Louisiana Turkey Season 2026: Youth Hunt Starts This Weekend

Louisiana hunters will soon drag out their favorite camouflage clothing and return to the woods, but this time they're talkin' turkey.

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In an announcement from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the 2026 turkey hunting season begins this Saturday and Sunday (March 28-29) exclusively for youth (17 or younger) and physically challenged-wheel chaired confined hunters.

Then on April 3, turkey season will begin for all hunters statewide in areas A, B and C. Turkey hunting in Area A runs from April 3-May 3, Area B from April 3-26 and Area C from April 3-19.

Turkey hunters are required to have a basic hunting license and wild turkey license, or an equivalent combination. A youth hunting license and turkey tags are required for those 17 or younger hunting turkey.

Prior to hunting turkey, all turkey hunters, regardless of age or license status, must obtain turkey tags. They must have the tags in their possession while hunting turkey, and immediately after harvesting a turkey, tag the turkey before moving it from where it was killed. Hunters must record required information for tagged turkeys and validate tags within 72 hours of harvesting a turkey.

READ MORE: Why You Should Never Rescue Baby Animals Found In The Wild

The popularity of turkey hunting has grown exponentially over the past few years as hunters have seen record success.  The total harvest of 3,576 birds in 2025 was second to only the 2024 count of 3,695 birds.

Recording these kinds of numbers mean that this year there will be no shortage of hunters pursuing the birds which had almost completely disappeared from Louisiana by the mid-1900's.

To reestablish turkeys in Louisiana , according to LDWF, in 1962, they began trapping and releasing wild turkeys into suitable habitat to restore the population. Since then, LDWF has released more than 3,900 turkeys in 45 parishes and according to recent estimates, there are now approximately 40,000 to 50,000 birds as of 2024–2025.

Good luck to all, and keep your eyes open for snakes.