Louisiana Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 15 – February 28, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Quail: November 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026
  • Woodcock: December 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (Extended Falconry: November 4, 2025 – January 31, 2026)

Required Licenses and Costs

To hunt upland birds in Louisiana, hunters need the appropriate licenses. Costs vary based on residency and license type:

  • Resident Licenses:
    • Basic Hunting License: $20
    • WMA Access Annual Permit: $20/year (required for hunting on Wildlife Management Areas)
    • Sportsman’s Paradise (Combination License): $100 (includes various hunting privileges)
    • Youth Hunting (under 16): $5
    • Senior Hunt/Fish (65+): $20 (or free/low-cost for those born before June 1, 1940, or between 1940-1962)
    • Resident Lifetime Hunt/Fish: $500 (all ages), $100 (65 or older)
  • Non-Resident Licenses:
    • Non-Resident Small Game (Season): $200
    • Non-Resident 5-Day Small Game: $65
    • Non-Resident Lifetime Hunt/Fish: $4,000
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Hunters born on or after September 1, 1969, must complete an approved hunter education course.
    • A Federal Electronic Duck Stamp ($27.72) may be required for migratory bird hunting, though not specific to quail or woodcock unless combined with waterfowl hunting.
    • Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification: Free (required for migratory bird hunting).

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

  • Quail:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 10
    • Possession Limit: 30
  • Woodcock:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3
    • Possession Limit: 9
  • Falconry (Woodcock):
    • Daily bag limit for all permitted migratory game birds (including woodcock) must not exceed 3, with a possession limit of 9, singly or in aggregate during extended falconry and regular seasons.

Notes

  • Regulations apply to both private lands and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), but specific WMA rules may vary (e.g., trail cameras prohibited during turkey season, only hunting dogs allowed in WMA campgrounds).
  • Always verify regulations with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) before hunting, as rules may be updated. Check the official LDWF website or contact Dr. Jeffrey Duguay at jduguay@wlf.la.gov for further details.
  • Printed regulation pamphlets will be available in August 2025 at LDWF offices and vendors where licenses are sold.

This summary covers the key upland bird species (quail and woodcock) as specified. For other migratory birds like doves or snipe, additional details are available in the LDWF regulations.