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Louisiana Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against LA Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $27.5 · nonresident $207.5. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Area 1 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 1Oct 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Archery within CWD Management Zone (bucks only, velvet allowed): Deer Area 1Sep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 1Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 1Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Firearms, still-hunt only (first segment): Deer Area 1Nov 21, 2026Dec 11, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Firearms, still-hunt only (second segment): Deer Area 1Jan 4, 2027Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 1Dec 12, 2026Jan 3, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 1 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 1Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 2 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 2Oct 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 2 - Archery within CWD Management Zone (bucks only, velvet allowed): Deer Area 2Aug 29, 2026Sep 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 2 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 2Oct 24, 2026Oct 30, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 2 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 2Jan 18, 2027Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 2 - Firearms, still-hunt only: Deer Area 2Oct 31, 2026Dec 9, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 2 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 2Dec 10, 2026Jan 17, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 2 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 2Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 3 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 3Sep 19, 2026Jan 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 3 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 3Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 3 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 3Jan 4, 2027Jan 10, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 3 - Firearms, still-hunt only: Deer Area 3Oct 17, 2026Nov 29, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 3 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 3Nov 30, 2026Jan 3, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 3 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 3Sep 26, 2026Oct 2, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 4 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 4Oct 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 4 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 4Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 4 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 4Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 4 - Firearms, still-hunt only (first segment): Deer Area 4Nov 21, 2026Dec 11, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 4 - Firearms, still-hunt only (second segment): Deer Area 4Jan 4, 2027Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 4 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 4Dec 12, 2026Jan 3, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 4 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 4Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 5 - Archery, bucks only: Deer Area 5Oct 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Archery, either-sex (unless a bucks-only firearms season is in progress): Deer Area 5Oct 16, 2026Feb 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Deer Area 5Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Primitive Firearms, bucks only: Deer Area 5Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms still-hunt, either-sex (first window): Deer Area 5Nov 21, 2026Nov 22, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms still-hunt, bucks only (first window): Deer Area 5Nov 23, 2026Nov 26, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms still-hunt, either-sex (second window): Deer Area 5Nov 27, 2026Nov 29, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms still-hunt, bucks only (second window): Deer Area 5Nov 30, 2026Dec 11, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms with or without dogs, either-sex (first window): Deer Area 5Dec 12, 2026Dec 13, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms with or without dogs, bucks only (first window): Deer Area 5Dec 14, 2026Dec 18, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms with or without dogs, either-sex (second window): Deer Area 5Dec 19, 2026Dec 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Firearms with or without dogs, bucks only (second window): Deer Area 5Dec 21, 2026Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 5 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 5Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 6 - Archery, bucks only: Deer Area 6Oct 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Archery, either-sex: Deer Area 6Oct 16, 2026Feb 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Archery within CWD Management Zone (bucks only, velvet allowed): Deer Area 6Sep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 6Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 6Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Firearms, still-hunt only: Deer Area 6Nov 21, 2026Dec 11, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 6Dec 12, 2026Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 6 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 6Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 7 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 7Sep 19, 2026Jan 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 7 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 7Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 7 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 7Jan 4, 2027Jan 10, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 7 - Firearms, still-hunt only: Deer Area 7Oct 17, 2026Nov 29, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 7 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 7Nov 30, 2026Jan 3, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 7 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 7Sep 26, 2026Oct 2, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 8 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 8Sep 19, 2026Jan 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 8 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 8Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 8 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 8Jan 4, 2027Jan 10, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 8 - Firearms, still-hunt only: Deer Area 8Oct 17, 2026Nov 29, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 8 - Firearms, with or without dogs: Deer Area 8Nov 30, 2026Jan 3, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 8 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 8Sep 26, 2026Oct 2, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 9 - Archery, bucks only: Deer Area 9Oct 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Archery, either-sex (unless a bucks-only firearms season is in progress): Deer Area 9Oct 16, 2026Feb 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Deer Area 9Nov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Primitive Firearms, bucks only: Deer Area 9Jan 25, 2027Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms still-hunt, either-sex (first window): Deer Area 9Nov 21, 2026Nov 22, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms still-hunt, bucks only (first window): Deer Area 9Nov 23, 2026Nov 26, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms still-hunt, either-sex (second window): Deer Area 9Nov 27, 2026Nov 29, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms still-hunt, bucks only (second window): Deer Area 9Nov 30, 2026Dec 11, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms with or without dogs, either-sex (first window): Deer Area 9Dec 12, 2026Dec 13, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms with or without dogs, bucks only (first window): Deer Area 9Dec 14, 2026Dec 18, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms with or without dogs, either-sex (second window): Deer Area 9Dec 19, 2026Dec 20, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Firearms with or without dogs, bucks only (second window): Deer Area 9Dec 21, 2026Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 9 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 9Oct 31, 2026Nov 6, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation
Area 10 - Archery (either-sex): Deer Area 10Sep 19, 2026Jan 15, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 10 - Primitive Firearms (first segment): Deer Area 10Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 10 - Primitive Firearms (second segment): Deer Area 10Jan 4, 2027Jan 10, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 10 - Firearms, still-hunt only: Deer Area 10Oct 17, 2026Jan 3, 2027Basic Hunting + Deer License
Area 10 - Youth and Honorably Discharged Veterans: Deer Area 10Sep 26, 2026Oct 2, 2026Youth Hunting License (17 and under) or veteran documentation

Eastern Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth and Physically ChallengedMar 26, 2027Mar 28, 2027Basic Hunting + Turkey License (Youth License for 17 and under)
Area A - Spring Gobbler: Turkey Area AApr 3, 2027May 2, 2027Basic Hunting + Turkey License
Area B - Spring Gobbler: Turkey Area BApr 3, 2027Apr 25, 2027Basic Hunting + Turkey License
Area C - Spring Gobbler: Turkey Area CApr 3, 2027Apr 18, 2027Basic Hunting + Turkey License

American Alligator Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
East Zone wild alligator season: Alligator East ZoneAug 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Alligator Hunter License + property-specific harvest tags
Recreational alligator lottery season, statewideOct 1, 2026Oct 31, 2026Basic Hunting + Recreational Alligator Hunting License + 2 recreational hide tags (resident lottery)

Armadillo Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Outlaw quadruped - year round, legal daylight shooting hoursJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Basic Hunting License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Experimental year-round seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Basic Hunting License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Outlaw quadruped - year round, legal daylight shooting hoursJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Basic Hunting License

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Jan 1, 2027Basic Hunting License

Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove and fully-dressed Eurasian/Collared Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
South Zone (first segment): Dove South ZoneSep 5, 2026Sep 20, 2026Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
South Zone (second segment): Dove South ZoneOct 17, 2026Nov 29, 2026Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
South Zone (third segment): Dove South ZoneDec 12, 2026Jan 10, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
North Zone (first segment): Dove North ZoneSep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
North Zone (second segment): Dove North ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 15, 2026Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
North Zone (third segment): Dove North ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 17, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification

Gallinules and Moorhens Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
First segmentSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
Second segmentNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification

Feral Hog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Outlaw quadruped - year round, legal daylight shooting hoursJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Basic Hunting License
Nighttime take on private land, year roundJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Basic Hunting License + landowner written permission + sheriff notification

Nutria Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Recreational seasonSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Basic Hunting License

Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Concurrent with quail seasonNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Basic Hunting License

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Basic Hunting License

Rabbit (Cottontail and Swamp) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 3, 2026Feb 28, 2027Basic Hunting License

Raccoon and Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year round, day or nightJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Basic Hunting License

Rails (King, Clapper, Sora and Virginia) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
First segmentSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
Second segmentNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
First segmentOct 31, 2026Jan 10, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
Second segmentJan 25, 2027Feb 28, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification

Squirrel (Gray and Fox) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall/winterOct 3, 2026Feb 28, 2027Basic Hunting License
Youth squirrel, private lands onlySep 26, 2026Sep 27, 2026Basic Hunting License (not required for youth 17 and under)
Spring seasonMay 1, 2027May 23, 2027Basic Hunting License

Ducks, Coots, Mergansers and Geese Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Teal (blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon) - September season, statewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Black-bellied Whistling Duck - statewideOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP + Black-bellied Whistling Duck Permit
West Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers, youth and veterans only (first day): Duck/Goose West ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 7, 2026Youth or veteran documentation + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (first segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (second segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 24, 2027Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers, youth and veterans only (last day): Duck/Goose West ZoneJan 31, 2027Jan 31, 2027Youth or veteran documentation + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers, youth and veterans only (first day): Duck/Goose East ZoneNov 14, 2026Nov 14, 2026Youth or veteran documentation + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (first segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (second segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Ducks, Coots and Mergansers, youth and veterans only (last day): Duck/Goose East ZoneFeb 6, 2027Feb 6, 2027Youth or veteran documentation + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Light Geese (snow, blue, Ross') and White-fronted Geese (first segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Light Geese and White-fronted Geese (second segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Light Geese and White-fronted Geese (first segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Light Geese and White-fronted Geese (second segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Canada Geese (first segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Canada Geese (second segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Canada Geese (first segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
East Zone - Canada Geese (second segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneDec 19, 2026Feb 7, 2027Basic Hunting + Waterfowl License + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
West Zone - Conservation Order for Light Geese (first segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneDec 7, 2026Dec 18, 2026Conservation Order permit + HIP
West Zone - Conservation Order for Light Geese (second segment): Duck/Goose West ZoneFeb 8, 2027Mar 7, 2027Conservation Order permit + HIP
East Zone - Conservation Order for Light Geese (first segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneDec 7, 2026Dec 18, 2026Conservation Order permit + HIP
East Zone - Conservation Order for Light Geese (second segment): Duck/Goose East ZoneFeb 8, 2027Mar 7, 2027Conservation Order permit + HIP

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularDec 18, 2026Jan 31, 2027Basic Hunting + HIP Certification
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with LA Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
Licenses, CWD zones & official links → Build a hunt plan

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