Louisiana Duck Hunters Don’t Be Caught Shooting This One

Louisiana's duck hunters are as excited as a 7-year-old on Christmas Eve! It's almost duck season!

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Louisiana is divided into two zones as indicated in the map below.  In the West Zone, season will begin this Saturday, November 9.

The East Zone will see it's season opening on November 16.

Though seasons for each zone are independent of the other, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds hunters that along with a number of other Federal Migratory Game Laws, there is one special issue shared by both zones throughout the Bayou State.

Regardless of which zone you plan to hunt in Louisiana, LDWF reminds you that it's illegal to shoot mottled ducks for the first fifteen days of either zone, and the daily bag limit is set at one for each day of the subsequent forty-five days of the season.

Why Is Louisiana Being So Protective About Mottled Ducks?

Research has indicated that the West Gulf Coast population of mottled ducks has shown an overall decline since the 1970's, and even though the population is still great enough for some harvest, a more recent (2009-present) declining trend, apparent in five different annual surveys, shows an estimated 65% decline since 2009 in Louisiana.

This has resulted in the recommendation to reduce harvest of this species in the Mississippi Flyway by 50%.  To facilitate that harvest reduction, these new Mottled Duck regulations went into effect in 2023 and continue this year.

What's The Penalty For Taking A Mottled Duck Out Of Season?

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries doesn't take this harvest reduction lightly, and because of the regulation prohibiting taking of these migratory birds for the first fifteen days of season, they've highlighted the penalty for violation.

• Taking a mottled duck outside of legal hunting days is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Louisiana Revised Statute 56:118 “taking a migratory game bird out of season.”
• This is a Class 4 violation and is enforced according to the provisions of RS 56:34
• Penalties for a Class 4 violation (first offense) shall be not less than $400 nor more than $950 or imprisonment for not more than 120 days, or both.
• Penalties for repeat offenses are greater.
• Penalties include forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation.