Louisiana Expands Black Bear Hunting Season for 2026

After a 35 year hiatus, black bear hunting returned to Louisiana in 2024 and since then, has proven a total success for both the revitalization efforts of LDWF and for those hunters eagerly awaiting the opportunity to legally shoot a bear in the Bayou State.

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You might recall that in 2024, a total of 10 bears were taken during the short season and one of those was a massive 696 pound male bear that proved to be the new Louisiana state record.

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In the Louisiana lottery bear hunt of 2025, a total of 26 bear tags were issued. Of those, 16 black bears were taken.

According to LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth, "Our second bear hunting season proved to be successful and a tribute to the conservation effort of our department, private landowners, hunters and other partners who helped bring back the Louisiana black bear. We’re pleased to give our state hunters a chance to enjoy this special season. And the lottery revenue which comes from the hunt helps to make sure the Louisiana black bear thrives."

And now, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) has just given final approval for a Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct the next Louisiana black bear hunting season in December of 2026. The season will include all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas.

This year’s hunt, which will also be conducted by lottery and administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), would run from December 5-20, 2026.

The notice from the LWFC states that a total of 42 tags will be tentatively issued for the hunt including:

Bear Area 1 - 8 tags
Bear Areas 2 and 3 - 4 tags each
Bear Area 4 - 20 tags
Bear areas 5, 6 and 7 - 2 tags each

The lottery for the 2026 season will begin in late July. All successful applicants for the hunt will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.

To see more information on the Louisiana Black Bear season and hunting lottery, go the the LDWF Black Bear webpage.

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Gallery Credit: Mike Brant