U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Red River National Wildlife Refuge

Contacts:
Gypsy Gooding, (318) 726-4222 x 4
Tom MacKenzie, (404) 679-7291

A draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Red River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Bossier, Natchitoches, and Red River Parishes is available for a 30-day public review beginning March 6, 2007. The comment period will end April 6, 2007.

The plan describes two alternatives for hunting on the refuge: (1) the no action alternative would not open the refuge to hunting and (2) the proposed action would open the refuge to hunting. Under the proposed action, hunting of deer, rabbits, quail, squirrels, coyotes, hog, beaver, woodcock, and waterfowl would occur. Hunting would be carried out in accordance with Federal and State of Louisiana regulations and refuge-specific regulations.

Copies of the plan can be requested from the refuge and copies are available for review at the following libraries:

Shreveport: 1212 Captain Shreve Drive;
Bossier City: 2206 Beckett Street

Written comments, requests for the plan, or questions can be directed to Gypsy Gooding, Wildlife Biologist, at 11372 Hwy 143, Farmerville, LA 71241; (318) 726-4222 x 4. Email comments can be provided to the following address: gypsy_gooding@fws.gov

The Red River National Wildlife Refuge is currently 7,721 acres and is located along the Red River in 4 units in Bossier, Red River, and Natchitoches Parishes of Louisiana. Wildlife-dependant recreation is available to the public including fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and environmental education.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.