LWFC Gives Final Approval to NOI for 2026 Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Season

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) gave final approval for a Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct the next Louisiana black bear hunting season in December of 2026 during its May meeting Thursday (May 7) in Baton Rouge. The season will include all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas.

This year’s hunt, which will be by lottery and administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), would run from Dec. 5-Dec. 20, 2026.

A total of 42 tags will be tentatively issued for the hunt including 20 for Bear Area 4, eight for Area 1, four each for areas 2-3 and two each for areas 5-6-7. The lottery for the 2026 season will begin in late July.

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.

To see the NOI, go to the LWFC Action Items webpage. Go to the LDWF Black Bear webpage for more information on the Louisiana Black Bear and hunting lottery.

For more information, contact LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks at jhanks@wlf.la.gov.