LA resident and non-resident fees, deer tags, turkey permits — plus a calculator for your full season total.
Louisiana Hunting Overview
Louisiana combines an affordable, bundled deer license with one of the most productive waterfowl hunting regions in North America, anchored by coastal marshes along the Mississippi Flyway. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries includes deer and archery in the base license while pricing turkey as a modest add-on. Understanding Louisiana's fee structure alongside its renowned duck hunting reputation and notably generous age-60 senior exemption helps hunters plan an accurate, well-budgeted season.
Louisiana Hunting License Fees — What You're Actually Paying For
Louisiana's $20.00 resident license is among the cheapest in the Southeast, tied with Georgia, and it bundles deer access at no extra tag cost. Louisiana's senior exemption is notably generous — free at age 60, a lower age threshold than almost every other state in this guide, most of which set the senior cutoff at 65 or higher.
Louisiana's coastal marshes and position along the Mississippi Flyway make it one of the premier waterfowl hunting destinations in the country, alongside Arkansas. The state's extended duck season (November through January) draws serious non-resident interest each year, and Louisiana's $200.00 non-resident fee — moderate compared to Mississippi's $300.00 — reflects a more accessible price point for that reputation.
Turkey ($20.00) is a modest add-on, and archery is included in the base license with no separate endorsement fee — better than Arkansas's stacked archery structure next door. Combined with a long deer season running October through January across firearm, muzzleloader, and bow phases, Louisiana offers solid year-round hunting access for a comparatively low license cost.
Louisiana's Wildlife Management Areas include extensive coastal marsh units managed specifically for waterfowl, requiring their own zone rules and, in some cases, lottery-based blind assignments — a notable resource for non-residents drawn to the state's Mississippi Flyway duck hunting reputation alongside Arkansas.
Louisiana vs. Nearby States: Hunting License Cost Comparison
Here's how Louisiana's resident and non-resident hunting license fees stack up against nearby or commonly compared states.
State
Resident
Non-Resident
Louisiana (this page)
$20.00
$200.00
Arkansas
$25.00
$410.00
Mississippi
$25.00
$300.00
Texas
$25.00
$315.00
Chart: annual base license fees, resident vs. non-resident. Source: state wildlife agency sites, verified July 2026.
How to Buy a Louisiana Hunting License
Louisiana hunting licenses are sold online through the LDWF's licensing portal, by phone, or at license agents statewide. Online purchases are issued instantly as a digital license. Since archery is bundled into the base license, most Louisiana hunters need to add a $15.00 Deer License and the $20.00 turkey tag if pursuing that species — a simpler purchase process than many neighboring states.
Buying a LA License, Step by Step
1. Go to the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries online licensing portal (or call/visit an agent in person).
2. Select residency status and the license type — base license, plus any required deer, turkey, or archery add-ons.
3. Enter hunter education certification details if this is your first license, or your existing customer ID if you've bought one before.
4. Pay online for an instant digital license, or complete the purchase in person.
5. Print or save your license and any tags to your phone, and review current season dates for your specific zone or unit before heading out.
Louisiana Residency Rules & License Exemptions
Louisiana requires residents to have lived in the state for at least 60 days immediately before applying, with a Louisiana driver's license or state ID as proof, and extends resident rates to active-duty military stationed in Louisiana. Residents 60 and older hunt completely free — a notably lower age threshold than most states — and youth under 18 also hunt free of charge. Landowners hunting their own qualifying land are exempt from license requirements, a common benefit across Louisiana's extensive rural parishes.
Is a Louisiana Hunting License Worth It?
Is Louisiana's $200.00 non-resident license worth it? For waterfowl hunters targeting the state's coastal marshes, yes — Louisiana rivals Arkansas for Mississippi Flyway duck hunting quality at a notably lower non-resident price. For deer hunters, Mississippi and Alabama offer comparable Southeastern access at different price points.
A Louisiana resident hunting license costs $20.00 per year. A non-resident license costs $200.00. Louisiana requires a separate Deer License ($15.00 resident / $100.00 non-resident) on top of the base license. A turkey tag costs an additional $20.00. Verify current rates with Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries before purchasing.
How much is a Louisiana non-resident hunting license?
A Louisiana non-resident annual hunting license costs $200.00. A Deer License ($100.00 non-resident) is required separately for deer hunting. The Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required separately for waterfowl hunting.
Do I need a separate deer tag in Louisiana?
Yes — Louisiana requires a separate Deer License costing $15.00 for residents and $100.00 for non-residents, on top of the base license.
When is deer season in Louisiana?
Louisiana's general firearm deer season typically runs October – January, with archery season running September – November. Season dates vary by zone or unit — always check the current year's dates at Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries before hunting.
Do seniors get a discount on Louisiana hunting licenses?
Louisiana residents qualify for a senior hunting license benefit: 60+ free. Active duty military members also qualify for a discount (Active duty free). Verify current senior and military rates directly with Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries.
At what age do Louisiana seniors hunt for free?
60 — Louisiana's senior exemption kicks in at a notably lower age than most states, which typically set the threshold at 65 or higher.
Why is Louisiana known for waterfowl hunting?
Louisiana's coastal marshes sit directly along the Mississippi Flyway, making it one of the premier duck hunting destinations in the country alongside Arkansas, with an extended November-to-January season.
Is archery included in Louisiana's hunting license?
Yes — archery access is bundled into the base license with no separate endorsement fee, unlike neighboring Arkansas, which charges an additional archery fee.
Are there dedicated waterfowl areas in Louisiana?
Yes — Louisiana manages extensive coastal marsh Wildlife Management Areas specifically for waterfowl, some with lottery-based blind assignments, making it one of the top duck hunting destinations in the country alongside Arkansas.
Does Louisiana offer a lifetime hunting license?
Yes — Louisiana offers lifetime license options for residents through the LDWF, a strong value given the state's generous age-60 senior exemption and low $20.00 annual resident fee.
How does Louisiana's license compare to Arkansas's?
Louisiana's $20.00 resident fee is cheaper than Arkansas's $25, and Louisiana bundles archery at no extra cost while Arkansas charges a separate $10.50 archery fee.
Does Louisiana offer a lifetime hunting license?
Yes — Louisiana offers lifetime license options for residents through the LDWF, a strong value given the state's generous age-60 senior exemption.
When is duck and waterfowl season in Louisiana?
Louisiana's general waterfowl season runs approximately November – January, though exact opener dates are set annually within federal USFWS framework dates and can vary by zone. A Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, on top of your Louisiana hunting license — check Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries each year for the confirmed season dates in your zone.
What do I need to buy a Louisiana hunting license?
You'll typically need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), your hunter education certification number if this is your first license, and a form of payment. Online purchases through Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries accept major credit or debit cards and issue your license instantly; in-person purchases at a license agent may also accept cash or check depending on the retailer.
What's the total cost for a full deer, turkey, and archery season in Louisiana?
Adding the Louisiana base license ($20.00) to a Deer License ($15.00) and a turkey tag ($20.00), a resident hunter pursuing all three in the same season pays roughly $55.00 total before the $27 Federal Duck Stamp needed for waterfowl. Non-resident totals run higher across the board — check Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries for exact current tag prices before budgeting a multi-species season.
Does Louisiana require hunter education to get a hunting license?
Yes — like nearly every U.S. state, Louisiana requires hunter education certification for first-time license buyers born after a state-set cutoff date, typically covering firearm safety, ethics, and wildlife identification. Hunters who haven't completed the course yet can often still get afield through an apprentice or mentored hunting license, which lets a certified adult bring along an uncertified newcomer for one or more license years before certification is required.
Compare Louisiana's fees against every other state on our free tool.