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Thistlethwaite WMA
The terrain on Thistlethwaite WMA is generally flat bottomland, with a gentle north-south slope. Drainage is slow, with standing water after heavy rains. Forest cover is predominantly water, willow, overcup, white, cherrybark, nuttall, cow, and post oak. Other species are bitter and sweet pecan, hickory, hackberry, sweetgum, ash, elm, and maple. The lower areas contain cypress and tupelo gum. There is a dense understory of palmetto in many areas of the WMA. Selective timber harvesting has enhanced browse species such as dogwood, redbud, elderberry, French mulberry, greenbrier, rattan, and blackberry.
For more information,
contact Schuyler Dartez at
sdartez@wlf.la.gov or
337-262-2080.
WMA Details
Acreage
11,100 acres
Parishes
St. Landry, Evangeline, Avoyelles, and Rapides parishes
Owner/Manager
Thistlethwaite Heirs
Activities and Amenities
Hunting and Trapping
Available game species include deer, squirrel, rabbit, wood duck, and woodcock. The deer herd is high-quality—hunters take many trophy bucks on this WMA. There is a youth deer season. Trapping for furbearers is permitted; species include beaver, raccoon, mink, bobcat, otter, and opossum. See LDWF's seasons and regulations for details.
Birding
Hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and neotropical migrant songbirds are common on Thistlethwaite WMA.
Hiking
LDWF maintains approximately 1 mile of wooded trails on the WMA.
Hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and neotropical migrant songbirds are common on Thistlethwaite WMA.
Directions
Address: 522 Plant Rd. Washington, La 70589
Thistlethwaite WMA is located immediately northeast of Washington off Louisiana Highway 10. You can also access the WMA via I-49 at the Lebeau exit. LDWF maintains 17 miles of improved roads on the WMA.