Master of Science Environmental Studies Planning and Management Thesis 2005: Sabine National Wildlife Refuge


Don Voros Project Manager SW LA Refuge Complex Terence Delaine Refuge Manager 3000 Holly Beach Highway Hackberry, LA 70645 (337) 762-3816 FAX: (337) 762-3780 E-mail: sabine@fws.gov Directions to Refuge Educational Programs Fact Sheet Fishing Regulations Hunting Regulations Hunting Map General Brochure Cast Netting Regulations & Permit Alligator Application Wetland Walkway Guide Louisiana Waterfowl Issues		Refuge Facts Established: 1937. Acres: 124,511. Location: the refuge is located 8 miles south of Hackberry, on State Highway 27, the Creole Nature Trail All American Road, in Cameron Parish, LA. Natural History Refuge occupies the marshes between Calcasieu and Sabine lakes in southwest Louisiana. Concentrations of ducks, geese, alligators, muskrats, nutria, raptors, wading birds, shorebirds, blue crabs and shrimp. Olivaceous cormorant, snowy egret and common egret rookeries present. Open water 39,844 acres and grassland/herbaceous/marsh 84,667 acres. Financial Impact 15-person staff. Approximately 300,000 visitors annually. Refuge visitors contribute to the local economy through the purchase of gasoline, food items, and fishing/hunting license sales. Current budget (FY03) $964,000. Gas and oil exploration activities generate financial returns to the local economy during oil well drilling and seismic exploration activities, and in the form of federally mandated excise tax revenues to local governments from oil extraction activities. Refuge Objectives Provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and other birds. Preserve and enhance coastal marshes for fish and wildlife. Provide outdoor recreation and environmental education for the public. Management Tools Water management to control salinity levels and preserve marsh and aquatic habitats. Creation of marsh through beneficial use of dredge material. Open water terracing for waterfowl and fishery habitat enhancement. Impoundments for preserving marsh and freshwater fishery. Prescribed fire for marsh and coastal prairie restoration and maintenance. Mechanical and chemical control of invasive, non-native plant species. Trapping of nutria and alligators for population management. Environmental education and interpretation of importance of coastal wetlands. Law enforcement for protection of wildlife resources and public safety. Public and private partnerships for resource management and outreach. Public Use Opportunities 1.5 maile marsh trail and observation tower. Public fishing, crabbing, castnetting for shrimp. Visitors center with interpretive displays. Four waterside recreational areas with boat launches. Salt and fresh water fishing, crabbing and seasonal castnetting for shrimp. Canoeing and kayaking canals, bayous and impoundments. Observation tower. Wildlife observation and photography. Waterfowl hunting and special youth waterfowl hunt. Calendar of Events January: refuge waterfowl hunt season, fur trapping, Cameron Fur and Wildlife Festival. February: fur trapping. March: refuge open to boat traffic and fishing interior marshes and freshwater impoundments. April: shrimp/castnetting begins. September: early teal hunt season and alligator hunt, by permit only -- National PUblic Lands Day. October: National Wildlife Refuge Week, Cal-Cam Fair, refuge closes to boat traffic and fishing in refuge interior. November: regular waterfowl hunt season, fur trapping. December: regular waterfowl hunt season, Audubon Christmas Bird Count, fur trapping. Refuge open all year to fishing and crabbing along Highway 27, the Creole Nature Trail All American Road. Questions and Answers Where is the Marsh Trail? The Marsh Trail is located 4 miles south of the headquarters on the right hand side of the road. There is a parking lot and restrooms and a water fountain for your convenience. How long is the Wetland Walkway? The Wetland Walkway is 1.5 miles long. It is a concrete walk with a boardwalk portion. There is also an observation tower. Where can I see an alligator? The alligator or the "King of the Marsh" can be found in any of the canals or bayous located on the refuge or on the Marsh Trail. What kind of fish are people catching? The most common species caught are red fish, flounder, specks, alligator gar, black bass, crappie, channel catfish, and sunfish. Have there been any unusual bird sightings? Birders are a great asset in answering this question. With the information we receive from avid birders the refuge is able to give more concrete answers about unusual sightings. Stop in the refuge office to get the latest bird sightings. Where is the Blue Goose Trail? The Blue Goose Trail and scenic overlook is located just north of the Refuge Headquarters on the east side of State Highway 27, the Creole Nature Trail All American Road. How long is the Blue Goose Trail? The Blue Goose Trail is 1 mile round trip. It is a primitive trail that winds through a brackish marsh and levee woodlands to the lake bank of West Cove.