The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will close the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in St. Tammany Parish when the Pearl River flood gauge reaches 16.5 feet, which is expected Saturday, Jan. 11. Included in the closure is the Pearl River-Honey Island Shooting Range, located in the Pearl River WMA.
The closure is an automatic benchmark set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
The gate at the entrance to the WMA on Old Highway 11 will be closed and locked Friday, Jan. 10, two hours after official sunset. Once flood waters recede and roads are inspected and deemed safe for travel, LDWF will reopen the gate.
The Pearl River WMA, which consists of 35,618 acres, is located approximately six miles east of Slidell and approximately one mile east of Pearl River.
For information on this WMA, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2789.