Alexander State Forest WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
Alexander State Forest WMA is 8,158 acres of public hunting land in Rapides Parish, owned by LDWF (283 acres) and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (7,875 acres), run from LDWF's Pineville office. Its 2026-27 schedule sets 5 kinds of deer hunt: archery, firearms, primitive firearms, physically challenged deer hunting area and youth lottery, with archery Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex), except bucks only Nov. 27-29. Some hunts are by LDWF lottery. Some firearms days have a mandatory deer check. Turkey season is closed on the area.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: LDWF's 2026-27 individual WMA schedule for the area. Boundary and acres: LDWF's WMA layer.
Alexander State Forest WMAOther LDWF WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 8,158 acres (LDWF's legal acres) |
|---|---|
| Parish | Rapides |
| Owner | LDWF (283 acres) and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (7,875 acres) |
| Established | 1963 |
| Deer hunts | Archery, firearms, primitive firearms, physically challenged deer hunting area and youth lottery |
| Archery deer | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex), except bucks only Nov. 27-29 |
| Primitive firearms | Oct. 10-11 (either-sex) |
| Firearms deer | Nov. 7-8 (either-sex); Nov. 27-29 (bucks only) |
| Dogs for deer | No dog deer season on the schedule |
| Turkey | Closed |
| LDWF contact | adailey@wlf.la.gov or 318.487.5885 |
| Nearest towns | Woodworth (2 mi), Lecompte (3 mi) and Forest Hill (3 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 deer hunts on Alexander State Forest WMA?
| Hunt | Deer | Dates and rules, 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Archery | Either-sex | Oct. 1-Jan. 31, except (bucks only) Nov. 27-29 |
| Deer Firearms | Either-sex | Nov. 7-8, mandatory deer check. |
| Deer Firearms | Bucks only | Nov. 27-29 |
| Deer Primitive Firearms | Either-sex | Oct. 10-11, mandatory deer check. |
| Physically Challenged Deer Hunting Area | Either-sex | Nov. 7-8, mandatory deer check, and Dec. 14-15 |
| Deer Youth Lottery | Either-sex | Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 19-20 |
Source: LDWF 2026-27 individual WMA hunting schedules, A to K (eRegulations edition), read October 2026. On WMAs, deer seasons are for legal antlered deer unless a hunt says either-sex. LDWF's schedule is the final word.
What else can you hunt on Alexander State Forest WMA, and when?
| Game | 2026-27 season on the area |
|---|---|
| Small Game | Same as outside except closed Oct. 10-11 and Nov. 7-8 & 27-29 and open to squirrel hunting during the spring season, May 1-9, with or without dogs. Beagles allowed for rabbits and dogs allowed for squirrel hunting Dec. 19-Feb. 28. |
| Waterfowl | Same as outside except closed after 12 noon (Certain areas may be closed as posted). |
What rules apply on Alexander State Forest WMA?
- Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities. From December through February all hunters must check daily with the Office of Forestry for scheduled burning activity. No hunting or other activity will be permitted in burn units the day of the burning. Call (225) 202-2773 for information on burning schedules. Vehicles restricted to paved and graveled roads. No parking on or fishing or swimming from bridges. No open fires except in recreation areas.
- Attaching stands to red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees is prohibited. Cavity trees are marked with painted, double white bands.
- Physically Challenged Wheelchair-Confined Deer Hunting Area: Access restricted. Check WMA map for location and call Pineville Office for details and applications. Hunting PCHP blind hunting by reservation Class I, III and IV PCHP permittees only.
- Horseback Riding: Self-clearing permit required. Organized trail rides prohibited. Riding allowed only on designated roads and trails (See WMA Map). Horses and mules are specifically prohibited during gun season for deer except as allowed for bird dog field trials. No horses or mules on green planted areas. Horse-drawn conveyances are prohibited.
From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Which parishes is Alexander State Forest WMA in?
| Parish | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Rapides Parish | 8,549 |
Measured by FilledTag on LDWF Wildlife Management Area boundaries, September 2025 and the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 parish boundaries.
How do you get to Alexander State Forest WMA?
Highways through the area: I-49. Nearest towns: Woodworth (2 miles), Lecompte (3 miles), Forest Hill (3 miles) and Alexandria (8 miles). LDWF's page for the area, with its map: Alexander State Forest.
The closest other Louisiana WMAs with a page here: Acadiana Conservation Corridor (8.1 miles), Camp Beauregard WMA (17.7 miles), Marsh Bayou WMA (18.2 miles) and West Bay WMA (18.8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Alexander State Forest WMA in 2026-27?
Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 1-Jan. 31, except (bucks only) Nov. 27-29; Deer Firearms (either-sex): Nov. 7-8, mandatory deer check; Deer Firearms (bucks only): Nov. 27-29; Deer Primitive Firearms (either-sex): Oct. 10-11, mandatory deer check; Physically Challenged Deer Hunting Area (either-sex): Nov. 7-8, mandatory deer check, and Dec. 14-15; Deer Youth Lottery (either-sex): Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 19-20. From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Is Alexander State Forest WMA open for turkey hunting?
No. Turkey season is closed on Alexander State Forest WMA in 2026-27, by LDWF's schedule.
What parish is Alexander State Forest WMA in?
Rapides Parish, measured on LDWF's boundary.
Get a Louisiana hunt plan when they open
Louisiana plans are not open yet. They are coming soon. Join the waiting list; the first 50 hunters get one plan free.
Use the map while you wait for your plan.
You need a WMA Access Permit, a Self-Clearing Permit for each visit and the licenses and tags for what you hunt. The WMA rules on one page. FilledTag is not part of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; seasons and rules are copied from LDWF, acres and maps from its WMA layer, each with its source above.