Louisiana offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities across much of the state. Determining when turkey season occurs depends on which part of Louisiana you plan to hunt. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) divides the state into 3 different turkey hunting zones, each with their own season dates. Read on for a breakdown of the opening and closing dates for spring and fall turkey seasons in each Louisiana turkey zone.
Turkey Hunting Zones in Louisiana
Louisiana turkey hunting zones are
- Area A – North/Northwest Louisiana
- Area B – Southwest Louisiana
- C – Southeast Louisiana
Zone boundaries are set based on the distribution of wild turkey populations in the state Hunters are restricted to only harvesting turkeys within the zone specified on their turkey tag Review zone descriptions and parish lists on the LDWF website before applying,
Spring Turkey Season Dates in Louisiana
The Louisiana spring turkey season runs from early/mid April through May. The 3 zones have slightly staggered season dates:
- Area A – April 5 – May 4
- Area B – April 5 – April 27
- Area C – April 5 – April 20
There is also a special 2 day youth and physically challenged season held the last weekend of March (March 29-30 in 2025). This hunt is restricted to participants under age 16 or wheelchair confined and takes place on private lands only.
Spring turkey hunting is allowed on WMAs and public lands, so check those area schedules for specific seasons. Generally they align with the broader zone dates.
Fall Turkey Season Dates in Louisiana
Louisiana has a much longer and more complex fall turkey season compared to spring. The season stretches from September through January depending on zone.
The fall 2025 turkey seasons are:
- Area A – November 22 – January 4
- Area B – November 22 – January 4
- Area C – November 22 – January 4
Note season dates on WMAs and public areas may differ, so verify before hunting. There are also earlier September seasons for archery only and on certain federal and state lands. Consult the LDWF regulations for full details.
Turkey Hunting Hours in Louisiana
Legal shooting hours for all turkey hunting (spring and fall) are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Hunters should be set up on their calling sites well before daylight. The peak gobbler activity often occurs within the first couple hours after sunrise.
Other Louisiana Turkey Hunting Regulations
In addition to season dates and zone boundaries, Louisiana turkey hunters must follow other important regulations including:
- Valid hunting license with turkey tags required
- Report harvest within 24 hours
- Only bearded turkeys legal in spring
- Bag limit – 2 per day, 3 per season (spring and fall combined)
Review the LDWF turkey hunting brochure and regulations to ensure you meet all requirements before heading to the turkey woods. With preparation and scouting, you’ll be ready once turkey season in Louisiana opens. Good luck this spring!
Turkey Hunting Schedules
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
2025 Turkey Area Schedules
Area A: – April 5 – May 4*
Area B: – April 5-27*
Area C: – April 5-20*
Youth & Physically Challenged Hunt (restricted to youth and wheelchair confined physically challenged hunters – Areas A, B and C on private land only): March 29-30
*Seasons Open in Areas A, B and C, on private lands only. See separate WMA Schedules, National Wildlife Refuge Schedules, and Federal Lands Schedules for season dates on those areas.
Turkey Tour Day 19 – LOUISIANA Turkey Hunting!!! (Public Land Opening Day)
FAQ
How many turkeys can you shoot in Louisiana?
Season Limit
Two gobblers (male turkey) per season.
Can you hunt turkeys over corn in Louisiana?
(b) The taking of turkey, on or over any lands where shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed has been distributed or scattered as the result of bona fide agricultural operations or procedures, or as a result of manipulation of a crop or other feed on the land where grown for …
How long does turkey season last in Louisiana?
Regular season: November 16 – December 1 and December 14 – January 26. Youth and veterans only: November 9 and February 1.
Where to turkey hunt in Louisiana?
- Fort Polk WMA is 10 miles south of Leesville in Vernon Parish;
- Peason Ridge WMA is 14 miles north of Leesville in Natchitoches, Sabine and Vernon parishes;
- Clear Creek WMA is 20 miles west of Leesville in Vernon Parish;
- Big Lake WMA is 12 miles west of Gilbert in Franklin, Tensas and Madison parishes;
When does the 2024 turkey hunting season start?
The 2024 turkey hunting season begins Friday (March 29) for youth (17 or younger) and physically challenged hunters then opens for all April 6 in all three areas, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The youth/physically challenged opening runs from March 29-31.
How many turkeys are hunted in Louisiana a year?
According to the agency, up to 20,000 hunters chase wild turkeys in Louisiana each year, and harvest data shows that 9,100 birds were captured during the most recent season. Throughout the season, Hunters must carry a carcass or electronic tag. Before leaving the kill site, the hunter must tag the turkey with the proper carcass or electronic tag.
Do you need a permit to hunt a Turkey in Louisiana?
Each small game species has its own rules and seasons, so studying those before heading out is essential. Wild Turkey Hunting: Spring is synonymous with turkey hunting in Louisiana. Hunters can challenge themselves by tracking and calling these elusive birds from March to April. Specific tags and permits are required for this activity.
When is turkey hunting open?
The youth/physically challenged opening runs from March 29-31. Physically challenged hunters are those wheelchair confined. Turkey hunting in Area A runs from April 6-May 5, Area B from April 6-28 and Area C from April 6-21.
How do you tag a Turkey in Louisiana?
Keep the turkey’s tag on while at camp or transporting it to the hunter’s home or cold storage facility. The hunter must confirm the kill within 72 hours using text-to-tag, the LDWF online portal, the toll-free hotline, or the validation website. Hunters must comply with Louisiana hunting rules by following tagging requirements.
Is Louisiana a good place to hunt a white tailed deer?
Deer Hunting: Louisiana’s deer hunting is prevalent, with designated seasons for archery, primitive firearms, and modern firearms. This allows hunters to experience different methods and techniques to pursue white-tailed deer. Waterfowl Hunting: Known for its extensive marshlands, Louisiana is a prime destination for waterfowl hunting.