The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that registration is now open for it’s first-ever Introduction to Squirrel Hunting Workshop this November 7 and 8th at Dewey Wills Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This event is designed to introduce novice hunters to small game hunting on Louisiana’s WMAs. Participants will be paired with LDWF staff to learn safe, ethical and effective hunting practices. This two-day, overnight event combines classroom learning, firearm safety, field experience and opportunities to hunt with an instructor on Dewey Wills WMA. Registration will close on October 20, 2025.
A novice hunter is an individual with limited or no previous experience in hunting, who is still learning essential skills such as identifying game, using firearms safely, navigating terrain and understanding hunting regulations and ethics.
To qualify for this workshop, applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the date of the hunt and must be hunter education certified or exempt from hunter education. A maximum of 8 applicants will be accepted for this hunt. Registration closes on October 20, and selected participants will be notified by email and phone by October 24.
Selected applicants will be required to have a valid Basic Hunting License and a WMA Access Permit (the WMA Access Permit can be purchased separately but is also included in the Lifetime License, Louisiana Sportsman Paradise License, or Senior Hunting and Fishing License).
The selected hunters will need to wear a hunter orange cap and bring a shotgun or .22 LR rifle (these can be provided by LDWF if necessary).
Interested participants can apply for the Introductory Squirrel Hunting Workshop at: Introductory Squirrel Hunt Application. For more information, please email Travis Dufour, Hunter Education Program Manager at tdufour@wlf.la.gov.