Red River National Wildlife Refuge is made up of several units in the Red River Valley in northwestern Louisiana and provides habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, songbirds, and other native wildlife species.. The Refuge boasts a large Visitor Center, Headquarters Offices and Education Center that opened in January 2012.
Hunting and Fishing Permits and Regulations and Youth Hunt Information

You can access current hunting and fishing regulations brochures online or at Refuge kiosks.  

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Applications to be accepted for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Youth Waterfowl Lottery Hunts
Red River National Wildlife Refuge has six dates for Youth Waterfowl Lottery Hunt opportunities.
The application period for all lottery waterfowl hunts is September 30, 2022
through October 22, 2022.   APPLICATION Download

See the Hunting Activities Page for the detailed Information.

Latest News

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Get Involved
A Beginner’s Guide to the National Wildlife Refuge System
Not quite sure what the National Wildlife Refuge System is and all that it encompasses? This primer gives a quick overview.
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Wildlife Management
Trapping
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service carefully manages trapping activities on national wildlife refuges to ensure that safe, effective practices are used, to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations, and to protect refuge infrastructure. Trapping may be used as a wildlife management tool...
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Visit Us

Red River National Wildlife Refuge provides many different wildlife-based recreational opportunities.  Discover more about the wildlife that calls the refuge home by enjoying the exhibits at the Visitor Center, walk the trails, or participate in hunting and fishing activities.  There are over 5 miles of trails on the Headquarters Unit in Bossier City just minutes from I-20.  

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Red River National Wildlife Refuge is made up of four units in the Red River Valley in northwestern Louisiana. Headquarters Unit in Bossier and Caddo Parishes, Bayou Pierre Unit in Desoto and Red River Parishes, Lower Cane Unit in Natchitoches Parish and Spanish Lake Lowlands in Natchitoches Parish.  This area was historically forested with bottomland hardwoods, cypress sloughs and shrub/scrub swamps, providing a variety of habitats for wildlife. 

      What We Do

      Refuge staff focus on providing and managing wildlife habitat along with providing for recreational and education opportunities for the public.  Hunting, fishing, hiking, paddling, and educational programs are all available throughout the year.

      Services
      Cattle grazing at a USFWS refuge
      Cooperative Agriculture Opportunities at Red River National Wildlife Refuge

      Red River National Wildlife Refuge near Melrose, Louisiana, has cooperative agriculture opportunities for farming on two units for up to five years. The first unit is approximately 450 acres and the second is approximately 1,000 acres. Crops are allowed, including rice, milo,...

      Service
      Agriculture
      Farmer/Rancher
      Farmer/Rancher

      Our Library

      Documents, brochures, photography and other files of interest related to Red River National Wildlife Refuge.