Hunting License louisiana - Steps to Buy in LA

David Harrison  ·  Updated on May 18, 2025

Hunting LicenseGuidesHunter Education

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Louisiana hunting license:


LA Hunter Education Certification

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for use in Louisiana for LA residents and non-residents alike.

After completing the Hunter Ed course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Louisiana), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your LA Hunting License

Louisiana offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.

Louisiana residents and non-residents under the age of 16 are not required to have a hunting license.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in Louisiana for at least 6 months . All Louisiana residents age 16 or older must have a resident hunting license.

  • Basic Hunting License – Required for Louisiana residents aged 18 and older to hunt legal game species.
  • Deer License – Required in addition to the Basic Hunting License to hunt deer; includes archery and primitive privileges and deer tags.
  • Waterfowl License – Required to hunt migratory waterfowl species; must be purchased in addition to the Basic Hunting License.
  • Turkey License – Required to hunt turkeys; includes turkey tags; must be purchased in addition to the Basic Hunting License.
  • Sportsman's Paradise License – Combines Basic Hunting, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Licenses, as well as Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Senior Hunting/Fishing License – Available to residents aged 60 and older; includes all legal gear privileges and is in lieu of Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Hunting Licenses; and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Youth Hunting License – Required for residents under age 18 who are actively harvesting deer or turkey, participating in a lottery hunt, or trapping; includes deer and turkey tags.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents age 16 or older must have a non-resident hunting license.

  • Basic Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 18 and older to hunt legal game species in Louisiana.
  • Deer License – Required in addition to the Basic Hunting License to hunt deer; includes archery and primitive privileges and deer tags.
  • Waterfowl License – Required to hunt migratory waterfowl species; must be purchased in addition to the Basic Hunting License.
  • Turkey License – Required to hunt turkeys; includes turkey tags; must be purchased in addition to the Basic Hunting License.
  • Sportsman's Paradise License – Combines Basic Hunting, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Licenses, as well as Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Nonresident Native 10-Day License – Available to individuals born in Louisiana but currently residing elsewhere; valid for ten consecutive days and includes Basic Hunting and other applicable licenses or permits.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Hunting License – Required for residents and non-residents under age 18 who are actively harvesting deer or turkey, participating in a lottery hunt, or trapping; includes deer and turkey tags.
  • Hunter Education Requirement – Individuals born on or after September 1, 1969, must complete a Hunter Education course approved by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before hunting unsupervised. Youth under age 16 may hunt without hunter education certification if accompanied by a licensed adult aged 18 or older.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Senior Hunting/Fishing License – Available to residents aged 60 and older; includes all legal gear privileges and is in lieu of Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Hunting Licenses; and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Senior Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges, including deer and turkey tags.

Lifetime Licenses

  • Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License – Available to residents from birth to age 64; includes deer and turkey tags and provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.
  • Senior Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes deer and turkey tags and provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.
  • Nonresident Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License – Available to non-residents; includes deer and turkey tags and provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Disabled Veteran License – Available free of charge to residents with a service-connected disability of 50% or more; includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Hunting Licenses; and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Disabled/Special Needs License – Available to residents who are blind, paraplegic, amputees, or required to use one or more artificial limbs or permanent braces for mobility; includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Hunting Licenses; and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Developmentally Disabled License – Available free of charge to residents considered developmentally disabled; includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Hunting Licenses; Louisiana Duck Stamp; and the WMA Access Permit.
  • Physically Challenged Hunter Permit – Available free of charge to individuals who are wheelchair-bound, mobility impaired, upper extremity amputees, or visually impaired; allows participation in special deer hunts and access to designated ATV trails on wildlife management areas.
  • Military Licenses – Active-duty military members stationed in Louisiana may purchase hunting licenses at resident rates. Resident and nonresident Purple Heart recipients and retired military personnel may be eligible for reduced-fee licenses.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • Deer Tags – Required to hunt deer; included with the Deer License.
  • Turkey Tags – Required to hunt turkeys; included with the Turkey License.
  • Bear Harvest Permit – Required to hunt black bears; must be obtained in addition to the Basic Hunting License.
  • Alligator Sport Hunting License – Allows individuals to harvest alligators while being guided by a licensed hunter possessing alligator tags; available online and from authorized vendors.
  • Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Certification – Required to hunt migratory birds; must be renewed annually.
  • Federal Duck Stamp – Required for all waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older; must be purchased in addition to the Waterfowl License.
  • Louisiana Duck Stamp – Required to hunt waterfowl; must be purchased in addition to the Waterfowl License.
  • WMA Access Permit – Required to use any Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries-administered land, including wildlife management areas, refuges, and conservation areas; not required for individuals aged 17 and under.

LA Hunting licenses go on sale on June 1 and expire June 30 of the next year. Louisiana residents and non-residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting license.


Where to buy your Louisiana Hunting License

To hunt in Louisiana, you must comply with all hunting regulations and can purchase your license or obtain a camping permit either online through the official licensing platform LouisianaOutdoors.com or in person at an authorized licensing agent.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Louisiana, perfect stops for a field day exploring hunting options: