LOUISIANA
DEER TRACKING
TRACKING LAWS* FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
Know the rules before you track. These Louisiana laws help insure ethical recovery, respect for landowners, and the future of our hunting rights.
Louisiana allows licensed hunters and trackers to use trained tracking dogs to recover deer that have been legally shot and mortally wounded. Tracking dogs may only be used to recover a specific wounded deer and cannot be used to pursue or hunt healthy deer. These tracking provisions do not apply on Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
Hunters and trackers may use artificial lights while recovering a wounded deer, except on Wildlife Management Areas where tracking dogs are not authorized. Only one tracking dog may be used by a tracking party, although a second dog may accompany the party for deer retrieval training. Tracking dogs must either remain on a handheld leash or wear a GPS tracking collar while conducting a recovery.
Louisiana does not require a separate tracking dog certification or permit for handlers. Hunters remain responsible for possessing all required hunting licenses, deer tags, and complying with Louisiana's harvest reporting and tagging requirements for any deer recovered.
If a mortally wounded deer is found alive after legal hunting hours, a licensed hunter or tracker may humanely dispatch the animal using a centerfire handgun with a caliber between .25 and .45 and a barrel length of six inches or less. This exception applies only to recovering a legally wounded deer and does not authorize nighttime deer hunting.
Using a tracking dog does not grant permission to enter private property. If a wounded deer crosses onto private land, hunters and trackers must obtain verbal or written permission from the landowner before continuing the recovery.
Louisiana currently prohibits the use of drones to assist in the recovery of wounded deer or bears. Hunters should always review the current Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hunting regulations before relying on drone technology, as wildlife regulations may change from year to year.
* Disclaimer: The information provided by TRAKR is intended as a general summary of state tracking laws and regulations and is not legal advice. Because laws and regulations may change, hunters and trackers should always verify current statutes, regulations, and agency guidance before using dogs, drones, or other recovery methods in their state.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRACKING IN LOUISIANA
Louisiana presents a unique set of tracking conditions compared to many other southern states.
The state's whitetails inhabit an incredibly diverse landscape that includes hardwood bottoms, pine forests, agricultural fields, cypress swamps, river deltas, marshes, and thick palmetto cover. Recovering a wounded deer can quickly become difficult when blood trails disappear in standing water, flooded timber, heavy vegetation, or dense understory.
Because much of Louisiana experiences warm temperatures throughout deer season, scent conditions can change rapidly. High humidity, rainfall, and saturated ground often reduce visible blood while making experienced tracking dogs especially valuable.
Many recoveries also involve navigating bayous, drainage canals, pipelines, timber leases, and property boundaries. Having permission before crossing onto neighboring land is essential under Louisiana law.
When to Contact a Tracking Dog
Hunters should strongly consider contacting a tracking dog if:
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Blood suddenly stops.
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The shot placement is uncertain.
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The deer enters a swamp, marsh, or flooded timber.
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Heavy rain threatens to wash away sign.
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Dense palmetto or thick brush makes visual tracking difficult.
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The deer crosses onto neighboring property.
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Several hours have passed without locating the animal.
Contacting a tracker early often improves recovery success and helps prevent contaminating the trail with unnecessary foot traffic.
TRAKR in Louisiana
At this time, Louisiana does not have an official statewide TRAKR Network.
If you're a Louisiana tracking dog handler interested in helping hunters recover wounded deer, we'd love to hear from you. TRAKR is actively expanding across the United States and welcomes experienced volunteer and professional tracking teams interested in building a Louisiana network.