Officials say Louisiana’s black bear bounty could boost hunting this year

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana Illuminator) – Louisiana is set to once again nearly double the number of black bears hunters can legally bag starting later this year.

The number of bear tags issued to hunters will increase from 26 in 2025 to 42 this year, according to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced Thursday. Hunters are still limited to one bear each, so the increased count clears the way for more people to pursue the animals.

Black bear hunting season, which resumed in Louisiana two years ago, is scheduled for Dec. 6-20 this year.

The number of black bear tags could change based on continuously updated population counts, said John Hanks, large carnivore program manager for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, during the meeting. This, in part, is because the commission also ratified an expansion to where black bears can be hunted. Once restricted to only about a third of the state, hunting tags are being made available across more of Louisiana.

Most tags will be available in Bear Management Area 4 in the northeast corner of the state, where 20 will be awarded through a hunter lottery. The area encompasses all of Madison, Franklin, Tensas, West Carroll and East Carroll parishes and smaller portions Catahoula and Richland parishes.

Other parts of the state will have fewer tags, ranging from two to eight per bear management area.

The state brought back black bear hunting in 2024 after banning the practice in 1987, citing successful conservation efforts. The Louisiana black bear was listed as a federally threatened species in 1992 and taken off the list in 2016 as its population grew.

The first season saw 11 bear tags issued, and hunters took 10 bears, eight males and two females. The state increased its tag count to 26 last year, when hunters took 10 males and six females.

Wildlife and Fisheries estimates there are roughly 1,500 black bears in the state.

There are three types of black bear hunting permits in Louisiana: general permits, for people hunting on private lands with the owner’s permission; wildlife management area permits, for those hunting in public areas the state manages; and private landowner permits, for those who own at least 40 acres in areas where bear hunting is allowed.

Out-of-state landowners could also soon be able to join in on the black bear hunting season in Louisiana.

A bill by state Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, is moving through the Louisiana Legislature that would allow non-residents who own land to apply for bear tags to hunt on their own property. It has gained House and Senate approval and awaits the governor’s signature.

Applications for this year’s Louisiana bear hunting lottery will be accepted July 28 through Aug. 28. Applicants must pay for a non-refundable $25 bear hunting license and a $50 permit fee, which goes toward the state’s bear conservation programs. Hunters can apply for multiple types of permits but can only win one.

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