Louisiana’s Governor Jindal Announces Addition of 29,630 Acres to Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area
OutdoorHub 10.02.11
Sept. 30, 2011 — Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced the availability of 29,630 new acres to the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for hunting and other outdoor activities.
Governor Jindal said, “With this newly acquired land,hunters and fisherman in Southeast Louisiana will now have access to more than 100,000 acres to hunt, fish and enjoy Louisiana’s natural treasures, which are easily accessible from our major metropolitan areas. The addition of tens of thousands of acres of hunting grounds is great news for our hunters who are gearing up for the start of big and small game hunting season on October 1st.”
A partnership with the Conservation Fund for 29,630 acres between the eastern and western tracts of the WMA will increase the combined total acreage of public recreation lands to more than 100,000 acres located within Ascension, Livingston, St. James and St. John parishes.
“We continue to look for opportunities to expand public outdoor recreation options through the wildlife management program,” said Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham. “We encourage hunters to utilize these new public hunting grounds during the 2011-12 season.”
The new acreage includes flooded cypress tupelo swamp. Prominent plant species include bulltongue, cattails, submerged aquatics, red maple, and limited oak species consisting mostly of live oak, striped (nuttall) oak, and water oak.
The perimeter boundary of the new acreage is being marked with LDWF signage to alert the public.
The primary access into the area is by boat but there are several portions that can be accessed by foot. Major highways crossing through the area are Interstate 10, Interstate 55, US 61, and LA 641. Major waterways in the area include the Blind River, Dutch Bayou, Mississippi Bayou, Petite Amite and the Reserve Flood Relief Canal. WMA users can acquire the self clearing permits required to enter the area from nine kiosks located throughout the WMA.
Game hunted within the WMA includes whitetail deer, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl and raccoons. Freshwater fish, such as largemouth bass, perch, and crappie are favorites of anglers within the WMA. Trapping for alligators and nutria is allowed each year with proper permitting.
Bald eagles nest in and around the area along with many other species of birds. Bird watching, sightseeing and boating are additional activities that can be enjoyed on the WMA.
For more information, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma or contact Bo Boehringer at 225-765-5115 or bboehringer@wlf.la.gov.
