HUNTING LICENSES

Annual hunting and fishing licenses go on sale June 1 each year and expire June 30 of the following year.

Hunting licenses may be purchased online or by telephone using Visa or MasterCard. Call toll free 1-888-765-2602. An authorization number for immediate use will be provided and licenses will be mailed to the licensee.
A SERVICE FEE IS CHARGED.

HIP CERTIFICATION All persons hunting migratory game birds (mourning doves, ducks, geese, woodcock, rails, snipe, coots or gallinules) in Louisiana must be HIP certified in addition to their appropriate licenses.

Duplicates: $2.00 per privilege - no duplicates are allowed for trip licenses

Bona Fide Resident:
1. Any person who has resided in this state continuously during the 12 months immediately prior to the date on which he applies for any license and who has manifested his intent to remain in this state by establishing Louisiana as his legal domicile, as demonstrated by compliance with all of the following, as applicable:

• If registered to vote, he is registered to vote in Louisiana
• If licensed to drive a motor vehicle, he is in possession of a valid Louisiana drivers license
• If owning a motor vehicle located within Louisiana, he is in possession of a valid Louisiana registration for that vehicle
• If earning an income, he has filed a Louisiana state income tax return and has complied with state income tax laws and regulations.

2. Any person, who possesses a resident license from any state or country other than Louisiana shall not qualify for a resident hunting license in Louisiana.

HUNTER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

All persons born on or after September 1, 1969, must show proof of satisfactorily completing a Hunter Safety course approved by LDWF to purchase a Basic Hunting License. EXCEPT any active or veteran member of the United States armed services or any POST-certified law enforcement officer, application for the exemption shall be filed in person at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries main office building in the city of Baton Rouge. However, a person younger than 16 years of age may hunt without such certificate if he is accompanied by and is under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older EXCEPT during a statewide youth deer hunt, Youths must possess a hunter safety certification or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course. Each youth 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. For course information, call (225)765-2932 or any Regional Office.

EXCEPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

A. The following recreational fishermen and hunters are not required to obtain a basic recreational fishing license, saltwater license, basic hunting license, big game license or migratory waterfowl conservation stamp, but must have proof of age in their possession whenever fishing or hunting:

1. Residents who reached age 60 prior to June 1, 2000.
2. Residents and non-residents younger than 16 years of age

B.The following recreational fishermen and hunters, upon identification and proof of eligibility satisfactory to the Department, shall be issued a basic recreational fishing license, saltwater license, basic hunting license and big game license without payment of any fees:

1. A resident who is a VETERAN of the armed forces or Louisiana National Guard, having a permanent SERVICE CONNECTED disability classification of fifty percent (50%) or more. Must submit form signed by parish service officer.
2. A resident who is blind, paraplegic or is a multiple amputee shall upon identification and proof of disability satisfactory to the Department be issued licenses without the payment of any fees therefor. Must submit doctors statement.

For more information on recreational licenses and fees, click here.

RESIDENT HUNTING FEES

NON-RESIDENT HUNTING FEES

MILITARY LICENSES

Other Fees

LIFETIME LICENSES

LIFETIME HUNTING LICENSES are available only through the Baton Rouge Office. To expedite issuance make payment in the form of cash or money order. For additional information call (225)765-2887.

Lifetime hunting licenses include basic hunting, big game hunting, primitive firearms, bow hunting, state waterfowl license, turkey stamp and WMA hunting permit.

Lifetime licenses are available from the Baton Rouge office only. LDWF does not issue receipts or authorization numbers for Lifetime licenses. Allow six weeks processing time. Applicants are required to have lived in Louisiana for the immediate twelve months prior to making application to qualify for resident rates. Mandatory documents required with application are a valid LA driver's license issued a minimum of 12 months and one of the following:

• Louisiana voter's registration card
• Louisiana vehicle registration and
• two previous year's state tax filing, stamped by Department of Revenue and Taxation.
  (Applications available at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/licenses/lifetime/ or by calling 225-765-2887)

OTHER LICENSES (For applications please call (225)765-2898)

Footnotes

1. Big Game License: Required of all deer,
   turkey and bobcat hunters in addition to Basic
   Season License.
2. LA Sportsman's Paradise License:
   Includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing, Basic
   Season and Big Game Hunting, Bow,
   Primitive Firearms, Turkey, LA Duck, WMA
   Hunting Permit and all Recreational Gear
   licenses (EXCEPT recreational trawls
   greater than 16 feet in length - additional
   license required).
3. Louisiana Wild Turkey: Required of all
   turkey hunters in addition to Basic Season
   and Big Game licenses.
4. Harvest Information Program (HIP):
   Licensed hunters of migratory game birds
   (mourning doves, ducks, geese, woodcock,
   rails, snipe, coots or gallinules) in Louisiana
   must be HIP certified in addition to all other
   requirements.
5. Senior Hunt/Fish License: Any resident
   who reached age 60 on June 1, 2000 or later
   must obtain a Senior Hunt/Fish License to
   hunt or fish. This license is in lieu of Basic
   and Saltwater Fishing, Basic Hunting, Big
   Game, Bow, Primitive Firearms, LA Duck
   License, Turkey Stamp and WMA Hunting
   Permit. It does not include special gear such
   as trawls, crab traps, crawfish traps, hoop
   nets, etc.
6. WMA Hunting Permit: Required of anyone
   who hunts on any land administered by
   LDWF, including wildlife refuges and wildlife
   management and habitat conservation
   areas.
7. Can only be purchased once in a lifetime.
8. New licenses effective June 1, 2009.
   These licenses are all inclusive. No other
   license is required.
   

2009 TURKEY TAGGING AND VALIDATION INSTRUCTIONS

Prior to hunting turkey this season in Louisiana, all hunters, regardless of age or license status, must obtain turkey tags and carry them when hunting. Turkey tags will be issued as follows:
* At the point of sale, when purchasing a turkey license from a license vendor.
* La. Lifetime Hunting license holders: License vendors will issue tags free of charge when the Lifetime Hunting license is presented.
* Resident Senior Hunt/Fish license holder: License vendors will issue tags free of charge when the Resident Senior Hunt/Fish license is presented.
* Resident Seniors (not required to carry a hunt/fish license): License vendors will issue tags free of charge when a Louisiana driver's license or state-issued picture I.D. is presented.
* Hunters under age 16: License vendors will issue tags free of charge to youth hunters providing a Social Security number and date of birth.

NOTE: Additional to license purchase and turkey tag options at license vendor outlets, LDWF offices issuing licenses and turkey tags include:
Region 2 - 368 Century Tel Drive, Monroe 71203; ph. 318-343-4045
Region 3 - 1995 Shreveport Hwy., Pineville 71360; ph. 318-487-5885
Region 5 - 1213 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles 70601; ph. 337-491-2575
Region 6 - 5652 Hwy. 182, Opelousas 70570; ph. 337-948-0255
Baton Rouge - 2000 Quail Drive, B.R. 70808; ph. 225-765-2887

When in the field, and immediately upon harvesting a turkey, the hunter must:
* Tag the turkey with the appropriate Carcass Tag from the license before it is moved and document the kill on the Harvest Report Card portion of the turkey tag.
* Record the date of kill and the parish of kill on the Carcass Tag.

When transporting the harvested turkey:
* The tag must remain attached to the turkey while kept at camp, or while it is transported to the domicile of the hunter.
* Possession Tags are printed within the back of the of the 2008-09 Louisiana Hunting Regulations booklet, or can be downloaded via the LDWF Web site, and document the identification of the hunter who harvested the turkey. Correctly completed Possession Tags identify the hunter responsible for the carcass and allow anyone to transport the meat legally.

Within 72 hours of the harvest of each turkey, the hunter must:
* Validate the kill by toll-free phone at 866-484-4805 or via the Internet at https://www.wildlifelicense.com.
* Record the validation number obtained by phone or Internet on the Harvest Report Card.

Additionally:
Hunters are advised not to remove the Carcass Tags from the Turkey Harvest Report Card until a turkey is harvested. Single tags are automatically voided if detached from the license prematurely, not placed on a harvested turkey, and then lost by a hunter. Duplicate tags will be available to replace lost tags at a charge to the hunter. Hunters who have harvested a turkey prior to losing their remaining tags will have to remove and discard the duplicate tags to account for the original tags that has been used and validated. Hunters must record validated turkey on the duplicate turkey tag.

Anyone purchasing a license by phone or the Internet will be given both an authorization number and a LDWF identification number that will serve as their temporary license until the actual license arrives by mail. Hunters must tag turkeys using any piece of paper with legibly written authorization number and LDWF identification number, along with the hunters name, address, date and parish where the turkey was taken. This will serve in lieu of the absent carcass tag. Hunters will maintain documentation of any harvested turkey and will validate any harvested turkey as required by law when the hunter's actual license is received. The hunter will validate the license information from any harvested turkey and will discard the license tags for those validated turkey. NOTE: Hunting license purchases by phone or the Internet will include a handling fee, as will turkey tag requests by Lifetime license holders, Resident Seniors and hunters under age 16.

A complete listing of all rules pertaining to turkey season and tagging is provided in the 2009 Louisiana Turkey Regulations pamphlet, or those same rules can be downloaded via the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. To view an instructional video on turkey tagging, click on the link provided on the LDWF Web site home page.

2009-10 DEER TAGGING AND VALIDATION INSTRUCTIONS

To obtain Deer Tags

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 the camp must also comply with game possession tag regulations. Within 72 hours the hunter must validate the kill and record the validation number on the license. Hunters harvesting deer on DMAP and LADT should follow the instructions provided to them by LDWF. Hunters on wildlife management areas can validate deer during mandatory deer check hunts, when deer check stations are in operation. Hunters may validate deer by calling the validation toll free number, 866-484-4805, or using the validation web site.

Note: Do not remove the tags from the Deer Harvest Report Card until you have killed a deer; at that point the tag is removed from the Deer Harvest Report Card and attached to the animal. Tags removed from the Deer Harvest Report Card prior to killing a deer are no longer valid and if lost by the hunter will not be replaced.

Deer Tagging Procedure for Licenses purchased via phone or internet

Hunters purchasing licenses by phone or internet will be given both an authorization number and a LDWF identification number that will serve as their license until such license arrives by mail. Hunters will tag deer with possession tags, using the authorization number and LDWF identification number for the required license numbers recorded on the possession tag. Hunters will maintain documentation of these harvested deer and will validate harvested deer as required by law when the hunter receives the original license and tags. The hunter will validate the license information from these harvested deer and will discard the license tags for these validated deer.

Replacement of lost tags

Hunters should not remove tags from the license transaction until a deer has been killed and the hunter is ready to tag the carcass and move it from the kill site. Single tags are automatically voided if detached from the license prematurely (not placed on a harvested animal) and then lost by the hunter. These tags will not be replaced. Hunters who lose their license and/or tag transaction (tags and deer license report card) can obtain duplicate tags at a charge to the hunter. Hunters that have harvested and validated deer prior to losing their remaining tags will have to remove and discard the duplicate tags to account for the original tags that have been used and validated. Hunters must update the duplicate deer tag harvest report card by recording the deer that he has already harvested.

EXCEPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

For a complete review of exceptions and exemptions, click here.