The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has released the latest version of our hunting regulations for the upcoming 2026-2027 season and it can be located at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/seasons-and-regulations under Hunting: 2026-2027. You can also find there a Hunting Seasons Quick Reference guide based on different species.

We encourage all hunters, new and experienced, to check out the latest hunting regulations in preparation for the new season. 

Additionally, there you can also find the seasons and regulations for 2026 Recreational Fishing along with Commercial and For-Hire Fishing which were both updated in April 2026.

MAJOR CHANGES FOR 2026-2027 HUNTING REGULATIONS

1. Black-bellied Whistling Duck Permit added (page 6).
2. Possession limit for Deer Area 1 changed to 6/season (not to exceed 2 antlered or 5 antlerless deer) (pages 14 & 24).
3. Addition of special archery season within CWD Zones in Deer Areas 1, 2, and 6 (pages 16 & 20). For current CWD Zone locations go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd.
4. Definition of a legal antlered buck modified to include antlered bucks with velvet covered antlers 3 inches or longer (page 23).
5. Hunters 65 or older and disabled veteran licensees or properly licensed disabled hunters may hunt deer with any legal weapon during the Primitive Firearms Season in each deer hunting area (page 24 & 50).
6. Use of a drone to recover a mortally wounded deer or bear is permitted (page 25).
7. Added a squirrel youth season on private lands (page 27).
8. Black-bellied whistling duck season added (pages 33-34).
9. Operation of internal combustion engine powered vessels prohibited 12 noon - 4 a.m. from Nov. 1 - Jan. 31 for certain WMAs (pages 47, 58-61 & 66-67).
10. Youth deer season added to Camp Beauregard WMA (page 48).
11. Youth turkey season added to Hutchison Creek, Lake Ramsey and Tangipahoa Parish School Board WMAs (pages 48, 63 & 70).
12. Hunting small game with dogs allowed on certain WMAs beginning Nov 1 (pages 58-59, 61, 65, 67 & 69-70).
13. Waterfowl Sanctuaries on Biloxi, Boeuf, and Russell Sage WMAs are closed Nov. 1 through the final day of the Conservation Order (pages 54, 59 & 67).
14. Closes waterfowl hunting at 12 noon on all WMAs and public lands EXCEPT for Atchafalaya Delta and Pass-a-Loutre WMAs (pages 54, 57-70 & 72-74).
15. Established hunting seasons on Bogue Chitto, Camp Beauregard and Flatwoods Savanna WMAs (pages 59-61).
16. Added two days primitive firearms season on Pomme de Terre WMA (page 66).
17. Antler point restrictions removed on Indian Bayou Area (page 73).
18. Beaver removed from incidental take on Indian Bayou Area (page 73).
19. Change in hunter orange requirement for mourning dove hunters on Corps of Engineers property (page 74).
20. Days of the week waterfowl may be hunted at Old River Control and Lock Area Keller’s Lake adjusted (page 74).
21. Hunting woodcock with dogs at the Old River Control and Lock Area permitted (page 74).