John Franks WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
John Franks WMA is 3,664 acres of public hunting land in Caddo Parish, owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, run from LDWF's Minden office. Its 2026-27 schedule sets one deer hunt, archery: Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex). 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.
John Franks WMAOther LDWF WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 3,664 acres (LDWF's legal acres) |
|---|---|
| Parish | Caddo |
| Owner | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Established | 2022 |
| Deer hunts | Archery |
| Archery deer | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex) |
| Dogs for deer | No dog deer season on the schedule |
| Turkey | Closed |
| LDWF contact | jjohnson@wlf.la.gov or 318.371.3050 |
| Nearest towns | Blanchard (3 mi), Benton (5 mi) and Belcher (6 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 deer hunts on John Franks WMA?
| Hunt | Deer | Dates and rules, 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Archery | Either-sex | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 |
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 John Franks WMA, and when?
| Game | 2026-27 season on the area |
|---|---|
| Small Game and Waterfowl | Same as outside except waterfowl. Closed after 12 noon, 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. |
What rules apply on John Franks WMA?
- Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities.
- Small Game Emphasis Area: Beagles allowed for rabbit and dogs allowed for squirrel Oct. 3-Feb. 28 and training of beagles for rabbits and dogs for squirrel allowed June 1-Sept. 30.
From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Which parishes is John Franks WMA in?
| Parish | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Caddo Parish | 3,780 |
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 John Franks WMA?
Highways through the area: I-49 and US 71. Nearest towns: Blanchard (3 miles), Benton (5 miles), Belcher (6 miles) and Mooringsport (7 miles). LDWF's page for the area, with its map: John Franks.
The closest other Louisiana WMAs with a page here: Soda Lake WMA (2 miles), Bodcau WMA (14.4 miles), Loggy Bayou WMA (25.7 miles) and Bayou Pierre WMA (29.1 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on John Franks WMA in 2026-27?
Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 1-Jan. 31. From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Is John Franks WMA open for turkey hunting?
No. Turkey season is closed on John Franks WMA in 2026-27, by LDWF's schedule.
What parish is John Franks WMA in?
Caddo 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.