Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery Applications Open Now

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced the return of the Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery for later this year. The hunt will be held in all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas Dec. 5-20, 2026.

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Hunters can apply to the Louisiana black bear hunting lottery now through August 28, 2026.

How Many Permits Are Available and Where: Area-by-Area Breakdown

LDWF will issue 42 black bear harvest permits through the lottery based on population estimates and biological data collected within the state's Black Bear Management Areas. The permits will be distributed as follows:

• Area 4: 19 permits
• Area 1: 8 permits
• Areas 2 and 3: 4 permits each
• Areas 5, 6 and 7: 2 permits each

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In addition to the lottery permits, an LDWF Secretary's permit will also be auctioned (an additional permit auctioned separately from the lottery).

Mandatory Training Requirements for Permit Holders

Those who get permits will be required to attend one of the department's mandatory bear hunt training courses on Oct. 16, 17, 22, or 23. Hunters who fail to attend may be disqualified and lose their permit.

How to Apply for the Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery

Lottery applications are available only on the LDWF licensing website. If you are interested in applying, you should update or create your customer profile on the LDWF licensing website by following the same process used to purchase a hunting license. Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required before applying to the WMA and the general Black Bear Lotteries.

A $50 non-refundable application fee will be charged to each applicant. All applicants will be notified of their results via email and on the licensing website.