Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge Is One of Over 500 Refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System Administered by the U.S
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Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 500 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to "administer a national ^network of lands for the conservation, management, and where -appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the - benefit of present and future generations of Americans." A Sanctuary for Wildlife Much of the refuge consists of low- lying bottomland hardwoods that are Hooded annually The lowest lands support dense swamp privet and water elm interspersed with scattered cypress, willow, buttonbush and water locust. Narrow ridges on the refuge support stands of bottomland X ;_ hardwoods of pecan and oak. 5 --1 These narrow- ridges are home White-tailed deer to native bobcat and white-tailed deer. East side The National Wildlife Duel; Lake Refuge System The water levels of the 1,200 acre Unmatched anywhere in the world Duck Lake impoundment are the National Wildlife Refuge System managed to encourage the growth of is an extensive network of lands and moist soil plants that are vital food waters protected and managed sources for overwintering waterfowl. especially for wildlife and its habitat Upward from 50,000 to and for people to enjoy. 75,000 mallards, pintails, wood ducks and ring- This unique system encompasses necked ducks will spend over 92 million acres of lands and all or part of the winter waters from north of the Arctic here. The brush habitat This blue goose, Circle in Alaska to the subtropical surrounding the designed by Ding waters of the Florida Keys and /. impoundment provides Darling, has beyond to the Caribbean and South shelter for waterfowl become a symbol Pacific. The lands managed as the and other wildlife and a of the Refuge Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge nesting area for wood System. are a part of this system. ducks. During the summer months when the water levels are lower, Duck Introduction Lake is a great place to view herons, egrets, wood storks and other marsh Established in 1958 primarily as a and wading birds that sometimes wintering area for migratory number in the thousands. waterfowl, Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in east-central Louisiana about 30 miles Cowpen Bayou, which parallels northeast of Alexandria. This 6,535 Catahoula Lake, is lined with acre refuge lies adjacent to cypress, willow and buttonbush. This Catahoula Lake, one of the most five mile long, narrow impoundment important natural wintering is excellent habitat for bass, bream, waterfowl areas in North America. and crappie. It is also home to a The refuge lies in a flat river variety of aquatic animals including Previous /xige: Siralloirtail butterfly fioodplain intersected by small beaver, mink, river otter, nutria and Photo by Tiny Moore streams, bayous and ridges. the occasional alligator. Reforestation Two centuries ago the Lower Wildlife Calendar Mississippi River Valley contained Spring As the cold winter winds give way to over 24 million acres of bottomland (ii/d Summer cool spring breezes, water levels hardwood and swamp forests. Today, begin to rise, a result of backwater only 4.4 million acres of wetland flooding caused by snow melting forests remain, most as islands in a further north. y sea of agriculture lands. This is the time v. when songbirds In efforts to re-link these fragmented appear, many forests and improve habitat, the refuge traveling north conducts a reforestation program. to their summer Agricultural fields on the refuge are breeding being planted with the hardwood grounds. American i trees that once covered the land before man's intervention. The native alligators come oaks, cypress, gum and pecan trees out and once W'l/iti1 rose niulloir planted will enhance wildlife diversity again begin to and prevent soil loss from erosion. move about in as search of food. As spring Catahoula Lake Catahoula Lake is one of the most temperatures important natural overwintering give way to waterfowl areas in North America. si summer's heat The main attraction for waterfowl to and humidity, the refuge this state of Louisiana owned, 2(i,000 Birders on trail impoundment is drained to stimulate acre lake is the natural growth of the growth of waterfowl foods. chufa, a plant in the sedge family, that is one of the principle food sources for waterfowl. The natural production of Before long, hundreds of herons, chufa is dependant upon proper water egrets, and ibises invade the shallow- level fluctuations which are controlled waters to feed on the abundance of by a large water control structure fish and insects trapped by the constructed by the U.S. Army Corps receding water. Fish begin to spawn of Engineers. The water level is and fawns begin to appear along the managed by Catahoula NWR staff road shoulders. It is a time of based on an agreement between the renewal and growth. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Fall (iiicl Winter As temperatures begin to cool and Cowpen Bayou Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. fall colors appear, migrating birds begin to arrive. Mallards pintails, teal and ring-necked ducks concentrate on the refuge impoundments, reaching a peak sometime in late November or early December. Occasionally, a southern bald eagle or peregrine falcon visits the refuge and decides to spend the winter. White- tailed deer and other mammals begin to move about early in the morning and again late in the evening. It is a time of constant wildlife activity. Enjoy Your Visit Fishing A wide variety of Fishing is permitted wildlife on Duck Lake and dependant Cowpen Bayou in recreation is season. Both areas available at have boat ramps. Catahoula NWR. Facilities include Consult the refuge a wildlife drive, fishing brochure for observation more information and tower, trails and regulations. An boat ramps. accessible fishing pier s. Access by foot is located about and auto midway on Cowpen between Bayou. Observation tower February and June to the refuge interior is occasionally limited due to Hunting flooding. The refuge is opened during Small game and daylight hours only, unless otherwise white-tailed deer posted. ft, hunting are permitted during state seasons. Wildlife Approximately 175 species of birds Consult refuge Observation and have been observed on the refuge Fishing at hunting and fishing brochure for Photography and a bird list is available from the Catahoala XWR more information. refuge headquarters. Wildlife is best viewed from the observation tower Pets Pets must be on a leash and under and along the wildlife drive during control at all times. the fall and winter months and during spring migration. Littering Littering is prohibited. Please use litter barrels or take your litter with Wildlife Drive A nine mile wildlife drive meanders you. along Cowmen Bayou and around Duck Lake. Temporary closure may Vehicle Access Use of motorized vehicles is be necessary due to weather permitted only on designated roads. conditions. An observation tower is located along the southern end of the Firearms Firearms are prohibited except drive. during refuge hunts. Hiking Hiking is permitted throughout the Siciturning Swimming is prohibited in all refuge refuge. A one mile self-guided trail waters. (Challenge Level I) is available. Trail leaflets are available at the refuge Gam ping and Camping and open fires are headquarters and at the trail Open Fires prohibited on refuge lands. entrance. See the map for other trails. Collection Disturbing, feeding or collecting wildlife or plants and searching for or Environmental Environmental education is a very removing any object of antiquity Education/ important refuge program. Programs including arrow-heads and pottery Group Tours and tours can be arranged by shards is prohibited. contacting the refuge headquarters in advance for school and group programs and tours. Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge IIWJfllf:lViirilT?!l;ffWffl P.O. Drawer Z Rhinehart, LA 71363 Phone: 318/992 5261 Catahoula E-mail: [email protected] U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife 1 800/344 WILD http://w w w.f w s. g o v/~ r4e a o Refuge May 1999 Great Egret USFWS photo by Robert ShaUenberyer .