WMAs / REFUGES HUNTING REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations concerning the management, protection and harvest of wildlife have been officially approved and adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in accordance with the authority provided in Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, Section 109 of Title 56. Failure to comply with these regulations will subject the individual to citation and/or expulsion from the management area.

• Citizens are cautioned that by entering a WMA managed by LDWF, they may be subjecting themselves and/or their vehicles to game and/or license checks, inspections and searches.
• Wildlife management area seasons may be altered or closed anytime by the Department Secretary in emergency situations (floods, fire or other critical circumstances).
• Hunters may enter the WMA no earlier than 4:00 AM unless otherwise specified. On days when daily permits are required, permit stations will open two (2) hours before legal shooting hours. Hunters must check out and exit the WMA no later than two hours after sunset, or as otherwise specified. Reference individual WMAlistings for specific requirements.
• Lands within WMA boundaries will have same seasons and regulations pertaining to baiting and use of dogs as the WMA within which the lands are enclosed; however, with respect to private lands enclosed within a WMA, the owner or lessee may elect to hunt according to the regular season dates applicable to the geographic area in which the lands are located, provided that the lands are first enrolled in DMAP. Interested parties should contact the nearest LDWF regional office for additional information.
• Dumping garbage or trash on WMAs is prohibited. Garbage and trash may be properly disposed of in designated locations if provided.
• Disorderly conduct or hunting under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemicals and other similar substances is prohibited.
• Damage to or removal of trees, shrubs, hard mast (acorn, pecans, etc.) and wild plants and non-game wildlife (including reptiles and amphibians) is prohibited without prior approval from the Baton Rouge office.
• Burning of the marsh is prohibited.
• Hunting actively burning marsh is prohibited.
• Free ranging livestock prohibited.
• Gathering and/or removal of soft fruits, mushrooms and berries shall be limited to five gallons per person per day.
• Nature Trails: Trails shall be limited to pedestrians only. No vehicles, ATVs, horses, mules, bicycles, etc. allowed. Removal of vegetation (standing or down) or other natural material is prohibited.
• Deer seasons are for legal buck deer unless otherwise specified.
• Small game, when listed under the WMA regulations may include both resident game animals and game birds as well as migratory species of birds.
• Oysters may not be harvested from any WMA, EXCEPT that oysters may be harvested from private oyster leases and State Seed Grounds located within a WMA, when authorized by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and upon approval by the Department of Health and Hospitals.

PERMITS

SPECIAL NOTE: A WMA HUNTING PERMIT WHICH COSTS $15.00 IS REQUIRED FOR PERSONS AGED 18 THROUGH 59 TO HUNT ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.

DAILY
Daily permits when required shall be obtained at permit stations on or near each WMAafter first presenting a valid hunting license to a Department employee. Hunters must retain permit in possession while hunting. Hunters may enter the area no earlier than two (2) hours before legal shooting time unless otherwise specified. Hunters must check out daily and exit the area not later than two hours after sunset unless otherwise specified.

SELF-CLEARING PERMITS
A Self-Clearing Permit is required for ALL ACTIVITIES (hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, sightseeing, etc. ) on WMAs unless otherwise specified.

The Self-Clearing Permit will consist of three portions:

1. Check In
2. Check Out 
3. Vehicle Tag

On WMAs where Self-Clearing Permits are required all persons must obtain a WMA Self-Clearing Permit from an Information Station. The CHECK IN portion MUST be completed and put in a permit box BEFORE each day?s activity on the day of the activity. EXCEPT if hunting from a private camp adjacent to the WMAbeing hunted, users need only to check in once during any 72 hour period. Users may check in one (1) day in advance of use. The CHECK OUT portion must be carried by each person while on the WMA and MUST be completed and put in a permit box immediately upon exiting the WMAor within 72 hours after checking in if hunting from a private camp adjacent to the WMA being hunted. EACH
PERSON MUST leave the Vehicle Tag portion of his permit on the dashboard of the vehicle used to enter into the WMA in such a way that it can be easily read from outside of the vehicle. This MUST be done only when the vehicle is parked and left unattended on the WMA. If an ATV, boat or other type vehicle was used to enter the WMAthen the vehicle tag must be attached to that vehicle in such a manner that it can be readily seen and read. No permit is required of fishers and boaters who do not travel on a WMA road and/or launch on the WMAas long as they do not get out of the boat and onto the WMA. When mandatory deer checks are specified on WMAs, hunters must check deer at a check station. Call
the appropriate Region office for the location of the deer check station on these WMAs. (Self-Clearing Permits are not required for persons only traveling through the WMAprovided that the most direct route is taken and no activities or stops take place).

Persons using WMAs or other department administered lands for any purpose must possess one of the following:

1. Valid Wild Louisiana Stamp
2. Valid Louisiana fishing license
3. Valid Louisiana hunting license

Persons younger than 16 or older than 60 years of age are exempt from this requirement.
Also a self-clearing WMA permit, detailed above, may be required, (available at most entrances to each WMA). Check individual WMAl istings for EXCEPTIONS.