Louisiana Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Louisiana hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Louisiana Hunting Seasons
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 16 | Feb 15 |
| Rifle | Nov 11 | Feb 15 |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 4 | Nov 10 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 6 (3 antlered)
Season dates and limits vary by deer area. Very long seasons. Dog hunting for deer is a strong tradition in parts of Louisiana.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 1 | Apr 30 |
| Archery | Apr 1 | Apr 30 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring)
Eastern turkey. Spring gobblers only. Youth season weekend before regular opener. Turkey stamp required.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Nov 11 | Jan 28 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit
Louisiana is one of the top waterfowl states. Federal duck stamp required. Split season in 3 zones. Coastal marshes and rice fields are prime habitat.
Wild Hog
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit
Year-round on private land. Nuisance species with large populations. Night hunting allowed on private land.
Quail
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Nov 18 | Feb 28 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 10, season: No limit
Bobwhite quail. Wild populations low. Plantation-style hunting on managed properties more common.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
