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Public Feedback Invited on Proposed Use of Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is opening a public comment period for 15 days on April 17, 2024 for the public to review and comment on three (3) proposed Compatibility Determinations (CDs) on Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge:
Cooperative Farming
Horseback/Mule Riding
Bottomland Hardwood Forest Management (Commercial Tree Harvesting)

The Service is conducting a public review and comment period to allow all interested parties time to consider and comment on the Draft Compatibility Determinations. CD’s are documents written, signed and dated by the refuge manager and the regional chief of refuges that signify whether proposed or existing uses of national wildlife refuges are compatible with their establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Service will consider public comments before making a final decision on these uses.


Hard copies of the draft CD’s are available at this location:
Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center: 2312 Quebec Road., Tallulah, LA 71282.

How to submit comments on these Draft Compatibility Determinations:
The public review and comment period is open for 15 calendar days from April 17, 2024 to May 1st, 2024. Comments must be postmarked by May 1st, 2024 or received via email by 11:59pm CST, on May 1st, 2024 to be considered.
Comments submitted by U.S. mail should be sent to:
Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge
c/o Refuge Manager, Nathan Renick
2312 Quebec Road.
Tallulah, LA 71282
Comments submitted by email should be sent to: tensasriver@fws.gov
Concerns expressed during the public comment period will be addressed in the final compatibility determinations.

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!  Check out the refuge recreation brochure under the Related Documents section below.

Activities

Many activities are available to the public at Tensas River NWR.  While hunting is the most popular, we encourage you to get out and explore other opportunities like hiking, wildlife photography and observation, and paddling.

Hunting
Fishing
Wildlife watching
Boating - non-motorized
Photography

Trails

There are two dedicated walking trails located around the Visitor Center and Wildlife Drive area, the Rainey Lake Trail and the Hollow Cypress Boardwalk.  Visitors are welcome to also walk on ATV trails spread throughout the Refuge.

Related Documents

Below you can find an informational tearsheet with maps along with resources for hunters.

Tensas River NWR Information Tearsheet and Map
Name
Tensas River NWR Information Tearsheet and Map
PDF
Tensas River NWR Georeferenced Hunt Map 2020
Name
Tensas River NWR Georeferenced Hunt Map 2020
PDF
Tensas Recreation Brochure
Name
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...

PDF
Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2022-2023
Name
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,...

PDF

Other Facilities in the Complex

Tensas River NWR is part of the North Louisiana Refuges Complex.  The Complex Headquarters is located at D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in the Fall
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located within the City Limits of Monroe and offers easily accessible opportunities for visitors to spend time in nature birdwatching, taking photos, paddling, hunting, fishing, hiking, and so much more.
National Wildlife Refuge
Monroe,LA
Wood Duck in flight over water
D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge
D'Arbonne NWR is located north of West Monroe, Louisiana and lies on the western edge of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. It was established in 1975 to protect bottomland hardwood forest and provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl.
National Wildlife Refuge
Farmerville,LA
An image of a male and female mallard ducks flying.
Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Handy Brake provides habitat for wintering waterfowl, wading birds, and many other wetland dependent species.
National Wildlife Refuge
Farmerville,LA
Waterfowl in the water, mother and chicks
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
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...
National Wildlife Refuge
Bossier City,LA
Northern pintail ducks flying in front of trees
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge is managed for the conservation, enhancement, and restoration of bottomland hardwood forests and important, associated upland habitats as an integral component of the Lower Mississippi River Ecosystem.
National Wildlife Refuge
Farmerville,LA

Rules and Policies

Please consult the Public Use Regulations Brochure for complete rules and regulations.  

This brochure is available at refuge entrances, at the Visitor Center, and online.  Visitors are permitted on the refuge from 4:00 am until 2 hours after legal sunset.

Below you can find a few of the most commonly asked-about regulations on the refuge.

  • Littering is prohibited.
  • No camping or overnight parking is allowed.
  • Fires are prohibited.
  • Collecting or harvesting any articles of antiquity, plants, animals or parts thereof is prohibited unless specifically authorized.
  • Do not feed the wildlife - for their safety and yours!
     

Locations

Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge
(318) 574-2664
2312 Quebec RoadTallulah,LA71282
Driving Directions

CAUTION:  Using a GPS navigation system will sometimes NOT bring you to the Visitor Center.  Please follow driving directions below!!!

Directions from I-20 Eastbound: Exit at Waverly (exit 157). Turn left onto Hwy 577 North. After approximately 1½ -2 miles, turn right onto Hwy 80 East. After approximately 8 miles, turn right onto Quebec Road. Follow Quebec Road for approximately 11 miles and the visitor center and headquarters are on the left. 

Directions from I-20 Westbound: Exit at Tallulah (exit 171). Turn right onto Hwy 65 North and drive approximately 2 miles into Tallulah. Turn left between the courthouse and Popeyes onto Hwy 80 West. After approximately 7 miles, turn left onto Quebec Road. Follow Quebec Road for approximately 11 miles and the visitor center and headquarters are on the left.