Federal Lands Schedules

Kisatchie National Forest is spread across seven parishes and consists of approximately 604,000 acres.

Contact Information:

• Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie
• Forest Supervisor’s Office (Pineville): 318-473-7160
• Calcasieu Ranger District Office (Boyce): 318-793-9427
• Kisatchie Ranger District Office (Kisatchie): 318-472-1840
• Catahoula Ranger District Office (Bentley): 318-765-3554
• Winn Ranger District Office (Winnfield): 318-628-4664
• Caney Ranger District Office (Homer): 318-927-2061

All Seasons for KNF are for 2024-2025 only.

Vehicles:

• Motorized travel off designated roads and trails and outside designated areas is prohibited on the entire KNF. Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) showing designated roads and trails and associated vehicles and travel seasons are available in all Forest Service offices and on the Kisatchie website: www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie.
• ATV/UTV (50-inch maximum width) operation is prohibited on public roads and road rights-of-way. Use is allowed on KNF roads designated as open seasonally to ATV/UTV use. Use is prohibited in some campsites and recreation areas; see bulletin boards for additional information (also see MVUM).
• Nighttime ATV/UTV travel is prohibited. ATV/UTV travel is allowed between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
• Game retrieval with an ATV/UTV is only allowed within designated 300-foot corridors (see MVUM).

Camping:

• Camping corridors for highway-legal vehicles to drive within 100 feet of the road and camp are designated on the Caney District and in the Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserve (see MVUM).
• Contact your local ranger district office for additional information about camping.

Hunter Orange or Blaze Pink: LDWF WMA regulations for Hunter Orange/Blaze Pink apply.

General: Hunting or discharging a firearm in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across/on a NFSR (National Forest System Road) legally open to motorized use, across a body of water where any person/property is exposed to injury/damage as a result of such discharge, is prohibited.

Firearms (For a full description of USFS regulations, consult the Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations):

• Hunting or discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property is prohibited as follows:

1. In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, or
2. Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.
3. Hunting within 50 feet of the centerline of any road on KNF lands. It is prohibited to possess a firearm having live ammunition in the chamber, magazine, cylinder or clip (when attached to a firearm), or crossbow cocked and in the ready position in or on any type vehicle while on KNF.
   • Active and retired law enforcement officers in compliance with POST requirements, Federal Law Enforcement Officers, holders of Louisiana concealed handgun permits or permit holders from a reciprocal state, who are in compliance with all other state and federal firearms regulations, may possess firearms while on KNF lands, provided these firearms are not used for any hunting purposes.
   • The following cannot be carried while hunting on KNF lands except during modern and primitive deer seasons.
   • Centerfire rifles
   • Break-action centerfire and bolt-action centerfire hand guns
   • Scoped centerfire handguns
   • Shotgun slugs or shot larger than BB lead or F steel

Deer Hunting:

• Bag Limit = 1 deer per day up to the statewide seasonal limit.
• All deer hunting is still hunting only.
• All deer must be tagged as required by LDWF regulations.
• Hunting stand, blind, tripod, baiting, spot-lighting etc. regulations applicable to LDWF WMAs are in effect on KNF unless otherwise specified (refer to “Methods of Taking Game” section of the 2024-2025 LDWF WMA Regulations) excluding the “Bag Limit” and “Horses and Mules” sections.
• Hunting from a permanent stand is prohibited. Placing or leaving a temporary stand is limited to 24 hours.
• The training of deer dogs is prohibited year-round.
• See separate schedule for Catahoula and Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserves.
• LDWF Youth Deer Hunt Regulations apply for all KNF lands except that archery and open seasons for small game hunting is allowed (excluding those portions of the Vernon Unit within Fort Johnson - Vernon WMA).

Archery - Deer Hunting:

• General: Either-sex deer may be taken at any time by archers during the 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 the full Hunter Orange/Blaze Pink requirements during any firearm season for deer.
• Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Johnson - Vernon WMA): Sept. 21 - Jan. 15

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 Johnson - Vernon WMA):
• Youth only, either-sex: Oct. 12-18, still hunt only. LDWF Youth Deer Hunt regulations apply except that archery and open season small game hunting is allowed. LDWF regulations for Hunter Orange/Blaze Pink apply.
• Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 19-20 and Jan. 4-5, still hunt only. LDWF Youth Deer Hunt regulations apply.
• Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 29, still hunt only.
• Firearms, bucks only: Nov. 2-28, Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 and Dec. 14-29, 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, shooting hours and bag limits as outside, EXCEPT CLOSED to squirrel hunting during the spring season.
• Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 28-29
• Waterfowl: Same as outside EXCEPT waterfowl hunting ceases at 2 p.m. If hunting on Corney Lake (Caney Ranger District) a permit (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: 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 5-20. All remaining KNF lands: April 5-27.
• Youth Only: March 29-30 on all Ranger Districts (except Vernon Unit lands within Fort Johnson - Vernon WMA).
• Fishing: LDWF State Creel Limits apply (See Louisiana Fishing Regulations pamphlet for additional information).
• Trapping: Same as outside, see LA Trapping Pamphlet for additional information.

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 distance 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.

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 Forest Supervisor’s office, Winn, Catahoula or Kisatchie Ranger District offices, or www.fs.usda.gov/activity/kisatchie/recreation/hunting. In addition 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 permit 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 completed 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.

Hunting with Dogs: Hunting with recognized bird-hunting dogs during quail and woodcock seasons, recognized raccoon-hunting dogs during raccoon 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. No training of dogs in the NWMPs outside of pertinent seasons.

Select Prohibitions: Additional information and prohibitions provided on season permit for NWMPs.

Hunting Dogs Usage:

• Hunting with recognized bird-hunting dogs during quail and woodcock seasons, recognized raccoon-hunting dogs during raccoon 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 following circumstances: dogs are within voice-command distance of handler; dogs are participating in Nighttime Raccoon Chases mentioned below; dogs are participating in licensed events conducted 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 firearms 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.

Deer Archery Season: Same as Area 2. Archers are required to check harvested deer in/out at the check station during the mandatory deer check days (see dates below).

Special Youth Only Deer Hunt (either-sex): Oct. 12-18, still hunt only. Self-clearing daily permit required.

• LDWF Youth Deer Hunt regulations apply except that archery hunting is allowed.
• LDWF WMA regulations for Hunter Orange/Blaze Pink apply.

Physically Challenged Deer Hunt (either-sex): Oct. 12-13, still hunt only. Self-clearing daily permit required. Hunters must also have in possession an LDWF Physically Challenged Hunters Permit.

Deer Primitive Firearms (either-sex): Oct. 19-20, still-hunt only. Self-clearing daily permit required. Mandatory deer check at main check stations.

Deer Firearms (either-sex): Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 29, still-hunt only. Self-clearing daily permit required. Mandatory deer check at main check stations.

Deer Firearms (bucks only): Nov. 30 - Dec. 1, still-hunt only.

Self-clearing daily permit required.

Turkey: April 5-27

• Youth Only: March 29-30

NOTE: Self-clearing permit required to hunt turkey on NWMPs.

Squirrel, Rabbit, Quail, Dove, Woodcock and Waterfowl (without dogs): All seasons same as outside (unless otherwise stated) EXCEPT closed during deer firearm hunts. Consult LDWF hunting pamphlet for additional information. No spring squirrel season.

Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 28-29

Squirrel and Rabbit (with dogs): Jan. 4 - Feb. 28

Raccoon (nighttime, with dogs): Jan. 4 - Feb. 28

Quail (with dogs): Nov. 16 - Feb. 28

Raccoon and Opossum (non-dog season/daylight hours): May be taken by properly licensed hunters as incidental take with gear legal for the season in progress.

Fishing: LDWF state creel limits apply. The preserve will be closed to fishing during deer gun hunts.

Trapping: See LDWF Trapping Regulations pamphlet.

Owner: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (28,500 acres within St. Martin and St. Landry parishes)

Additional permit required and posted restrictions apply for all persons regardless of age. Permits must be signed prior to hunting any game and must be carried at all times while in the field. To obtain a permit:

• see bulletin board on site.
• visit the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System Project Office, 112 Speck Lane, Port Barre, LA 70577.
• phone: 337-585-0853.
• visit the project website at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Atchafalaya-Basin.

All hunting shall be still hunting only, EXCEPT as otherwise specified.

Consult U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ “Hunting Guide to Indian Bayou” brochure for additional posted restrictions.

Daily limit on deer is one per day.

Antler Deer Point Restriction: A legal buck shall be defined as a deer with at least four points on one side or a deer with unbranched antlers commonly referred to as spikes (no minimum length). To be counted as a point, a projection must be at least one inch long and its length must exceed the length of its base. The beam tip is counted as a point but not measured as a point.

Deer Archery (bucks only): Oct. 1-15

Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 16 - Feb. 15

Deer Firearms (either-sex): Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8, mandatory deer check.

Deer Firearms (bucks only): Dec. 28 - Jan. 5, mandatory deer check.

Deer Primitive Firearms (either-sex): Dec. 13-15

Deer Youth and Physically Challenged (either-sex): Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 2-3. No antler restrictions. Mandatory Deer Check. All other seasons CLOSED.

Deer Youth Lottery: Nov. 23 and Dec. 21 & 23. Contact Project Office for details.

Turkey: CLOSED

Small Game, Migratory Game Birds and Waterfowl: Same as outside EXCEPT CLOSED Oct. 26-27, Nov. 2-3, Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8 (EXCEPT waterfowl season will remain open during all Deer Gun hunts). Hunting waterfowl after 2 p.m. prohibited. Squirrel and rabbit hunting with dogs allowed Jan. 13 - Feb. 28. No spring squirrel season.

• Youth Squirrel Hunt: Sept. 28-29

Raccoon (nighttime): Sept. 14-29 and Jan. 11 - Feb. 28. Special use permit required.

Feral Hogs, Coyotes, Beaver, Armadillos and Nutria: May be taken incidental to any hunt with gear legal for that hunt.

Owner: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2,699 acres within Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana and Concordia parishes)

Additional permit required and posted restrictions apply for all persons regardless of age. Permits must be signed prior to hunting any game and must be carried at all times while in the field. To obtain a permit:

• see brown box in front of Old River campground for Old River Hunting and Trail Guide 2024-2025
• visit the Old River website www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Old-River-Control
• phone 225-492-2169

All hunting shall be still hunting only, except as otherwise specified.

Archery, Primitive Firearms and Shotgun only.

Deer Youth (either-sex) - 17 yrs. & under: Oct. 26-27

Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 1 - Jan. 31

Deer Muzzleloader - Blackpowder Only (either-sex): Dec. 14-15

Deer Shotgun (either-sex): Nov. 29 - Dec. 1

Deer Shotgun (bucks only): Dec. 28 - Jan. 5

Turkey: CLOSED

Small Game, Migratory Game Birds and Waterfowl: Same as outside, EXCEPT hunting waterfowl after 2 p.m. prohibited, no firearms larger than .22 caliber rimfire, and EXCEPT hunting squirrel and rabbit with dogs allowed Dec. 2-13 and Jan. 6 - Feb. 28.

Woodcock: Same as outside EXCEPT hunting with dogs prohibited Dec. 18 - Jan. 5.

Raccoon (nighttime): Dec. 2-13 and Jan. 6 - Feb. 28

Feral Hogs: May be taken by properly licensed hunters from Oct. 1 - Feb. 28.

Owner: National Park Service, Crown Point (22,200 acres within Jefferson Parish)

Additional Permit and regulations apply. Contact Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve at 504-689-3690 ext. 18 or www.nps.gov/jela for additional information. Hunting permit applications accepted beginning July 1. Hunting permits issued Sept 12 - Jan. 15. Hunting will be closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. All Barataria Preserve hunting ends on Jan. 31. All stands must be removed by Jan. 31.

Deer Archery (bucks only): Oct. 1-15

Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 16 - Dec. 23 and Jan. 2-31

Youth Deer Shotgun (either-sex): Oct. 28 - Nov. 5

Deer Shotgun (bucks only, unless either sex season is in progress): Nov. 20 - Dec. 22 and Jan. 2-21

Deer Shotgun (either-sex): Nov. 18-19 & 24-26 and Dec. 9-10 & 16-17

Small Game (squirrel, nutria, rabbit): Oct. 1 - Dec. 23 and Jan. 2-31

Migratory Game Birds and Waterfowl: Same as outside, EXCEPT closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.

Feral Hogs: May be taken during any of the above listed seasons, by properly licensed and permitted hunters, with gear legal for the season in progress.

Owner: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (7,623 acres within St. Charles Parish)

Additional permit required and posted restrictions apply for all persons regardless of age. Permits must be signed prior to hunting any game and must be carried at all times while in the field. For more information, see bulletin boards on-site, visit the project website at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bonnet-Carre-Spillway, or contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonnet Carre Spillway Project Office at 985-764-7484 for more information. All hunting shall be still hunting only, EXCEPT as otherwise specified. Deer and hog dogs prohibited year-round.

The use and/or possession of firearms is prohibited in the ARCHERY-ONLY area. Baiting or hunting over bait for any species is prohibited. The use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited while in possession of a firearm.

Motorized Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles: all motorized vehicles, including automobiles, ATVs and motorcycles are restricted to designated roads and trails. ATVs must be operated under a valid permit from Spillway Office, be brought in to the area by vehicle or trailer, off loaded in parking areas and may only be operated on designated trails. Vehicles must park in designated parking areas. Blocking gates or roads with a vehicle or ATV is prohibited. ATVs are not allowed off designated trails. The use of ATVs outside of the ATV area without a permit is strictly prohibited, NO EXCEPTIONS! Designated trails are open from 5 a.m. until two hours after sunset.

Firearms: The possession of firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons are prohibited except during designated area hunts. Hunters must have firearms unloaded at all times while traveling within the area by motor vehicle, ATV, horse, bicycle and while in a vessel under mechanical power. Loaded weapons are not allowed within 100 feet of designated ATV trails, foot trails, and roads; or within 100 yards of designated parking areas. Loaded is defined as shells or cartridges in the gun’s chamber, magazine, cylinder or clip when attached to firearms or crossbows cocked and in the ready position, or caps on muzzleloader.

All users EXCEPT waterfowl hunters must display a total of 400 square inches of “Hunter Orange” and wear a “Hunter Orange” cap during the open gun hunts for deer. Hunter orange must be worn the entire time while in the field.

Deer Notes: Archery and Shotgun (buckshot) only.

Deer Archery (bucks only): Oct. 1-15

Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 16 - Feb. 15

Deer Shotgun (either-sex): Nov. 29 - Dec. 1

Deer Shotgun (bucks only): Dec. 21 - Jan. 5

Deer Youth (either-sex): Oct. 26-27. Additional permit required from Spillway office.

Small Game, Migratory Game Birds and Waterfowl: Same as outside. Shotgun only. Hunting waterfowl after 12 p.m. (noon) prohibited. During shotgun deer season, use of dogs allowed for waterfowl hunting only.

Attention:

• Dove Hunters: the Bonnet Carre Spillway is included in the South Hunt Zone.
• Waterfowl Hunters: the Bonnet Carre Spillway is included in the Eastern Hunt Zone

Squirrel and Rabbit: Same as outside, EXCEPT hunting with dogs not allowed north of US 61 during shotgun season for deer, Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 and Dec. 21 - Jan. 5.

Armadillos, Beaver, Feral Hogs, Nutria, Coyote, Crows and Starlings: May be taken incidental to any Spillway hunt with weapons legal for that hunt.