Laws To Trap And Hunt Squirrels In Louisiana [Latest Guide]

In Louisiana, squirrels can damage wire, one of their major threats. Once the bare copper wire is exposed, the chance of an electrical fire gets higher. Please search for the laws to trap and hunt squirrels in Louisiana to get rid of squirrels.

Anyone 18 or older who wants to hunt squirrels in Louisiana needs a Basic Hunting License, whether they live there or not. Squirrel hunting in Louisiana is covered in detail here.

Squirrel Types Found In Louisiana

There are three types of squirrels in Louisiana.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Although they enjoy eating various foods, acorns, nuts, and walnuts are among their favorites. The Eastern Gray Squirrel stores food in many locations in preparation for the colder months.

There, they store more food than they could possibly consume again, and some of the seeds they do not consume will sprout into new trees. People enjoy eating sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and corn as a snack.

These squirrels thrive in vast, deep deciduous forests with mature oak and hickory trees that produce nuts. Even dark grey squirrels exist.

Fox Squirrel

These squirrels are highly adaptive and can survive in a variety of habitats. Acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts are their favorite foods. They like to live in small, private parts of the deciduous forest where they can find plenty of food. People everywhere save these nuts in preparation for the upcoming cold season.

Fox squirrels have been brought to many western states and provinces, including California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Washington, New Mexico, and Ontario. Due to their superior competitiveness, Fox Squirrels hurt local squirrel populations.

Southern Flying Squirrel

It has grey or reddish brown fur on its back and shoulders, while its belly is covered in white hair. Their large, dark eyes allow them to see in the dark, and they take up a considerable amount of space on their heads. The Southern Flying Squirrel is significantly smaller than its Northern sibling.

Although they are widespread, practically nobody notices them. This type of flying squirrel is like others in that it sleeps during the day and lives in the treetops of deciduous forests at night. After nightfall, Southern Flying Squirrels can be observed consuming peanuts and sunflower seeds from bird feeders.

Which Types Of Squirrels Are Legal To Hunt In Louisiana?

• The state of Louisiana is home to both the grey squirrel and the fox squirrel. Both species are considered desirable prey by hunting enthusiasts.
• It is illegal in Louisiana to hunt any of the state’s protected game species, such as the fox or the grey squirrel.
• On the other hand, it is legal to hunt flying squirrels in the state of Louisiana.

Squirrels Hunting Season In Louisiana

There are squirrel hunting seasons all over the state. There is a fall squirrel hunting season and a spring squirrel season. The fall season usually starts in October and lasts until February. The spring season starts at the beginning of May and ends at the end of the same month.

Hunters in Louisiana are lucky to have two squirrel seasons that cover almost half the year. During the fall squirrel season in Louisiana, you can only hunt 8 per day and have only 24 total.

During the spring, you can only hunt three squirrels per day, and you can only have nine squirrels at once. From half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset, hunters in Louisiana can shoot squirrels.

Laws Governing The Hunting Of Squirrels In Louisiana

In Louisiana, these are the only legal ways to hunt squirrels:

• In Louisiana, you can hunt squirrels. The state’s trapping season runs every year from October to February.
• Hunters with a valid license can take fur-bearing animals like bobcats, squirrels, opossums, and nutria when it is not trapping season.
• Hunting is allowed all year long.
• The law lets people hunt squirrels that are a danger to people, property or the community as a whole.
• You can hunt at night, but only with a.22-caliber rifle. People who own this gun can go out and hunt squirrels in the state of Louisiana because of this.
• The laws of Louisiana also say that killing animals for no reason is cruel and unethical. 
• But if squirrels are hurting you, you have to kill them, and the wildlife authorities can help you do that.

Laws Governing The Trapping And Relocating Of Squirrels In Louisiana

Squirrels may be live-trapped and relocated without a permit under certain situations.

• The landowner provides written approval to the person transporting and releasing the animals.
• All animals are released within 12 hours after trapping and are treated humanely throughout the process.
• Animals caught in traps need to be safe from dogs and other animals and should not be in too much direct sunlight.
• Under this law, you can’t sell an animal or part of an animal that was taken. During the open trapping season, if you want to sell or skin a nuisance furbearer, you need a valid trapping license.
• If you follow this rule, you can’t keep any species you catch for more than 12 hours.
• Except for squirrels and rabbits, you can only hunt game animals when the season is open and you follow the rules set out in Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes and by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

How Can You Shoot And Hunt Squirrels In Louisiana?

Here are some tips on how to shoot squirrels in Louisiana:

• Use a rimfire rifle with a chamber. 22 caliber.
• Squirrel shooting is legal at night.
• The use of a professional headshot is strongly recommended.
• Nighttime squirrel hunting on foot is possible.
• If a hunter spots a squirrel in a tree, they can dispatch it by shining a flashlight on it and firing.
• Not having your firearm registered is against the law. So, you can only have the ones that are licensed.
• Most cities and towns don’t let people shoot. Before you try to get rid of squirrels by killing them, talk to state and local officials.
• If you go off on your own, you might do something that is against the rules.

Is It Legal To Shoot Squirrels With A Pellet Gun In Louisiana?

There is no law in the state of Louisiana prohibiting the use of a pellet gun, BB gun, or air gun to shoot squirrels, and there are also no restrictions on where these weapons may be used. In the state of Louisiana, the minimum age to purchase a pellet gun, BB gun, air gun, or air rifle is eighteen years old. 

Within the boundaries of the town, it is against the law for anybody to use an air gun, pellet gun, B-B gun, or blow gun in any way, including to fire, shoot, explode, or discharge the weapon.

Is It Legal To Shoot Squirrels On Property In Louisiana?

Louisiana has a lot of private lands. Most of the time, hunters are free to keep game animals they have caught on their own private land. Hunters who want to hunt on private property, on the other hand, must first get permission from the owner.

As long as you have written permission from the landowner or his agent, you are free to shoot squirrels wherever. There is a requirement for a Basic Hunting License for anyone over the age of 18 who wishes to hunt squirrels in the state.

Conclusion

In Louisiana, it is legal to hunt and shoot squirrels. Hunters abide to follow a few rules to hunt and shoot squirrels. If not they will charge with a crime. You need a gun license if you want to hunt squirrels legally. You shouldn’t move squirrels.

A qualified person can legally get rid of a dangerous squirrel to you or your property. You can always call the police if you have a problem with squirrels and ask them to come to take a look. Sticking to the rules and working within the limits already set is better than going your own way.