Fort Polk-Vernon WMA

Fort Polk-Vernon WMA is a military training facility. The area has many all-weather roads, which make all portions accessible for recreational use when it is open.

The WMA’s terrain is primarily rolling hills interspersed with flats. There are several fairly large stream bottoms in addition to numerous small creeks. Longleaf pine dominates about 70 percent of the area. Blackjack, sandjack, and red and post oaks are scattered throughout the pines. The understory is very sparse and is composed of wax myrtle, dogwood, huckleberry, yaupon, French mulberry, and seedlings of the overstory.

For more information,
contact Kori Legleu at
klegleu@wlf.la.gov or
337-491-2299.

The creek bottom overstory consists of willow, water, and cow oak; beech; sweetgum; blackgum; and magnolia. The understory contains seedlings of the overstory as well as red and white bay, sweetleaf, ironweed, fetterbush, wild azalea, gallberry, deciduous holly, and viburnums. The area also has bog communities with unusual plant forms such as butterwort, sundew, pitcher plant, and sphagnum moss.

U.S. Army Fort Polk Website

Conservation Area Details

Acreage

105,545 acres

Parishes

Vernon Parish

Owner/Manager

U.S. Army, U.S. Forest Service

Fort Polk Vernon WMA Map (PDF)

Activities and Amenities

Hunting and Trapping

Game species available for hunting include deer, squirrel, quail, woodcock, dove, rabbit, and turkey. There is a youth turkey lottery hunt. Trapping is allowed for raccoon, fox, bobcat, skunk, opossum, beaver, mink, and coyote. See LDWF's seasons and regulations for details.

Birding and Wildlife Viewing

There are numerous species of birds on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA, including the threatened red-cockaded woodpecker.

Camping

Camping is not permitted on Fort Polk-Vernon WMA, but there are camping areas available on nearby U.S. Forest Service lands.

Physically challenged wheelchair-confined deer hunting areas are available by reservation on Fort Polk-Vernon.

Physically Challenged Hunter Permit Information

Directions

Address: 5704 Lookout Rd., Fort Polk, LA 71459

Fort Polk-Vernon WMA is located 10 miles southeast of Leesville, just east of U.S. Highway 171, 1 mile south of Louisiana Highway 28, and 1 mile north of Louisiana Highway 10.