FEDERAL LANDS
KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST (cont.)
Archery - Deer Hunting:
Catahoula (Grant & Rapides parishes), Winn (Winn, Grant &
Natchitoches parishes), Kisatchie Ranger Districts (Natchitoches
Parish), Evangeline Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District
(Rapides Parish), and Caney Ranger District (Webster &
Claiborne parishes): Oct. 1 - Jan. 31.
Firearms - Deer Hunting (excludes the Catahoula and Red Dirt National
Wildlife Management Preserves):
Catahoula (Grant & Rapides parishes), Winn (Winn, Grant &
Natchitoches parishes), Kisatchie Ranger District (Natchitoches
Parish), Evangeline Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District
(Rapides Parish), and the Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger
District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Polk - Vernon WMA):
- Youth only, either-sex: Oct. 10-16, still hunt only. LDWF
Youth Deer Hunt regulations apply EXCEPT that archery and
open season small game hunting is allowed. LDWF regula-
tions for Hunter Orange/Blaze Pink apply.
- Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 24-25 and Jan. 2-3, still
hunt only. LDWF Youth Deer Hunt regulations apply.
- Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 and Nov. 27, still hunt
only.
- Firearms, bucks only: Nov. 7-26 & 28-29 and Dec. 12-27,
still hunt only.
Caney Ranger District (Webster and Claiborne parishes): Same
as outside including Youth Only Hunt and Primitive Firearms
(Area 2) EXCEPT still hunt only. Either-sex entire season.
Other Seasons on Entire KNF (See Catahoula/Red Dirt National Wildlife
Management Preserve section for additional information):
Rabbit, Squirrel, Quail & Migratory Game Birds: Same dates, shoot-
ing hours and bag limits as outside, EXCEPT CLOSED to squirrel
hunting during the spring season.
Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 26-27
Waterfowl: Same as outside EXCEPT waterfowl hunting ceases at
12 noon. If hunting on Corney Lake (Caney Ranger District) a per-
mit (free of charge) is required for the use of a duck blind.
Contact Caney Ranger District Office for details.
Feral Hogs, Coyotes, Armadillos & Beavers: May be taken during
daylight hours on any KNF hunt by properly licensed hunters
with weapons legal for that hunt.
Fox (chase only), Raccoons & Opossum (nighttime, chase only): May
be hunted during daylight or nighttime from Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 only
unless otherwise stated. A licensed hunter may take raccoon or
opossum, two per person per day, EXCEPT during the trapping
season when there shall be no limit. (See Louisiana Trapping
Regulations pamphlet for additional information. Also see
“Hunting Dog Usage During Deer Firearm Seasons” section
below for exceptions).
Bobcat and Nutria: LDWF regulations apply.
Crows: May be taken Sept. 1 - Jan. 1 only.
Turkey: Caney Ranger District: April 3-18. All remaining KNF lands:
April 3-25.
- Youth Only: March 26-28 on all Ranger Districts (except
Vernon Unit lands within Fort Polk-Vernon WMA [formerly
Fort Johnson-Vernon]).
- At the time of printing this document, a proposed rule pro-
hibiting the use of hunting methods known as fanning or
reaping for turkey hunting on Wildlife Management Areas
(WMAs) and other public lands is under consideration and
may be in effect for the 2027 turkey season. Hunters should
check the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
(LDWF) hunting regulations webpage for the most current
information and updates:
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/seasons-and-regulations.
Fishing: LDWF State Creel Limits apply (See Louisiana Fishing
Regulations pamphlet for additional information).
Trapping: Same as outside, see LA Trapping Pamphlet for addi-
tional information.
72
2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting Regulations
KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST (cont.)
Hunting Dogs Usage:
Hunting Dog Usage During Deer Firearm Seasons (only for KNF areas
outside Catahoula and Red Dirt National Wildlife Management
Preserves): Hunting dogs that are legal for hunting species other
than deer and hogs, and that stay within voice-command dis-
tance of handler are allowed during deer gun hunts. Hunting
dogs that range beyond voice-command distance of handler are
prohibited during deer gun hunts. The training of deer or hog
dogs is prohibited year-round.
Hunting with recognized bird-hunting dogs during quail and
woodcock seasons, recognized raccoon-hunting dogs during rac-
coon hunting season and recognized pointer/retriever dogs
during migratory bird season is permissible. Only beagles which
do not exceed 15 inches at the front shoulder may be used for
rabbit hunting. All dogs must be collared with owner’s name and
phone number attached. Dogs running at large are prohibited.
The owner/handler shall be liable.
Hog hunting with dogs is NOT allowed on KNF. Contact your
local ranger district office for additional information.
Hunting Dog Training: From March 1 - Sept. 30, EXCEPT ALL dogs
prohibited during Turkey Hunting Season. Allowed only in the fol-
lowing circumstances: dogs are within voice-command distance
of handler; dogs are participating in Nighttime Raccoon Chases
mentioned below; dogs are participating in licensed events con-
ducted by nationally recognized kennel clubs (KNF permit
required - contact Forest Supervisor’s office); dogs are under
close control of hikers; and any dog on a leash. No firearms
allowed while training dogs. Hunting dog training prohibited in
Catahoula and Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserves.
Hunting Dog Nighttime Chase Only: (All breeds allowed, no deer or
hog dogs). May 1 - Sept. 30, Tuesdays and Fridays only. No fire-
arms allowed. Nighttime ATV/UTV travel is prohibited. Hunting
dog nighttime chase is prohibited in Catahoula and Red Dirt
National Wildlife Management Preserves during this period.
Bird Dog Training Area: Only that portion of the Vernon Unit
known as the Dove Field. Bird dogs may be trained year-round
EXCEPT CLOSED during turkey season. Permit from LDWF
required to use pen-raised quail.
CATAHOULA AND RED DIRT NATIONAL WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT PRESERVES (NWMP)
Owner: U. S. Forest Service: (Catahoula NWMP - 36,000 acres in
Grant and Winn parishes; Red Dirt NWMP - 38,000 acres in
Natchitoches Parish)
Season Permit required for hunting, fishing, and/or trapping on the
preserve. For a permit or to get additional information contact the For-
est Supervisor’s office, Winn, Catahoula or Kisatchie Ranger District of-
fices, or www.fs.usda.gov/activity/kisatchie/recreation/hunting. In ad-
dition to the Season Permit a Self Clearing Daily Permit is required for
all hunters during all deer gun hunts and turkey hunts. The self-clearing
daily permits will be available at the main check stations, hunter camps
within the NWMP, Kisatchie, Winn and Catahoula district offices, and
at the Forest Supervisor’s Office. Permits are free of charge. Hunters
may also check-in/out electronically through the LDWF Self-Clearing
Permit app/Internet Web portal.
NOTE: The self-clearing permit consists of two portions; check-in and
check-out. The check-in portion must be completed and put in the per-
mit box before each hunt on the day of the hunt. The check-out portion
must be carried by each person while on the preserve and must be com-
pleted and put in the permit box at the end of the day’s hunt.
When Mandatory Deer Checks are specified (see below), all hunters
must check deer at the NWMP’s main check station.