The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved consolidation of Russell Sage and Ouachita Wildlife Management Areas in action taken at the Jan. 8 commission meeting.
 
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recommended the move to provide more efficient use of resources and eliminate the need for duplicate management and resources for properties that are adjacent to one another.
 
Ouachita WMA in Ouachita Parish included 13,332 acres and Russell Sage WMA included 21,514 acres in Ouachita, Morehouse and Richland parishes. The combined tract now comprises just under 35,000 acres. The WMA, which will retain the Russell Sage name, will continue to be managed out of the department's Monroe Field Office.
 
For more information, contact Steve Smith at 225-765-2359 or ssmith@wlf.la.gov.