Hunting
Louisiana is not called "Sportsman's Paradise" for nothing! Some of the best hunting and fishing may be found on the Kisatchie National Forest. Hunters are expected to follow the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hunting regulations and guidelines.
National Wildlife Management Preserve (NWMP) Season Permit
If you wish to hunt in one of two National Wildlife Management Preserves (NWMP) on the Kisatchie National Forest, you will need a season permit. Please print and sign this permit and keep with you at all times when you are in the NWMP.
Hunting Dates on Kisatchie National Forest
The complete schedule for hunting on federal lands may be found in the Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations or click on the link below for a handy, one-page sheet of hunting dates on Kisatchie National Forest.
Hunting Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Hunting is allowed on the ENTIRE 604,000-acre forest, except within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across/on a National Forest System Road legally open to motorized use, across a body of water where any person/property is exposed to injury/damage, and areas closed to the public for military training.
If you wish to hunt in one of two National Wildlife Management Preserves (NWMP) on the Kisatchie National Forest, you will need a season permit. Please print and sign this permit and keep with you at all times when you are in the NWMP.
The Kisatchie National Forest follows all rules and regulations as determined by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Please consult the current year's Hunting & WMA Regulations handbook for more details, focusing on the "Federal Lands" section.
Kisatchie National Forest (KNF) 2026 – 2027 Hunting Dates
General
• Bag Limit: 1 deer per day up to the statewide seasonal limit.
• All deer hunting on KNF lands is still hunting only.
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) tagging requirements apply.
• LDWF Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Regulations for hunter orange and blaze pink apply.
• LDWF Youth Only Deer Hunt regulations apply for all KNF lands except that archery and open season small game hunting is allowed (Excluding those portions of the Vernon Unit within Fort Polk-Vernon WMA).
• See the 2026 – 27 Louisiana Hunting Regulations pamphlet for additional information.
Deer Archery:
• Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Polk-Vernon WMA)
• Sept. 19 – Jan. 15
• Catahoula Ranger District (Grant & Rapides Parish), Winn Ranger District (Winn, Grant & Natchitoches Parish), Kisatchie Ranger District (Natchitoches Parish), Evangeline Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Rapides Parish) and the Caney Ranger District (Webster & Claiborne Parish)
• Oct. 1 – Jan. 31 [including the Catahoula & Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserves (NWMP)]
Deer Firearms:
• Catahoula Ranger District (Grant & Rapides Parish), Winn Ranger District (Winn, Grant & Natchitoches Parish), Kisatchie Ranger District (Natchitoches Parish), Evangeline Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Rapides Parish) and the Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Polk-Vernon WMA)
• Youth Only, either-sex: Oct. 10 – 16, still hunting only
• Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 24 – 25 and Jan. 2 - 3, still hunting only
• Firearms, either sex: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 & Nov. 27, still hunting only
• Firearms, bucks only: Nov. 7 – 26, Nov. 28 – 29, and Dec. 12 – 27, still hunting only
• Caney Ranger District (Webster & Claiborne Parish) Same as Area 2 regulations including Youth Only Hunt and Primitive Firearms, either-sex, except still hunt only
Other Species:
• Rabbit, Squirrel, Quail, Migratory Game Birds and Waterfowl (see LA Hunting Regulations for additional waterfowl information for Caney RD): Same dates, shooting hours, and bag limits as outside
• EXCEPT, NO spring squirrel season on the KNF
• EXCEPT, All waterfowl hunting ceases at 12 noon
• Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 26 – 27
• Feral Hogs, Coyotes, Armadillos & Beavers: May be taken during daylight hours on any KNF hunt by properly licensed hunters with weapons legal for that hunt.
• Fox (chase only), Raccoons & Opossum (nighttime, chase only): Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (See LA. Trapping Regulations for additional info. on trapping)
• Crows: Sept. 1 – Jan. 1
• Turkey: Caney Ranger District: April 3 – 18. All remaining KNF lands (includes NWMPs): April 3 – 25.
o Youth Only: March 26 – 28 on all Ranger Districts (except Vernon Unit lands within Fort Polk-Vernon WMA).
Catahoula & Red Dirt NWMP see Season Permit for additional information:
• Deer Youth Only, either-sex: Oct. 10 – 16, still hunting only
• Deer Physically Challenged, either-sex: Oct. 10 – 11, still hunting only
• Deer Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 24 – 25, still hunting only
• Deer Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 & Nov. 27, still hunting only
• Deer Firearms, bucks only: Nov. 28 – 29, still hunting only
• Squirrel/Rabbit (with dogs) & Raccoon (nighttime with dogs): Jan. 2 – Feb. 28, Quail (with dogs): Nov. 21 – Feb. 28
o Hunting these animals is closed during deer gun hunts on NWMP
o Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 26 – 27
• Self-clearing Daily Permit required on NWMP during deer gun hunts and turkey season.
The Caney Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest is offering FREE duck blind tags, one per household, beginning Monday, July 27. Tags are available at the Caney Ranger District Office, 3288 Highway 79 in Homer, Louisiana, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Duck blinds may be placed on Corney Lake beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Those present on that Saturday will be assigned a slot for a staggered departure from the boat launches. Tags may also be obtained on August 22 until noon at the South Corney Lake Boat Launch.
Tags are to be placed in a visible position on the blind and shall remain in place as long as the blind is on Corney Lake. Blinds not displaying a tag may be considered abandoned property and are subject to impoundment within 72 hours under CFR 36 262.12.
Duck blinds are required to be removed from Corney Lake by March 8, 2027. Decoys are required to be removed by February 6, 2027, at close of duck season. For additional information, please contact John Wilcox at 318-927-206.
When on Forest Service land remember that:
- All firearms and bows with arrows should be cased and unloaded while in a recreation area or other public areas.
- Discharging a firearm (including a bow and arrow) is prohibited in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site, a residence, or any place where people are likely to be.
- Shooting across bodies of water or a Forest Service road is prohibited.
- Shooting into or within any cave, mine or open shaft is prohibited.
- Private land is interspersed with public land and you must obtain written permission from the private landowner to hunt on their property. Obtain a map and use caution to ensure you don't inadvertently stray off public land onto private.
- Only portable stands or blinds are allowed. Check with your local ranger district for restrictions and time limits.
Remember: You are responsible for the safety of yourself and for those around you.
National Wildlife Management Preserves Hunting Photos
Deer season on the Red Dirt and Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserves - 2024.
