The best place I can recommend to bow hunt is Tunica hills WMA in St. Francisville. The south tract is flatter terrain and has more hunters, but also has more pigs. The north tract has hills and less people due to the more difficult terrain. I have always chosen to hunt the north tract and have at least seen deer on most every hunt. If that is to far of a drive for you, you may consider the Bonnet Carre spillway. Believe it or not there are quite a few deer in there. I hunted it with dogs the last year it was allowed and we killed 3 eight pointers in one day. Also look into Marapas Swamp WMA. You can hunt portions of that from the road.

Thanks Marshdeer... that is great info. I will start looking into that ASAP. I have another question. Early season, how concerned should i be about snakes and gators? My 2 years i hunted in Arkansas i had no worries because of the temp.

thanks again.

Findme

Here's a link for you to check out. I used to hunt public land near the New Orleans area and sometimes it's better to drive a ways and get away from the masses. Pearl River WMA, Bogue Chitto Refuge, Bonnet Carre and Ben's Creek WMA (which is no longer open to the public). Haven't hunted public in a few years, but have some good memories and few close calls with weekend warriors. Hope this link helps, also if hunting Refuges they sometimes require you to get a special permit and keep with you while on the refuge and WMA's have a special tag you need, think it's $ 15.00. Good luck.

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/

snakes should always be a concern. Gators not so much. Snakes are very prevalent at my lease in pearlington MS which basically borders the Pearl River WMA. Go get a good pair of snake chaps or snake proof boots. Its better to be safe than sorry.

Find me in the woods ... If you just walk through the high weeds and water , you'll never see the snakes . It's only when you actually are looking for them when you see them ! Lol

I hate snakes ! If I plan on hunting an area where I see a big stump tail moccasin , I either find another area or just wait until it cools off . But even on semi warm days in the winter you will see them . We'll normally see them around old stumps where I guess they go when it gets cold . But if it's a lil warm , they'll come out and try to soak up some sun light . So where ever you decide to hunt in south Louisiana just keep that in mind . Not trying to scare you , just making you aware .
Good luck .

Thanks for the heads up! I figured as much that snakes down here don't really hibernate. I agree that you don't really see them until you're looking for them. While in arkansas i would walk passed them all the time.