Hunting in Louisiana
While the avid outdoorsperson may think of fishing when they consider visiting Louisiana, the state is also a great place to head if you like to hunt. You’ll find all kinds of game to track, and birds are a popular choice for the avid hunter and skilled marksman. Here are some things helpful to know about hunting in Louisiana.
What You Can Expect to Find
If you’re planning to hunt in Louisiana, you can find a variety of birds and small game. Expect to see rabbit, squirrel and deer, as well as bobcat, raccoon and opossum. However, the big draw for many hunters is the birds. You’ll find turkey, quail, even crows and blackbirds, along with migratory birds.
Each animal has its own season. Even under the category of migratory birds, you’ll find separate seasons for doves, rails, snipe, woodcock, ducks, and geese. There are limits for the number you can kill for the daily limit and total. The season for the North Zone often differs from the South Zone.
It’s important to know that you also have a limit to when you can hunt migratory birds for the time of day. Ducks, geese, snipe and woodcock can be hunted one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Mourning doves can only be hunted during that time except for opening day of the first split when you can’t start until noon.
Regulations for Hunting Migratory Birds
Along with the time constrictions, there are several other regulations the state has for hunting migratory birds. You are limited on the type of gun you can use to shoot the birds. Shotguns must be smaller than 10-guage and hold fewer than four shells.
Hunters aren’t allowed to shoot from a car or other land transportation vehicle. They can only hunt from a boat if the motor has been turned off or the sail has been furled. Hunters can’t use live birds as their decoys or baiting. Baiting includes the use of salt or grain to lure in the birds. This is a serious offense, punishable by a find of $15,000 or six months in jail.
With the exception of doves and pigeons, no migratory bird may be completely field dressed. After capture, the hunter must keep the head or a wing with full feathers attached until arriving at the destination.
Hunting Licenses
All residents and non-residents who are at least 16 years old must have a general hunting license that is current. They must also have a state duck license. If they hunt migratory birds, they must carry a Harvest Information Program certification. This can be obtained online at www.wlf.louisiana.gov
Book A Trip Today