Louisiana Deer Population and Management ArchiveLouisiana

View the archive by scrolling through the window below or Load the Archive DocumentHistoric deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Louisiana Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Deer Hunt, From Mail Survey

1947:      5,000

1948:   > 1,000

1960:    16,500

1968:    32,500 

1989:  170,000

1997* 267,000

*Peak

2000   250,000

2001:  210,000

2002:  240,000

2003:  225,000

2004:  195,000

2005:  205,000

2006:  195,200

2007:  201,200

2008:  158,300

2009:  147,300

2010:   153,500

2011:   133,000

2012*  171,921

2013:   192,610

2014:   166,995

2015:   180,788

2016:   152,709

2017:   166,995

2018:   160,561

2019:  171,000

2020:  192,000

2021:

233,400


In 2012 senior hunters were added, increasing the harvest which probably declined that year without the change.


* Data from 2012 to 2018 was re-estimated in the 2019 report to account for lifetime license holders


Below are the original estimates and links to documents

2012:  152,700 

2013:  166,200

2014:  139,928

2015:  156,100

2016:  138,300

2017:  135,100

2018:  120,800


Estimated data for 1970 to 2013 from LDFW graph


Reporting System Results

2008:  116,571

2009:  107.455

2010:  104,832

2011:    76,378

2012:    63,278

2013:    68,988


2000 to 2005 estimated from historical graph



2018

Deer Population and Management History, LDWF

The 2018-2019 deer season looks to be good September 25, 2017 Louisiana,

2017

Big changes likely for Louisiana's 2017 hunting seasons January 6, 2017 Louisiana

Genetics, age, herd or habitat June 12, 2017 Louisiana

Promising signs for Louisiana's 2017 deer season August 30,2017

The Great Decimation, The Collapse of the Louisiana Deer Population November 22, 2017

2016

2016-17 Louisiana Hunting Regulations

A new crop of wildlife, a new hunting season September 12, 2016 Louisiana

Beating a dead horse November 6, 2016 Louisiana

Deer hunters face unwanted competition as feral hog explosion thins herds March 31, 2016 Louisiana

Hunting outlook promising for squirrels and deer September 14, 2016 Louisiana,

Hunting seasons dates announced January 9, 2016 Louisiana

Louisiana Deer Forecast for 2016 October 11, 2016

Louisiana's deer harvest sees a rebound August 19, 2016

Louisiana: First verified cougar sighting since 2011 December 21, 2016

Stray dog protects American Rose Center gardens June 7, 2016 Louisiana

Study finds only 30 percent of fawns survive predators August 23, 2016

Think Wild Hogs Don't Kill Deer? Think Again March 16, 2016 Louisiana

TSI, anyone? Timber stand improvement helps create quality deer habitat May 19, 2016 Louisiana

What to do about the 'carry-over' February 12, 2016 Louisiana

2015

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: Louisiana October 21, 2015

2015-16 WMA [Wildlife Management Area] Forecast September 1, 2015 Louisiana

Apex Predator: Potential solutions to hunter non-compliance in reporting deer kills August 26, 2015 Louisiana

Bobby Jindal signs bill allowing firearms during bowhunting season June 29, 2015 Louisiana

Change in deer season schedule needed January 31, 2015 Louisiana

Commission Adopts Notice of Intent for Revisions to Deer Management Assistant Program January 8, 2015 Louisiana

Conditions don't dictate shorter hunting season February 14, 2015 Louisiana,

Debunking the spike rule when deer hunting October 21, 2015 Louisiana,

Deer and the drought October 18, 2015 Louisiana

Floods. Most of deer-hunting closure to last just one week, the LDWF says December 29, 2015 Louisiana,

Hogs a major problem for deer hunting August 18, 2015 Louisiana

Hunters, deer-tracking dogs unite via Facebook November 11, 2015 Louisiana

Improving deer herd health, regulations topics at field day April 27, 2015 Louisiana

La. hunters who validate their deer may win a prize November 29, 2015 Louisiana,

LDWF adds to acreage of one of its best WMAs August 11, 2015 Louisiana

LDWF biologists conduct white-tailed deer studies April 19, 2015 Louisiana

LDWF looking for public input on Wildlife Action Plan July 11, 2015 Louisiana

Louisiana deer decline may lead to fewer hunting days August 14, 2015

Louisiana Deer Forecast for 2015 September 1, 2015

Louisiana hunters can now carry guns during bow season July 9, 2015

Louisiana hunters question dates for 2015 deer season March 3, 2015

Louisiana Legislature locked and loaded with gun bills June 10, 2015

Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. Issues $18000 in Rewards in 2014 February 6, 2015

Louisiana seeing decline in bucks that make state's record book November 3, 2015

Louisiana's hunting rules have changed a lot since WWII October 6, 2015

Man busted baiting deer, littering on public land, LDWF says September 29, 2015 Louisiana,

Night hunter sells at least six deer in Madison Parish, agents say January 22, 2015 Louisiana

No major changes for hunting seasons January 8, 2015 Louisiana

Numbers show most Louisiana hunters don't report their deer August 17, 2015 Louisiana

Operation Game Thief distributes rewards June 1, 2015 Louisiana

Plant Warm-Season Food Plots for Deer May 27, 2015 Louisiana

QDMA report shows Louisiana leads nation in percentage of mature bucks harvested February 5, 2015

Rains have produced lush habitat June 12, 2015 Louisiana

Reporting deer harvest critically important October 9, 2015 Louisiana,

Science vs. opinion August 31, 2015 Louisiana,

Shorter deer seasons, lower limits eyed by LDWF August 18, 2015 Louisiana

The 2015 Rut Report September 1, 2015 Louisiana

The odds you'll hit a deer on a Louisiana road September 15, 2015

2014

3 Louisiana men, business indicted on charges of smuggling deer into state February 12, 2014 Louisiana

Deer counts on par with last year as hunting season progresses November 30, 2014 Louisiana

Deer herd launched from release 50 years ago August 30, 2014 Louisiana

Deer season is under way October 12, 2014 Louisiana

Dog-deer hunting still banned at Kisatchie National Forest October 29, 2014 Louisiana,

Few changes in store for hunting seasons January 12, 2014 Louisiana

Having good records help solve part of the deer puzzle October 28, 2014 Louisiana,

Head games - Defining a trophy deer is difficult June 8, 2014 Louisiana

How Far Do Bucks Really Travel During the Rut? December 2, 2014 Louisiana

Illegal hunting at Baton Rouge parks spooking cyclists December 28, 2014 Louisiana

La. men must pay $1.5M in deer smuggling case October 31, 2014 Louisiana

Louisiana deer harvest climbing after decade of decline August 27, 2014

Louisiana Deer Harvest Numbers Increasing October 6, 2014

Louisiana deer harvest up 10 percent over last season March 21, 2014 Louisiana

Louisiana Deer Hunting Forecast for 2014 September 28, 2014

Louisiana Hunters have ways to comment on hunting seasons January 28, 2014

Louisiana hunters kill more hogs than deer August 28, 2014

Louisiana hunters should see more deer this year, biologist says August 27, 2014

Louisiana makes changes to hunting seasons, increases limits on small game April 4, 2014

Louisiana Poachers Caught on Trail Cam, LDWF Wants More Info December 4, 2014

Louisiana Scientists Consider Using Gummy Bears in Fight Against Hogs September 10, 2014

Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries releases top WMAs for annual deer harvest December 18, 2014

Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries wants to change rules for 2015-16 hunting seasons December 5, 2014 Louisiana

Louisiana's top 20 parishes for deer density August 28, 2014

Moon phase has no impact on deer-breeding, studies show October 20, 2014 Louisiana

Mother Nature's Deer Season Advantages September 30, 2014 Louisiana

New deer areas sparked controversy in hunting camps January 7, 2014 Louisiana

Panel backs nighttime hunting of wild hogs March 27, 2014 Louisiana

Poachers busted shooting deer at night, LDWF says November 14, 2014 Louisiana

Rut appears 'on' in southeast parishes December 12, 2014 Louisiana

Soil preparation key to a successful deer food plot August 24, 2014

The rut of white-tailed deer in Louisiana October 14, 2014 Louisiana

Was the 2013 deer season one of the best ever? February 11, 2014 Louisiana

2013

1970 to 2013 Harvest Data

Armes speaks out regarding dog-deer hunting ban December 8, 2013 Louisiana

Barataria preserve announces open hunting dates August 24, 2013 Louisiana

Deer Herd Status Update August 28, 2013 Louisiana

Deer Hunters have either sex tag option during 2013-14 Season October 15, 2013 Louisiana

Deer seasons on agenda, shortened seasons coming February 3, 2013 Louisiana

Despite summer stress, most hunters will see more deer in the woods this year August 12, 2013 Louisiana

District court rules against dog-deer hunting on KNF December 2, 2013 Louisiana

G&F Forecast: The Hottest Parishes For Louisiana Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013

LDWF Agents Cite Four Men For Deer Hunting Violations December 6, 2013 Lousiana

LDWF Amendments to Deer Management Assistance Program Presented to Commission February 8, 2013 Louisiana

LDWF investigates illegal harvest of deer near casino construction site February 23, 2013 Louisiana

Louisiana Deer 2013: Hunting Forecast October 4, 2013 Outdoor Life

Louisiana deer hunters unwittingly hurting population by helping hogs August 15, 2013

Louisiana Forces Homeless Shelter To Destroy $8,000 Worth Of Deer Meat February 25, 2013

Man sentenced after setting snares for deer December 16, 2013 Louisiana

Many hunters missed David Moreland's deer season predictions, timing of the rut January 7, 2013 Louisiana

Mississippi River rut near peak December 8, 2013 Louisiana

Nature faces disasters, disruptions August 22, 2013 Louisiana

North Louisiana lawmaker drafts bill to regulate deer meat in shelters February 27, 2013

Researchers tell what works well in Louisiana deer food plots September 18, 2013

Two Cenla men accused of taking deer illegally October 18, 2013 Louisiana

US District Court to address motion for protective order in dog-deer hunting case July 8, 2013 Louisiana

Want bigger bucks? Let them grow up December 10, 2013 Louisiana

Wildlife & Fisheries proposes big changes to Louisiana deer hunting February 7, 2013 Louisiana

WMAs either-sex deer hunts yield 2,651 January 1, 2013 Louisiana

.2012

Ban issued on dog-deer hunting in Kisatchie National Forest March 2, 2012 Louisiana

Deer biologist: Mast crop not so bad December 5, 2012 Louisiana

Deer hunting with dogs at Kisatchie prohibited ... November 10, 2012 Louisiana

Deer quantity has dipped, but the quality is on the rise‎ February 26, 2012 Louisiana

Deer semen technology may bring trophy bucks May 24, 2012 Louisiana

Deer sightings down? This could be why December 6, 2012 Louisiana,

Hurricane Isaac, disease a one-two punch for Louisiana deer November 22, 2012 Louisiana

Isaac's flooding killed many fawns in SE Louisiana October 5, 2012 Louisiana

LDWF Commission Briefed on 2011-12 Deer Harvest August 2, 2012 Louisiana

Local entities hold town hall meeting on dog deer hunting October 15, 2012 Louisiana

Louisiana deer season in need of adjustment January 28, 2012

U.S. Forest Service withdraws ban on deer dog hunting on Kisatchie lands December 3, 2012 Louisiana

2011

Bucks in love, out in open November 9, 2011 Lousiana

Deer are abundant in coastal marshes ... December 18, 2011 Lousiana

Deer Hunting Alive and Well in Louisiana January 13, 2011

Deer hunting, Southern style [timing of the rut] November 19, 2011 Florida

Deliberate flooding of Atchafalaya River Basin puts wildlife on the run May 23, 2011 Louisiana

Drought may affect deer August 23, 2011 Lousiana

Grant Parish Police Jury endorses dog-assisted deer hunting August 12, 2011 Lousiana

Louisiana panel OKs deer hunting with dogs in December August 18, 2011

Louisiana Selects GMS for Its Online Game Management Solution January 10, 2011

LWFC reaffirms deer hunting rules in the Basin November 6, 2011 Louisiana

Revisions to the Deer Management Assistance Program May 6, 2011 Louisiana

This year's deer herd appear in good shape despite drought and flooding November 20, 2011 Louisiana

Tracking The Progress Of Deer Population Recovery In Louisiana October 30, 2011

USDA reverses decision to ban dog deer hunting in Kisatchie July 22, 2011 Lousiana