I've searched around some, and haven't really seen a set in stone law.
Does anyone know if it's illegal to possess a rifle on the water/ in the boat in Louisiana?

I hunt and fish some areas where there are some pretty sketchy folks at the boat ramp pretty often, and I like to carry an AK or AR with me incase something gets out of hand.
Anybody know for sure or just hearsay like I've always heard

People go to and from hunting camps and areas all the time

I guess I should add its loaded ready to go all the time

On your private land or Public land. No issue. Be careful on some WMA or some federal parks. Federal wilderness areas ok. Tensas wildlife area is probably a no go, but not sure.

On a WMA it's not ok for sure

I got pulled over at 1 am by the game warden with a 270 in the boat, had bullets in it but not one in the chamber. He DID NOT say it was illegal, just frowned upon and not very smart. But im in Texas so it may be different over there next door.

Theres guys here all the time running hogs with airboats and AR's though.

Keep it unloaded and you shouldn't have a problem.

A unloaded gun is only a club...

Carrying a pistol concealed is a much better answer to a possible human threat than a rifle in plain sight. If I was gonna jump you at a boat ramp and saw you toting a rifle you would never see it coming. I would sneak up behind or just shoot you from afar in the name of my own self preservation......Now with that being said if i was you or me and I knew I'm going to get into a gun fight I will definitely be bringing a rifle.

They bring rifles all the time on Catahoula lake to keep all the out of towners from trying to build blinds 100 yards away from you cause they always want to come fight you if you say they're too close! Lol the game wardens haven't said anything about it yet. And I know one GW that always has one on him! But you can kill deer out of the blinds where we hunt so that's the excuse everyone has if they ever do ask

y'all a little violent bunch up there

What restrictions are there on having rifles in WMA's?
I'm not aware of any

Motorized vehicle is probably the part that's gonna get you in trouble depending on how the cop wants to interpret the law.


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They frown on having a deer rifle in a WMA out of deer season. Or a pistol that is not loaded with rat shot.

But feel free to test it and let us know. Each WMA is a little different.

It doesn't matter there was a law just passed hunters can carry a weapon with them no matter the season or the time so I wouldn't see why u can't have it in your boat

I usually just have a handgun on me (provided I'm not drinking on the boat) I think it's an easier/ safer method for personal protection. You don't draw attention to yourself like you do with a long gun.


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I would carry a pistol, but I'm only 20... And I like to overwhelm with firepower

Is it legal now to have a gun while you frog? I know it's always been illegal, but I'd take a ticket because I like my guns

Any warden with half a brain should let you go anyway, a live frog definetly wasn't shot by a 30 cal bullet

A boat here in Louisiana is supposed to be an extension of your home like any vehicle. In a vehicle, you can carry concealed in your car, once you get out if you do not have a permit for CC, then it has to be open carry.

There should never be a situation where the law prevents a person from defending themselves with a firearm. To me that means colleges, schools and churches and especially anywhere in the outdoors. I can sort of understand courts and governing bodies, but we need to stop having no gun zones/free fire zones.

Where exactly are you hunting? I'll be sure to stay out of that area. Sounds pretty wild!

Terra boat I haven't heard anything about that and I usually go to all the meetings they hold for the lake. Last meeting they had they just talked about what everyone wanted to keep the water at! I figure it's coming eventually but I don't think this is the last year.

Now that the off topic is over, I'll address the original. Rifles are legal to have in a boat. When underway, they aren't supposed to be loaded (most gw won't actually do anything except chastise you for safety, but they can ticket unless something has changed in the last couple years that I haven't caught). When crossing a wma and not legal to be hunting with it in that area, needs to be unloaded. When boat is not under power, the rifle can be loaded.

They just passes a law that there is no restiction of gun rules when carrying a hand gun or rifle during bow season making it open to carry any firearm u like when hunting or fishing

I think before it had to be of a certain caliber

Ldwf posted this doesn't apply to wma and a .22 is still largest caliber

I believe the WMA rule, bust just could not find it this year?