Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms Wildife Management Area on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms Wildife Management Area
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last updated: April 2023

Raft Creek was a natural overflow hardwood bottomland and backwater area until the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when it was cleared for soybean farming. In 2000, Morrison Farms enrolled the area in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), a voluntary program in which landowners receive payment for restoring and protecting wetlands on their property. The AGFC acquired the 4063-acre area later that same year and named it for Steve N. Wilson, former director of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and for the creek and tributaries that dominate the area. Restoration of the area’s hydrology and native vegetation includes creating approximately 1400 acres of shallow water areas and about 11 miles of restored channels (Raft Creek and tributaries), which can be utilized as boat lanes. Restored channels, sloughs and breaks are fringed with Cypress/Overcup plantings and play an important role in providing habitat for wintering waterfowl. Areas above flood pool are planted in Nuttall, Cherrybark, Willow and Water Oak, Sweet Pecan and Green Ash. Approximately 360 acres of grassland prairies have been established with native prairie plants covering the escarpment to the south, and the area around the headquarters.

Hunting Opportunities: Deer and turkey (archery only), waterfowl, quail, rabbit, squirrel, crow, coyote and furbearers.

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