Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Pintail Wildlife Drive will close temporarily to allow for completion of 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.

Learn more about structure repair and maintenance projects:

These projects require the complete closure of the Pintail Wildlife Drive, including the boardwalk and parking area, due to public safety concerns and project/personnel logistics. The area is projected to remain closed to the public through September 29, 2023, but unforeseen delays due to weather or other factors may extend the closure.

The projects will facilitate completion of upgrades and routine maintenance necessary to improve and maintain functionality of the water management infrastructure at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. This infrastructure provides important management capability in these units for maintaining and improving habitat quality and species use at the refuge.

Refuge staff asks that visitors please be patient and obey area closures for the duration of the project. For additional information regarding this closure, Cameron Prairie NWR, or other Southwest Louisiana NWRs, please call 337-598-2216 or contact us at SWLRComplex@fws.gov.

The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex has two Lottery Drawn Waterfowl Hunt opportunities on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The application period for both lottery waterfowl hunts is September 1-29, 2023. All applications must be received by Friday, September 29, 2023, 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,until sunset. The Cameron Prairie Office/Visitor center is open Tuesday through Thursday 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 13 available hunt dates for the 2023-24 Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt are November 4* (* 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 11,18,22, and 25 (2023), December 2, 16, 23, 27, and 30 (2023), and January 6, 13 and 20 (2024). 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, 2023. (For the Louisiana Youth Only Hunt on November 4, 2023, 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, 2023. Senior hunts, in five blinds, are scheduled on Wednesdays during the Louisiana West Zone waterfowl hunting season. The six available dates for the 2022-23 Cameron Prairie NWR Senior Lottery Waterfowl Hunt are November 15 and 29 (2023), December 13 and 20 (2023) and January 3 and 17 (2024). Chosen senior hunters are permitted to bring two guests of any age. Decoys are NOT provided.

To apply for refuge Lottery Hunts: Submit Only ONE white 3” x 5” index card for each hunt that you are applying for this year. There are two different lottery waterfowl hunts, they are: 1) Cameron Prairie Youth Waterfowl Hunt and 2) Cameron Prairie Senior Waterfowl Hunt.

Each card must contain the following information:

1) Print or Type Name of Hunt that you are applying for:

Cameron Prairie Youth Waterfowl Hunt or Cameron Prairie Senior Waterfowl Hunt (only one card per hunt, NOT one per hunt date)

2) Print or Type Applicant name

3) Print or Type Applicant age by November 1, 2023

4) Print or Type Applicants complete mailing address

5) Print or Type Applicants email address

6) Print or Type Applicants complete contact telephone number

7) Print or Type Applicants preferred Hunt Date and up to FOUR alternate dates, in priority order, or write “any available date” if you can make it to any hunt date.

Phone or email applications are not accepted. If the required information is not provided, or is illegible, the applicant will not be eligible for the drawing. Individuals submitting more than one card per hunt will be disqualified from the drawing.

Successful applicants will receive a packet containing a special lottery hunt permit that will identify the hunt date and blind number of the hunt, a map to the hunt blind, and a SW LA NWR Complex hunt permit brochure. Packets should arrive no later than October 22, 2023.

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