ECOTOURISM

Region 1

BAYOU PIERRE WMA is a small state-owned WMA that is being converted from abandoned farmland to a mixture of bottomland forest, moist soil areas and dove fields. Camping is presently not allowed but primitive camping may be allowed in the future. The area is known as an excellent bird watching area particularly during the spring and fall migrations. Bayou Pierre WMA is a good to excellent mid-winter area to view several species of hawks and waterfowl.

BODCAU WMA - The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains several camping and picnic sites on the WMA. The Tom Merrill Camping / South Abutment Areas offers 32 campsites, picnic areas, small boat launches, and comfort stations. Reservations and fee information can be obtained from the USCOE Bodcau Office at (318) 949-1804.

The 3/4 mile John Haygood Nature Trail is located near the Durden House Education Center. Hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching opportunities are available. The habitat on the 32,000 acre area ranges from seasonally flooded cypress swamps to upland pine/hardwood forests. The area in interspersed with numerous maintained fields and natural areas that support plant species normally found only in states west of Louisiana.

JACKSON BIENVILLE WMA is free-leased to the LDWF by Weyerhaeuser and several private landowners. Camping is not allowed on the area but primitive camping is available for a small fee at two camping area just off the WMA along LA Hwy. 147. The 32,000 plus acres support habitat ranging from small, bottomland hardwood drainages to intensively managed upland forests. The area supports and is managed for the protected red-cockaded woodpecker. Jackson Bienville WMA also offers a scenic vista where visitors can view Louisiana's highest point - Driskill Mountain (elevation 535 feet). The area is criss-crossed with numerous rights-of-ways which provide good viewing of numerous wildlife species.

LOGGY BAYOU WMA - A relatively small area, less than 7,000 acres, is one of last remaining forested bottomland areas in Northwest Louisiana. The habitat ranges from bottomland cypress swamps to reforested hardwood forests. The area is known as a good birdwatching area due the limited amount of similar habitat in Northwest Louisiana and its diverse habitat. Vehicle access is limited. Primitive camp grounds are available.

SODA LAKE WMA is free-leased to the LDWF and is restricted to foot and bicycle access. The area is known as a wildlife viewing area with the main activity being bridwatching primarily during the spring and fall migration periods. Campgrounds are not available.

Region 3

DEWEY WILLS WMA- Various trails (all ATV trails that are open to ATV use in hunting season only but provide hiking opportunity the rest of the year), Nature Trail, Year-round ATV Trail, Canoeing (no canoe trails but plenty of small waterways, boat traffic in some areas would be a concern), Primitive and RV camping (No RV hookups), Birding (bottomland hardwoods, associated waterways, and adjacent Catahoula Lake)

LITTLE RIVER WMA- Various trails (all ATV trails that are open to ATV use in hunting season only but provide hiking opportunity the rest of the year), Year-round ATV Trail, Canoeing (no canoe trails but Little River itself is a Louisiana Scenic River and provides excellent but little known canoeing opportunity), Primitive and RV Camping (No RV hookups), Birding (bottomland hardwoods, upland pine, and upland hardwood/pine)

ELBOW SLOUGH WMA- Birding (Previously Agricultural land planted in hardwoods, very limited opportunity)

CAMP BEAUREGARD WMA- Various Trails (hiking, etc.), Canoeing (no canoe trails but two small lakes and Flagon Bayou which is a bottomland cypress bayou), Primitive and RV camping (availability subject to discretion of La National Guard), Birding (upland pine and pine/hardwood with interspersed hardwood creek bottoms, flagon creek bottomland)

ALEXANDER STATE FOREST WMA- Various Trails (Hiking, etc.), 4 Picnic Areas, Canoeing/Boating (In Indian Creek Reservoir, no canoe trails), Primitive and RV Camping (Very popular area, camping in recreation area managed by Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry), Birding (upland pine, upland pine/hardwood, cypress/tupelo, and hardwood bottoms), Nature Trail

SABINE WMA- Various Trails (Hiking, etc., many ATV trails that are open to ATV use in hunting season only but provide hiking opportunity the rest of the year), Primitive and RV camping (No RV hookups), Birding (Upland pine with interspersed hardwood bottoms)

Region 4

RED RIVER WMA, THREE RIVERS WMA, BOEUF WMA, and SICILY ISLAND HILLS WMA have public, primitive (no facilities or hookups) campgrounds.

BIG LAKE WMA has a campground, but it is privately owned (fees charged).

SICILY ISLAND HILLS WMA has an exceptional Nature Trail and Hiking Trail System, with rugged topography, sharp ridges and deep wooded creek bottoms (very unique topography for Louisiana), even a waterfall.

A brand new Nature Trail and elevated boardwalk are currently being constructed on BUCKHORN WMA, with a possible campground to be added.

Region 5

This region has 270,000 acres of land within the WMA system; all but 1,000 acres are leased from private landowners.

CLEAR CREEK WMA (60,000 ac. / Allen Parish) - Leased from Forest Capital Partners LLC (Timber Company)

Habitat - Pine Plantation with numerous creeks
One primitive campground
Main species hunted deer and turkey
Non-consumptive activities horse back riding, hiking and bird watching (No Established Nature Trails)

WEST BAY WMA (54,000 ac. /Vernon Parish) - Leased from Forest Capital Partners LLC, Roy O. Martin and Forest Investment (Timber Companies)

Habitat - Pine Plantation with numerous creeks
Three primitive campgrounds
Main species hunted deer and turkey
Non-consumptive activities horse back riding, hiking and bird watching (No Established Nature Trails)

FORT POLK and PEASON RIDGE WMA (105,000 and 33,000 ac. / Vernon Parish) - Leased from U.S. Army and U.S. Forest Service Both are Military Bases and must follow military rules/regulations

Habitat - Mixed pine/hardwood numerous creeks
No campgrounds on area but there are campground on U.S. Forest land south of Fort Polk WMA which is open all year for public use.
Main species hunted deer, turkey and hogs
Non-consumptive activities limited due to military training activities

SABINE ISLAND WMA (9,000 ac. / Calcasieu Parish) - Leases from State of Louisiana, Calcasieu Parish School Board and Molpus Timber Company

Habitat - Hardwood River bottom (Two islands in the Sabine River between Texas and Louisiana) Numerous sloughs and bayous cross the area and access is by boat only

(Note: Area was severally impacted by Hurricane Rita as much as 50% of the trees were blown down)
No campgrounds on the area but there is a park, Niblett Bluff Park, adjacent to the area for public use with all hook-ups available
(Niblett Bluff Park is closed until June or July 2006 due to damage from Hurricane Rita)
Main species hunted squirrels and deer
Fishing bass, bream, crappie and catfish
Non-consumptive activities boat riding/skiing and bird watching

Region 6

Birding is available on all WMAs in Region 6.

Canoeing, Camping and Birding is available year round on the WMAs.

Nature trail hiking is usually not encouraged during the Either-Sex Hunts for deer and During the Turkey Season on Sherburne, Grassy and Spring Bayou WMAs, due to Safety concerns.

ATTAKAPAS WMA: 2 Camping areas, Primitive Camping only, Canoeing is available, but we do not have any marked canoeing trails

SHERBURNE WMA : 2 Nature Trails, each about ½ mile long. 2 Camping Areas, Primitive Camping Only, Canoeing is available in Big and Little Alabama, but no Canoe Trails marked. Birding is very popular on Sherburne, there are two organized Birding Events on the WMA every year put on by the La. Birding Organizations. Those Birding events are usually listed on the La. Birding Web Page.

SPRING BAYOU WMA: Camping Area, Fee Charged, Electricity and water in Campground. Fee is $10.00 per day. Nature Trail about ½ mile long. Canoeing is available at Spring Bayou, but there are no Canoeing Trails marked.

GRASSY LAKE WMA: 2 Primitive Camping areas. Canoeing is available, but no Canoeing Trails marked. Nature Trail about ½ mile long.

POMME DE TERRE WMA: 1 Primitive Camping area. Canoeing is available, but no Canoeing Trails marked.

ELM HALL WMA: Canoeing is available, but no Canoeing Trails marked.

ACADIANA CONSERVATION CORRIDOR: Canoeing is available, but no Canoeing Trails marked.

Region 7

SANDY HOLLOW WMA - various trails (hiking, etc.), primitive Camping, and Birding

BEN'S CREEK WMA - various trails, primitive camping, birding

PEARL RIVER WMA - nature trail and other trails, primitive camping, birding, canoeing (no canoe trails)

TUNICA HILLS WMA - nature trail and other trails, birding

LAKE RAMSEY WMA - various trails, birding

JOYCE WMA - swamp walk (nature trail), birding, canoeing (no canoe trails)

MANCHAC WMA - birding, canoeing (no canoe trails)

MAUREPAS SWAMP WMA - nature trail, canoeing (no canoe trails), birding

HUTCHINSON CREEK WMA - birding