The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to amend the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Wildlife Rehabilitation Program regulations to include white-tailed deer. The action came during the commission’s September meeting Thursday, Sept. 3, in Baton Rouge.
This NOI follows the passage of Act 725 of the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, which was enacted to allow the rehabilitation of white-tailed deer in Louisiana. Act 725 enacted R.S. 56:129, effective Aug. 1, 2026, authorizing wildlife rehabilitators permitted by LDWF to possess injured or orphaned white-tailed deer subject to the conditions set out in the statute.
Once this NOI becomes final Rule, LDWF-permitted rehabilitators will be authorized to rehabilitate white-tailed deer, and LDWF’s rehabilitation requirements will be brought into alignment with current statute. Rehabilitation of white-tailed deer will be limited to authorized rehabilitators.
To see the full NOI, go to the LWFC’s Action Items page on the LDWF website.
LWDF will take public comment on the NOI through Oct. 27. Comments may be sent to LDWF Wildlife Permits Coordinator Bradley Breland at LDWF, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA, 70898-9000, or by email to bbreland@wlf.la.gov.
