One Week to Go: Louisiana Youth Duck Season Opens Next Weekend

One more week kids! Just 8 more days until it's YOUR day in the duck blind!

Get our free mobile app

Next weekend is something special for the younger hunters in the Sportsman's Paradise!

Opening day for deer hunters was this past Saturday, October 25th, but duck hunters have continued with their last minute preparations for their big day which will come on November 15 here in our neck of the woods.

As dictated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, opening day of duck season varies dependent on the side of the state a person wishes to hunt. Louisiana is essentially split down the middle with two separate zones; East Zone and West Zone.

Here in Louisiana's "West Zone" which applies to most hunters in our area, the regular season will begin on Saturday, November 15 and continue through December 7.

The season will then split (close) from December 8 through December 19.  The season will then reopen on December 20 and continue until January 25, 2026.

READ MORE: Louisiana Online Boat Registration Halted Until November 5

Louisiana's "East Zone", which is anything east of Arcadia here in North Louisiana, the regular season will run from November 22 to December 8th.  The season will then split (close) from December 9 through December 19.

Then, the season will re-open on December 20 and continue through January 31..

However, just like for young deer hunters, Louisiana will extend a special season to all Youth and Veteran duck hunters.

Next Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, here in Louisiana's "West Zone" ONLY those youth hunters 17 and younger will have the privilege to hunt ducks.

Veterans will have a special weekend exclusive to them in Louisiana's West Zone on January 31 and February 1, 2026.

In Louisiana's "East Zone", youth AND veterans will have special hunting privileges on Saturday, November 15 and again on Saturday, November 16.

According to eregulations.com, these are the rules for youth and veterans on these special hunting days.

Louisiana Hunting Regulations For Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

• Restricted to youths 17 or younger.
• Youths must be accompanied by one adult 18 years of age or older.
• Youths must possess a hunter safety certification or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course.
• If the accompanying adult is in possession of hunter safety certification, a valid hunting license or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course, this requirement is waived for youths younger than 16 years of age.
• Adults may not possess a firearm.
• Youths may possess only one legal firearm while hunting.
• The supervising adult shall maintain visual and voice contact with the youth at all times, regardless of age.
• Youths may take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and gallinules on these days.
• Bag limits are the same as regular duck season.
• The adult may not hunt ducks on these days.

Louisiana Hunting Regulations For Veterans Waterfowl Hunt Days

• Restricted to persons who served in the active military, naval, or air service who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training).
• Veterans and active duty military personnel must possess a valid proof of service such as DD214 form, Active Military ID, Retired Military ID, Veterans Administration ID, or Veteran designation on their Driver’s License, as well as mandatory waterfowl hunting license(s), HIP certification, and federal duck stamp to participate on these hunt days.