LDWF and Weyerhaeuser Company could not reach agreement on continuing lease
Effective July 1, the Jackson Bienville Wildlife Management Area will no longer be a part of the state’s WMA program because new terms to continue leasing the property could not be reached, according to a release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The 25,000-acre property located in Bienville, Jackson and Lincoln Parishes is located 12 miles south of Ruston in North Central Louisiana, and is home to a large deer population and some trophy public lands bucks.
“LDWF appreciates the longstanding partnership with Weyerhaeuser Company in providing access to this property,” Charlie Melancon, LDWF Secretary, said. “Jackson Bienville WMA has been a popular destination for recreational hunting enthusiasts in Louisiana since 1961.”
Weyerhaeuser made the property available for public leasing starting in April.
LDWF’s WMA system includes nearly 860,000 acres of department-owned property, in addition to over 450,000 acres of free-lease WMAs. LDWF relies on many large landowners throughout the state to partner with the agency to provide outdoor recreation opportunities through free leases.
LDWF’s Land Acquisition Program continues to add property to the WMA system on an annual basis, the release states.
