p>Located in the Red River Alluvial Valley, Bayou Pierre WMA has flat terrain with only a 5-foot change in elevation across the entire area. Bayou Pierre bisects the WMA. With poorly draining soil, the area is subject to periodic annual flooding.

During the mid-1900s, farmers cleared the area's bottomland hardwood forest and drained the area. After several failed farming attempts, the property was deeded to LDWF in 1992.

Bayou Pierre WMA has drainages, wet weather ponds, sloughs, reforested areas, grasslands, and wildlife openings that create habitat favorable for a diverse wildlife community. LDWF has developed four distinct types of wildlife habitat on the WMA:

A 160-acre moist soil waterfowl refuge

800 acres in ridge and swale topography/reforested bottomland hardwoods

200-plus acres in reforested hardwood

Planted dove fields and open grasslands.

Activities and Amenities

Hunting and trapping: Available game species include white-tailed deer, rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, snipe, waterfowl, and dove. Deer, squirrel and raccoon hunting are limited due to the young age of the reforested hardwood area. There is a small game emphasis area on Bayou Pierre WMA. Waterfowl hunting is limited to lottery hunts (youth and general) due to the WMA's small size and LDWF's efforts to maintain the area as a migration refuge for waterfowl during the winter. High concentrations of snipe use this area during the late winter when local rainfall allows for sheeting of shallow water and saturated soil conditions. Dove hunting opportunities range from good to fair depending on dove migrations and agricultural practices on the surrounding farms. Dove hunters should scout the area during the later portions of dove season when winter cold fronts push additional flights of doves into the area and hunting pressure is generally very light. Trapping is allowed on Bayou Pierre WMA, except in the waterfowl refuge. See regulations for details.

Birding and wildlife viewing: Birding is popular at Bayou Pierre WMA, especially from early fall through winter and during the northward spring migration. Bayou Pierre WMA is an excellent area to see hawks and owls during the winter. A variety of sparrows (white-throated, white-crowned, chipping, field, fox, and song), red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and American kestrels are also common during the winter. Spring transient warblers include the yellow, Tennessee, black-throated green, and magnolia. Scissor-tailed flycatchers often nest on Bayou Pierre WMA during the summer. Numerous species of reptiles, amphibians, and insects can also be found using the diverse habitat in this area.

Camping: Primitive camping is allowed in designated areas (see map for details).

LDWF has partnered with several organizations including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Unlimited, American Energy Producers, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop and maintain these habitats.

Directions

Bayou Pierre WMA is located 20 miles south of Shreveport. From LA Hwy 1, take Yearwood Road to Lacoupe Road to access the WMA. LDWF maintains one year-round ATV/UTV trail on the area. Parish-maintained roads also provide access to and through the area.

Contact Bayou Pierre Wildlife Management Area

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Bayou Pierre Wildlife Management Area is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.

Listed in:

• Ecotourism
• State and Federal Land