Secure Your Spot: Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Permits Available Soon

Not since 1987 had Louisiana allowed the legal hunting of black bear, but in December of 2024, the state issued a total of 11 permits for hunters to take bears in a controlled attempt for minor population reduction.

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Calling the initial year a success would be an incredible understatement. It was a lights out smash!

Of those 11 tags issued, 10 were used after successful harvests by Louisiana hunters. And one of those ten harvested bears, taken in Tensas Parish by Deron Santiny, weighed 696 pounds and is believed to be the largest black bear ever taken in the state.

LDWF Has Announced Louisiana Will Have Another Bear Season In 2025

Due to the overwhelming success of the 2024 season, Louisiana will hold another season in December of 2025 and the number of permits issued will be more than double what we had in 2024.

In an announcement from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, we learn that, just as in 2024, the state's bear permits will be issued via the Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery which is slated to open to state hunters July 28 and run through August 28.

Along With More Permits, Two Additional Bear Management Areas Will Be Included

In 2024, permits were only issued in Louisiana Black Bear Management Area 4, but this year, LDWF will also issue permits to lottery winners in Areas 1 and 2.

There will be eight permits issued in Bear Management Area 1, three permits in Bear Management Area 2, and 15 permits, including a Secretary’s permit, in Bear Management Area 4. Cubs and females with cubs are not legal to harvest. A cub is defined as any bear less than or equal to 75 pounds.

Hunts, which will take place between December 6 and December 21, 2025,  will be restricted to properly licensed Louisiana residents by lottery. All successful applicants for the hunt will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.

Here's All You Need To Know About The LDWF Black Bear Lottery Process

Lottery applications are available only on the LDWF website at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications.

Those interested in applying should update or create their customer details similar to purchasing a license and then submit an application. Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required prior to applying for the WMA and the general Black Bear Lotteries.

A $50 non-refundable application fee will be charged to each applicant. All applicants will be notified of their results via email as well as at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications.

Bear harvest permits will consist of three types: Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Private Landowner, and General. For instructions to apply go to Black Bear Hunting Lottery | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Successful applicants will be required to attend an LDWF bear hunter training course on either Oct. 18, Oct. 24 or Oct. 30 prior to hunting. Individuals not attending one of these courses may be disqualified and forfeit their bear hunting permit.

For more information on the lottery application process, contact David Hayden at 318-487-5353 or dhayden@wlf.la.gov.

For more information on the Louisiana black bear and this year’s hunt, contact John Hanks at 318-343-4044 or jhanks@wlf.la.gov.