Here in Louisiana last weekend belonged to the deer hunters, but this weekend will be all about Louisiana's young duck hunters.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced that the 2024 Louisiana duck hunting season will begin this Saturday and Sunday, November 2 and 3 in the West Zone with a youth-only hunt, and the first split of the season will open a week later, on November 9.

For those unfamiliar with the rules/laws regarding the "Youth Season", LDWF explains:

  • Restricted to youths 17 or younger.
  • Youths must be accompanied by one adult 18 years of age or older.
  • Youths must possess a hunter safety certification or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course. If the accompanying adult is in possession of hunter safety certification, a valid hunting license or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course, this requirement is waived for youths younger than 16 years of age.
  • Adults may not possess a firearm.
  • Youths may possess only one legal firearm while hunting.
  • The supervising adult shall maintain visual and voice contact with the youth at all times, regardless of age.
  • Youths may take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and gallinules on these days.
  • Bag limits are the same as regular duck season.
  • The adult may not hunt ducks on these days.
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The East Zone’s youth-veterans only hunt will be the following Saturday, November 9 with its first split of the season beginning the following Saturday, November 16.

To see the complete seasons for both zones, take a look at the LDWF website HERE.

From LDWF
From LDWF
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One important legal matter that has caused confusion for many hunters during these Youth Hunts is the need for a Federal Duck Stamp.

While some of these hunters aren't required to have a valid hunting license due to their age, the LDWF reminds all waterfowl hunters 16 years and older, even those who are not otherwise required to purchase a license, that they must have a Federal Duck Stamp. Those can be purchased online HERE on the LDWF website.

Of course, any duck hunters 18 and older are required to have a basic hunting license and be Harvest Information Program (HIP) certified. Youth 17 and under do not need a hunting license or HIP certification to duck hunt.

Photo by Julie McCoy
Photo by Julie McCoy
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While seasons will be open on private and public lands/waters, LDWF reminds hunters that many LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout the state offer duck hunting opportunities.

The most popular include: Pass-a-Loutre WMA, Atchafalaya Delta WMA, Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA, Sherburne WMA, Dewey Wills WMA and Russell Sage WMA.

All visitors to LDWF WMAs must have either a WMA Access Permit, Senior Hunting/Fishing License, Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License or Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License.

The Different Types of Hunters Found in Louisiana

Here in the Sportsman's Paradise, we love to hunt! We'll hunt birds, squirrels, raccoons, deer, ducks. We even hunt frogs! And these are some of the "off the beaten path" types of hunters you'll find in Louisiana.

Gallery Credit: Gary McCoy

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