Public lands available for late season hunting

For the most part, Louisiana state WMAs have a very shortened season, yet arguably the late season tactics offered here may apply just after opening weekend depending upon the amount of hunters on any specific area.

Regarding season dates and other regulations on these WMAs, consult the Louisiana 2013 Turkey Hunting Regulations Pamphlet available online at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/publication/36129-2013-turkey-regulations/turkey_2013.pdf.

Kisatchie National Forest however offers some 600 thousand acres of turkey hunting for most of the season schedule, and these public lands are a favorite of both Chad Bowen and Glen Williams.

The seasons there are as follows: Caney Ranger District: March 23- April 7; all remaining KNF lands: March 23 – April 14 (including Catahoula and Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserves).

Turkey-hunting pursuits are extremely high here with hunters scoring well in silviculture forests laced with hardwoods streamside management zones.

Unfortunately, there are no managed hunts in most of this expanse, and harvest numbers are hard to come by.

When hunting in Louisiana, Bowen spends much time on various parcels of Kisatchie and sings its praises.

“I would advise hunters to try and get away from the crowd here to get on a gobbler,” said Bowen. “When scouting, look for the clear cuts, burns and stripped rows and walk these areas. I killed a bird on one tract of Kisatchie by previously walking the whole perimeter of the area and finding feathers, dusting sites and tracts.”

Please consult the 2013 Spring Louisiana Turkey Hunting Regulations Pamphlet before heading out to Kisatchie National Forest for dates, rules, schedules and instructions.

About Chris Berzas 368 Articles
Chris Berzas has fished and hunted in the Bayou State ever since he could hold a rod and shoot a shotgun. Berzas has been a freelancer featured in newspapers, magazines, television and DVDs since 1989.