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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ATV/UTV PERMITS AND ATV/
UTV TRAILS
Use of special ATV/UTV trails for physically challenged persons is
restricted to ATV/UTV physically challenged permittees. Physically
challenged ATV/UTV permittees are restricted to physically chal-
lenged ATV/UTV trails or other ATV/UTV trails only as indicated on
WMA maps or as marked by sign and or paint. Persons 60 years
of age or older, with proof of age, are also allowed to use physical-
ly challenged trails and need not obtain a permit. However, these
persons must abide by all rules in place for these trails. Physically
challenged persons under the age of 60 must apply for and obtain a
Physically Challenged Hunter Program Permit from LDWF.
RETRIEVAL OF GAME WITH ATVS
Hunters are allowed to retrieve their own downed deer and hogs
with the aid of an ATV or electric bicycle, EXCEPT on Atchafala-
ya Delta, Biloxi, Elm Hall, Lake Boeuf, Pass-a-Loutre, Pointe-aux-
DOGS
All use of dogs on WMAs, EXCEPT for bird hunting and duck hunt-
ing, is EXPERIMENTAL as required by law. Having or using dogs
on any WMA is prohibited EXCEPT for nighttime experimental
raccoon hunting, squirrel hunting, rabbit hunting, bird hunting,
duck hunting, hog hunting and bird dog training when allowed
(see individual WMA seasons listings for WMAs that allow dogs).
Dogs running at large are prohibited on WMAs. The owner or
handler of said dogs shall be liable.
Only recognizable breeds of bird dogs and retrievers are allowed
for quail and migratory bird hunting. Only beagle hounds which
do not exceed 15 inches at the front shoulders and which have
Chenes, Salvador/Timken, Sherburne, and Thistlethwaite WMAs,
and the Crusel Tract of Maurepas Swamp WMA and KNF Vernon
Unit lands within Fort Polk-Vernon WMA (formerly Fort John-
son-Vernon), under the following conditions:
1. No firearms or archery equipment is in possession of the re-
trieval party or on the ATV or electric bicycle.
2. The retrieval party may consist of no more than one ATV or
electric bicycle and one helper.
3. ATVs or electric bicycle may not be used to locate or search
for wounded game or for any other purpose than retrieval of
deer and hogs once they have been legally harvested and lo-
cated.
UTVs may not be used to retrieve downed deer or hogs.
NOTE: A maximum 20 mph speed limit is recommended for all
land vehicles using WMA roads, unless specific signage otherwise
allows or restricts.
recognizable characteristics of the breed may be used on WMAs
having experimental rabbit seasons.
A leashed dog may be used to retrieve wounded or un-recovered
deer during legal hunting hours. Any leashed dog used to trail or
retrieve wounded or un-recovered deer shall have on a collar with
the owner’s name, address and phone number. In addition, a dog
may be used to trail and retrieve un-recovered deer after legal
hunting hours; however, no person accompanying a dog after le-
gal hunting hours may carry a firearm of any sort.
Only hunting dogs are allowed in WMA camping areas.
2026-2027 WMA BASIC SEASON SCHEDULE
SMALL GAME (SQUIRREL, RABBIT, QUAIL, MOURNING DOVE, WOODCOCK, SNIPE,
RAIL AND GALLINULE)
Same as outside unless otherwise specified on certain WMAs (see WMA schedule for details).
Unless otherwise specified under the specific WMA hunting schedule, the use of dogs for rabbit and squirrel hunting is prohibited.
Non-toxic shot must be used for snipe, rail and gallinule. Non-toxic shot size 6 and smaller must be used for dove.
FERAL HOGS
Feral hogs may be taken during any legal hunting season on WMAs
by properly licensed and/or permitted hunters bearing a license and
gear legal for specified seasons in progress, EXCEPT take of hogs is
prohibited during nighttime raccoon seasons. Hogs may not be tak-
en with the aid of dogs, EXCEPT feral hogs may be taken with the aid
of dogs during the month of February on Attakapas, Bodcau, Clear
Creek, Little River, Pearl River, Sabine, Sabine Island, West Bay, and
that portion of Dewey W. Wills north of the Catahoula Lake Diver-
sion Canal by self-clearing permit. During this February dog season,
all hogs must be killed immediately and may not be transported live
under any conditions, and hunters may use centerfire handguns in
addition to using guns allowed for season in progress. In addition,
feral hogs may be taken on Atchafalaya Delta, Pass-a-Loutre, Pointe-
aux-Chenes and Salvador/Timken WMAs from Feb. 16 - March 31
with archery gear, shotguns loaded with buckshot or slugs or rim-
fire rifles no larger than .22 caliber. Additional requirements may be
specified under individual WMAs.
WATERFOWL (DUCKS, GEESE AND COOTS)
Same as outside unless otherwise specified on certain WMAs (see WMA schedule for closures and details).
Hunting after 12 noon is prohibited on all WMAs EXCEPT for Atchafalaya Delta and Pass-a-Loutre WMAs. Consult the specific WMA regula-
tions for shooting hours on these WMAs.
Areas designated, marked and depicted on WMA maps as Waterfowl Sanctuary, and depicted via “Waterfowl Sanctuary” signage on Biloxi,
Boeuf, and Russell Sage WMAs are closed to all public access and activity beginning Nov. 1 through the final day of the Conservation Order
for Light Geese in each location’s respective waterfowl zone.
OUTLAW QUADRUPEDS (COYOTES, ARMADILLOS AND FERAL HOGS) AND BIRDS
Outlaw quadrupeds and birds may be taken during any legal hunting season on WMAs by properly licensed and/or permitted hunters bearing
a license and gear legal for specified seasons in progress. See page 28 for seasons and regulations pertaining to crows.
2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting Regulations