Hunting

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) 2024 – 2025 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 Johnson-Vernon WMA).
• See the 2024 – 25 Louisiana Hunting Regulations pamphlet for additional information.

Deer Archery:
• Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Johnson-Vernon WMA)
                               • Sept. 21 – 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 Johnson-Vernon WMA)
                               • Youth Only, either-sex: Oct. 12 – 18, still hunting only
                               • Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 19 – 20 and Jan. 4 - 5, still hunting only
                               • Firearms, either sex: Oct. 26 – 27 & Nov. 29, still hunting only
                               • Firearms, bucks only: Nov. 2 – 28, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, and Dec. 14 – 29, 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 2 p.m.
• Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 28 – 29
• 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: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (See LA. Trapping Regulations for additional info. on trapping)
• Crows: Sept. 1 – Jan. 1 
• Turkey: Caney Ranger District: April 5 – 20. All remaining KNF lands (includes NWMPs): April 5 – 27.
                              o Youth Only: March 29 – 30 on all Ranger Districts (except Vernon Unit lands within Fort Johnson-Vernon WMA).

Catahoula & Red Dirt NWMP see Season Permit for additional information:
• Deer Youth Only, either-sex: Oct. 12 – 18, still hunting only
• Deer Physically Challenged, either-sex: Oct. 12 – 13, still hunting only
• Deer Primitive Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 19 – 20, still hunting only
• Deer Firearms, either-sex: Oct. 26 – 27 & Nov. 29, still hunting only
• Deer Firearms, bucks only: Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, still hunting only
• Squirrel/Rabbit (with dogs) & Raccoon (nighttime with dogs): Jan. 4 – Feb. 28, Quail (with dogs): Nov. 16 – Feb. 28
                              o Hunting these animals is closed during deer gun hunts on NWMP
                              o Youth Only Squirrel: Sept. 28 – 29
• Self-clearing Daily Permit required on NWMP during deer gun hunts and turkey season

Corney Lake duck blind tags may be obtained for FREE at the Caney Ranger District Office, beginning July 17, 2024. Duck blind tags are available one per household. Individuals will be allowed to place duck blinds on Corney Lake beginning at 8:00 a.m. on August 24, 2024. For more information, please call John Wilcox at the Caney Ranger District at 318-927-2061 or 318-771-1247.

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.