WMA Black Bear Lottery Instructions

There will be two separate Wildlife Management Area Bear Lotteries.

• 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.
• Submission of more than one WMA Black Bear Lottery application per bear area is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
• One Lottery is for a single Bear Area 3 WMA bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting on either J.C Sonny Gilbert, Grassy Lake, Richard K. Yancey, Spring Bayou, wildlife management areas during December  5- 20
• One Lottery is for a single Bear Area 4 WMA bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting on either Bayou Macon, Big Lake, or Buckhorn Wildlife Management Areas during December 5- 20, 2026
• 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.
• 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 per bear area is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
• The successful applicant will receive a bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting on private property, with landowner permission, within Bear Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and  7 during December  5-20, 2026.  Individuals receiving a General Permit are responsible for coordinating with landowners to gain permission and access to hunt on their property.   
• 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.
• 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 per bear area is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
• The successful applicants will receive a bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting to qualifying private landowners, their designee, or lessee in Bear Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 during December  5-20 2026.  To qualify for a Private Landowner Permit, applicants must provide evidence of qualifying acreage (40+ contiguous acres), proof of ownership, and payment of property taxes for property within the Bear Area for which they apply. Landowner designees must provide evidence deemed sufficient by the department that they have full agency and authority to act on behalf of a qualifying private landowner. The department shall be notified once a permit has been transferred and provided with the transferee's name, address, and phone number. Transferees must be a bona fide Louisiana resident who is properly licensed and hunter safety certified. Only the private landowner permits are transferable. Permits being transferred must be arranged within 21 days of successful draw. A permit may be transferred only once. Lessees of qualifying private lands must provide a duly executed and properly recorded lease agreement evidencing they have the right to hunt bear upon the qualifying acreage.
• Lottery is open to qualifying non-residents. 
• Only the private landowner permits are transferable. Transferees must be bona fide Louisiana residents who are 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  LDWF's lottery hunting application page.
• All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.