Louisiana teal season kicks off Saturday here is what hunters need to know

The useful part

The 2026 statewide September teal hunting season begins Saturday and runs through Sept. 27, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced on Monday. Harvest of black-bellied whistling ducks, or species other than teal (blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon) is not legal during the September teal season.

How it works

• Teal may also be harvested during the regular duck season, which begins in November.
• All waterfowl hunters 16 years and older, even those who are not otherwise required to purchase a license, must have a Federal Duck Stamp.
• Hunters can visit the LDWF Federal Duck Stamp webpage for more information.
• Those 18 and older hunting teal are required to have (to a federal duck stamp) a basic hunting license, waterfowl license and must be HIP certified.
• Many LDWF Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state offer teal hunting opportunities.

What to take from it

Pass-a-Loutre WMA, Atchafalaya Delta WMA, Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA, Sherburne WMA, Dewey Wills WMA and Russell Sage WMA. For a complete list of WMAs open to teal hunting and more information on WMA teal hunting, go to the LDWF Hunting Seasons and Regulations webpage.

Details worth keeping

Youth 17 and under do not need a hunting license. To purchase a hunting license, go to the LDWF licensing webpage.