Louisiana · License · 2026 Edition
Louisiana Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $20 for residents and $200 for nonresidents. The cheapest short-term option for nonresidents is the Basic Hunting, Non-Resident Native 10-Day at $20.
Louisiana's Basic Hunting license is a true base license — it does not cover deer, waterfowl or turkey, each of which needs its own add-on license bought on top of it. All prices are per 365-day license, not per season. Nonresidents get two short-term options: a 10-Day 'Native' license (for hunters from other states, priced the same as resident) and a plain 5-Day license.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Hunting (Resident, Military & Student) | $20 | |
| Youth Hunting (ages 17 & under) | $5 | Required only if actively hunting deer or turkey, trapping, or in a WMA youth lottery hunt — spectating youths need no license. Includes deer and turkey tags. |
| Sportsman's Paradise Combo (all hunting + fishing privileges) | $100 | Everything above except lottery hunts, WMA camping permit and the Federal Duck Stamp. |
| Basic Hunting | $200 | |
| Basic Hunting, Non-Resident Native 10-Day | $20 | |
| Basic Hunting, Non-Resident 5-Day | $65 | |
| Sportsman's Paradise Combo | $400 | |
| Sportsman's Paradise Combo, Non-Resident 5-Day | $120 |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer (add-on to Basic Hunting) | $15 | Covers archery and primitive weapons; includes tags. |
| Deer (add-on to Basic Hunting) | $100 | |
| Deer, Non-Resident Native 10-Day | $15 | |
| Deer, Non-Resident 5-Day | $35 |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey (add-on to Basic Hunting) | $12 | Includes tags. |
| Turkey (add-on to Basic Hunting) | $50 | |
| Turkey, Non-Resident Native 10-Day | $12 | |
| Turkey, Non-Resident 5-Day | $35 |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl (add-on to Basic Hunting) | $12 | |
| Waterfowl (add-on to Basic Hunting) | $50 | |
| Waterfowl, Non-Resident Native 10-Day | $12 | |
| Waterfowl, Non-Resident 5-Day | $35 | |
| Federal Electronic Duck Stamp | $27.72 | Required for all waterfowl hunters 16 and older, resident or nonresident, on top of the state Waterfowl license. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Louisiana duck season dates →
05 — Other permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Hunt/Fish (born before June 1, 1940) | Free | |
| Senior Hunt/Fish (born on or after June 1, 1940) | $5 | |
| Disabled (blind, paraplegic, amputee, permanent brace, KIA surviving spouse) | $4 | |
| Disabled Veteran | $4 | Issued at no cost to the hunter — paid by the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation. |
| WMA Access Annual Permit | $20 | Included with Sportsman's Paradise, Senior Hunt/Fish, and all lifetime licenses. Not required for hunters 17 and under. Required to hunt LDWF wildlife management areas, refuges and wetlands conservation areas — on top of any species license above. |
| WMA Access 5-Day Permit | $5 |
06 — Hunter education
Louisiana requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Anyone born on or after September 1, 1969 must hold a hunter education certificate. Under 16, hunt uncertified under direct supervision instead — see the Louisiana hunter safety page below for the exact rule.
Louisiana hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
07 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries — LouisianaOutdoors.com, the state's official portal.
Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries — LouisianaOutdoors.com →
Where to hunt public land in Louisiana — WMAs by county & access rules →
Louisiana hunting licenses are valid 365 days from the date of purchase, not tied to a calendar or license year (per LDWF).
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Louisiana without a license?
No — Louisiana's own agency lists only two hunting-license exemptions (hunters 17 and under, and residents born before June 1, 1940), and landowners aren't among them.
How much is a hunting license in Louisiana?
A resident annual Louisiana hunting license costs $20, and the nonresident annual license costs $200. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and were read from their own license document on Aug 11, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Louisiana?
$200 for the annual nonresident license. The cheapest short-term option is the Basic Hunting, Non-Resident Native 10-Day at $20. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Louisiana?
Deer (add-on to Basic Hunting) — $15. Deer (add-on to Basic Hunting) — $100. Deer, Non-Resident Native 10-Day — $15. Deer, Non-Resident 5-Day — $35. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries — LouisianaOutdoors.com, the state's official portal. Louisiana hunting licenses are valid 365 days from the date of purchase, not tied to a calendar or license year (per LDWF).
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a Louisiana hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. Anyone born on or after September 1, 1969 must hold a hunter education certificate. Under 16, hunt uncertified under direct supervision instead — see the Louisiana hunter safety page below for the exact rule.
Verified · Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries · Last verified 2026-08-11
Publisher's note. Prices read from the LDWF license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-11. Review due 2027-02-01. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.