BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana hunters can now start collecting preference points when they apply for the black bear hunting lottery, which is open until Aug. 28.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said each year a hunter applies and isn't drawn equals one preference point. Each point is equal to an extra lottery chance.

Hunters need to apply every year to keep their points, or else risk losing points. If a hunter does win the lottery, they must wait two years before applying for the lottery again.

Dates for Louisiana's black bear hunting season

Hunting dates this year are Dec. 6-21.

There are three Bear Management Areas in the state where hunting will take place. This year, 26 permits are available, and anyone who gets one will have to take part in an LDWF bear hunting training course before heading out to hunt. The dates for those courses are Oct. 18, 24, and 30.

Further details about the lottery process and where you can get a hunting license can be found here.

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