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Refuge Facts

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge was established on October 27, 2000 as the 526th refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It is located near the town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, which is 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. The refuge was established to conserve, restore, and manage native forested wetland habitats for migratory birds, aquatic resources, and endangered and threatened plants and animals. Additionally, it was created to encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, and conservation organizations to promote public awareness of resources of the refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

In 2000, The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana purchased the land that would become Cat Island NWR. The land was acquired by the Fish and Wildlife Service in stages. In 2003, the refuge size increased to its current size of 9,623 acres. The Congressionally- approved acquisition boundary is 36,500 acres.

Natural History:

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is along the southern-most unleveed portion of the lower Mississippi River and floods in most years. The refuge is home to many fish, wildlife and plant resources. The forested wetlands of the refuge are home to the Federally listed Louisiana black bear. The Mississippi River is a major bird migration corridor and the refuge is located within an area of high importance for neotropical migratory birds, including the swallow-tailed kite, which is a species of special concern. Other wildlife found in the area include white-tailed deer, bobcat, mink, river otter, wild turkey, black-crowned night-heron, wood duck, blue-winged teal, woodcock, solitary sandpiper, greater yellowlegs, prothonotary warbler, northern parula, pileated woodpecker, green treefrog, and red-eared slider.

Several habitat types including overcup oak-bitter pecan, hackberry-elm-ash, nuttall oak-ash- sweetgum, and shrub-scrub swamp occur on the refuge. The most unique type, however, is old growth baldcypress-tupelo. Many of the baldcypress trees are estimated to be 500 to 1,000 years old. In fact, the National Champion baldcypress, which is also the largest tree of any species east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is found in the refuge. The National Champion baldcypress tree is located 4.8 miles from the entrance gate of the refuge.

Access:

The refuge is inundated by the river to varying degrees, generally between January and June. The refuge is accessible by vehicle when the Mississippi River gauge reading in Baton Rouge is less than about 26'. A series of gates have been installed along the road, which allow access as the Mississippi River rises and falls. No access to the National Champion baldcypress tree is available once the Mississippi River gauge in Baton Rouge reaches 26'. All vehicular access to the refuge ends at 31'.

**Please note: For gauge data, refer to http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/rva.shtml.

Public Use Opportunities:

The refuge is open everyday during daylight hours.

**Exceptions: The refuge will be closed November 1-2 and December 6-7, 2008 for the quota deer hunts.**

Aerial photographs of the refuge are for sale at the Tourist Information Center, located on Ferdinand Street in downtown St. Francisville.

Hiking: There are currently about 4 miles of hiking trails on the refuge. Wildlife watching and photography may be enjoyed while hiking on the refuge. All designated hiking trails are located in "no hunting zones".

• The Blackfork Trail is a 2 1/2 to 3-mile hike (depending on which trails you take). The trail follows along the meandering Blackfork Bayou and has picturesque views of cypress trees. The hike is graded as “easy.” It is advised that proper hiking foot wear or rubber boots be worn on hikes most of the year, due to potentially muddy conditions. The trailhead is an approximately 1 ¾-mile drive from the refuge entrance. Future plans will extend this hike for several miles.
• The Big Cypress Trail hike leads to the National Champion cypress tree. The trail is covered with gravel and is graded as “easy.” The tree is located about ½-mile from the parking area (for a total hike of 1 ½-mile). The trailhead is a 5-mile drive from the refuge entrance.

Refuge Permits for 2008-09 hunting season will be sold beginning July 1, 2008. They will be valid July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

Special Recreational Activity Permit: An annual Special Recreational Activity Permit is now required for all hunters and fishermen 16-years of age and older. Permits are available for purchase everyday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum and Tourist Information Center , located at 11757 Ferdinand Street, St. Francisville , LA.

Hunting: The refuge is open for hunting. Please see the refuge hunting and fishing regulations brochure for complete information. Hunters are required to sign in and out of the refuge and to record their harvest. Two "no hunting zones" are located on the refuge in the vicinity of the Blackfork Trail and Big Cypress Trail.

Two quota deer hunts will be conducted this year:
November 1-2, 2008 Muzzleloader
December 6-7, 2008 Gun

Bowhunters: Archery hunters (regardless of age) must possess proof of completion of the International Bowhunter Education Course to hunt on the refuge. Bowhunter education classes are scheduled by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Please call 225-765-2920 or 225-763-5448 for dates and more information.

Fishing: The refuge is open for fishing throughout the year. Crawfishing season is March 15-July 31. Please see the refuge hunting and fishing regulations brochure for complete information. Fishing is permitted throughout the refuge.

Friends of Cat Island NWR

Help support Cat Island NWR by joining the Friends of Cat Island NWR, Inc. This organization has adopted the area in the vicinity of the National Champion baldcypress tree to improve access for visitors. Friends t-shirts featuring the tree are for sale at the refuge office. For more information call the refuge office (601/442-6696).

Directions to the Refuge:

Short Route (only accessible if the low water bridge is open):
Take LA Hwy 10 ( Ferdinand St. ) through the historic district and head west toward the ferry landing. Turn right onto Tunica St./Mahoney Road and follow that over the low water bridge. (If bridge is out, then have to take route below). At fork, veer left onto Creek Road and follow the signs to the refuge from there (1.4 miles).

Longer Route (must take this route if low water bridge is out):
Go west on Highway 66 from Highway 61 (north of St. Francisville). After 1.5 miles, turn left on Solitude Rd. At the fork, veer right onto Creek Road and follow the signs to the refuge from there (1.4 miles).

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