BATON ROUGE — Louisiana duck hunting season opens in November, with youth and veterans hunts starting before the regular season in each zone.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said the West Zone youth and veterans hunt is Nov. 7, and the first regular season segment starts Nov. 14. The East Zone youth and veterans hunt is Nov. 14, and the first regular season segment there starts Nov. 21.

The department said hunters 16 and older must have a Federal Duck Stamp even if they do not otherwise need a license. Duck hunters 18 and older also need a basic hunting license and HIP certification. Hunters 17 and under do not need a hunting license or Harvest Information Program certification to duck hunt.

A map of zone boundaries and complete season dates for both zones is on the hunting seasons and regulations page on the LDWF website.

Many LDWF Wildlife Management Areas offer duck hunting, including Pass-a-Loutre WMA, Atchafalaya Delta WMA, Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA, Sherburne WMA, Dewey Wills WMA and Russell Sage WMA. Visitors to LDWF WMAs need a WMA Access Permit, Senior Hunting/Fishing License, Louisiana Sportsman's Paradise License or Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License unless they are 17 or younger.

More information on duck hunting in Louisiana is available on the LDWF waterfowl page.