From News Report
March 29, 2018 – Boeuf and Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) will close Friday (March 30) due to flooding and remained closed to all activities until further notice, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. Included in the closure is hunting season for turkey.
LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet issued a declaration of emergency closing the WMAs in accordance with the emergency provisions of R.S. 49:953 of the Administrative Procedure Act and under authority of R.S. 56:115.
Excessive rains and backwater flooding in central and northern Louisiana forced the action.
The declaration of emergency reads, in part:
"Currently, due to excessive high water levels associated with excessive rainfall along with backwater flooding, Boeuf and Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Areas are inundated with floodwater and water levels are continuing to rise. These areas are nearly completely inaccessible by vehicle and hazardous conditions exist on the areas due to such water levels. Such conditions constitute a public safety hazard. Additionally, many wildlife species are stressed and displaced by such events, and public access to and use of these areas during this time will adversely impact such. Therefore, until the high water recedes, it is deemed necessary to close these Wildlife Management Areas to all use.''
LDWF will reopen the WMAs when flooding subsides and repairs are made.
Boeuf WMA, which consists of 51,110 acres, is located 10 miles southeast of Columbia in Caldwell and Catahoula parishes. For more information on Boeuf WMA, go http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/32649 .
Grassy Lake WMA, made up of 12,983 acres is located in northeastern Avoyelles Parish, approximately 12 miles from Bordelonville. For more information on this WMA, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2767 .