The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will close the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area in St. Tammany Parish when the Pearl River flood gauge reaches 16.5 feet, which is expected to happen sometime Monday. The closure is an automatic benchmark as set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
 
The gate at the entrance to the WMA on Old Hwy. 11 will be closed and locked when the flood gauge reaches 16.5 feet. Included in the closure is the Pearl River-Honey Island Shooting Range, located in the Pearl River WMA.
 
Increasing water levels in the Pearl River has caused backwater flooding in the WMA. Once the water recedes, LDWF will inspect, repair and reopen the WMA when deemed safe for travel. 
 
The Pearl River WMA, which consists of 35,618 acres, is located approximately six miles east of Slidell and approximately one mile east of Pearl River.
 
For information on this WMA, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2789 or contact Forest Burks at fburks@wlf.la.gov or 985-543-4781.