Only developed areas, offices closed during government shutdown, Forest Service says
The Kisatchie National Forest is open for hunting and fishing despite the government shutdown that has closed other federal lands to all access, a U.S. Forest Service official told Louisiana Sportsman this afternoon.
“Hunting seasons go on (as scheduled), and fishing goes on,” Acting Forest Supervisor Jim Caldwell said. “There was never any question about that.”
National wildlife refuges, on the other hand, are closed to all access during the federal shutdown.
Caldwell said forest land offices and developed areas will be closed until further notice, but the rest of the forest is open to access.
“If there’s a boat launch that’s on a recreation area behind a gate, that would be closed,” he said. “All of the developed areas — fee or not — are closed.”
While that closure includes all of the official camping areas, impromptu campsites can be set up elsewhere.
“If you want to camp at the ends of roads and other areas — and a lot of people do this — that would be perfectly fine,” Caldwell said.
