NATURAL RESOURCES

The Louisiana Field Office is committed to managing a diversity of habitats with a variety of tools. Sound environmental stewardship efforts to help preserve our natural resources for game and non-game alike. From waterfowl to bluebirds, interior least terns, or whitetail deer Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project, J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Bayou Bodcau Dam & Reservoir, Wallace Lake Dam, Caddo Lake Dam, and surrounding area provides critical habitat for wildlife.

Management Techniques

Supplemental food plots

Food plots are planted to offset the destruction of habitat and provide additional sources of food and cover for many species of wildlife.

Control Burns

Prescribed burns are used to control undesirable vegetation and is the most natural tool that can be used for managing habitats. Forest fire has occurred naturally in most ecosystems for thousands of years and some vegetative areas must have control burns in order for them to survive.

Wildlife Management

The Louisiana Field Office maintains wildlife management areas to provide an improved nesting and feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl and many other native species. No less than five waterfowl resting areas located on three lock & dam sites provide food and cover for a variety of species of birds, mammals, and fish. Four recreation areas have been recently included in the America’s Wetland Mississippi River Birding Trail System.

Wildlife Surveys

Wildlife surveys are conducted throughout the year by Louisiana Field Office biologists, foresters, and park rangers to survey the population of concerned and endangered species for wildlife management purposes. Surveys conducted included the bald eagle, interior least tern, and the whitetail deer. Nest surveys collect data from 350 wood duck boxes and 130 eastern bluebird boxes that are maintained along the Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project, J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Bayou Bodcau Dam and Reservoir, Wallace Lake Dam, and Caddo Lake Dam.

Mobility Impaired Deer Hunts

The Louisiana Field Office sponsors two mobility impaired deer hunts in cooperation with the sportsman’s organization “Outdoors Without Limits”. Individuals are picked by a random drawing for the weekend event. Not only does this hunt provide a great outdoor experience for the hunters and staff, it is an excellent management tool in controlling whitetail deer populations on the Columbia Lock & Dam wildlife management area.