The East Cove unit of Cameron Prairie NWR will be closed until further notice due to visible and underwater navigational hazards. These hazards have the potential to damage vessels going through the Grand Bayou water control structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
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Due to inclement weather, refuge personnel are unable to remove these hazards at this time. The unit will remain closed until weather allows personnel to clear these hazards and make the waterway safe.
Any person found in the unit during this closure will be subject to citation(s). We will update this closure notice as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding.
The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex has three Lottery Drawn Waterfowl Hunt opportunities on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The application period for the lottery waterfowl hunts is September 1-30, 2024. All applications must be received by Monday, September 30th 2024, any application cards received after will not be considered. Cards may be mailed to Cameron Prairie Lottery Hunt, 209 Nature Rd, Lake Arthur, LA 70549 or dropped into the secure incoming mailbox, located in front of the Cameron Prairie office at the edge of the parking lot. The Cameron Prairie Office/Visitor center is open Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 9:30am and 2:30pm, cards may be brought inside and given to staff member. See description of each hunt and how to apply below.
The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to youth 8–17 years of age. The youth hunts, in five blinds, are scheduled on Saturdays and selected Sundays and school holidays within the Louisiana West Zone waterfowl hunting season. The 15 available hunt dates for the 2024-25 Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is November 2-3* (* Youth Waterfowl Day is a youth only hunt for youths 17 years old and under. Adults must supervise youth, but adults cannot hunt on this day). November 09, 16, 23, 29, and 30, December 07, 21, 26, and 28, and January 04, 18, 20 and 25 (2025). Selected youth, their adult supervisor, and a guest of any age are permitted to hunt on these dates in compliance with state law. Youth hunters must harvest their own limit. Decoys are NOT provided.
Youth hunter applicants must be 8-17 years of age by November 1, 2024. (For the Louisiana Youth Only Hunt on November 2-3, 2024, the youth and youth guest must be 17 or younger on that day to hunt). One adult will supervise no more than two youth hunters. Youths may hunt without hunter education certification if they are accompanied by and under direct supervision of a person born before September 1, 1969 that has a valid hunting license; or accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older and has proof of successful completion of a hunter education course approved by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. If the course has been taken, but the card has not been received, you are required to carry a copy of the course completion certificate while hunting. Three hunters (supervising adult, permitted youth, and a guest of any age) are permitted in each of the Cameron Prairie pit blinds.
The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Senior Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to seniors age 55 and older by November 1, 2024. Senior hunts, in five blinds, are scheduled on Wednesdays during the Louisiana West Zone waterfowl hunting season. The 8 available dates for the 2024-25 Cameron Prairie NWR Senior Lottery Waterfowl Hunt are November 13, 20 and 27, December 04, and 24 and January 1, 22 and 29 (2025). Chosen senior hunters are permitted to bring two guests of any age. Decoys are NOT provided.
Dove hunting will be open on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge for the first split of the Louisiana (south zone) dove hunting season (September 7-21, 2024). Dove hunting on the refuge will follow the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations. Shooting hours are noon to sunset on opening day and one-half hour before sunrise to sunset thereafter. Only approved non-toxic shot may be used. Hunting dogs are permitted for use during hunting activities but must remain under the immediate control of the hunter.
Access to the refuge is limited to designated roads and parking areas only. Roads to permitted parking areas are the only roads open to vehicles. No vehicles are allowed on any other levees or roads. Some designated parking areas are located behind closed gates. Hunters may pass through these gates, closing all road gates before proceeding to designated parking areas. Areas around the visitor center and maintenance buildings are closed to all hunting activities. All terrain vehicles (airboats, three and four wheelers, side by sides and marsh buggies) are prohibited on the refuge.
Refuge dove hunters are required to possess a refuge-hunting permit and to turn in a completed Migratory Bird Hunt Report Form after each hunt. The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Hunting Regulations brochure from either 2023 or 2024 or a printed online virtual regulations form dating 2023 or 2024 will serve as the required permit when signed, dated and in your possession.
For additional information about any of the SW LA National Wildlife Refuges call 337-774-5923 or view our website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cameron-prairie. Information will also be provided on the complex Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestLouisianaComplex.
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National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve and protect wintering waterfowl and their habitat. The refuge is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in north central Cameron Parish. It contains 9,621 acres that include fresh marsh, coastal prairie, and old rice fields (currently moist soil units). Located at the convergence of two major flyways, the refuge has an important role in management for migratory birds. The visitor center, exhibits, and auto-tour route are the primary attractions for the visiting public.
The refuge is an integral part of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. The East Cove Unit, which is only accessible by boat, was established in 1937 as part of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. This unit, administratively transferred to Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge from Sabine in 2001, consists of 14,927 acres of brackish to intermediate marsh. These marshes are managed as a nursery for brown and white shrimp, blue crab, and many fish species. Located in Cameron Parish in the southwest corner of Louisiana, the East Cove Unit is bordered on the west by Calcasieu Lake, and on the north, east, and south by privately owned marshes.
Visitor Center hours will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.