Lottery Application Requirements

• The 2026 Black Bear Lottery is open from July 28 - August 28.
• Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required prior to applying. 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 LDWF's lottery hunting application page.
• Successful applicants must attend a bear hunter training course prior to hunting, offered on October 16, 17, 22, or 23. Not attending one of these courses may result in disqualification and forfeiture of the permit.
• 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.
• The hunt will be held in all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas December 5-20, 2026.

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 (41 available through lottery plus the Secretary's Permit*):

• 8 in Area 1 (5 landowner, 3 general)
• 4 in Area 2 (3 landowner, 1 general)
• 4 in Area 3 (2 landowner, 1 general, 1 WMA)
• 19 in Area 4  (14 landowner;  4 general, 1 WMA)
• 2 in Area 5 (2 general)
• 2 in Area 6 (2 general)
• 2 in Area 7 (2 general)