Louisiana Whitetail Hunting
Plan your Louisiana whitetail hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by area. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land whitetail hunts across Louisiana, organized by area, and book directly with landowners.
Louisiana Whitetail Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Area 3 Archery
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Either-sex. Area 3 deer hunting.
Knf Vernon Unit Archery
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Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Polk-Vernon WMA [formerly Fort Johnson-Vernon]). Either-sex deer may be taken during archery season EXCEPT when bucks-only firearms seasons are in progress on KNF (archers must hunt only bucks during bucks-only firearm seasons). Archers must adhere to full Hunter Orange/Blaze Pink requirements during any firearm season for deer. All deer hunting is still hunting only. Hunting from a permanent stand is prohibited. Placing or leaving a temporary stand is limited to 24 hours.
Area 3 And Honorably Discharged Veterans
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Youth hunters; Veteran
Either-sex. Open to youth and honorably discharged veterans. Area 3 deer hunting.
Area 1 Archery
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Either-sex. Area 1 parishes include Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Richland, Tensas, West Carroll, and portions of Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Morehouse, Ouachita, Rapides.
Area 2 Archery
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Either-sex. Area 2 parishes include Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, DeSoto, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Union, Webster, Winn, and portions of other parishes.
Area 4 Archery
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Either-sex. Area 4 deer hunting.
Farm Raised & Exotics On Supplemented Shooting Preserves Archery Firearm & Primitive Firearms
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Either-sex. See LAC 76:XIX.111 for complete regulations. Farm raised white-tailed deer and exotics on supplemented shooting preserves.
Physically Challenged Season On Private L
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Disabled hunters
Either-sex. Restricted to individuals with Physically Challenged Hunter Permit. Permit applications are available at regional LDWF offices.
Physically Challenged Season Private L
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Disabled hunters
Physically Challenged season on private land (Either-sex): Oct. 4-5. Applies to all deer areas.
Area 2 And Honorably Discharged Veterans
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Youth hunters; Veteran
Either-sex. Open to youth and honorably discharged veterans.
Area 3 Primitive Firearms Season First Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. Area 3 deer hunting. First split of primitive firearms season.
Area 2 Primitive Firearms Season First Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. First split of primitive firearms season for Area 2.
Area 3 Firearms Season Still-hunt Only
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Rifle
Either-sex. Still-hunt only. Area 3 deer hunting.
Area 1 And Honorably Discharged Veterans
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Youth hunters; Veteran
Either-sex. Open to youth and honorably discharged veterans.
Area 4 And Honorably Discharged Veterans
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Youth hunters; Veteran
Either-sex. Open to youth and honorably discharged veterans. Area 4 deer hunting.
Area 2 Firearms Season Still-hunt Only
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Rifle
Either-sex. Still-hunt only.
Area 1 Primitive Firearms Season First Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. First split of primitive firearms season for Area 1.
Area 4 Primitive Firearms Season First Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. Area 4 deer hunting. First split of primitive firearms season.
Area 1 Firearms Season Still-hunt Only First Split
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Rifle
Either-sex. Still-hunt only. First split of firearms season for Area 1.
Area 4 Firearms Season Still-hunt Only First Split
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Rifle
Either-sex. Still-hunt only. Area 4 deer hunting. First split.
Area 3 Firearms Season With Or Without Dogs
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Rifle
Either-sex. With or without dogs. Area 3 deer hunting.
Area 2 Firearms Season With Or Without Dogs
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Rifle
Either-sex. Hunting with or without dogs permitted.
Area 1 Firearms Season With Or Without Dogs
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Rifle
Either-sex. Hunting with or without dogs permitted.
Area 4 Firearms Season With Or Without Dogs
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Rifle
Either-sex. With or without dogs. Area 4 deer hunting.
Area 3 Primitive Firearms Season Second Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. Area 3 deer hunting. Second split of primitive firearms season.
Area 1 Firearms Season Still-hunt Only Second Split
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Rifle
Either-sex. Still-hunt only. Second split of firearms season for Area 1.
Area 4 Firearms Season Still-hunt Only Second Split
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Rifle
Either-sex. Still-hunt only. Area 4 deer hunting. Second split.
Area 2 Primitive Firearms Season Second Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. Second split of primitive firearms season for Area 2.
Area 1 Primitive Firearms Season Second Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. Second split of primitive firearms season for Area 1.
Area 4 Primitive Firearms Season Second Split
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Muzzleloader
Either-sex. Area 4 deer hunting. Second split of primitive firearms season.
Louisiana Whitetail Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Hunting License - Resident | OTC | — | $15.00 |
Includes archery and primitive privileges; includes deer tags. Required for all deer hunters in addition to Basic Hunting license. Valid for 365 days from purchase. | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Hunting License - Non-Resident | OTC | — | $100.00 |
Includes archery and primitive privileges; includes deer tags. Required for all deer hunters in addition to Basic Hunting license. Valid for 365 days from purchase. | |||
| Deer Hunting License - Non-Resident 5-Day | OTC | — | $35.00 |
Non-Resident 5-Day. Includes archery and primitive privileges; includes deer tags. Required for all deer hunters in addition to Basic Hunting license. | |||
| Deer Hunting License - Non-Resident Native 10-Day | OTC | Native | $15.00 |
Non-Resident Native 10-Day. Includes archery and primitive privileges; includes deer tags. Required for all deer hunters in addition to Basic Hunting license. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Whitetail season in Louisiana runs approximately from September 20, 2025 to January 31, 2026, with multiple overlapping phases by area and method. Archery seasons begin September 20 in Area 3 and September 27 for youth and honorably discharged veterans in Area 3, then October 1 in Areas 1, 2, and 4, all extending through January 15 or 31 depending on area. Primitive firearms seasons occur in October and November by area and split, while rifle seasons vary by area from October 18 through January 18, with some areas allowing still-hunting only and others permitting hunting with or without dogs. Special seasons include a physically challenged season October 4–5 on private land and youth and honorably discharged veteran seasons in October by area. Farm-raised deer and exotics on supplemented shooting preserves are open October 1 through January 31 for archery, firearms, and primitive firearms.
Yes. Nonresidents can hunt whitetail in Louisiana on Wildlife Management Areas by obtaining a Self-Clearing Permit, which is available over the counter and required for all activities on WMAs. The permit consists of check-in and check-out portions; check-in must be completed before each day's activity, and check-out must be carried while on the WMA and completed upon exiting. You can obtain the permit from a Self-Clearing Permit Station or electronically through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or Internet Web portal, and you may check in one day in advance.
Yes. Whitetail hunting opportunities are available over-the-counter in Louisiana on Wildlife Management Areas, where you must obtain a Self-Clearing Permit for all activities. The Self-Clearing Permit consists of check-in and check-out portions; check-in must be completed before each day's activity, and check-out must be carried while on the WMA and completed upon exiting. You can obtain the permit from a Self-Clearing Permit Station or electronically through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or Internet Web portal, and you may check in one day in advance. The permit is not required for fishers or boaters entering via watercraft from outside the WMA who do not get out onto WMA property, or for motorists or boaters traveling through.
