Bodcau WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
Bodcau WMA is 33,766 acres of public hunting land in Bossier and Webster parishes, owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, run from LDWF's Minden office. Its 2026-27 schedule sets 4 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth, firearms and primitive firearms, with archery Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex). Some firearms days have a mandatory deer check. Turkey season is open: April 3-18; youth March 26-28 and April 24-25.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: LDWF's 2026-27 individual WMA schedule for the area. Boundary and acres: LDWF's WMA layer.
Bodcau WMAOther LDWF WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 33,766 acres (LDWF's legal acres) |
|---|---|
| Parish | Bossier, Webster |
| Owner | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Established | 1984 |
| Deer hunts | Archery, youth, firearms and primitive firearms |
| Archery deer | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex) |
| Primitive firearms | Nov. 30-Dec. 6 (either-sex) |
| Firearms deer | Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Nov. 2-29 (either-sex) |
| Dogs for deer | No dog deer season on the schedule |
| Turkey | April 3-18; Turkey Youth: March 26-28 and April 24-25 |
| LDWF contact | jjohnson@wlf.la.gov or 318.371.3050 |
| Nearest towns | Cotton Valley (next to it), Sarepta (next to it) and Springhill (3 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 deer hunts on Bodcau WMA?
| Hunt | Deer | Dates and rules, 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Archery | Either-sex | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 |
| Deer Youth | Either-sex | Oct. 10-11. On designated portion only. |
| Deer Firearms | Either-sex | Oct. 31-Nov. 1, mandatory deer check. Nov. 2-29, self-clearing permit. |
| Deer Primitive Firearms | Either-sex | Nov. 30-Dec. 6 |
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 Bodcau WMA, and when?
| Game | 2026-27 season on the area |
|---|---|
| Small Game and Waterfowl | Same as outside except waterfowl closed after 12 noon, and except closed only during youth deer hunt on designated portion and entire area Oct. 24-25, and except spring squirrel season will be open May 1-9, with or without dogs. Beagles allowed for rabbits and dogs allowed for squirrel hunting Dec. 7-Feb. 28. Operation of internal combustion engine powered vessels prohibited 12 noon to 4 a.m. from Nov. 1-Jan. 31 in the green tree reservoir. See WMA map for more details. Youth Squirrel Hunt: Sept. 26-27. |
| Raccoon (nighttime) | Dec. 7-Feb. 28 and May 1-Sept. 30. |
| Fishing | Nets and traps prohibited in Ivan Lake. |
What rules apply on Bodcau WMA?
- Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities.
- Area Closed (portion): Closed to all hunters except youth deer hunters Oct. 10-11, on designated portion. See WMA map for details. Towable watersports prohibited in Ivan Lake.
- Limited Use Area: Small game, turkey and waterfowl same as rest of WMA. Deer hunting archery only. See WMA map for specific location.
- Small Game Emphasis Area: Beagles allowed for rabbit and dogs allowed for squirrel Oct. 3-30 and training of beagles for rabbits and dogs for squirrel allowed June 1-Sept. 30.
- Bird Dog Training Area: Open year-round except closed during WMA Turkey Season. Contact Minden Field Office for more information.
From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Which parishes is Bodcau WMA in?
| Parish | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Bossier Parish | 25,634 |
| Webster Parish | 7,314 |
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 Bodcau WMA?
Highways through the area: LA 160, LA 157, LA 2 and LA 529. Nearest towns: Cotton Valley (next to it), Sarepta (next to it), Springhill (3 miles) and Cullen (3 miles). LDWF's page for the area, with its map: Bodcau.
The closest other Louisiana WMAs with a page here: John Franks WMA (14.4 miles), Soda Lake WMA (19.4 miles), Loggy Bayou WMA (24.6 miles) and Bayou Pierre WMA (33 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Bodcau WMA in 2026-27?
Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 1-Jan. 31; Deer Youth (either-sex): Oct. 10-11. On designated portion only; Deer Firearms (either-sex): Oct. 31-Nov. 1, mandatory deer check. Nov. 2-29, self-clearing permit; Deer Primitive Firearms (either-sex): Nov. 30-Dec. 6. From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Is Bodcau WMA open for turkey hunting?
Yes: Turkey: April 3-18; Turkey Youth: March 26-28 and April 24-25.
What parish is Bodcau WMA in?
Bossier Parish (25,634 acres) and Webster Parish (7,314 acres), 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.