Hunting in Louisiana: 4 Animals to Hunt in the Summer

From mid-spring through the summer months into early fall is breeding time for most animals living in the wild areas of Louisiana. The hunting seasons for most species close, to allow growth in herds and replenishment of stock levels. The heat of the summer months makes hunting very uncomfortable, but for some invasive species and animals of high numbers that make sustainable management difficult, hunting is allowed.

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Here are 4 animals to hunt in Louisiana during the summer months, with regulations set out by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

1. Fishing
For the hunter who cannot get into the woods and mountains of Louisiana during the summer, there is plenty of fishing available. On the coastal parishes, there is saltwater fishing for species such as tuna, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, dolphinfish, wahoo, and cobia. Inland there is abundant fishing for game such largemouth bass, spotted bass, shadow bass, yellow bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bream. Fishing in Louisiana is controlled by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and fishermen must be in possession of a valid license or permit and must abide by the strict bag limits laid down by the law.

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2. Coyotes
This nuisance animal is available to hunt in the summer time throughout the state. Coyotes are difficult to hunt as they are good swimmers, fast runners and are adept at hiding in long grass and deep woodlands. They have very keen eyesight and are easily startled. Coyotes have a natural habitat of bushy creeks, swamplands, and river bottoms. As coyote can trouble farm animals farmers will gladly give permission for hunting them on their land. Hunters must be is possession of a valid hunting license at all times.

3. Feral Pigs
Another nuisance animal available to hunt during the summer months in Louisiana. Feral pigs or hogs, may be hunted with dogs when all other methods have failed, but dogs must be kept under control at all times so as not to disturb breeding deer during the summer season. Hogs tend to be nocturnal animals and so are difficult to hunt during legal hunting hours of daylight. They may be hunted at night on private land when permission of the landowner has been given but the rules of hunting laid down by the LWDF must be obeyed.

4. Armadillos
This animal was introduced to Louisiana in 1925, and has been causing damage to crops and gardens ever since. Licensed hunters in the Pelican State may hunt the armadillo during the summer months and since 2011, shooting of them at nighttime has been legalized. Armadillos can grow to a length of up to five feet, and may be trapped in specially designed wooden boxes for destroying later.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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