How Much Does a Louisiana Hunting License Cost?
For the 2025-2026 season, a standard resident basic hunting license costs $20, while a non-resident annual license costs $200. If you plan to hunt deer, turkey, or waterfowl, you’ll need additional species-specific licenses on top of your base hunting license.
Just how much does a Louisiana hunting license cost overall? It comes down to the add-ons you want. A small game hunter may only need the basic license, while a deer or waterfowl hunter will need to build around several added requirements.
Here’s a rundown of the ins and outs of the Bayou State’s licensing system and what you’ll need to get licensed in Louisiana.
| Louisiana Hunting License Costs — Quick Facts | ||
| Resident Basic License Fees $20.00 | Non-resident Basic License Fees $200.00 | Additional Costs Species licenses, WMA Access Permit, Hunter Education |
| Who Needs One Residents and non-residents hunting in Louisiana | ||
How Much does a Louisiana Hunting License Cost?
Louisiana offers several license paths depending on residency, species, and how often you hunt. For some hunters, the cost stays fairly simple. For those pursuing deer, turkey, or waterfowl, the total climbs once the required add-on licenses are included.
The structure is not especially hard to follow once you break it into pieces. The basic hunting license is the entry cost, and your total changes based on the species you pursue, whether you need Wildlife Management Area (WMA) access, and whether you’ve already taken a hunting education course.
Annual Licenses and Permits
Licenses and permits are typically valid for 365 days from purchase.
Louisiana Hunting License and Permit Fees | ||
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
Basic Hunting (Required for all) | $20.00 | $200.00 |
Deer License (Includes tags & archery) | $15.00 | $100.00 |
Waterfowl License | $12.00 | $50.00 |
Turkey License (Includes tags) | $12.00 | $50.00 |
WMA Access Permit (Required for WMAs) | $20.00 | $20.00 |
Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise | $100.00 | $400.00 |
The Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise license is an all-in-one option that covers hunting, fishing, deer, turkey, waterfowl, and WMA access.
Getting your license means first deciding on what hunt you’ll be on. Then, figure out the species you’ll hunt and access you want, and the budget will begin to fall into place.
Short-Term and Special Licenses
Louisiana also offers some options that fit hunters who don’t need a full annual setup or who qualify for a discounted category.
Louisiana Short-Term and Special Licenses | |
| Item | Cost |
Non-Resident 5-Day Basic Hunting | $65.00 |
Youth Hunting, under 18 | $5, required for deer or turkey |
Senior Hunting, ages 60 and older | $5 for eligible residents |
Federal Duck Stamp | $29.79, required for waterfowl hunters ages 16 and older |
These prices are useful for a non-resident coming in for a shorter trip, who may not need the full annual basic hunting license. A resident senior or youth hunter may also qualify for a much lower entry point.
Note: Waterfowl hunters need to remember that the federal duck stamp is outside the state license structure, but still needs to be included in the final budget.
Lifetime Licenses
Louisiana also offers lifetime licenses.
- Resident Lifetime, ages 3-64: $500
- Resident Senior Lifetime, 65 and older: $100
- Non-Resident Lifetime: $4,000
These include all hunting and fishing privileges plus WMA access.
These lifetime options aren’t a good fit for everyone, but they’re worth considering if you hunt in Louisiana regularly and want the savings and convenience.
Residents may find real value in a one-time purchase that provides major privileges year after year. On the non-resident side, the lifetime option is obviously a much larger investment and will only make sense for people like out-of-state landowners.
What Is a Hunting License?
A hunting license is a legal authorization issued by the state that allows you to hunt specific species during regulated seasons. Your license is part of the broader system the state uses to manage hunting access and supports wildlife populations and habitat protection.
A hunting license is often only one piece of the process. Many hunts also require species-specific licenses or permits, depending on what you’re after. Deer, turkey, and waterfowl are good examples. If you’re planning those hunts, you’ll need a license and proper hunter education.
License revenue also helps support conservation, wildlife management, and habitat work. Your purchase helps maintain future hunting opportunities.
What Are the Requirements to Get a Louisiana Hunting License?
Hunter Education Requirement
Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after September 1, 1969. That means many newer hunters and plenty of experienced adults need to make sure they’ve completed a course before hunting legally.
Even experienced hunters can benefit from a refresher course or a course that helps them expand their knowledge of skills like bowhunting.
Hunter education courses cover:
- Firearm safety
- Hunting ethics
- Wildlife conservation principles
Louisiana allows hunters to complete this requirement through approved options, including online formats, in-person courses, and, in some cases, field-day requirements. Just remember that if you wait until the season gets close, that’s how planning errors happen.
This is one of those parts of the process that matters just as much as the license fee itself. Even if you know exactly which license you want, you’ll still need to meet the legal education requirement before the season begins.
Who Needs a Wyoming Hunting License?
Residents and non-residents hunting in Louisiana generally need a hunting license. That applies to nearly all hunters pursuing:
- Big game such as deer and turkey
- Small game
- Waterfowl
Exceptions may include landowners hunting on their own property, who may qualify in certain situations, and very young children may fall under different rules depending on the hunt and the level of supervision.
If you think one of those exceptions might apply, it’s worth checking Louisiana’s current rules before you hunt. For most people hunting here, assume you’ll need the correct license and any required permits for your hunt and the access you’ll use.
How to Get a Louisiana Hunting License
Louisiana gives hunters several ways to get licenses, and the process is fairly straightforward once you know what you need.
Purchase Options
Most people will buy a Louisiana hunting license online through the state wildlife agency. Some opt to order one by phone or buy from licensed retailers, such as sporting goods stores and bait shops.
What You’ll Need
- Identification, such as a driver’s license or other ID
- Hunter education certification, if required
- Payment method
Tips for Buying a Louisiana Hunting License
A few practical habits can make the process easier:
- Buy early before the season starts.
- Consider bundle options like Sportsman’s Paradise.
- Keep a digital or printed copy with you while hunting.
Decide which species you’re hunting, determine whether you need WMA access, and then buy the right setup all at once rather than patching it together at the last minute.
Why It’s Important to Have a Hunting License
A hunting license plays a direct role in maintaining hunting in Louisiana as a sport that everyone can enjoy. It’s a legal requirement, and ethical hunters stay within the law.
Legal Compliance
First, a hunting license is required by law. Hunting without the right license can result in fines or penalties, and that is an easy problem to avoid by getting your pre-season hunting plans in order.
Conservation Funding
License fees support wildlife research, habitat restoration, and public land access. Funding helps keep Louisiana’s hunting opportunities available over time.
Hunters often think first about the legal side, but the conservation side is just as important. The license system helps fund the habitat and management work that both wildlife and hunters depend on.
Ethical Hunting
Licensing also helps ensure hunters follow regulations and sustainable practices. It ties hunting to seasons, species limits, and legal methods in a way that supports long-term opportunity instead of short-term overuse.
Access to Public Land
Permits for WMA access also open up more hunting opportunities. If you plan to hunt public ground, the right license and access permit shape how many options you have once the season begins.
Take an Online Hunter Education Course to Get Your Hunting License in Louisiana
Louisiana offers flexible licensing options for both residents and non-residents. How much does a Louisiana hunting license cost will ultimately depend on which species you pursue, and whether you want a basic setup or a broader long-term license.
A resident small game hunter may spend much less than a hunter building a full deer, turkey, and waterfowl season with WMA access. A lifetime license is a much larger investment, primarily for residents and out-of-state landowners.
Plan your hunt well before the season starts. If you know which species you’re targeting and whether you need extra access or species-specific licenses, you have a better chance of success.
If hunter education applies to you, taking the Hunter-Ed course for Louisiana can help you meet that requirement and have a fun hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Much Does an Out-of-State Hunting License Cost in Louisiana?
A: The non-resident annual basic hunting license costs $200. Louisiana also offers a five-day non-resident basic hunting license for $65 if you’re planning a shorter trip.
Q: What License Do I Need to Deer Hunt in Louisiana?
A: To deer hunt in Louisiana, you’ll need a basic hunting license plus a deer license. If you want a broader all-in-one option, the Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise license also covers deer hunting privileges.
Q: Does Louisiana Still Have a Lifetime Hunting License?
A: Yes. Louisiana still offers lifetime hunting licenses. Resident lifetime licenses cost $500, senior resident lifetime licenses cost $100, and non-resident lifetime licenses cost $4,000.
Q: How Many Deer Can You Shoot in One Day in Louisiana?
A: Louisiana’s daily deer bag limit is one antlered deer and one antlerless deer, when antlerless harvest is legal in that area and season.
