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White-tailed deer are elusive inhabitants of the Barataria Preserve.
Hunting and trapping are allowed at the Barataria Preserve by permit only.
Trappers - A permit is required to trap in the Barataria Preserve. Permits are free. To apply, call the park's hunting program manager at 504-689-3690 ext. 2 (Law Enforcement). A valid State of Louisiana Trapping License is required.
Hunters - Special permits are required to hunt at the Barataria Preserve. Permits are free. See below to learn how to apply for a permit and our current hunting regulations.
To Report a Violation Call 1-855-677-5352
Important Updates for the 2026-2027 Season:
In preparation for the upcoming hunting season we invite all previous permit holders to join us for our Pre‑Season Hunting Permit Meeting and Q&A Session on Wednesday September 16, 2026, 6:00-8:00 pm at 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Barataria Preserve Visitor Center – Meeting Room. For questions please email us atjela_hunt@nps.gov
Permits are issued via the law enforcement division of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve every Saturday 1:00-2:00 pm at 6588 Barataria Boulevard.
Hunters must carry all required documents and adhere to all permit conditions. Violations may result in permit revocation and criminal prosecution under federal law.
Please note that Park projects may disrupt hunting activites.
Projects such as, but not limited to, the collection of data, invasive species management and reduction will continue throughout hunting seasons and may disrupt hunting activities. The Barataria Preserve reserves the right to close zones or establish necessary safety buffers for the safety of necessary work projects. The regulations, seasons, etc. written in this permit supersede any discrepancy that may exist in the regulations posted in the Federal Land Schedule of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) state regulations for the Barataria Preserve for the current year.
Please be aware there may be construction on the Barataria Preserve's Parallel and Kenta/Pipeline Canals in 2026-2027.
Both the Restore Act-funded Canal Backfilling project and a US Army Corps of Engineers mitigation project aim to restore hydrologic connections between canal channels and adjacent wetlands by gapping their spoil banks.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Hunting and Trapping Information
A permit is required to hunt the Barataria Preserve.
Permit Process:
In preparation for the upcoming hunting season we invite all previous permit holders to join us for our Pre‑Season Hunting Permit Meeting and Q&A Session on Wednesday September 16, 2026, 6:00-8:00 pm at 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Barataria Preserve Visitor Center – Meeting Room. For questions please email us atjela_hunt@nps.gov
Permits are issued via the law enforcement division of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve every Saturday 1:00-2:00 pm at 6588 Barataria Boulevard.
Please complete both the application form and your permit card.
Carry your permit card with you during any related activity in the Preserve.
In applying for a hunting permit, all applicants agree to abide by these provisions in addition to all other applicable and non-conflicting federal, state, and local laws. Failure to comply with any regulation or law, including terms and conditions listed on this web page is prohibited and may result in revocation of the hunter’s permit and filing of criminal charges with the Federal District Court. Bear in mind that equipment utilized in a criminal act, including firearms, motor vehicles, and vessels, may be seized as evidence. In the event of conflicting laws, federal law supersedes state law.
Hunters are required to possess the following documents while hunting in the Barataria Preserve:
a current and valid Barataria Preserve hunting permit
a current and valid Louisiana driver's license or other photo identification
a hunter safety card if born after September 1, 1969 (all persons born after that date must complete a state-approved hunter safety program before being allowed to hunt in the Barataria Preserve)
Per Louisiana RS56:116: All youth hunters (age 17 & younger) who are actively harvesting deer are required to have a youth hunting license
if hunting waterfowl, applicable federal duck stamp and Louisiana state HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification
For answers to questions about hunting and trapping, call the preserve at 504-689-3690 ext. 2 (Law Enforcement) or email the hunt program coordinator.
All hunters must adhere to the following rules, in addition to season-specific rules and prohibited activities:
Hunting is permitted sunrise to sunset.
Before hunters enter a hunt zone for any reason, they must report such activity to the Barataria Preserve.
Just as you would in a state Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Barataria Preserve hunters must check in and out entering the park for any activity. This includes scouting, set up, hunting, and retrieval of stand.
To check in, scan the QR code on your permit card and fill out the check in.
Only still hunting is allowed in the preserve. Still Hunting: Stalking or stationary stand hunting without the use of dog(s).
All hunters born on or after September 1, 1969 must complete a state-approved hunter safety program before being allowed to hunt in the Barataria Preserve, or be supervised by someone who has a hunting license, permit to hunt in the preserve, and a hunter safety card.
Per Louisiana RS56:116: All youth hunters (age 17 & younger) who are actively harvesting deer are required to have a youth hunter license.
Hunters and those accompanying them must wear orange/pink on their head, chest, and back at all times while in the field. (In total all hunters and those accompanying them must be wearing at least 400 square inches of hunter orange or pink.)
Mesh-style hunter orange clothing is not permitted.
Trail cameras, pirogues, and any other property used in the Preserve must display the hunter's permit number, and they must be removed by the stand removal date. The setup of these must not cause damage to the vegetation or trees, and it must not penetrate the marsh.
Biodegradable crepe paper is the only approved trail marking material. Other trail marking materials, including cans, plastic, wood, pallets, reflective tape, etc. are prohibited and will result in a fine.
While in park, and prior to traveling or entering a hunt zone, for any reason (i.e. scouting, setting up a stand, or hunting, etc.), hunters shall check in, reporting all activity to the Barataria Preserve.
To check in, hunters shall scan the QR code on your permit card and fill out the form. You may also email the park, leave a voicemail at (504) 689-3690 ext.2 (Law Enforcement).
The check in must contain the following information:
(d) Permit #, Zone, Date and Time of Entry, activity being done (scouting, setting up stand, hunting, etc.).
A hunter shall report for only themselves (and a youth hunter if applicable).
A hunter shall report one day at a time.
Hunters are responsible for reporting applicable harvests to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Firearm hunting is by shotgun only (shotgun-slug barrels are permitted).
Hunting with rifles or being in possession of one with a permit card in a hunt zone is prohibited. Hunting with pistols is prohibited.
Use of shotguns larger than a 10 gauge or capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited
Use of shotguns in which the plug may be removed without disassembly is prohibited.
Hunters possessing loaded firearms (in chamber/magazine) are prohibited in a motor vehicle, in a vessel or boat, outside of a designated hunt zone or on the hurricane protection levee.
Possession of any shotgun not approved in the current Louisiana hunting regulation booklet or by United States law is prohibited.
Discharge of a firearm outside of designated hunting areas or specific seasons and times is prohibited.
Use of a firearm outside of the dates and times established for shotgun season is prohibited.
A Bow License is required of all persons hunting deer with archery gear during archery season.
Legal Gear for Archery Season includes: Traditional bow, compound bow, crossbow with a draw greater than 30 lbs.
Either-sex deer may be taken in all areas open for deer hunting EXCEPT when a bucks only season is in progress. In such cases, archers must conform to the bucks only regulations.
Season License Requirements
A Deer or Senior License, whichever is appropriate, is required of all persons hunting deer with primitive shotguns during Primitive Firearms Seasons. Persons 17 and under must possess a valid, original youth license.
Prohibited Activities
Hunting with dogs (All Primitive Firearms Seasons are still hunt only).
Legal Gear
Legal Gear for Primitive Firearms Season includes: Shotguns only, 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball, shot, or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets. All the above may be fitted with magnified scopes. Or, single shot, breech loading shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, having an exposed hammer, loaded with buckshot or slug.
Exceptions
Youths 17 or younger may hunt deer with any legal weapon during the Primitive Firearms Season in each deer hunting area. Either-sex deer may be taken in all areas open for deer hunting EXCEPT when a Bucks Only season is in progress. In such cases, hunters must conform to the bucks only regulations.
Only one deer stand per hunter is permitted in accordance with the standards listed below. Stands not conforming to the following criteria will be removed & the owner will be cited.
The hunter permit number must be displayed in 3-inch non-removable block letters and numbers, and it must be permanently affixed and clearly displayed near the top of the stand on both the front and back.
The entire stand, including the seat and accessories, must be completely painted hunter orange.
No hunting gear, including stands, cameras, pirogues, etc. shall be in the Barataria Preserve prior signing and receiving the permit card for the current hunting season.
All stands must be left in a non-hunt position when not in use.
All stands must be removed from the Barataria Preserve by 5:00 pm on 4/30/2026.
The stand itself and its installation must not damage the trees or other vegetation, including the marsh. The use of a pole stand is permitted as long as it or the anchors do not permanently damage the marsh.
Damage to natural and/or cultural resources could result in fines and punishment (not limited to) $5,000 and/or 1 year in jail.
Hunting from another hunter’s stand without the owner's written permission is prohibited.
If hunting from another hunter's stand then both parties permit numbers must be displayed while in use.
Climbing stands that do not injure the trees are permitted.
Climbing stands with metal brackets or spikes are prohibited.
Hunters using a climbing or hanging stand must wear a safety belt or harness while in the stand. The climbing or hanging stand must also comply with all other park-specific regulations pertaining to stands (marked with permit number, painted hunter orange, etc.).
Erecting stands in areas not designated for hunting is prohibited.
Stands are prohibited within 500 ft of power poles, gas lines, or other structures.
Persons under eighteen (18) years of age require supervision of a legal guardian/parent when hunting on this federal preserve. This allows a ratio of one (1) permit-holding adult and one (1) juvenile to be in a properly designed deer stand properly designed for two people.
Airboats are prohibited at all times and in all areas of the preserve.
Motorized vessels are prohibited in all marsh ponds & trenasses, with the exception of electric trolling motors.
Motorized vessels are prohibited through the lengths of Twin Canals, Kenta Canal, Parallel Canal, Bayou Coquille, and Bayou des Familles. You are not even allowed to "push-pole" a motorized boat through these areas.
Portions of Tarpaper Canal are also closed to motorized vessels.
“Push-poling” of motorized vessels is permitted in the area of Tarpaper Canal from the motorized boat closure sign up to and including the length of Parallel Canal
All boats must be in compliance with all federal, state and local laws/regulations for operations and safety equipment.
ONLY those species which are in season according to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations for the State of Louisiana Coastal Zone may be taken.
Trained Hunting Dogs are permitted while waterfowl hunting.
The following are prohibited in the Barataria Preserve
Hunting by any means other than shotgun or archery in their respective seasons
Hunting with dogs outside of waterfowl season
Hunting outside of hunting zone as indicated on available maps
Baiting, hunting over bait, or possession of bait
Hunting with the aid of artificial light, spotlights, infrared or laser sighting devices, or any night vision devices
Leaving behind boards or other material as bridges to cross tressnasses, or soft spots in the marsh
Off-road motorized vehicles, including ATVs, are in the Barataria Preserve or on the hurricane protection levee
Motorized vessels in all marsh ponds and trenasses
Airboats at all times and in all areas of the preserve
Camping and/or fires (including marsh-fires)
Possession, consumption, or being under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance while hunting in the Barataria Preserve is prohibited and will result in arrest
Biodegradable crepe paper is the only approved trail marking material. Other trail marking materials, including cans, plastic, wood, pallets, reflective tape, etc are prohibited and will result in a fine
