Louisiana Expands 2025 Black Bear Hunt with More Permits and New Hunting Areas
Keith Lusher 03.31.25
Louisiana is set to significantly expand its black bear hunting program in 2025, following the success of the state’s first bear season in more than 35 years. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) has adopted a Notice of Intent to more than double the number of available permits and open additional hunting areas for the upcoming season.
The Commission’s decision, made during their March 6 meeting in Baton Rouge, will increase the total number of permits from 11 to 26 for the December 2025 hunt. “The ability to extend the 2025 black bear season to new areas and add additional permits are an attribute to not just the success of our black bear program, but also to the historic 2024 black bear season and the strength of our partnerships,” said LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan.
Last December’s inaugural modern bear season was limited to Bear Management Area 4 in northeastern Louisiana, where hunters harvested a total of 10 bears. The 2025 season will expand hunting opportunities to include Bear Management Areas 1 and 2.
Louisiana’s black bear population had nearly disappeared in the 1950s and 1960s but has made a remarkable recovery to approximately 1,500 bears today. This recovery led to the species being removed from the Endangered Species List in 2016.
Permit Distribution and Season Details
LDWF will distribute permits based on bear area-specific population estimates and vital rate data. The allocation includes eight permits for Bear Management Area 1 (Coastal), three permits for Bear Management Area 2 (Pointe Coupee), and 15 permits for Bear Management Area 4 (northeastern Louisiana), including a Secretary’s permit.
The 2025 black bear season will run from December 6 through December 21. As with last year’s hunt, the permits will be issued through a lottery system restricted to properly licensed Louisiana residents. All successful applicants must attend a mandatory LDWF bear hunter training course before participating.
Regulations specify that cubs (defined as any bear weighing 75 pounds or less) and females with cubs are not legal to harvest.
“This is truly an exciting time in Louisiana’s history and we are proud to be able to offer more hunting opportunity to Louisiana hunters,” added Secretary Sheahan. The lottery for the 2025 hunting permits is expected to take place later this summer.
Public Comment Period
The complete Notice of Intent can be viewed at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/commission-action-items. Public comments will be accepted through May 1, 2025, and can be submitted to LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks at jhanks@wlf.la.gov, by mail to LDWF, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA, 70898-9000, or by phone at 318-343-8325.
