Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 to preserve one of the largest privately owned tracts of bottomland hardwoods remaining in the Mississippi Delta. The bottomland hardwood forest contains a diversity of plant and animal species. Over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish can be found on the refuge.
Annual Public Use Permits are available through iSportsman - Also Compatibility Determinations for Public Comment are now available, see below.

All Refuge hunters and fishermen are required to purchase a $20 Annual Public Use Permit.  Permits can be purchased online at https://tensas.isportsman.net and are non-refundable and non-transferable.  These permits allow you to participate in all open (non-lottery) hunting and fishing seasons as well as use ATVs on designated trails in accordance with all rules and regulations. 

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Cooperative Cropping Opportunity for Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge

Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge located near Tallulah, LA is accepting applications for a cropping opportunity on approximately 650 acres in Madison Parish for up to five years. The Greenlea Unit contains approximately 650 acres of farmable land. Producers may farm this Unit on a 75/25% share with the producer retaining 500 acres and 150 acres left standing for the refuge share. Crops including corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, rice, wheat and millet are allowed. Cotton is not allowed for either parties’ share. No GMO crops or neonicotinoids are allowed at this time.

To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the bid form available on the refuge website and include relevant farming experience. Applications must be received by August 3rd, 2022 by 5pm.
Applications may be submitted by e-mail to John Dickson at john_dickson@fws.gov
or in person at the Tensas River NWR Visitor’s Center, 2312 Quebec Rd. Tallulah, La 71282.
BID FORM DOWNLOAD HERE

Successful applicants will be selected through an open and competitive process. Applications will be scored and ranked using objective criteria described in the application/bid form. 
All applicants will be notified by August 10th, 2022. 

For more information, please contact:
John Dickson, Administrative Wildlife Biologist, at (318) 574-2664 ext. 105
or john_dickson@fws.gov.

Latest News

A wildlife biologist holding four small bear cubs in his arms
History and Culture
Theodore Roosevelt & the Teddy Bear
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex (located in Mississippi and Louisiana) and Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (in Louisiana) are steeped in history and folklore. They conserve wildlife, and they honor the legacy of the 26th president of the United States and the founder of...
A black and white portrait of a black man -- A Fish and Wildlife Service employee, squatting behind a sedated, trapped bear
Our People
Conservation and diversity
Editor’s note: The following article excerpts notes from a question-and-answer session with a noted Service biologist in February 2018. They’ve been reprised to help showcase Black History Month.
A man in hunting gear standing in a forest opening using a moose call
Recreation
Unforgettable Hunting
National wildlife refuges offer several unforgettable hunting opportunities that many outdoorsmen and women would consider the experience of a lifetime. Here are just a few.
A small pond surrounded by leafy green vegetation, a few standing dead trees and verdant forest
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...
View All News

Visit Us

Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge offers a wide variety of activities for visitors.  Thousands of people visit the refuge each year to take advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hunting, wildlife photography and observation, and environmental education.  Please use the information throughout this website to plan your visit!

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Tensas River NWR conserves one of the largest remaining tracts of bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley.  A variety of plant species and over 400 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish can be found on the refuge.  This includes the state's largest population of the Louisiana black bear which was formerly on the endangered species list.

      What We Do

      Refuge staff manage and conserve habitat for wildlife while maintaining public access to various wildlife-dependent recreational activities including hunting, fishing, bird-watching, photography, and more.

      Our Library

      Tensas Recreation Brochure
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      Tensas Recreation Brochure

      Welcome to Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 to conserve the largest privately-owned tract of bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Mississippi River Valley. This rich forest land supports a wide variety of animals and...

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      Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2022-2023
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      Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2022-2023

      Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1980, is located in the Tensas River Basin in northeastern Louisiana. The refuge is composed of extensive bottomland hardwood forests intermingled with sloughs, swamps and lakes that support a tremendous diversity of wildlife. Public Use,...

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      FWS Form 3-1384 Bid Sheet
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      FWS Form 3-1384 Bid Sheet

      This form must be completed and submitted by applicants for the Cooperative Cropping Opportunity at Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge.

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