Deer Hunting

Replacement of lost tags

Duplicate tags are available to replace lost tags. Tags can be reprinted online at www.wlf.la.gov/page/hunting-licenses-permits-tags no cost. If duplicate tags are applied for at the retail location, there is a $2 charge to the hunter. Hunters that have harvested deer prior to losing their remaining tags must remove and discard the duplicate tags to account for the original tags that have been used and validated. Hunters must record these validated deer on the duplicate deer tag license.

Areas not specifically designated as open are closed.

Methods of Taking Deer

License Requirements

Basic Hunting License, Deer License (or equivalent combination license) and Deer Tags are required of all persons 18 and older hunting deer. Youth Hunting License and Deer Tags are required of all persons 17 and younger hunting deer. A resident who reaches age 60 between June 1, 2000 and May 31, 2022, may obtain an annual Senior Hunting and Fishing License for the cost of $5.00. See License Information for exceptions and exemptions.

Definitions

• Either-sex: Antlered or antlerless deer.
• Still Hunting: Stalking or stationary stand hunting without the use of dog(s).
• Antlered Deer: Deer with at least one visible antler, of hardened bony material, broken naturally through the skin.

Prohibited Activities

(Additional prohibited activities listed under Archery and Primitive Firearms seasons)

• Using or possessing scents or lures that contain natural deer urine or other bodily fluids while taking, attempting to take, attracting or scouting wildlife, EXCEPT natural deer urine products produced by manufacturers or entities that are actively enrolled and participating in the Responsible Hunting Scent Association or the Archery Trade Association Deer Protection Program, and which products have been tested and certified that no detectable levels of CWD are present, and clearly labeled as such.
• Take or possession of spotted fawns.
• Take of deer with centerfire firearms smaller than .22 caliber, rimfire firearms smaller than .30 caliber, or a shotgun loaded with anything other than buckshot or slug. Pre-charged pneumatic devices may be used during the modern firearm season for deer provided that they fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot pounds of energy. Arrows or bolts used with a pre-charged pneumatic device shall only be used with well sharpened broadhead points and may be used to hunt deer only during modern firearm deer season. Handguns may be used for hunting.
• Take of deer while deer are swimming.
• Take of deer while hunter is in a boat with motor attached in operating position, EXCEPT that this prohibition shall not apply to any person who has lost one or more limbs.
• Take of game quadrupeds or birds from aircraft, or participating in the taking of deer with the aid of aircraft or from any other moving vehicles.
• Pursuing, driving or hunting deer with dogs or moving vehicles when or where a still hunting season or area is designated.
• Training of deer dogs in still hunting areas during open still hunting seasons.

Daily Limit

• One antlered and one antlerless deer per day EXCEPT when a Bucks Only season is in progress and EXCEPT on Floy Ward McElroy WMA and EXCEPT on some Federal Lands where the daily limit is one deer per day (see specific Federal Lands Regulations for details).

Season Limit

• Season limit is six, not to exceed three antlered OR four antlerless deer, EXCEPT Deer Area 4 season limit is three (not to exceed two antlered or two antlerless deer), and EXCEPT Deer Area 10 season limit is three (not to exceed two antlered or two antlerless deer). Deer harvested on property enrolled in DMAP may not count in the season or daily bag limit for hunters. See DMAP Regulations (LAC 76:v.111) for more information.

USE OF DOGS FOR TRAILING AND RETRIEVAL OF DEER

Possession Tags

A leashed dog may be used to trail and retrieve wounded or un-recovered deer. Any leashed dog used to trail or retrieve wounded or un-recovered deer must wear a collar bearing the owner’s name, address and phone number.

Any part of a deer divided shall have affixed thereto the name, date, address and LDWF number of the person who harvested the deer and the sex of that animal. This information shall be legibly written in pen or pencil on any piece of paper or cardboard or any material which is attached or secured to or enclosing the part or parts. (Resident Game Possession Tags are provided on Resident Game Possession Tag and may be used for such purposes).

Sex Identification

Positive evidence of sex identification, including the head or sex organs, shall remain on any deer taken in Louisiana, so long as such deer is kept in camp or field, or is in route to the domicile of its possessor, or until a deer has been appropriately tagged and validated, and the proof of electronic or physical tag remains with the carcass, or until such deer has been stored at the domicile of its possessor or divided at a cold storage facility and has thus become identifiable as food rather than as wild game.

Hunter Orange and Blaze Pink

Any person hunting any wildlife during the open firearms deer hunting season and possessing buckshot, slugs, a primitive firearm, or a centerfire firearm shall display on their head, chest and/or back a total of not less than 400 square inches of “Hunter Orange” or “Blaze Pink.”

Exceptions

• Persons hunting on privately owned land may wear a Hunter Orange or Blaze Pink cap or hat in lieu of the 400 square inches.
• Not required of persons hunting deer from elevated stands on property that is privately owned. However, anyone hunting deer on such lands where hunting with firearms is allowed shall be required to display the 400 square inches or a Hunter Orange or Blaze Pink cap or hat while walking to and from elevated stands.
• Not required of archery deer hunters hunting on lands where firearm hunting is not allowed by agreement of the landowner or lessee.

WARNING: Deer hunters are cautioned to watch for persons hunting other game or engaged in activities not requiring “Hunter Orange” or “Blaze Pink.”

Primitive Firearms Season

License Requirements

• A Deer or Senior License, whichever is appropriate, is required of all persons hunting deer with primitive firearms during Primitive Firearms Seasons. Persons 17 and under must possess a valid, original youth license. See License Information for exceptions and exemptions.

Prohibited Activities

• Hunting with dogs (All Primitive Firearms Seasons are still hunt only).

Legal Gear

Legal Gear for Primitive Firearms Season includes:

• Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball, shot, or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.
• Single shot, breech loading rifles or single shot, breech loading pistols, .35 caliber or larger, having an exposed hammer that use metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.
• Single shot, breech loading shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, having an exposed hammer, loaded with buckshot or slug.

Exceptions

• Youths 17 or younger may hunt deer with any legal weapon during the Primitive Firearms Season in each deer hunting area.

Either-sex deer may be taken in all areas open for deer hunting EXCEPT when a Bucks Only season is in progress. In such cases, hunters must conform to the bucks only regulations.

Archery Season

License Requirements

• A Deer License or Senior License, whichever is appropriate, is required of all persons hunting deer with archery gear during Archery Seasons. Persons 17 and under must possess a Youth License. See License Information for exceptions and exemptions.

Prohibited Activities

• Possession or use any poisoned or drugged arrow or arrows with explosive tips.
• Hunting deer with a bow having a draw weight less than 30 lbs.
• Hunting with a bow or crossbow fitted with an infrared, laser sight, electrically operated sight or device specifically designed to enhance vision at night (does NOT include non-projecting red dot sights; RS 56:116.1.(b)(4)).
• Hunting with dogs (All Archery Seasons are still hunt only).

Legal Gear

Legal Gear for Archery Season includes:

• Traditional bow, compound bow, crossbow, or any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means.

Either-sex deer may be taken in all areas open for deer hunting EXCEPT when a Bucks Only season is in progress. In such cases, archers must conform to the bucks only regulations.

Physically Challenged Season on Private Land

Oct. 7-8, either-sex.

Restricted to individuals with Physically Challenged Hunter Permit. Permit applications are available at regional LDWF offices.

YOUTH AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS SEASON ON PRIVATE LAND

Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)

Refer to LAC 76:V.111 or contact LDWF Field Offices for specific DMAP rules (www.wlf.la.gov/page/dmap). Deer management assistance tags must be in the possession of the hunter in order to harvest deer. The tag shall be attached in such a manner that it cannot be removed before the deer is transported (including those taken on either-sex days and those taken with approved archery equipment or primitive firearms). Depending upon the level of participation, antlerless or antlered deer harvested on property enrolled in DMAP may not count in the season or daily bag limit for hunters. DMAP participants must follow the deer season schedule established for their respective areas, EXCEPT antlerless deer may be harvested any day of the deer season on property enrolled in DMAP provided that a DMAP tag is possessed by the hunter at the time of harvest.