Regulations

Prior to hunting deer, all deer hunters, regardless of age or license status, must obtain deer tags and have in possession when hunting deer. Immediately upon harvesting a deer, the hunter must tag the deer with the appropriate carcass tag before it is moved from the kill site, and the hunter must document the kill on the harvest report card portion of the deer tag license.

The hunter must record the date of kill and the parish of kill on the carcass tag. The tag must remain attached to the deer while kept at camp, or while it is transported to the domicile of the hunter or to a cold storage facility. Hunters who keep the carcass or meat at camp must also comply with the

game possession tag regulations. Within 7 days the hunter must validate the kill using the toll free validation phone number 866-484-4805 or the web link: www.la.wildlifelicense.com.

Hunters harvesting deer on DMAP lands should follow the instructions provided to them by LDWF. When deer check stations are in operation, hunters on WMAs can validate deer during mandatory deer check hunts.

One antlered and one antlerless deer per day (when legal) EXCEPT on some Federal Refuges (check Refuge regulations) and National Forest Lands where the daily limit shall be one deer per day. Season limit is six, three antlered deer and three antlerless deer (all segments included) by all methods of take, EXCEPT deer harvest on property enrolled in DMAP may not count in the season or daily bag limit for deer.  See LAC 76:v.111 for more information.  Antlerless deer may be harvested during entire deer season on private lands (all segments included) EXCEPT in the following parishes: West Carroll and except those lands within the Morganza Floodway and Atchafalaya Basin (see La. Hunting Regulations pamphlet). Consult the modern firearms table above for either-sex days for those parishes. This does not apply to public lands (WMAs, National Forest Lands, and Federal Refuges) which will have specified either-sex days.

A legal antlered deer is a deer with visible antler of hardened bony material, broken naturally through the skin. EXCEPT in Thistlethwaite WMA (see specific Thistlethwaite WMA regulations for more information), and EXCEPT Alexander State Forest, Bayou Macon, Big Lake, Bodcau, Buckhorn, Dewey Wills, Jackson-Bienville, Loggy Bayou, Ouachita, Pearl River, Pomme de Terre, Red River, Russell Sage, Sicily Island Hills, Spring Bayou, Three Rivers and Union WMAs during the Experimental Quality Deer season (see specific WMA schedule for more information).  Killing antlerless deer is prohibited EXCEPT where specifically allowed.

Any person hunting any wildlife during the open gun deer hunting season and possessing buckshot, slugs, a primitive firearm or a centerfire rifle shall display on his head, chest and/or back a total of not less than 400 square inches of “HUNTER ORANGE.” Persons hunting on privately owned, legally posted land may wear a hunter orange cap or hat in lieu of the 400 square inches. These provisions shall not apply to persons hunting deer from elevated stands on property that is privately owned and legally posted or to archery deer hunters hunting on legally posted lands where firearm hunting is not allowed by agreement of the landowner or lessee. 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 cap or hat while walking to and from elevated stands. While a person is hunting from an elevated stand, the 400 square inches or cap or hat may be concealed. WARNING: Deer hunters are cautioned to watch for persons hunting other game or engaged in activities not requiring “Hunter Orange.”

For information on DMAP, see this link http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/deer-management-assistance-program.

Special license and primitive firearms specifications apply only to the special state, WMA, national forest and preserves and federal refuge seasons. Still hunt only. See page 11 in La. Hunting Regulations pamphlet for specific hunting area dates. Specific WMAs will also be open. Check WMA schedule for specific details. A primitive firearms license is required for resident hunters between the ages of 16 and 59 (inclusive) and non-resident hunters16 years of age and older. Either-sex deer may be taken in all deer hunting areas EXCEPT Area 5 and as specified on public areas. It is unlawful to carry a gun, other than a primitive firearm, including those powered by air or other means, while hunting during the special primitive firearm segment. EXCEPT it is lawful to carry a .22 caliber rimfire pistol loaded with #12 shot (ratshot only).

Effective with the 2012-13 Hunting Season, Legal Primitive Firearms include:

1. Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle or cap and ball cylinder, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets, including primitive firearms known as “in line” primitive firearms, and

2. Single shot, breech loading rifles, .35 caliber or larger having an exposed hammer that uses metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.

Still hunting only Oct. 1, 2012 - Jan. 31, 2013 in all deer hunting areas:

EXCEPT Areas 3 & 8: Sept. 15 - Jan. 15

EXCEPT Area 6: Oct. 1-15, bucks only and Oct. 16 - Feb. 15, either-sex.

WMA seasons are the same as outside except as noted below. An archery license is required for resident bow hunters between the ages of 16 and 59 inclusive and nonresidents 16 years of age and older. Either-sex deer may be taken in all areas open for deer hunting EXCEPT when a bucks only season is in progress for gun hunting and EXCEPT in Area 6 from Oct. 1-15. In such cases, archers must conform to the bucks only regulations. Either-sex deer may be taken on WMAs at anytime during archery season EXCEPT when bucks only seasons are in progress on the respective WMA. Also, archery season restricted on Atchafalaya Delta, Salvador, Lake Boeuf and Pointe-aux- Chenes WMAs. (See http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wmafor details).

Bowhunting Equipment Regulations:

Longbow, compound bow and crossbow or any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means will be a legal means of take for all properly licensed hunters. Bow and arrow fishermen must have a sport fishing license and not carry any arrows with broadhead points unless a big game season is in progress.

Oct. 6-7, 2012.Restricted to individuals with Physically Challenged Hunter Permit.

Either Sex.

Areas 1, 5 & 6: Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, 2012.

Area 2: Oct. 13-19, 2012.

Areas 3, 7 & 8: Sept. 22-28, 2012.

Youths 17 or younger only. Youths must possess a hunter safety certification or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course. Youths must be accompanied by one adult 18 years of age or older. If the accompanying adult is in possession of hunter safety certification, a valid hunting license or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course, this requirement is waived for youths younger than 16 years of age. Adults may not possess a firearm. Youths may possess only one firearm while hunting. Legal firearms are the same as described for deer hunting. The supervising adult shall maintain visual and voice contact with the youth at all times. EXCEPT properly licensed youths 16-17 years old and youths 12 years old or older who have successfully completed a hunter safety course may hunt without a supervising adult.

See Louisiana Hunting Regulations 2012-2013 for more information.