Hunting

Many hunts available for kids & parents

With the upcoming fall hunting season right around the corner and the spring turkey season following, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind hunters about the numerous youth hunting opportunities in Louisiana for deer, turkey, squirrel and duck seasons.

Parents should begin making plans now for the upcoming youth seasons. Youth hunt information along with hunter education class information can be obtained from the department’s Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov or by contacting the Hunter Education Staff at the regional wildlife offices.

Because LDWF wants to encourage young people to enjoy hunting and to develop a lifelong love of outdoor sports, the department does not require Louisiana or non-resident hunters under the age of 16 to purchase a hunting license when hunting in Louisiana.

For most of the Louisiana youth lottery and special season hunts, anyone under the age of 16 is eligible to participate.

Some of the youth hunts available during the 2007-08 season are:

•Youth squirrel hunting weekend on several WMAs

•Youth deer hunting weekend on private lands

•Youth deer hunting weekend(s) on many WMAs

•Special youth lottery deer hunts on Sherburne, Buckhorn, Dewey Wills, Floy Ward McElroy, Lake Boeuf, Pointe-Aux-Chenes WMAs

•Special youth dove hunt on Floy Ward McElroy and Sandy Hollow WMAs

•Youth statewide waterfowl hunting weekend in both hunting zones

•Special youth lottery duck hunts on Sherburne, Bayou Pierre, Elbow Slough, and Ouachita WMAs

•Youth turkey hunt weekend on private lands

•Special youth turkey hunts on many WMAs

•During the statewide muzzleloader deer season in each area, youth hunters may use a 20-gauge shotgun using slugs only for hunting deer