50
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
SMALL GAME EMPHASIS AREAS
Specially designated areas on certain WMAs will allow small game
hunting with dogs, confined to that specific area when the remain-
der of the WMA is restricted to still hunt only. Additionally, off sea-
son training of rabbit and bird dogs may be allowed on some of the
Small Game Emphasis Areas. Small Game Emphasis Areas are of-
fered on Big Colewa Bayou, Bayou Macon, Bodcau, Boeuf, Dewey W.
Wills, John Franks, Marsh Bayou, Pomme de Terre, Richard K. Yanc-
ey, Russell Sage, Sandy Hollow, Sherburne, Tunica Hills and Walnut
Hill WMAs. See individual WMA schedules for details.
BIRD DOG TRAINING AREA
Bird Dog Training Area (BDTA) Rules and Regulations Summary
Bird dog training areas (BDTA) are established on select wildlife
management areas (WMA) to afford users an opportunity to train
recognized breeds of pointing dogs, spaniels, and retrievers with live
released birds. All dogs must wear a collar or tag imprinted with the
name and phone number of the owner or trainer. The BDTA is not in-
tended to serve as a hunting preserve. BDTA boundaries are marked
with signs and/or paint.
General Rules:
Each person using the BDTA for dog training must have a valid
self-clearing permit in his/her possession while engaged in dog train-
ing on the BDTA. Said permit must indicate the number and species
of birds released for training purposes in the comments section.
Only bobwhite quail, mallards or pigeons may be released within
the boundaries of the BDTA for dog training activities (use of pi-
geons and mallards may be prohibited on specific BDTAs). When
WMA/public land hunting seasons are closed, only bobwhite
quail, mallards and pigeons may be taken and possessed.
No more than 6 quail or mallards per day may be released, taken,
or possessed per permittee. Wild quail may be taken on the BDTA
at any time the BDTA is open to dog training and must be includ-
ed in the 6-bird limit. There is no limit on the number of pigeons
that may be taken, released, or possessed. All mallards must be
toe-clipped, or fitted with a seamless band, or otherwise marked
METHODS OF TAKING GAME
For deer, season limits on WMAs are part of the deer area limit.
Daily bag limits are the same as statewide daily bag limits UNLESS
a Bucks Only Season is in progress on that WMA EXCEPT Floy Ward
McElroy WMA (reference individual WMA listings for seasons).
Moving deer or hogs on a WMA with organized drivers and stand-
ers, drivers or making use of noises or noise-making devices is pro-
hibited. Deer hunting on WMAs is restricted to still hunting only.
Baiting, hunting over bait, or possession of bait is prohibited on
all WMAs EXCEPT bait may be kept in a vehicle traversing a WMA
road or parked on a WMA road. Bait is defined as any substance
used to attract game via ingestion.
During Mandatory Deer Check hunts, deer may not be skinned
nor have any external body parts removed, including but not lim-
ited to feet, legs, tail, head or ears before being checked out.
When Mandatory Deer Checks are specified on WMAs, hunters
must check deer at weigh stations as designated on WMA maps.
Hunting from utility poles and structures, and oil and gas explora-
tion facilities or platforms is prohibited.
Tree climbing spurs, spikes or screw-in steps are prohibited.
Construction of and/or hunting from permanent tree stands or
permanent blinds on WMAs is prohibited. Any permanent stand
or permanent blind will be removed and destroyed.
- A permanent blind is any blind using non-natural materials or
having a frame which is not dismantled within two hours after
the end of legal shooting time each day. Blinds with frames of
wood, plastic, metal poles, wire, mesh, webbing or other mate-
rials may be used but must be removed from the WMA within
two hours after the end of legal shooting time each day. Blinds
2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting Regulations
in accordance with federal regulations. Pigeons are not required
to be banded. Persons in possession of live bobwhite quail or mal-
lards must have a valid game breeders license or bill of sale from
a licensed game breeder.
When the WMA/public land hunting seasons are closed, only
shotguns with shells containing shot not larger than lead size 8
or steel size 6 are permitted on the BDTA. Mallards may only be
taken with steel or other approved non-toxic shot. Firearms must
be encased or broken down upon entering and leaving the BDTA
when the WMA hunting seasons are closed. Pistols capable of fir-
ing only blanks are also permitted.
Persons engaged in dog training on BDTAs during WMA hunting
seasons must comply with WMA/public land hunter orange re-
quirements.
See individual WMA hunting schedule for season/BDTA open dates.
SPORT FISHING
Sport fishing, crawfishing and frogging are allowed on WMAs when
in compliance with current laws and regulations EXCEPT as other-
wise specified under individual WMA listings.
ARCHERY SEASON FOR DEER
The archery season on WMAs is the same as outside EXCEPT as
otherwise specified on individual WMAs. Either-sex deer may be
taken on WMAs at any time during archery season EXCEPT when
bucks-only seasons are in progress on the respective WMAs. Ar-
chers must abide by bucks-only regulations and other restrictions
when such seasons are in progress.
PRIMITIVE FIREARMS SEASON FOR DEER
Either-sex unless otherwise specified. Youth 17 or younger, individ-
uals 65 or older, and disabled veteran licensees or properly licensed
disabled hunters that meet the requirements of R.S. 56:3000.H
(1,2,3, or 4) may use any legal weapon during the primitive firearms
season on WMAs (Refer to Legal Gear for Primitive Firearms Season
on page 22).
made solely of natural vegetation and not held together by
nails or other metallic fasteners may be left in place but cannot
be used to reserve hunting locations. Natural vegetation (in-
cluding any material used as corner posts) is defined as natural
branches that are 2 inches or less in diameter.
- Permanent tree stands are any stands that use nails, screws,
spikes, etc. to attach to trees.
Deer stands may not be left on WMAs unless the stands are:
- Removed from trees.
- Placed flat on the ground.
- Left in a non-hunting position (a non-hunting position is one
in which a hunter could not hunt from the stand in its present
position).
- Legibly tagged with the user’s LDWF ID number.
- All portable stands, blinds, tripods, etc. found unattended in a
hunting position, not placed flat on the ground, or untagged
will be confiscated and disposed of by LDWF.
No stand may be left on any WMA prior to the day before deer sea-
son opens on that WMA and all stands must be removed from the
WMA within one day after the close of deer hunting on that WMA.
Free standing blinds must be disassembled when not in use.
Unattended decoys prohibited. Decoys left unattended will be
confiscated, forfeited to and disposed of by LDWF.
Spot-lighting (shining) from vehicles is prohibited.
Hunting and trapping from horses and mules is prohibited
EXCEPT for quail hunting or as otherwise specified. Horse-drawn
conveyances are prohibited.