Ben’s Creek WMA dropping from system

Lease for wildlife management area will not be renewed

Courtesy of NWTF

Ben's Creek Wildlife Management Area will not be in the state WMA system after June 30, the LDWF announced.

Ben’s Creek Wildlife Management area has been a part of the state WMA system since 1987, but negotiations to renew the lease have broken down. That means the Washington Parish property will no longer be accessible to the public as of June 30, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced.

The property is owned by Weyerhaeuser Corporation.

“After a prolonged negotiation, LDWF has determined that renewal of the property lease is not financially feasible,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.  “Beginning July 1, Weyerhaeuser will once again assume full management of the property.

“While this loss of the WMA is regretful, we appreciate the past generosity of Weyerhaeuser in providing these lands for public use."

There still are almost 60 pieces of public property within the state’s WMA system that are managed by the LDWF for public use.