDWF 2026 turkey report (map figure); CWD from LDWF. Checked November 4, 2026.
Fort Polk North legal hours
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.–7:45 p.m. | 6:28 a.m.–7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Area 3 gun opens | 7:16 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:46 a.m.–7:10 p.m. | 6:46 a.m.–6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | West zone ducks open | 6:39 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 6:09 a.m.–5:46 p.m. | 6:09 a.m.–5:16 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Area 3 dog season | 6:52 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:22 a.m.–5:41 p.m. | 6:22 a.m.–5:11 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Bear lottery hunt opens | 6:56 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–5:41 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–5:11 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:07 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 6:37 a.m.–5:44 p.m. | 6:37 a.m.–5:14 p.m. |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 7:00 a.m. | 7:33 p.m. | 6:30 a.m.–8:03 p.m. | 6:30 a.m.–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.
Fort Polk North, answered
Is Fort Polk North well placed for hunting WMAs and refuges?
Fairly: about 91,309 acres within 10 miles and about 318,731 within 25.
What is the deer season limit for Fort Polk North hunters?
Season limits: Area 3, 6 deer, no more than 3 antlered or 4 antlerless; Area 2, 6 deer, no more than 3 antlered or 4 antlerless.
What is legal light on the Fort Polk North gun opener?
From 6:46 a.m. to 7:10 p.m., worked out for Fort Polk North.
What is the earliest entry time on a WMA near Fort Polk North?
4 a.m.
What is the gobbler limit near Fort Polk North?
Two gobblers a season.
What duck zone is Fort Polk North in?
The West zone.
What are the bear season dates near Fort Polk North?
December 5-20, 2026.
Must deer hunters near Fort Polk North wear hunter orange?
Yes. Anyone hunting during firearm deer seasons with buckshot, slugs, a primitive firearm or a centerfire gun shows 400 square inches of orange or blaze pink.
When must the tag go on a deer near Fort Polk North?
Before the deer is moved.
Where can a deer from near Fort Polk North be cut and wrapped?
Unruh Processing in DeRidder, the closest listing at 18 mi.
Who leads the enforcement agents in Vernon Parish?
John Volentine, the Region 3 captain.
Where else can I stay when hunting out of Fort Polk North?
Fort Polk South, New Llano, Leesville and Rosepine, each with its own page.
Which public tract lies nearest the Fort Polk North town centre?
The table starts with Fort Polk-Vernon WMA, flush against Fort Polk North. Behind it on the list: Kisatchie National Forest, with the boundary 1.9 miles out of Fort Polk North.
Answers from places.json, lands.json, counties.json, services.json and the 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting and WMA Regulations; tagging from LDWF, hunter orange from LDWF, baiting from LDWF, WMA permits from the LDWF license list, CWD from LDWF. Checked November 4, 2026.
Fort Polk North pre-trip checks
LDWF can change dates and area rules by emergency declaration; open the Vernon Parish page and wlf.louisiana.gov once more before the trip.
Other photos on this page: Nick Shields (CC BY 2.0); Justin Meissen (CC BY-SA 2.0); Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Louisiana State University (CC BY 2.0); Ray Devlin (CC BY 2.0); Tim Wilson (CC BY 2.0); Jenni (CC BY-SA 2.0); Megan Romer (CC BY 2.0); Justin Meissen (CC BY-SA 2.0).