Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Southwest Louisiana
National Wildlife
Refuge Complex
Hunting Regulations 2022 - 2023
Cameron Prairie, Lacassine, and Sabine
Annual Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife
Refuge Complex Hunting Special Use Permit
(Cameron Prairie, Lacassine and Sabine National Wildlife
Refuges)
When signed and in your possession this special use
permit allows you to hunt on Lacassine, Cameron Prairie
and Sabine National Wildlife Refuges for the 2022 - 2023
season. Your signature acknowledges your compliance
with the regulations associated with the National Wildlife
Refuges.
Signature Date
Permits are not transferable. Expires 2/28/23.
1The Complex Hunters selected for lottery waterfowl hunts must be able to
The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex walk to hunt blinds and manually transport hunting equipment.
consists of Cameron Prairie, Lacassine, Sabine and Shell Keys Lottery hunters who are unable to use their hunt day are
National Wildlife Refuges. The Headquarters Office is located encouraged to notify the refuge as soon as possible by calling
at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The Complex 337/598 2216 or 337/774 5923.
provides a wide variety of wildlife dependent public uses Hunting Dogs
such as hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, environmental Hunters are encouraged to use retriever dogs during
education, wildlife interpretation and observation. For more waterfowl, dove and snipe hunts, but dogs must be under the
information about these or other national wildlife refuges visit control of the handler at all times.
the national wildlife refuge web site at www.fws.gov/refuges/
Access Routes
General Hunting Regulations for Cameron Access roads and trails may be closed at any time due to
Prairie, Lacassine and Sabine NWRs adverse conditions.
Hunting regulations are designed to protect the sportsman
and wildlife populations. Hunting seasons open on the Transportation of Firearms and Archery Equipment
Complex are listed in this brochure. The regulations within When traversing the refuge by boat or vehicle, all firearms and
this brochure supplement the general regulations that govern archery equipment must be unloaded and cased. An unloaded
hunting on national wildlife refuges as set forth in Title 50 firearm is defined as having no ammunition in the chamber,
Volume 6 Chapter 1 Parts 18-199 Code of Federal Regulations. magazine, cylinder, or clip when attached to the firearm.
All hunting is in accordance with applicable state licensing Unloaded archery equipment is defined as having the arrow
and regulations, unless otherwise stated in refuge specific removed from the string. Crossbows must also be un-cocked.
regulations. Harvest Data Requirements
Individuals using the refuges are subject to inspections of Each hunting party is required to complete a harvest report
licenses, hunting equipment, daily limits, boats, vehicles and form listing numbers and species of game taken. Forms may be
their contents by federal and state officers. Only the species placed in designated check station drop boxes after each hunt
listed in this brochure may be taken during the seasons or delivered to the Refuge Complex office at Cameron Prairie
indicated in this brochure. NWR.
Requirements Universal Access
Permits Individuals with Physically challenged Hunter Permits issued
The permit located on the front of this brochure, when by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) may
signed and in your possession, serves as your authorization be eligible for special access accomodations during refuge
to participate in all hunts occurring throughout the Complex, archery deer hunts. Contact Refuge Complex headquarters for
except limited lottery hunts. Permits are required for all more information.
hunters. Signing the permit acknowledges your compliance Archery Hunting
with the regulations contained herein. In addition to signing Archery hunters are encouraged to complete a certified bow
and possessing this brochure permit; youth and senior hunters’ education course.
waterfowl lottery hunters are required to comply with the
special conditions of the specific lottery hunt.
Youth and senior waterfowl hunt dates are published in area
newspapers in September each year. Applications for the
lottery waterfowl hunts are accepted September 1 through
October 1. Please contact the Complex Headquarters Office at
Cameron Prairie for hunt dates and application requirements.
Duplicate or incomplete applications will be discarded.
Successful applicants will be notified.
2 3Activities Prohibited throughout • Possession or distribution of bait while in the field and hunting
with the aid of bait, including: any grain, salt, minerals, other feed
the Refuge Complex
• Parking outside designated roads and parking areas or or non-naturally occurring attractant, on the refuge.
blocking gates or roadways with vehicles. • The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting.
• Possession of toxic shot. • Target practice with any weapon.
• Hunting within 150 yards of another hunting party. • Commercial guiding activities.
• Hunting within 50 yards of a canal, waterway, public refuge road
or designated hiking trail. Signs and Boundaries
• Construction of or occupying a permanent blind or stand.
Signs are useful tools in regulating the use of a public area.
The wording of the signs below apply to the areas behind the
• Removal of any hunting blinds or equipment owned by the U.S. signs. Pay attention to the signs, watch for boundary corners,
Fish and Wildlife Service. and check your location with the maps.
• Leaving waterfowl hunting-related equipment beyond each day’s
These signs apply to all refuges.
hunt.
• Use of air thrust boats, utility type vehicles (UTV’s), and all terrain NATIONAL This sign marks the outer refuge
vehicles (ATV’s) are prohibited unless specifically permitted. WILDLIFE
REFUGE boundary. Public entry is generally
• Use of any non-biodegradable material used as flagging or trail authorized. However, other refuges in the
markers. system may have different regulations
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY
PROHIBITED
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
concerning general entry. Always know
• Use of remote cameras. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
the regulations before entering.
• Hunting from a tree in which a metal object
has been driven to support a hunter.
AREA This sign means that the area is closed to
• Use of climbing spikes. BEYOND U.S.
FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
all entry. Do not trespass behind this sign
THIS for any reason.
• Cutting or removing any live vegetation, limbs, etc. SIGN
DE
R
PA
IO
T E
R
M
R
EN N T
T OF THE I
CLOSED
• Importing Phragmites species (a.k.a. Roseau cane) for blind All public entry prohibited
material or cover.
• Littering. All spent shells must be picked up and brought out of the
hunt area along with other trash. WATERFOWL This sign marks the boundaries of the
HUNTING
• Camping, vehicles, and vessels left on the refuge at night. ONLY
U.S.
FISH &WILDLIFE
SERVICE waterfowl hunting areas. This is the
only area of the refuge where waterfowl
• Fires. Special
hunting is allowed.
DE
PA
R
O
R TM RI
EN T TE
O F TH E I N
Regulations in
Effect-Consult
• Disturbing, collecting, injuring or attempting to disturb, collect or Manager
injure any plant, artifact, rock, specimen or animal on the refuges.
• Feeding of wildlife.
NO This sign marks the boundary of the
• Swimming. HUNTING waterfowl hunt area. No hunting past
ZONE U.S.
FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
• Horses. these signs.
DE
R
PA
IO
T E
R
M
R
EN N T
T OF THE I
• Animals or pets roaming at large. All pets must be kept on leashes
at all times.
4 5Cameron Prairie NWR Lottery Waterfowl Hunting - Special lottery hunts are held
Specific Hunting Regulations throughout the LA West zone duck and coot waterfowl season.
Cameron Prairie established in 1988, is located in Cameron Hunters 17 years of age and younger and adults 55 years of
Parish in southwestern Louisiana. The refuge is composed age and older will be allowed to apply. Additional permits are
of fresh marsh, impoundments and former agriculture fields. required. Permits will designate hunt day and blind number.
Cameron Prairie NWR consists of two separate and distinct Only ducks, geese, gallinules, and coots may be taken.
units, East Cove Unit and Gibbstown Unit. The East Cove Unit Big Game Hunting Regulations - Archery hunting of
is closed to all hunting. Prohibited Activities are listed on white-tailed deer is permitted throughout the refuge, except
pages 3 and 4. designated closed areas, in accordance with state WMA
general regulations and bag limits. Equipment use follows
Gibbstown Unit Waterfowl and Upland Game Hunts state approved archery equipment regulations. Deer may only
Youth/senior waterfowl, snipe, dove, and big game hunts are be taken with archery equipment. The refuge season is open
permitted in designated areas only. Adults may supervise no from October 1 through the Friday before the LA West zone
more than two youths on waterfowl, snipe and dove hunts duck and coot season starts. Hunters may not enter the hunting
and no more than one youth for big game hunts. Youths are area earlier than 4 am and may not remain later than two
generally defined as those individuals 17 years of age or hours after sunset. Each hunter must complete and turn in a
younger. Youths under the age of 16 may hunt without hunter Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359), available from a
education certification if they are accompanied by and under self-clearing check station, after each hunt.
direct supervision of a person born before September 1, 1969
that has a valid hunting license; or they are accompanied by Deer Stands - Only portable deer stands may be used.
and under the direct supervision of a person who is 18 years Hunters may place deer stands on the refuge 1 day before the
of age or older and has proof of successful completion of a deer archery season and must remove them from the refuge
hunter education course approved by Louisiana Department within 1 day after the season closes. Hunters may place only
of Wildlife and Fisheries. Direct supervision means that the one deer stand on the refuge, and deer stands must have
person being supervised is within a normal audible voice owner’s name, address, and phone number clearly printed on
contact and in direct line of sight of the supervising person at stand. Hunters must place stands in non-hunting position at
all times while hunting. The supervising adult is responsible ground level when not in use.
for ensuring that youth hunters do not engage in conduct that ATV Use - ATV use is prohibited except to physically
would constitute a violation of refuge regulations. challenged archery hunters in possession of a valid Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Physically Challenged
Hunter Permit and Refuge Special Use permit. Physically
Challenged Hunter ATV trails are open October 1 through
the Friday before the LA West zone duck and coot waterfowl
season starts. ATV’s may only be used by appropriately
permitted individuals on designated levees and roads.
Snipe and Dove Hunting - Snipe hunting opens on the
refuge on the day following the closure of the LA West zone
duck and coot season in accordance with state regulations.
Dove hunting on the refuge is open all days of the first split
of the state Dove season. Both Snipe and Dove hunting is in
Levee
accordance with LA hunting regulations with the exceptions
that only approved non-toxic shot may be used.
Closed Areas - Hunting is prohibited in “No Hunting Zones”
Boardwalk located around the visitor center, maintenance shop area and
the area within the Pintail Wildlife Drive (see map). Other areas
closed to hunting for management purposes are designated by
“Area Closed” or ‘No Hunting Zone’ signs on the refuge.
6 7Cameron Prairie NWR Lacassine NWR Sabine NWR
Deer - archery (either sex) October 1 through the Friday October 1 through the Friday Not available
before the LA West zone duck before the LA West zone duck
and coot waterfowl season and coot waterfowl season
starts. starts.
Bag limit - in accordance Bag limit - in accordance
with state regulations. with state regulations.
Waterfowl Hunt Scouting Not available Entire fishing season Entire fishing season
(Mar 15-Oct 15) &
(Mar 15-Oct 15) &
Mon-Fri during the week
Mon-Fri during the week prior to LA West zone duck
prior to LA West zone duck and coot season starts.
and coot season starts.
Waterfowl General Hunt Not available Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun during Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun during
LA West zone duck and coot LA West zone duck and coot
season and September teal season and September teal
season. season.
Designated areas only. Designated areas only.
Closed Friday. Closed Friday.
Waterfowl Lottery Hunts Select days during the LA Not available Not available
(Youth: 17 years of age and West zone duck and coot
younger) season.
By permit only.
Waterfowl Lottery Hunts Select days during the LA Not available Not available
(Seniors: 55 - years of age West zone duck and coot
and older) season.
By permit only.
Walk-in Youth/Senior Not available Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun during Not available
Waterfowl Hunt LA West zone duck and coot
season and September teal
(Youth: 17 years of age and season.
younger; Seniors: 55 years of
age and older) Designated areas only.
Closed Friday.
Snipe Opens on the day following Not available Not available
closure of LA West zone duck
and coot season.
Dove Open first split of LA dove Not available Not available
season only.
Alligator Lottery Hunts Not available Not available Not available
8 9Lacassine NWR Specific Hunting Regulations than 4 people and all members must be within normal audible
Lacassine was established in 1937 to preserve wintering voice contact and in direct line of sight of each other. Seniors
habitat for waterfowl in the coastal prairie of southwestern are defined as adults 55 years of age and older; youth are
Louisiana. Refuge habitat consists of approximately 34,878 defined as individuals 17 years of age or younger. All refuge
acres of freshwater marshes and scattered uplands. The refuge waterfowl hunt regulations apply.
is noted for its large concentrations of waterfowl and other Parking available in designated refuge parking areas. No
species of wildlife. trailers permitted. ATV use is prohibited. Hand carried, hand
Waterfowl and big game hunts are permitted in designated launched non-motorized watercraft may be used. Blocking
areas only. Adults may supervise no more than two youths gates and driveways is prohibited.
on waterfowl hunts and no more than one youth for big game Big Game Hunting Regulations - Archery hunting of
hunts. Youths are generally defined as those individuals 17 white-tailed deer is permitted in designated refuge areas (see
years of age or younger. Youths under the age of 16 may hunt map) in accordance with state WMA general regulations and
without hunter education certification if they are accompanied bag limits. Equipment use follows state approved archery
by and under direct supervision of a person born before equipment regulations. Deer may only be taken with archery
September 1, 1969 that has a valid hunting license; or they are equipment. The refuge season is open from October 1 through
accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person the Friday before the LA West zone duck and coot season
who is 18 years of age or older and has proof of successful starts. Each hunter must complete and turn in a Big Game
completion of a hunter education course approved by Louisiana Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359) available from a self-
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Direct supervision means clearing check station, after each hunt.
that the person being supervised is within a normal audible
voice contact and in direct line of sight of the supervising Deer Stands - Only portable deer stands may be used.
person at all times while hunting. The supervising adult is Hunters may place deer stands on the refuge 1 day before the
responsible for ensuring that youth hunters do not engage in deer archery season and must remove them from the refuge
conduct that would constitute a violation of refuge regulations. within 1 day after the season closes. Hunters may place only
one deer stand on the refuge, and deer stands must have
Safety - Hunters are cautioned that motorboat travel on the owner’s name, address, and phone number clearly printed on
refuge may be hazardous due to water conditions, weather, and stand. Hunters must place stands in non-hunting position at
restricted view from vegetation. ground level when not in use. Placing of deer stand does not
Waterfowl Hunting Regulations - Only ducks, geese, reserve the spot.
gallinules, and coots may be taken. See map for areas open to ATV Use - ATV use is prohibited except to physically
waterfowl hunting. challenged archery hunters in possession of a valid Louisiana
Hunt Period - Hunting is permitted on Wednesday, Thursday, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Phycially Challenged
Saturday and Sunday of the LA teal and West zone duck and Hunter Permit and Refuge Special Use Permit. Physically
coot waterfowl seasons. The refuge is closed to hunting during Challenged Hunter ATV trails are open October 1 through the
the goose-only portion of the waterfowl seasons. Hunters can Friday before the Louisiana West zone duck and coot waterfowl
enter the refuge and launch boats no earlier than 4 am and may season starts. ATV’s may only be used by appropriately
not remain on the refuge later than 2 pm. All decoys and blinds permitted individuals on designated levees and roads.
must be removed from the refuge daily. Prohibited Activities during
Scouting - Hunters may scout refuge hunt areas during the Big Game Hunting or Waterfowl Hunting
refuge open fishing season, March 15 through October 15, Hunting in the headquarters area along Nature Road and along
and Monday through Friday during the one week prior to the Lacassine Pool Wildlife Drive.
opening of the LA West zone duck and coot season. Possession Boats in Lacassine Pool and Unit D from October 16 through
of blind material while scouting is prohibited. March 14.
Walk-In Youth/Senior Hunt Area - Unit B is a youth and Boats with motors larger than 40 horsepower in Lacassine Pool.
senior walk-in hunt area. All hunt parties must include at least
Use of motors including trolling motors is prohibited in
one youth or senior participant. Hunt parties can be no larger
designated wilderness areas (see map).
10 11Lacassine
National Wildlife Refuge
14
Not to scale
UNIT F
4 miles to
LA 14
LA 3056
8 miles to Bell City
Illinois Plant Road
4 miles to LA 14
N r Road
Streete
Nature Road
The Duck Pond Garys Landing
Tidewater
UNIT C UNIT UNIT B
Road
A
North North Willow Cutoff RIVER
Lake Boat
Ramp
Willow Island
UNIT D To Lake Arthur
U
Lone NTA
Cypress ME
e
al r’s
R
n
Cantreete
Zo
ME
OU
S
Long
BAY
n ly Cutoff
t O
South
NE
L A C A S S I N E P O O L
Pond
n
SI
Brown
u
AS
Twin Island
LAC
r H
Bell City Drainage Canal
Sisters Short
e Cutoff
y De
r
he
GRAND LAKE
Mango
c
Ar
Ridge
Blue Grove Target Area
Onion Hill Lacassine Legend
Black Grove
terw ay MUD
LAPoint
C ASSINE
P O IN T
al Wa
M UD Waterfowl Hunting Area
o a s t LAKE
L A KELA K
ntrac al Refuge Boundary
Gulf I peline Can Roads
Pi
7 miles to
LLATANIA
ATANIA Boat Runs
Gibbstow LALAKE
KE
n Levee
I TT
LE
Wildlife Drive
L
LAK
Refuge Waterways
~
E
Non-Refuge Waterways
LAKE Wilderness Area
Headquarters Complex:
M I S E RE 0 Miles 1
Office, Visitor Contact
0 Kilo 1 Station, Maintenance
Area, Boathouse
Public Boat Launching
Observation Area
Parking Area
Handicapped Fishing Pier
Water Control Structure
Boat Crossing
Walk-in youth/senior
waterfowl hunt area
Archery deer hunt only zone
12 13Latitude/Longitude Coordinates:
Sabine River
Sabine Legend
1 Trapper Shack:
N National Wildlife Refuge
Cameron Prairie, Louisiana Hackberry
Refuge Boundary
Black Bayou Hunting Area (Non-toxic Shot Only)
29° 52’ 42.0 N 93° 31’ 45.6” W
2 N Entrance to Beach Boat Trail: A-E Hunt Units
NORTHLINE CANAL
29° 57‘ 46.4 N 93° 31’ 44.5” W 4 Refuge Headquarters
2 Beach
3 S Entrance to Beach Boat Trail: Boat
Trail 27 Boat Launch
29° 56‘ 34.2 N 93° 31’ 44.4” W
3 CALCASIEU Parking
4 Fork to Black Bayou or Northline Canal: E
29° 57‘ 21.8 N 93° 38’ 39.2” W SABINE Five
N. Backridge
Lake x
LAKE
x No boat access EAST beyond this point
BURTON CANAL
Three Lakes
BEACH CANAL
LAKE
5 N Entry/Exit from Canal to Unit D: x
DITCH
Bayous S. Backridge No boat access WEST beyond this point
Lake HOG
29° 52‘ 43.8 N 93° 38’ 50.9” W
x No boat access SOUTH beyond this point
GRAY’S
Willow ISLAND
Bayou 1 GULLY
NA GE
S. Backridge Lake
CA K RID
WILLOW BAYOU CANAL 5 CENTRAL CANAL CANAL Canals
L
x
C
BA
Rita
Lake
x Lorem
West ipsum
Cove Canals open to boat travel
12 Burton D Old North C Trapper B Recreation Area
62
27 171 165 Lake Bayou Lake Shack Lake Former canal inaccessible
Sulphur Lake Charles West Cove
x Central Canal Road
LA
TX
90
27 SOUTH LINE CANAL A
Beaumont
87 x x 82 Highways
287 27 Johnson’s
Port Sabine CALCASIEU Bayou Deep Towns
Arthur National Wildlife Refuge LAKE GAR FISH CANAL Cameron
Bayou
LA BINE
Old North
Oyster Ferry
KE
Old East
SA
Bayou Cameron
87
82
Bayou Lake
Mud
G U
L F O F M E X I
C O Lake 27
82 0 Miles 4.5
Hamilton Lake Holly Beach
Constance
Beach
82 0 Kilo 4.5
Johnsons Bayou Gulf of Mexico
Sabine Wildlife Refuge Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Direct supervision means Hunter Access and Boating Regulations - Motorized boats
Specific Hunting Regulations that the youth hunter is within normal audible voice contact and may enter the refuge from the southwestern West Cove Recreation
Sabine NWR was established in 1937 and is one of the primary in direct line of sight of the supervising adult at all times while Area boat launch or through Burton Canal via Black Bayou from
wintering refuges for waterfowl in the Mississippi Flyway. This hunting. The supervising adult is responsible for ensuring that the north (see map). Dragging boats across levees is prohibited.
refuge consists of 125,000 acres of marsh with numerous ridges, youth hunters do not engage in conduct that would constitute a Outboard motors and go-devil type or air-cooled motors may be
bayous, ponds, lakes, manmade canals and levees, and wooded violation of refuge regulations. operated only in designated refuge lakes, canals, bayous, and
islands. The area available for hunting is approximately 34,000 Beach Boat Trail. Operation of trolling motors is permitted.
Scouting - Hunters may scout refuge hunt areas during the
acres. refuge’s open fishing season (March 15 – October 15) and Monday Walk-in hunters and hunters launching small boats (i.e., boats
through Friday during the week immediately prior to the opening without a trailer, such as kayaks) may access Hunt Unit E from
Public hunting of ducks, geese, gallinules, and coots is only Central Canal Road. No trailers are allowed on Central Canal Road.
permitted in designated areas of Sabine NWR. Adults may of the LA West Zone duck and coot season. Possession of blind
material while scouting is prohibited. As required by State law, all non-motorized boats must have white
supervise no more than two youths. Youths are defined as lights visible from all sides of the vessel.
individuals 17 years of age or younger. Youths under the age of Hunt Period - Hunting is permitted only on Wednesdays,
16 may hunt without Hunter Education Certification if they are Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the LA West Zone duck Safety - Hunters are cautioned that motorboat travel on the refuge
accompanied by and under the direct supervision of an adult born and coot waterfowl seasons and September teal season. Hunters may be hazardous due to water conditions, weather, and restricted
before September 1, 1969, who has a valid hunting license; or if may enter the refuge and launch boats no earlier than 4 am. Hunters view due to vegetation. Most of the lakes are 12” to 24” in depth.
they are accompanied by and under direct supervision of an adult may not remain on the refuge after 2 pm. All decoys and blinds must It is important to know your boat and motor operational limits so
who is 18 years of age or older and who has proof of successful be removed from the refuge daily. The refuge is closed to all hunting you can enter and leave hunt areas safely.
completion of a Hunter Education course approved by the Louisiana during the goose-only portion of the waterfowl seasons.
14 15 16Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge
Complex Headquarters and Cameron Prairie
1428 Highway 27
Bell City, LA 70630
Phone: 337/598 2216 (Temporary alternate: 337/774 5923)
Fax: 337/598 2492
Website:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Cameron_Prairie/
July 2022
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