If you have questions concerning the lottery application process, please contact David Hayden at (318)487-5353 or dhayden@wlf.la.gov.
Lottery Application Requirements
- The 2025 Black Bear Lottery is open from July 28 - August 28.
- A $50.00 application fee will be charged to each applicant. This fee is non-refundable.
- All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed at LouisianaOutdoors.com
- Only one application is allowed per applicant per lottery. For example, an individual cannot apply more than once for the WMA Black Bear Lottery. However, they can apply once each for the WMA Black Bear Lottery and once for the general Black Bear Lottery.
Bear Harvest Lottery Permit Types
The number of bear harvest permits issued will be determined based on Bear Area-specific population estimates and vital rate data acquired at regular intervals. The number of bear harvest permits issued at any given time during the season shall not allow the harvest to exceed the number of bears of either sex in any Bear Area that would compromise the long-term sustainability of the Bear Area population.
Bear harvest permits will consist of three types: Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Private Landowner, and General. Instructions for applying for each are below.
Permit Breakdown (25 available through lottery):
- 8 in Area 1 (5 landowner, 3 general)
- 3 in Area 2 (2 landowner, 1 general)
- 14 in Area 4 (10 landowner; 3 general, 1 WMA)
WMA Black Bear Lottery Instructions
- To participate in the WMA Black Bear Lottery, applications must be submitted during the open lottery application period.
- Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required before applying for the WMA Black Bear Lottery. The bear license is a stand-alone license and is not included in any of our other licenses.
- Submission of more than one WMA Black Bear Lottery application is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
- The successful applicant will receive a single WMA bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting on either Bayou Macon, Big Lake, Buckhorn wildlife management areas during December 6-21, 2025.
- All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed at LouisianaOutdoors.com.
- All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.
General Black Bear Lottery Instructions
- To participate in the general Black Bear Lottery, applications must be submitted during the open lottery application period.
- Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required prior to applying to the general Black Bear Lottery.
- Submission of more than one general Black Bear Lottery application is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
- The successful applicant will get a bear harvest permit for hunting on private land in Bear Areas 1, 2, and 4 from December 6-21, 2025. General Permit holders must coordinate with landowners for access and permission.
- All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed at LouisianaOutdoors.com.
- All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.
Private Landowner Black Bear Lottery Instructions
- To participate in the private landowner Black Bear Lottery, applications must be submitted during the open lottery application period.
- Submission of more than one private landowner Black Bear Lottery application is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
- Successful applicants will receive a bear harvest permit for hunting on qualifying private lands in Bear Areas 1, 2, and 4 from December 6-21, 2025. To qualify, applicants must show proof of ownership, tax payment, and at least 40 contiguous acres within the Bear Area. Designees must prove they have full authority to act for the landowner. Transfers must be reported with the transferee's contact info, who must be a licensed, hunter safety-certified Louisiana resident. Only private landowner permits are transferable, and transfers must occur before mandatory training, limited to one transfer. Lessees must provide a recorded lease showing hunting rights on the qualifying land.
- Lottery is open to qualifying non-residents. However, they cannot hunt if selected. They must transfer their permit to a resident hunter.
- Only the private landowner permits are transferrable. Transferees must be a bona fide Louisiana resident who is properly licensed and hunter safety certified.
- All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed at LouisianaOutdoors.com.
- All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.