Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:

  • Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information
  • Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick


Features

  • New Hunt/Fish Opportunities

    The New Hunt Program Changes as of August 31, 2020.

    Learn the Details . . .

  • Child holding an Eastern lubber grasshopper

    Junior Ranger Activities

    Check out some fun nature activities you can do while social distancing!

    Junior Ranger Activities 2020

  • Man_on_elevated-Boardwalk_trail

    Jim Schmidt Boardwalk Re-opened

    Explore the bottomland hardwood forest on the elevated boardwalk trail at the Pearl River Turnaround! Open daylight hours only.

  • Junior Duck Stamp pic

    Junior Duck Stamp

    Could your work be on the next Junior Duck Stamp? Support conservation, education, and the arts with a Junior Duck Stamp!

    More about the Junior Duck Stamp Contest

News

Young Artists Wanted for Wild Things Youth Art Contest and Exhibition

Child's watercolor of red fox sleeping near a blue pond in the forest

Artists ages 5 thru 18 are invited to capture the plants, animals, and landscapes of Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges for the annual Wild Things Youth Art Contest.

More About the Wild Things Youth Art Competition

Wild Things 2020 Postponed

Acting out of an abundance of caution and following guidance from the Center of Disease Control, we are postponing Wild Things, which was scheduled for October of 2020. Our actions are consistent with actions undertaken by other community organizations. We understand that people across the community will miss this event; however, we are committed to doing our part to ensure public safety and to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation and to provide relevant guidance. We will reschedule when it is prudent to do so. Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week October 11-17, 2020 by hosting the annual Youth Art Contest associated with Wild Things. K-12th grade students from across the state are encouraged to participate in this great opportunity. Contest awards will be presented via a virtual awards ceremony that will be held in October. For more information about upcoming virtual National Wildlife Refuge Week events and the Youth Art Contest, visit us on Facebook at @SoutheastLouisiana

More about the Youth Art Contest at this link

Alert: Covid-19 Information

In keeping with guidance from the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and acting out of an abundance of caution, the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex is temporarily suspending operations of the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center. Refuge staff is committed to doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, and visitors. Therefore, planned Refuge events and programs may not take place as scheduled. Refuge lands, including nature trails and outdoor recreational facilities, remain open and accessible to the public to provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

More Information at this link

Hunting the Refuge

Turkey hunter with a tom turkey

Bogue Chitto National Wildife Refuge is subject to Louisiana or Mississippi hunting regulations and seasons. Regulations and seasons apply according to on which side of the river you hunt. Hunters must also carry a FREE signed Refuge hunting permit.

Dowload Refuge Hunting Permit here
Birding at the Refuge

Birding at the Refuge

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The Refuge provides nesting, wintering, and breeding habitat for nearly 200 species of birds. The bottomland hardwood forests are home to Prothonotary Warblers, Swainson's Warblers, Northern Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers, White-eyed Vireos, Red-eyed Vireos, Carolina Wrens and many other species.

More about birding at the Refuge

About the Complex

Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges

Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

NWRS Logo

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online