The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct the next Louisiana black bear hunting season in December of 2026 in all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas. The action came during the commission’s March meeting Wednesday (March 4) in Baton Rouge.
This year’s hunt, which would be by lottery and administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), would run from Dec. 5-Dec. 20, 2026. Tag allotments for the 2026 season are still being determined. The lottery for the 2026 will begin during the summer.
Louisiana held its first black bear hunting season in more than 35 years in December of 2024 exclusively in Bear Management Area 4, located in northeast Louisiana. The second season in December of 2025 was held in areas 1, 2 and 4.
Bear Area specific population estimates and vital rate data are used to determine the number of bear harvest permits to be issued. Cubs and females with cubs are not legal to harvest. A cub is defined as any bear less than or equal to 75 pounds.
All successful applicants for the hunt will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.
Click here to see the complete NOI.
Public comment on the NOI will be accepted through April 28 and can be submitted to LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks at jhanks@wlf.la.gov, by mail to LDWF, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA, 70898-9000 or 318-343-8325.