The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has published twelve draft forest management prescriptions for nine Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that are now available for review.
The prescriptions, which provide habitat management plans, include the following:
- Bayou Macon Compartment 13
- Big Lake Compartment 11
- Boeuf Compartment 13
- Buckhorn Compartment 8
- Dewey Wills Compartment 23
- Dewey Wills Compartment 26
- Little River Compartment 6
- Little River Compartment 12
- Richard K. Yancey Compartment RR17
- Russell Sage Compartment 14
- Russell Sage Compartment Ou10
- Sherburne WMA South Farm
The above documents detail proposed methods to improve, maintain, and sustain wildlife habitat while providing quality wildlife-oriented recreational improvements and growing quality timber resources for the long-term.
Each document includes a description of the area to be addressed within each WMA, the current condition of each forest type found within the compartment, the soil types and hydrology of the area, and wildlife habitat conditions.
Plans also include management objectives, management concerns, and how areas of concern will be addressed to enhance or sustain the forest and wildlife habitat. Timber harvest is often the most feasible means to manipulate forest habitat for the management of wildlife, providing short and long-term benefits.
Comments on the plans must be as specific as possible and be provided by Aug. 26.
Comments can be made in writing to Donald Locascio at LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898 or emailed to dlocascio@wlf.la.gov.