The Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery will open to state hunters July 28 and run through Aug. 28, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The hunt, administered by LDWF, will be held in Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas 1, 2 and 4 from Dec. 6-Dec. 21 with 26 permits issued, an increase from the 11 permits issued last year.
Bear Area specific population estimates and vital rate data were used to determine the number of bear harvest permits to be issued. 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 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.
