rifles for waterfowl - All
U.S. Chief Inspector of Hunting George A. with a confiscated 10.9-inch and 250-pound rifle that was used to hunt ducks. 1920.
A punt gun is a type of extremely large shotgun used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for shooting large numbers of waterfowl for commercial harvesting operations and private sport. A single shot could kill over 50 waterfowl resting on the water’s surface.
The Tale of George A. and the Giant Rifle
In 1920, Chief Inspector of Hunting George A. Thompson lived in Millbrook, Illinois. Known for his strict enforcement of wildlife laws, George was dedicated to protecting migratory birds.
One day, he received a tip about illegal duck hunting. Upon reaching the marsh, George heard an unusually loud gunshot. He discovered a monstrous rifle—10.9 inches in diameter and weighing 250 pounds—being used to hunt ducks.
It was not unusual for such a band of hunters to acquire as many as 500 birds in a single day. In the United States, this practice depleted stocks of wild waterfowl and by the 1860s most states had banned the practice.
The Lacey Act of 1900 banned the transport of wild games across state lines, and the practice of market hunting was outlawed by a series of federal laws in 1918.
Shocked, George confronted the hunters, confiscated the illegal weapon, and arrested them. The giant rifle became a local sensation, drawing crowds curious to see it. George used this opportunity to educate people on the dangers of such weapons and the importance of conservation.
In the weeks that followed, the number of illegal hunting incidents in the area dropped significantly. Hunters began to think twice before breaking the law, knowing that George A. Thompson was watching closely. The Giant Duck Gun became a symbol of the dangers of unchecked greed and the need for responsible stewardship of the land.
As for George, he continued his work as Chief Inspector of Hunting, ever vigilant and determined to uphold the laws that protected America’s natural resources. Though he never encountered another weapon quite as absurd as the 10.9-inch, 250-pound rifle, he remained ready for whatever challenges might come his way. And so, the legend of George A. and the Giant Duck Gun lived on, a cautionary tale told by hunters and conservationists alike—a reminder that even in a world filled with innovation and ingenuity, some things were simply too much for nature to bear.
His actions had a lasting impact, reducing illegal hunting incidents significantly. George continued his work, becoming a symbol of responsible wildlife protection.
Hunting Seasons in Louisiana 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 LA hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to waterfowl. Whether you’re slipping through cypress swamps for early‑season ducks, glassing hardwood ridges for rutting bucks, or setting decoys for snow geese on flooded fields, Louisiana’s bayous, bottomlands, and pine forests deliver year‑round hunting under clear state regulations.
What Is There to Hunt in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s diverse habitats support:
Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw), feral hogs (no closed season)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, squirrel, bobwhite quail
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, mottled), geese, coots, rails, snipe
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, nutria (open season), bobcat
From flooded rice fields to upland pine stands, Louisiana offers premier opportunities for big game, small game, and waterfowl hunters alike.
Year‑Round Huntable Species
On private lands with landowner permission, you may pursue feral hogs, coyote, nutria, and raccoon year‑round, aiding nuisance control and providing off‑season sport. Public‑land WMAs require you follow posted seasons and weapon restrictions.
Louisiana Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery (Zone A & B): Sept 19 – Nov 8; Dec 15 – Jan 15, 2026
General Firearms: Nov 9 – Dec 14, 2025
Muzzleloader: Oct 17 – Oct 24, 2025
Youth Hunt: Sept 12 – 14, 2025
Seasons vary by zone; bow hunters enjoy two separate windows, while rifle hunters follow a continuous firearm period. Bag limit: 2 deer per season (no more than 1 antlered).
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Season: Mar 28 – May 3, 2026
Youth Hunt: Mar 21 – 27, 2026
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Spring turkey regulations allow both shotgun and archery; permits are free but required, and harvest reporting is mandatory.
Louisiana Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 29 – Feb 28, 2026
Bobwhite Quail: Oct 29 – Feb 28, 2026 (WMAs only)
Walk levees and piney woods for fast‑paced rabbit and squirrel hunts, or call quail covert openings with bird dogs and 12‑gauge shotguns.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Regular Duck Season: Nov 7 – Jan 24, 2026 (zones split)
Early Teal: Sept 5 – 27, 2025
Goose Season: Nov 21 – Jan 10, 2026
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Oct 14, 2025
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; non‑toxic shot required
Louisiana’s coastal marshes and rice fields draw ducks, geese, and rails. Hunters need a Federal Duck Stamp, HIP registration, and state waterfowl permit.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 2 per season (max 1 buck)
Wild Turkey: 2 birds per spring season
Ducks: 6 per day; sub‑limits on teal and mottled ducks
Geese: 3 per day
Rails & Snipe: 15 rails; 8 snipe per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each
Feral Hogs, Coyote, Nutria: No bag limits; WMA rules apply
Bag limits protect game populations and support sustainable big game and small game harvests.
License & Tags Information for Louisiana Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid Louisiana hunting license and required permits:
Resident License: $27.50; Nonresident: $207.50
Deer Tags: $11 (antlered); $4 (antlerless)
Turkey Permit: Free, online application
Waterfowl Permit: $11; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required
Trapping License: Required for furbearers
Licenses fund wildlife management and habitat conservation; applications open in early August for migratory‑bird permits.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Louisiana allows:
Bows: Compound and crossbow (archery season only)
Firearms: Rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) during general seasons
Muzzleloaders: Primitive firearms during designated week
Dogs & Bait: Permitted for feral hog and raccoon; check WMA guidelines
Follow weapon and caliber restrictions to maintain legal, ethical hunts.
Regulations & Resources
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries regulations cover:
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (waterfowl strict sunrise rule)
Hunting Zones & Maps: Detailed by parish and WMA; consult online map viewer
Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey must be reported within 48 hrs
Special Areas: Waterfowl refuges, WMAs with controlled access
Always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements via the official 2025–26 Hunting Dates PDF before heading afield.
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF): https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/seasons-and-regulations
With clear seasons, manageable bag limits, and accessible license structures, Louisiana offers rewarding hunting across coastal wetlands, hardwood bottoms, and pine ridges. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper tags, and embrace the state’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.
Hunting Seasons in Massachusetts 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 MA hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, license requirements, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to waterfowl. Whether you’re drawing an arrow for a rutting buck at dawn, setting shotgun decoys for teal in coastal marshes, or tracking coyote in winter woodlands, the Bay State offers well‑timed seasons and clear regulations across its varied habitats.
What Is There to Hunt in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts supports a variety of game:
Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, pheasant (stocked), ruffed grouse (WMAs)
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal), geese, coots, rails, mourning dove
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, bobcat (with permit)
From coastal salt marshes to Berkshire forests, hunters pursue big game and small game year‑round under clear guidelines.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Massachusetts?
On private lands, unprotected species like coyote, raccoon, and opossum carry no closed season and no bag limits, providing off‑season predator‑control opportunities. Public‑land and WMA hunts must adhere strictly to posted season dates and method restrictions.
Massachusetts Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery (Zone A): Sept 20 – Nov 1, 2025
Archery (Zone B): Oct 1 – Nov 8
Shotgun: Nov 11 – Nov 29
Rifle: Dec 1 – Dec 10
Youth Hunt: Oct 18 – 19 (Zones A & B)
Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – Dec 10
Archery and firearm windows offer diverse weapon options; bag limit is 2 deer per season (max 1 buck).
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Season: Apr 8 – May 18, 2026
Youth: Apr 3 – 5, 2026
Fall Youth & Apprentice: Sept 1 – Oct 31, 2025
Spring turkey hunts blend bow and shotgun seasons. Young hunters get dedicated days, and fall archery seasons provide extra opportunity.
Black Bear
Limited Entry: Oct 15 – Nov 15, 2025 (draw only)
Bear permits are issued by lottery; strict tagging and reporting maintain healthy populations in Berkshire zone.
Massachusetts Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026
Pheasant: Oct 15 – Nov 14, 2025 (WMAs only)
Ruffed Grouse: Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (WMAs)
Walk CRP fields and woodland edges for small game; shotguns with non‑toxic shot are required.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Duck: Oct 25 – Jan 10, 2026
Goose: Oct 1 – Jan 15, 2026
Youth Waterfowl Day: Sept 27 – 28, 2025
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Dec 31, 2025
Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025
Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP registration required
Coastal impoundments and tidal flats host peak waterfowl migrations; hunters must carry the proper license and approvals.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 2 total; max 1 buck
Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall youth
Duck: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply
Goose: 3 per day
Coot & Rail: 15 per day each
Dove: 15 per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each
Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private land
Bag limits ensure sustainable harvests of big game, small game, and waterfowl across varied habitats.
License & Tags Information for Massachusetts Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid MassWildlife hunting license and applicable permits:
Resident Annual License: $57
Nonresident License: $122
Deer & Turkey Permits: Included with base license; bear permit by lottery
Migratory Bird Permit & Federal Duck Stamp: Required for ducks and doves
Hunter Education: Certification required for first‑time hunters
Licenses fund wildlife conservation; applications for draw hunts open online in early summer.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Massachusetts permits:
Archery: Compound, recurve, crossbows (archery seasons)
Firearms: Shotguns (migratory birds) and center‑fire rifles (deer)
Muzzleloaders: Permitted in designated window
Dogs & Bait: Allowed for waterfowl and upland hunts in WMAs
Ensure compliance with caliber and draw weight requirements for each season and zone.
Regulations & Resources
MassWildlife regulations outline:
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
WMA & Zone Maps: Available online for deer, turkey, and waterfowl areas
Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer and turkey within 48 hrs
Special Areas: Deer yard closures, sanctuary zones, and migratory‑bird refuges
Always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements via the official Season Summary PDF before every hunt.
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife): https://www.mass.gov/hunting-regulations
With clear seasons, defined bag limits, and accessible license structures, Massachusetts offers memorable hunting across woodlands, fields, and coastal marshes. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper permits, and enjoy a safe, ethical 2025–26 hunting season in the Bay State.
