Special Licenses and Permits (Lifetime, Disability, Military, and Student)

If you’re a Louisiana resident, you may purchase a Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License. A Lifetime License is valid for life and remains valid even if you become a resident of another state.

Nonresidents may purchase a Nonresident Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License.

Lifetime Hunting/Fishing Licenses include all Louisiana recreational hunting, fishing, WMA access, and gear privileges. However, alligator sports hunter, trapping licenses, and federal duck stamps are not included.

How do I purchase a Lifetime License?

Lifetime Licenses are available from LDWF Headquarters at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge during normal business hours, 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also submit an application via email or mail.

• Email it to lifetime@wlf.la.gov. Scan and attach the application and all required documents (including birth certificate) to your email. Licensing staff will contact applicants by phone to collect payment by credit card.
• Mail it to the address below with all required documents and a check, money order, or cashier’s check for your license fees:
  LDWF
  Attn: Sports License
  PO Box 98000
  Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000.

Applications are available online or by calling 225.765.2887.

Please allow three weeks of processing time. For more information, call 225.765.2887.

Current lifetime licenseholder can purchase a duplicate lifetime license card online, from an approved retail vendor, by mail, or in-person at LDWF Headquarters in Baton Rouge. A $5 convenience fee assessed by the LDWF license vendor applies to online purchases; there is no additional convenience fee for purchases made in-person or by mail.

How do I qualify for resident license rates?

To be eligible for resident rates, you must meet the bona fide residency requirements defined below and provide a copy of the following documents with your completed application:

• If age 18 or older, a valid Louisiana driver's license issued for a minimum of 6 months and ONE of the following: current Louisiana voter's registration card, Louisiana vehicle registration in your name, or two immediate previous years’ Louisiana tax returns, marked “received” by the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation.
• If under age 18, a copy of your birth certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health and a copy of both parents’ Louisiana driver’s licenses. Birth certificates will not be returned if you apply by mail..

Bona Fide Residency Requirements:

You’re a bona fide resident if you’ve resided in the state of Louisiana continuously during the 6 months immediately prior to the date you apply for any license and if you’ve established Louisiana as your legal domicile. You must demonstrate compliance with all of the following, as applicable:

• If you’re registered to vote, you’re registered to vote in Louisiana
• If you’re licensed to drive a motor vehicle, you have a valid Louisiana driver’s license
• If you own a motor vehicle located within Louisiana, you have a valid Louisiana registration for that vehicle
• If you earn an income, you have filed a Louisiana state income tax return and have complied with state income tax law and regulations.

Any person, corporation, or other legal entity that possesses a resident license from any other state or country shall not qualify for a resident license in Louisiana.

License Types and Fees

Next time you renew your driver’s license at the Office of Motor Vehicles, you can add a Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License endorsement to your license for free. If you have this endorsement, you do not have to carry your Lifetime License with you as long as you have your driver’s license.

Non-Resident Native License

Persons born in Louisiana who are not residents may purchase a Non-Resident Native License that is valid for 10 consecutive days.

How do I purchase a Non-Resident Native License?

You must bring a copy of your Louisiana birth certificate and driver’s license to any vendor location each time you purchase a Native license.

If you would like to purchase the Native licenses online or never have to bring your birth certificate to a vendor location again, you can mail a copy of your birth certificate and driver’s license to LDWF and be “certified” as a Native.

You can mail those copies to:

LDWF
Attn: Licensing
P O BOX 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898

Non-Resident Native License Types and Fees

Disability Licenses and Permits

Certain disabled Louisiana residents may obtain recreational fishing and hunting licenses free of charge or at reduced rates. Disability license applicants must present a copy of their valid Louisiana driver's license or identification card issued by the Office of Motor Vehicles and appropriate proof of disability along with their license application.

Unless otherwise noted, submit applications for disability licenses in person at LDWF Headquarters at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge during normal business hours, 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also submit an application via email or mail.

• Email it to lifetime@wlf.la.gov. Scan and attach the application and all required documents to your email. Licensing staff will contact applicants by phone to collect payment (if applicable) by credit card.
• Mail it to the address below with all required documents and, if applicable, a check, money order, or cashier’s check for your license fees:
  LDWF
  Attn: Sports License
  PO Box 98000
  Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000.

Application forms are available below. Call 225.765.2887 for more information.

Disabled Veterans Hunting and Fishing License

• For veterans who have a permanent service-connected disability classification of 50 percent or more
• Free (The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation covers the $4 fee for this license.)
• Includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey Hunting Licenses; and the WMA Access Permit
• Does not include the Federal Duck Stamp

Resident Disabled/Special Needs License

• For residents who are blind, paraplegic, amputee, required to use one or more artificial limbs or permanent braces for mobility,
• OR who are totally and permanently disabled and receiving federal social security disability benefits or disability retirement income from a retirement system whose members are exempt from social security pursuant to the Railroad Retirement Insurance Act or employees of the state or a political subdivision of the state that has not voluntarily agreed to participate in federal social security
  
  • Must also submit a letter from the federal Social Security Administration or retirement system granting disability benefits, along with proper identification
  • This exemption does not apply to Supplemental Security Income benefits.For residents who are blind, paraplegic or multiple amputee and residents required to use one or more artificial limbs or permanent braces for mobility or who are a single amputee

  Developmentally Disabled License

  Residents who are considered developmentally disabled may obtain special disability hunting and/or fishing licenses for free. The fishing license includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses. The hunting license covers Basic, Deer, Turkey, and Waterfowl Hunting Licenses; Louisiana DuckStamp; and the WMA Access Permit. Anyone fishing with a special disability fishing license must be accompanied by a validly licensed fisherman; anyone hunting with a special disability hunting license must be accompanied by a validly licensed hunter.

  To qualify for a developmentally disabled license, the applicant must meet all other legal requirements to obtain a fishing and/or hunting license and submit proof of residing in Louisiana consecutively for the immediate 6 months prior to applying for a license (e.g. resident driver's license of guardian or caregiver, voter registration card, vehicle registration, certification by guardian or caregiver, etc.), in addition to the license application and other required documents listed above.

  Physically Challenged Hunter Permit

  LDWF provides a free Physically Challenged Hunter Permit to individuals who are wheelchair-bound, mobility impaired, upper extremity amputees, or visually impaired.

  These permits allow qualified individuals to participate in special deer hunts on private and public lands, access specially designated ATV trails on wildlife management areas, and hunt from ATVs, in accordance with state and parish laws.

  Contact 225.765.2346 or see the permit application (linked below) for additional details. Faxed and outdated applications are not accepted.

  To submit an application for a Physically Challenged Hunter Permit, email the completed application to Hallie Rogers at hrogers@wlf.la.gov .