Louisiana Dove Hunting Season Opens Saturday, September 5

BATON ROUGE, La. - Hunters rejoice. This weekend you can get out and do a little bird hunting, should you want to, as the 2026 dove hunting season begins Saturday, September 5, 2026 throughout the state of Louisiana.

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Louisiana is divided into North and South zones for the dove hunting season, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

North Zone Dove Season Dates for 2026–2027

The North Zone runs on the following dates:

• Sept. 5–27
• Oct. 10 – Nov. 15
• Dec. 19 – Jan. 17, 2027

South Zone Dove Season Dates for 2026–2027

The South Zone runs from:

• Sept. 5–20
• Oct. 17 – Nov. 29
• Dec. 17 – Jan. 10, 2027

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License Requirements and HIP Certification for Louisiana Dove Hunters

Of course, if you do plan to do some dove hunting, you will need a license. Dove 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 dove hunt.

To purchase a hunting license, go to the LDWF licensing webpage.

Where to Hunt: WMAs with Dove Fields in Louisiana

LDWF has managed dove fields available for lease in DeRidder and Colfax for the opening day of dove hunting season along with several LDWF Wildlife Management Area (WMA) dove fields.

LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) offering dove fields or dove hunting opportunities include:

• Bodcau WMA
• Boeuf WMA
• Clear Creek WMA
• John Franks WMA
• Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA
• Richard K. Yancey WMA
• Russell Sage WMA
• Sabine WMA
• Sandy Hollow WMA
• The U.S. Forest Service Calcasieu Ranger District Vernon Unit
• West Bay WMA

For a complete list of WMAs open to dove hunting and more information on WMA dove hunting, go to the LDWF seasons and regulations webpage.