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Hunting on national wildlife refuges is a tradition that dates back to the early 1900s. Today, more than 370 refuges are open to the public for hunting across the country. Here in the southeast, national wildlife refuges are a huge part of this tradition. We welcome sportswomen and men of all backgrounds and abilities to experience challenging hunting in amazing places.

The Service is seeking comments on the proposed hunt program changes at Bayou Sauvage, Bayou Teche, Big Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto, Cat Island, Delta and Mandalay National Wildlife Refuges, which are part of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex. The public is invited to review draft documents related to these changes, including the Draft Hunt Plans, Environmental Assessment, and Draft Compatibility Determinations for each of the 7 Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges listed above. The documents are available beginning April 15, 2021.

The deadline for comments on the Draft Hunt Plans and associated documents is 60 days following the publication of the rule in the Federal Register, which is anticipated to publish in mid to late April 2021. To ensure consideration of your comments in the development of a final decision on this action, please submit your comments prior to this date. We will update the comment deadline on the Refuge Complex website following the Federal Register publication.

Draft documents are available online at the Refuge Complex website:  https://www.fws.gov/refuge/big_branch_marsh/cosa/2021_Hunt_package.html.

You may also contact the refuge at 985/882-2000 or via email to southeastlouisianarefuges@fws.gov to request either printed or electronic copies. Please let us know if you need the documents in an alternative format. To ensure consideration of your comments in the development of final decisions, please submit comments to the refuge by:

• email to southeastlouisianarefuges@fws.gov;
• mail to 61389 Hwy 434; Lacombe, LA 70445; or
• fax to 985/882-9133.

Across the country, national wildlife refuges work closely with state agencies, Tribes, and private partners to expand access to hunting and fishing where it is compatible with refuge purposes. Hunting and fishing provide opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors, create memories and pass on family traditions.

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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit  www.fws.gov/southeast.  Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws, and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast.