Acreage: 50,971 Acres

Owned: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Parish: Caldwell and Catahoula Parish

Office: Region 4, Ferriday Office

 

P.O. Box 1640

Ferriday 71334, LA

Phone: (318) 757-4571

Email: lmoak@wlf.louisiana.gov

 

  Map 1

 

Description:

Boeuf Wildlife Management Area is located in Caldwell and Catahoula Parishes, 10 miles southeast of Columbia. Major routes to the area are Louisiana Highways 4, 559, 133 and 848. Parish roads provide access to the interior from the north, south, and west, with Boeuf River providing boat access along the eastern boundary. There is a system of unimproved roads and trails but four-wheel drive vehicles or ATV's are necessary during wet periods. Boeuf is approximately 50,971 acres of bottomland hardwoods and wetland habitat purchased by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Acquisitions to the area have been steady since the initial purchase in 1977. The terrain is flat and poorly drained, with numerous backwater lakes, sloughs, and bayous. Areas of Boeuf are subject to frequent flooding from Boeuf River and Bayou Lafourche. The forest overstory is a relatively closed stand of mixed bottomland hardwoods. On higher elevations the predominant tree species are willow oak, water oak, Nuttall's oak, rock elm, sweetgum, and persimmon. Important species in the lower elevations are overcup oak, bitter pecan, and honey locust, with cypress and tupelo gum being found in sloughs and old lakes. Understory species include deciduous holly, hawthorn, swamp privet, rattan, greenbriar and grape.

Boeuf Wildlife Management Area offers many recreational opportunities for sportsmen, trappers, commercial fishermen, and other groups interested in the outdoors. Game species available for hunting include deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, ducks, turkeys, quail, doves, woodcock and snipe. Alligator hunters are selected by public lottery, and 35 alligator tags are issued for the WMA. A greentree reservoir and several moist soil impoundments are available for waterfowl and other wetland species. These areas along with the natural waterways, sloughs, and brakes offer excellent waterfowl hunting and viewing potential. Two dove fields provide further recreation for sportsmen. Turkeys were released on the area in the 1960's, but the turkey flock has not expanded due to severe annual flooding events. Boeuf has three designated camping areas and ten boat launches open to the public. Additional information may be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1640, Ferriday, LA 71334. Phone (318) 757-4571.

 

Regulations: