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Youths 17 and under, veterans, active military, seniors and hunters with disabilities
Louisiana Youth and Veteran Hunting
The youth and honorably discharged veteran deer weeks by Deer Area, youth and veteran duck days in both zones, the youth and physically challenged turkey weekend, the new youth squirrel days, the $5 youth license and hunter education, plus the license breaks for veterans, service members, seniors and hunters with disabilities.
Photo: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Louisiana rules written for young hunters and veterans
Louisiana pairs its young hunters with honorably discharged veterans for the special deer week in every Deer Area and for the duck days in both zones. During the deer week the adult along may not carry a firearm, and the youth carries one.
| Topic | Louisiana rule |
|---|---|
| Who is a youth | Youth = 17 and younger. |
| Deer, youth and veterans | Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans deer season (private land, either-sex): Areas 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9 October 31-November 6; Area 2 October 10-16; Areas 3, 7, 8 and 10 September 26-October 2, 2026. Adults may not carry a firearm; youths one firearm; veterans need OMV veteran license or DD-214 equivalent. |
| Turkey | Youth & physically challenged (wheelchair-confined) turkey March 26-28, 2027 on private land; WMA youth turkey on Big Lake, Bodcau, Hutchison Creek, J.C. Sonny Gilbert, Lake Ramsey Savannah, Pearl River and Tangipahoa Parish School Board (new: Hutchison Creek, Lake Ramsey, TPSB). |
| Waterfowl days | Youth and Veterans waterfowl days: East Zone November 14, 2026 and February 6, 2027; West Zone November 7, 2026 and January 30, 2027. |
| Squirrel | Youth squirrel September 26-27, 2026 on private land (new) and selected WMAs. |
| Hunters 65 and older | Hunters 65+ may use any legal weapon in primitive firearms seasons (new). |
| Hunters with disabilities | Physically Challenged Hunter Permit deer season October 3-4, 2026 on private land; PCHP areas, blinds and lotteries on WMAs. |
Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 26; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 32; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 34; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 27; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 24. Checked: pamphlet pages and web pages compared November 4, 2026.
Youth and veteran dates for 2026-27
The youth and veteran deer week falls on a different week by area: late September in Areas 3, 7, 8 and 10, mid October in Area 2 and the start of November in Areas 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9. The duck days come once before the regular season and once after it in each zone.
| Game | Hunt | Where | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrels | Youth (private lands only) | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Areas 3, 7, 8, 10 | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Area 2 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and veterans | Areas 1, 4, 5, 6, 9 | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | West zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | East zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | West zone | Jan 30, 2027 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Ducks and coots | Youth and veteran day | East zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth and challenged | Turkey A, B, C | Mar 26, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 |
Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 16; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 34; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 27; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 24. Checked: pamphlet pages and web pages compared November 4, 2026.
Licenses and hunter education for young Louisiana hunters
A youth license costs $5 and is needed only for deer, turkey, trapping and lottery hunts; a youngster after squirrels, rabbits or woodcock needs none. Certification starts at age 9, and hunters 11 and younger stay under direct supervision even with a card.
| License or permit | Price for a young hunter |
|---|---|
| Youth Hunting license | $5 |
| Youth Hunt and Trap license | $5 |
| Federal duck stamp, from 16 | $29.79 web / $27.72 pamphlet |
| HIP certification | Free |
| WMA Access Permit | Not required under 18 |
Required for youths actively hunting deer or turkey, trapping or in youth lottery hunts; includes deer and turkey tags; not needed for squirrel, rabbit or woodcock or for spectators.
Hunter education ages
Minimum certification age 9 (under 9: 1-year voucher). Youths 11 and under must hunt under direct supervision even if certified. Youth seasons require hunter education or proof of course completion unless accompanied by a qualifying adult; youths 12+ with hunter education may hunt unsupervised in youth seasons.
The duck stamp price differs between the LDWF web pages and the pamphlet, so both are shown. Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 6; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 10. Checked: pamphlet pages and web pages compared November 4, 2026.
Veterans, service members, seniors and hunters with disabilities
Veterans with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more get the hunting and fishing license free, retired military pay $20, and active-duty service members, spouses and dependents buy at resident prices. From 2026-27, hunters 65 and older may use any legal weapon during primitive firearms seasons.
Senior Hunting/Fishing (before June 1940)
Free. Born before June 1, 1940. In lieu of basic/saltwater fishing, basic hunting, deer, waterfowl, turkey and WMA Access.
Senior Hunting/Fishing (age 60+)
$5. Age 60+ (born June 1, 1940 or later) From June 1, 2027 available at 65+ for $20 (born before June 1, 1940 stays free).
Retired Military Hunting/Fishing
$20. Resident or nonresident native retired military.
Disabled/Special Needs license
$4. Qualifying disability, KIA surviving spouse.
Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing license
$4, free to the veteran. 50%+ service-connected disability.
Physically Challenged Hunter Permit
Free. Qualifying disability. Needed for PCHP seasons, blinds and lottery hunts.
Active duty and residency
Active-duty military (including National Guard), spouses and dependents pay resident fees; 50%+ disabled veterans get a free/$4 license; Louisiana veterans are bona fide residents with a Louisiana license/ID.
LDWF pages word the senior license birth-date range differently; the $5 price is the same in each. Sources: 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 6; 2026-27 pamphlet, p. 8; LDWF license and permit fee list. Checked: pamphlet pages and web pages compared November 4, 2026.
Youth and Wheelin' Sportsmen hunts ahead
18 youth and mentored hunts are dated from November 4, 2026 on, from LDWF youth deer and turkey lotteries on WMAs to NWTF Wheelin' Sportsmen deer hunts, one of them set aside for veterans.
| Starts | Ends | Hunt | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt | Lena, Rapides Parish |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | White Lake WCA – Youth Waterfowl (2026-27) | Vermilion Parish |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt/BPSO | Plain Dealing, Bossier Parish |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Veterans Deer Hunt | Ringgold, Red River Parish |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt/Lake Ophelia Refuge | Marksville, Avoyelles Parish |
| Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 4, 2026 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt/Tensas Refuge | Tallulah, Madison Parish |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | Dewey W. Wills WMA – Youth Deer (2026-27) | LaSalle Parish |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt | Lena, Rapides Parish |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | Buckhorn WMA – Youth Deer (2026-27) | Tensas Parish |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | Floy Ward McElroy WMA – Youth Deer (2026-27) | Richland Parish |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 9, 2027 | Richard K. Yancey WMA – Youth Deer (2026-27) | Concordia Parish |
| Jan 8, 2027 | Jan 8, 2027 | N La Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt | Lena, Rapides Parish |
| Mar 26, 2027 | Mar 27, 2027 | Clear Creek WMA – Youth Turkey (2027) | Vernon Parish |
| Mar 26, 2027 | Mar 27, 2027 | Sandy Hollow WMA – Youth Turkey (2027) | Tangipahoa Parish |
Each event row links its own source on the events pages. Sources: event listing. Checked: pamphlet pages and web pages compared November 4, 2026.
Louisiana youth and veteran questions
What is the youngest age for hunter education in Louisiana?
9. Children under 9 can get a one-year voucher, and anyone 11 or younger hunts under direct supervision.
Do disabled veterans pay for a Louisiana hunting license?
Residents with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more get the hunting and fishing license free. The pamphlet lists a $4 fee paid on the veteran's behalf, and the LDWF fee list shows the license as free.
When is the youth deer season in Louisiana?
It follows the Deer Area: September 26 to October 2, 2026 in Areas 3, 7, 8 and 10; October 10 to 16 in Area 2; and October 31 to November 6 in Areas 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9.
What age counts as youth for Louisiana hunting?
17 or younger, for the youth deer week, the youth duck days, youth turkey and youth squirrel.
Who counts as a veteran for the Louisiana youth and veteran deer week?
Honorably discharged veterans, who show the OMV veteran designation or an equivalent such as a DD-214.
Can the adult carry a gun during the youth deer week?
No. The accompanying adult may not carry a firearm; the youth may carry one.
When are the youth and veteran duck days?
Youth and Veterans waterfowl days: East Zone November 14, 2026 and February 6, 2027; West Zone November 7, 2026 and January 30, 2027.
Which weekend is set aside for young turkey hunters in Louisiana?
March 26 to 28, 2027 on private land, shared with wheelchair-confined physically challenged hunters; WMA youth turkey hunts are drawn by lottery.
Does a child need a license to hunt squirrels in Louisiana?
No. The $5 Youth License is needed only for deer, turkey, trapping and lottery hunts.
Open the 2026-27 pamphlet
Keep the LDWF WMA app and the pamphlet PDF on your phone for the swamp and marsh where signal drops, and save Operation Game Thief, 1-800-442-2511, for reporting a violation any hour of the day.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma (CC BY-SA 2.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0); Shenandoah National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0); ilouque (CC BY 2.0).