The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) offers various hunting licenses for Louisiana residents between the ages of 18 and 59. Below is a list of available licenses and their details:

• For information on recreational fishing licenses, please click HERE.
• For information on how to purchase your LDWF license, please click HERE.

General Hunting License

• (0028) Res Basic Hunting License
  • Cost: $20
  • Includes: Authorization to hunt, take, possess or transport any wild birds or quadrupeds.
    • Additional specific licenses are required to hunt, take, possess, or transport deer, turkey, or migratory waterfowl.
  • Required For: All hunters, except those exempt by law.
  • Exemptions: Included in the Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License and all lifetime licenses.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

• (0042) Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License
  • Cost: $100
  • Includes: Res Basic, Res Deer, Res Waterfowl, and Res Turkey Hunting Licenses; Res Basic and Res Saltwater Fishing Licenses; and the Res/NR WMA Access Permit.
  • Excludes: Federal Duck Stamp and Res/NR WMA Camping Permit
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Species-Specific Licenses

• (0032) Res Deer Season License
  • Cost: $15
  • Includes: Archery and primitive weapon privileges along with deer tags.
  • Prerequisite: Res Basic Hunting License.
  • Required For: All deer hunters.
  • Exemptions: Included in the Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License and all lifetime licenses.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
• (0323) Deer Tags
  • Cost: Free
  • Prerequisite: Res Basic Hunting Season License and Res Deer Season License.
  • Required For: All deer hunters.
  • Duration: Valid until June 30.

• (0081) Res Turkey Season License
  • Cost: $12 
  • Includes: Turkey tags.
  • Prerequisite: Res Basic Hunting License.
  • Required For: All turkey hunters.
  • Exemptions: Included in the Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License and all lifetime licenses.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
• (0310) Turkey Tags
  • Cost: Free
  • Prerequisite: Res Basic Hunting Season License and Res Turkey Season License.
  • Required For: All turkey hunters.
  • Duration: Valid until June 30.

• (0030) Res Waterfowl Season License
  • Cost: $12 
  • Prerequisite: Res Basic Hunting License.
  • Required For: All waterfowl hunters. Ducks, geese, teal, rail, gallinule, and snipe.
  • Exemptions: Included in the Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License and all lifetime licenses.
  • Excludes: Federal Duck Stamp.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

• (0801) Res Black Bear Hunting License
  • Cost: $25 
  • Includes: Black Bear hunting privileges.
  • Prerequisite: Res Basic Hunting License and Bear Harvest Permit.
  • Required For: Hunting black bears.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

• Hunting Preserve License
  • Cost: $420 
  • Required For: Hunting within licensed hunting preserves.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

• Game Breeder’s License for Falconry
  • Cost: $50 plus one-time $100 facility inspection fee
  • Includes: Authorization to breed and manage falconry birds. In lieu of a Basic Hunting License. However, if you are taking or hunting mallards, you must also have a Waterfowl Hunting License.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Additional Requirements for Waterfowl & Migratory Birds

• (0161) Federal Duck Stamp
  • Cost: $29.79   
  • Required For: All waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older, including those exempt from purchasing a hunting license.
  • Duration: Valid July 1 - June 30 (federal fiscal year).

• (0009) HIP Certification
  • Cost: Free  
  • Required For: Hunting migratory game birds, including mourning doves, ducks, geese, woodcock, rails, snipe, coots, and gallinules.
  • Prerequisite: Must be obtained in addition to other required licenses.
  • Duration: Valid until June 30th of the next year. 

Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Permits

• (0070) Res/NR WMA Access Permit
  • Cost: $20
  • Includes: Year-round access to Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and other LDWF-Administered Lands.
  • Required For: Those 18 years and older for use of any LDWF-Administered property, including WMAs, refuges, and conservation areas, for any activity
  • Exemptions: Included in the Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License and all lifetime licenses.
  • Duration: Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

• (0071) Res/NR WMA Access 5-Day Permit
  • Cost: $5
  • Includes: Access to Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and other LDWF-Administered Lands.
  • Required For: Those 18 years and older for use of any LDWF-Administered property, including WMAs, refuges, and conservation areas, for any activity
  • Exemptions: Included in the Res Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License and all lifetime licenses.
  • Duration: Valid for 5 consecutive days.

• (0072) Res/NR WMA Camping Permit
  • Cost: $7
  • Includes: Camping privileges within a WMA.
  • Required For: Each camping party of up to five individuals 18 years or old.
  • Duration: Valid for one day.

For more details on hunting license requirements and pricing, please visit LDWF's Hunting Licenses page HERE or contact the LDWF Support Team at (225)267-9996 for assistance.