Black Bear Hunting Lottery | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (2024)

• To participate in the WMA Black Bear Lottery, applications must be submitted during the open lottery application period
• Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required before applying for the WMA Black Bear Lottery.
• Submission of more than one WMA Black Bear Lottery application is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
• The successful applicant will receive a single WMA bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting on either Bayou Macon, Big Lake, Buckhorn wildlife management areas during December 7-22, 2024.
• All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications.
• All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.

• To participate in the general Black Bear Lottery, applications must be submitted during the open lottery application period.
• Possession of a valid black bear hunting license is required prior to applying to the general Black Bear Lottery.
• Submission of more than one general Black Bear Lottery application is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
• The successful applicant will receive a bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting on private property, with landowner permission, within Bear Area 4 during December 7-22, 2024. Individuals receiving a General Permit are responsible for coordinating with landowners to gain permission and access to hunting on their property.
• All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications.
• All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.

• To participate in the private landowner Black Bear Lottery, applications must be submitted during the open lottery application period.
• Submission of more than one private landowner Black Bear Lottery application is not allowed. Paper applications are not accepted.
• The successful applicants will receive a bear harvest permit that will authorize bear hunting to qualifying private landowners, their designee, or lessee in Bear Area 4 during December 7-22, 2024. To qualify for a Private Landowner Permit, applicants must provide evidence of qualifying acreage (40+ contiguous acres), proof of ownership, and payment of property taxes for property within the Bear Area for which they apply. Landowner designees must provide evidence deemed sufficient by the department that they have full agency and authority to act on behalf of a qualifying private landowner. The department shall be notified once a permit has been transferred and provided the transferee's name, address, and phone number.Transferees must be a bona fide Louisiana resident who is properly licensed and hunter safety certified.. Only the private landowner permits are transferrable. Permits being transferred must be arranged prior to the mandatory training session. A permit may only be transferred one time. Lessees of qualifying private lands must provide a duly executed and properly recorded lease agreement evidencing they have the right to hunt bear upon the qualifying acreage.
• Lottery is open to qualifying non-residents. However, they cannot hunt if selected. They must transfer their permit to a resident hunter.
• Only the private landowner permits are transferrable. Transferees must be a bona fide Louisiana resident who is properly licensed and hunter safety certified.
• All applicants will be notified of their results by the email provided. An applicant’s results can also be viewed athttps://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications.
• All hunters must comply with licensing requirements.

Bear Area 4 Includes:

• All of the following parishes:
  • East Carroll, Madison, Tensas, West Carroll.
• Portions of the following parishes:
  • Catahoula—that portion east of US Highway 425;
  • Franklin—that portion east of US Highway 425;
  • Richland—that portion east of US Highway 425.

• Bears may only be harvested one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
• Harvest limit is one bear per harvest permit per season.
• Bear hunting is limited to still hunt only. The use of dogs when hunting bear is prohibited.
• Harvest of cubs and females with cubs is prohibited. A cub is defined as any bear 75 pounds or less.
• Bear hunting is restricted to bona fide resident hunters who are properly licensed, hunter safety certified, and possess a valid bear hunting permit issued by the department.

• Bear may be taken with the following firearms, any of which may be fitted with a magnified scope:
  • Centerfire firearms .25 caliber or larger, rimfire firearms .30 caliber or larger, and shotguns 10 gauge and smaller using slugs, all of which must load exclusively from the breech.
  • Rifles and pistols, .44 caliber or larger, or shotguns 10 gauge and smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets.
  • Pre-charged pneumatic devices that fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215-foot pounds of energy. Arrows or bolts used with a pre-charged pneumatic device shall only be used with well-sharpened broadhead points.
• Bear may be taken by legal archery gear with a minimum draw weight of no less than 30 pounds, including traditional bow, compound bow, crossbow, or any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means.
• All other methods of take are prohibited.