Wildlife

Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area is located in Morehouse, Ouachita and Richland Parishes, approximately seven miles east of Monroe and ten miles west of Rayville. Access is provided by U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate 20, which bisect the area. Interior, all-weather roads are maintained by the department.

Russell Sage includes 16,993 acres owned by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Located within the Bayou LaFourche flood plain, this WMA is flat and poorly drained. Elevations range from 58 feet to 63 feet above mean sea level. Numerous sloughs and shallow bayous meander throughout and backwater flooding occurs annually.

In August 2011, an additional 4,955 acres was added to Russell Sage based on a lease agreement signed with International Paper, bringing the total WMA acreage to 21,948.

The newly leased acreage, north of the existing WMA land owned by LDWF, includes prime waterfowl habitat known locally as Wham Brake.

There are two major timber types on the WMA. The predominant type is overcup oak-bitter pecan (water hickory) and the other is oak-elm-ash. Much smaller acreage of other types is also present, including willow-cypress-ash and oak-gum. Timber overstory species include Nuttall oak, hackberry, overcup oak, bitter pecan, bald cypress, rock elm, green ash, honey locust, red maple, tupelo gum, and American elm. Cottonwood, water oak, and other higher ground species are located on canal spoil banks throughout the management area.

Understory species present include deciduous holly, roughleaf dogwood, dewberry, peppervine, greenbrier, poison ivy, rattan, swamp privet, persimmon, buttonbush, climbing dogbane, and palmetto.

There are two greentree waterfowl impoundments on Russell Sage totaling 2,400 acres. Excellent hunting is provided for mallards and wood ducks along with several other species. Wading birds and other non-game species utilize the impoundments.

Hunting is available for deer, squirrel, rabbit, and woodcock. Russell Sage is a consistent producer of quality deer. Squirrel hunting is particularly popular on the WMA and hunters experience good success.

Trapping is permitted for raccoon, beaver, coyote, nutria, mink, bobcat, fox, and opossum. The river otter and American alligator are present, but taking of these species is not allowed.

A primitive camping area is provided north of U.S. Highway 80.

Additional information may be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 368 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203. Phone (318) 343-4044.

Sabine Island Wildlife Management Area is located in west-central Calcasieu Parish between Vinton and Starks. Access to the area can be attained by taking Louisiana Highway 109 north from Vinton or south from Starks and then taking the Nibblets Bluff Park road west from Louisiana Highway 109. The area is completely surrounded by water and access to the area can only be gained by boat.

Sabine Island is 8,743 acres in size and ownership is divided between the State Land Office and the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

The area varies from low terrain subject to annual flooding for prolonged periods to winding ridges laced throughout the area. Access within is made possible by numerous bayous and sloughs. Sabine River forms the southern and western boundary; Old River and Big Bayou border the east and north.

The forest cover is composed of two major timber types, cypress-tupelo comprising approximately 85 percent with the remainder classed as pine hardwood. In the pine hardwood portions, white oaks, willow oak and sweetgum are found mixed with loblolly pine.

The major understory species found are smilax, rattan, arrowwood, Japanese honeysuckle, blackberries, dewberries and reproduction of the major hardwood species.

Annual prolonged flooding makes it impossible to have food plots. Due to the timber type composition burning can not be employed to help manipulate the habitat for wildlife.

Game species hunted are squirrel, rabbit, deer, woodcock and waterfowl. Trapping for furbearers is allowed. Major furbearing species are raccoon, opossum, mink, bobcat and nutria.

The area offers excellent fishing, both sport and commercial, year-round.

Due to its location and abundant waterways, much recreation is derived from water skiing and boating.

Self-clearing permits are required to access Sabine Island. Additional information and maps may be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 1213 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana, 70601. Phone (337) 491-2575.

Sabine Wildlife Management Area is located in central Sabine Parish approximately five miles south of Zwolle. Louisiana Highway 6 and U. S. Highway 171 are the major roads providing access to Sabine. This area is approximately 7554 acres and is owned by one major timber company (Forest Capital Partners, LLC).Some smaller tracts are provided by other timber companies and private individuals.

The terrain varies from rolling hills to creek bottoms. The major timber type is loblolly pine plantations. Overstory species include these pines along with red oak, post oak, white oak, hickory and sweetgum. Understory species include yaupon, French mulberry, hawthorn, sassafras, black cherry, wax myrtle, huckleberry and dogwood.

The creek bottoms have an overstory comprised of beech, willow oak, water oak, red maple, black gum, magnolia, southern red oak and sweetgum. Understory species include ironwood, dogwood, wild azalea, deciduous holly and overstory regeneration.

Game species available for hunting are deer, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, quail, doves, and woodcock. Turkey hunting is available by lottery only. Trapping is allowed and species available are mink, raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, beaver and coyote.

There is a primitive camping area located in the northwest portion of the area.

Additional information may be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 1995 Shreveport Highway, Pineville, LA 71360. Phone (318) 487-5885.

Salvador Wildlife Management Area is located in St. Charles Parish, along the northwestern shore of Lake Salvador about 12 miles southwest of New Orleans. Salvador was acquired by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in 1968 and includes some 30,000 acres.

Access is limited to boat travel and is primarily via three major routes: Bayou Segnette from Westwego into Lake Cataouatche, then west to area; Sellers Canal to Bayou Verrett into Lake Cataouatche, then west to area; or via Bayou Des Allemands, Accessibility into the interior marshes is excellent via the many canals, bayous, and ditches on the area. .

The area is primarily fresh marsh with many ponds scattered throughout. Common marsh plants are maiden cane, cattail, bull tongue, and numerous aquatic plants. Several large stands of cypress timber are evident in the northern portions. These stands of trees grow on old natural stream levees which were once distributary channels of the Mississippi River.

Game species include waterfowl, deer, rabbits, squirrels, rails, gallinules, and snipe. Furbearing animals present are mink, nutria, muskrat raccoon, opossum, and otter. Salvador supports a large population of alligators as well as providing nesting habitat for the endangered Bald Eagle.

Excellent freshwater fishing is available on Salvador. Bass, bream, crappie, catfish, drum, and garfish are abundant. Commercial fishing is prohibited.

Non-consumptive forms of recreation available are boating, nature study, and picnicking. More information can be obtained by calling 337-373-0032.

Timken Wildlife Management Area

The Timken Wildlife Management Area is a 3,000-acre marsh island that is leased by the Department from the City Park Commission of New Orleans. The area is identified as Couba Island on maps; however, it has been named the ?Timken? WMA after the former landowner who donated it to New Orleans. The area is located immediately east of the Salvador Wildlife Management Area.

Like the Salvador WMA, Timken WMA consists of fresh to intermediate marsh and provides excellent habitat for waterfowl, furbearers, and alligators. More information can be obtained by calling 337-373-0032.

This area comprised of 3,514 acres owned by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and 181 acres leased from the Tangipahoa Parish School Board, is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Amite, Louisiana in Tangipahoa Parish.

The area is divided into two separate tracts near Wilmer, LA. The larger tract being north of LA Hwy. 10 and the smaller one south of Hwy. 10. Most of the rolling hill terrain is young longleaf pine with only a small portion of the area composed of mature trees.

The area is primarily managed for upland game birds such as quail and doves. Field trial courses and trails have also been established. Quail, dove, and woodcock hunting is considered good on the area. Deer, turkey, and squirrel hunting is considered fair due to habitat limitations.

A food plot program is conducted in an attempt to increase the wildlife use on the area, as well as hunter success.

Although the WMA is small as compared to other WMAs, it is a valuable research area. Numerous habitat, game, and non-game studies have been and are being conducted on the area.

Additional information may be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife Division, 42371 Phyllis Ann Rd. Hammond, LA  70403 985-543-4777

Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, located in the Morganza Flood way system of the Atchafalaya Basin, is situated in the lower and upper portions of Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, and Iberville Parishes respectively, between the Atchafalaya River and the East Protection Guide Levee. The Sherburne WMA, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands combine to form a 44,000 acre tract. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries owns 11,780 acres, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns 15,220 acres and the remaining 17,000 acres is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The area is managed as one unit by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Access to the area is via Highway 975, which connects with highway 190 at Krotz Springs on the North, and Interstate-10 at Whiskey Bay on the South.

Entrance to the interior of the area is possible through a series of all-weather roads, ATV trails, and Big and Little Alabama Bayous. There are two private boat launches on the northern portion of Big Alabama Bayou, one public launch of the northern portion of Little Alabama Bayou, and one public launch on the Southern portion of Big Alabama Bayou.

The area is classified as bottomland hardwoods with four dominant tree species associations: (1) cottonwood-sycamore, (2) oak-gum-hackberry-ash, (3) willow-cypress-ash, (4) overcup oak-bitter pecan. Midstory species encompass seedlings of dominant species along with boxelder, maple, red mulberry, and rough-leaf dogwood. Ground cover is sparse, in areas, due to shading out and prolonged inundation. In those areas where habitat improvement, in the way on timber management, has taken place, the ground cover is very dense and provides excellent habitat for many species of game and non-game species. Common species found include rattan, greenbriar, rubus, trumpet creeper, virginia creeper, poison ivy, and milkweed. Much of the area supports a lush stand of fern.

Hunting for deer, squirrel, and woodcock may be rated as good, while rabbit hunting rated as fair. Waterfowl hunting can be seasonal, depending on many factors, but the opportunities to hunt waterfowl are excellent. Turkey hunting is very good on this bottomland hardwood area. Development and management have improved access, habitat, wildlife populations, and public use on the Sherburne Complex.

Camping is permitted on two designated areas, one on the Southern portion of the area being strictly primitive and one on the northern portion of the area having running water available.

Shooting Range Complex: The shooting range complex consist of rifle, handgun, skeet/trap and archery ranges. The rifle range has targets at 25, 50, and 100 yards, and the handgun range has targets at 10, 25, and 50 yards. The rifle and handgun ranges are open to the public 7 days a week from official sunrise to official sunset. No trespassing in restricted areas behind ranges. There are 2 skeet ranges with one have a trap bunker. The skeet ranges have set hours of operation which are determined by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The archery range has targets at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards. There is also a 15 foot tower on the archery range which can be used to shoot at 3-D targets. Additional information may be obtained from the (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries-Opelousas Office, 5652 Highway 182, La. 70570, phone number (337) 948-0255, or by calling the Sherburne Shooting Range Complex at (337) 566-2251.

Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area (SIHWMA) is located in northeast Catahoula Parish, 6 miles west of Sicily Island, Louisiana. Major routes to the area are Louisiana highways 8 and 915. A series of unimproved roads and trails provide access to the interior of the area. Boeuf and Ouachita Rivers supply boat access to the western portion of the property. SIHWMA is comprised of approximately 7,524 acres with the majority acquired by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in December 1980. The terrain is extremely rugged with high ridges dropping sharply into the creek bottoms. The elevations range from 35 feet M.S.L. to approximately 245 feet M.S.L. The area is extremely unique and supports a diverse group of plants and animals including rare and endangered species. The forest overstory is a mixture of loblolly-shortleaf pine and upland hardwoods. The property consists of a variety of uneven-aged timber species, with a relatively closed canopy. On ridges, the predominant tree species are loblolly and shortleaf pine. Also present on the ridges are hickory, elm, ash, and a variety of upland oak species. The lower elevations and creek bottoms support stands of beech, magnolia, hickory, sweet gum, black gum, and oak. Important species in the understory are flowering dogwood, arrowwood, rattan, huckleberry, buckeye, greenbriar, blackberry, and grape.

SIHWMA offers many recreational opportunities for the outdoor oriented public. There are two primitive camping areas and three nature trails including a rugged 7-mile long hiking trail. Big Creek Nature Trail winds through stands of mature pine hardwoods and passes many scenic points of interest including several waterfalls. The area supports a substantial turkey population which is hunted by lottery only. A youth lottery turkey hunt is held each year on the weekend prior to the regular turkey season. Deer and squirrel hunting are popular with the public. Additional information may be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at P.O. Box 1640, Ferriday, LA 71334. Phone (318) 757-4571.