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MIGRATORY BIRDS
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT
No person shall possess, have in custody, or transport more than
the daily bag limit or aggregate daily bag limit, whichever applies,
of migratory game birds, tagged or not tagged, at or between the
place where taken and either (a) his automobile or principal means
of land transportation; or (b) his personal abode or temporary or
transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facili-
ty; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility.
TAGGING
No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any
place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged
by the hunter with the following information:
1. The hunter’s name and signature.
2. The hunter’s address.
3. The total number of birds involved, by species.
4. The dates such birds were killed.
Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another per-
son for the hunter or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage
(including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services. (Mi-
gratory Bird Possession Tags are provided on page 76 and may be
used for such purposes.)
POSSESSION OF LIVE BIRDS
Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be immediately killed
and included in the daily bag limit.
FIELD DRESSING
No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird
(EXCEPT mourning doves, white-winged doves and band-tailed pi-
geons) and then transport the bird from the field. The head or one
fully-feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while
being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory
bird preservation facility.
NONTOXIC SHOT REGULATIONS & ZONE DESCRIPTIONS
No person shall take migratory game birds while possessing shot
other than steel or other approved shot. This restriction applies only
to ducks, geese, brant, swans and coots.
SHIPMENT
No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is
marked on the outside with:
the name and address of the person sending the birds,
the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being
sent and
the number of birds, by species, contained in the package.
IMPORTATION
For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed
in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through
20.66. One fully-feathered wing must remain attached to all mi-
gratory game birds being transported between a port of entry and
one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person
shall import migratory game birds killed in a foreign country, EX-
CEPT Canada, unless such birds are dressed (EXCEPT as required in
20.63), drawn and the head and feet are removed. No person shall
import migratory game birds belonging to another person.
LICENSE, PERMIT & STAMP REQUIREMENTS
All persons hunting migratory birds must have a valid basic hunting
license or equivalent combination license. In addition:
Persons required to be licensed to hunt migratory birds must
have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification and must
possess proof of HIP certification while hunting. Migratory birds
include mourning and white-winged doves, snipe, woodcock,
rails, gallinules, ducks, geese and coots. If you are 17 and under
you do not need a HIP certification. You must get HIP certified
in every state you hunt migratory birds. The HIP certification can
be obtained online at www.wlf.la.gov/page/hunting-licenses-per-
mits-tags or at LDWF Baton Rouge headquarters.
2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting Regulations
Persons 16 years of age and older who hunt ducks and geese
must have a Migratory Bird Hunting Conservation Stamp (Federal
Duck Stamp).
Persons 18 years and older hunting ducks, geese and coots must
have a basic and state waterfowl license or an equivalent combina-
tion licenses that grants those privileges and must have the license(s)
in their possession when hunting. (see page 6 for license details)
The Federal Electronic Duck Stamp allows customers to buy
Federal Duck Stamps online for immediate use. The stamp will
be valid from the time of purchase through the end of season in
June 2027. The customer can either download the stamp to their
phone or print out the receipt when making the purchase. No
physical stamps will be sent out before March 10, 2027 per the
New Modernization Act Law.
DUAL VIOLATION
Violation of state migratory bird regulations is also a violation of fed-
eral regulations.
REFERENCE
Federal regulations related to migratory game birds are located in
Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.
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CAUTION: More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife
Refuges open to public hunting. For additional information on Fed-
eral regulations, contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent:
LaCombe 985-882-3756
Metairie 504-219-8870
Call your regional enforcement office for more information on reg-
ulations (see page 11).
LOUISIANA WILDLIFE
LICENSE PLATES
Your purchase of a wildlife
license plate helps fund wildlife
management and research
Any citizen of Louisiana can purchase a wildlife
license plate when registering their vehicle,
or if you have already registered your vehicle
and would like to order a wildlife license plate
go online to: expresslane.dps.louisiana.gov/
SpecialPlatesPublic/SpecialPlates1.aspx