U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Big Branch Marsh

National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting and Fishing

Regulations 2003-2004

Southeast Louisiana Refuges

Big Branch Marsh

61389 Highway 434

Lacombe, Louisiana 70445

985/882 2000

http://southeastlouisiana.fws.gov

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

August 2003

Big Branch Marsh Refuge Hunting Permit 2003-2004

When signed and in your possession, this serves as

your permit for all refuge hunts, except the first 2

weekends of duck season, and acknowledges your

understanding of the regulations contained herein.

Expires June 30, 2004.

Signature (permits are not transferable)

16

98 35

21

10 10 26

55

190

51

43

59

21

41

10

10

12

MCComb Columbia

MS

LA

Bogalusa

Covington

Lake Borgne New Orleans

Big Branch Marsh NWR

0 10 20 40

SCALE IN MILES

Lake

Pontchartrain

Signs and Boundaries

Signs are useful tools in regulating the

use of a public area. The wording of the

signs below apply to the areas behind the

signs. Pay attention to the signs, watch

for boundary corners, and check your

location with the maps.

These top two signs mark the refuge

boundary. Public entry is generally

authorized. However, other refuges in

the system may have different

regulations concerning general entry.

Always know the regulations before

entering.

No Trespassing beyond this sign without

written permission from refuge manager.

This sign marks an area on the refuge

designated for environmental education

in which school kids learn about the

refuge. The area bounded by these signs

is closed to hunting.

This sign means that the area is closed

to all entry. Do not trespass behind this

sign for any reason.

Carr Drive

Lake Pontchartra ni

Big Branch

National Wildlife Refuge

Legend

Refuge Boundary

Hunt Area

Private Inholdings

No Hunt Area

Parking Lot

State Park

Public

Launch

Facility

Non-motorized

Boat Launch

Thompson Road

i P ep nil e

aC nal

ipe P

nil e

 Goose

Point

Point

Platte Point du Chien

Big Point 

Bayou Bon of uca

Bayou Liberty Road aB oy u iLber yt

Pipeline

N

Transmitter Rd. aL

moc

eb

arb H or oa R d

Bayou Paquet Rd.

Cane Ba oy u

434

190

12

11

190

Lemieux 

Blvd.

Bremermann

Road

434

24th

Street

St. 

Louis St.

Boy Scout 

Road

Barringer

Road

Headquarters and 

Visitor Center

Bayou Lacombe

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

BOUNDARY Department

 of the

 Interior

Consult Manager

for current regulations

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AREA

BEYOND

THIS

SIGN

CLOSED All public entry prohibited

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

ENVIRONMENTAL

EDUCATION

ZONE

NO 

HUNTING

 U.S. 

PROPERTY

NO

TRESPASSING
General Provisions

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife

Refuge (NWR) is one of over 500

national wildlife refuges. The primary

objective of a national wildlife refuge is

to provide habitat for the conservation

and protection of all species of fish and

wildlife. Harvesting surplus animals is

one tool used to maintain wildlife

populations at a level compatible with the

environment, provide wholesome

recreational opportunities, and permit

the use of a valuable renewable resource.

The regulations below supplement the

general regulations which govern

hunting and fishing on wildlife refuge

areas as set forth in Title 50, Code of

Federal Regulations. Hunting and

fishing will be in accordance with

applicable state regulations.

Take pride in your refuge. Report violations.

Permits are required for all hunters

When signed and in your possession, this

brochure serves as your permit for all

refuge hunts and acknowledges your

understanding of the regulations contained

herein.

Firearms carried in vehicles or boats must

be unloaded and encased or dismantled.

Firearms are permitted only during the

refuge hunting season.

Disabled Sportsmen

Please contact the refuge office for

information.

General Hunting and Fishing Regulations

No air-thrust boats, motorized pirogues,

mud boats, or air cooled propulsion

engines allowed on the refuge.

Public hunting for waterfowl and deer is

permitted on all lands within Big Branch

Marsh NWR except for areas marked with

“No Hunting Zone” signs. These areas are

shown on the reverse map.

Hunters under age 16 must have successfully

completed a State-approved Hunter

Education Course. While hunting, youths

Firearm/

Ammunition

must have card or certificate of completion

on his/her person. Youths under age 16

must be supervised by an adult 21 years of

age or older. For waterfowl hunts, the adult

may supervise no more than two youths.

For big game hunts, the adult may

supervise only one youth.

The refuge is open during daylight hours

only.

The use or possession of alcoholic

beverages is not permitted while hunting.

Specific Hunting Regulations

Identify target before shooting and be

aware of other hunters in the area.

All deer stands must be removed within 14

days following the end of the refuge deer

season.

All bowhunters are encouraged to complete

a certified bowhunter education course.

Specific Fishing Regulations

Only recreational fishing and crabbing are

permitted in all refuge waters during

daylight hours.

No trotlines, slat traps, or nets permitted.

No gar sets or jug fishing.

Prohibited Activities

Possession of buckshot, slugs, rifles or

rifle ammunition is prohibited.

Baiting or hunting with the aid of bait or

the distribution of bait.

Hunting from permanent tree stands

(attached by nails, spikes, or other metal

objects).

Hunting within 200 feet of any road

(including all refuge roads), residence,

or designated public use facilities.

Possession of lead shot during all refuge

hunts is prohibited.

Motorized vehicles off public roads and

designated parking area.

Target shooting is prohibited.

Warning

Big Branch Marsh NWR

Type Hunt Season Special Conditions

Archery Deer State season Refuge permit required. Portable stands only. Dogs and

“driving “ deer prohibited. Either sex for entire archery

deer season.

Waterfowl (ducks, geese, coots) Wednesday, Thursday, Refuge permit required. Hunting permitted until noon only.

Saturday, Sunday during state Temporary blinds only. Blinds and decoys must be removed

duck season. Includes special by noon. Retrievers are allowed. Permits for the first 2

teal hunt and youth waterfowl weekends of duck season are issued through a first come,

hunt. Closed during segment first serve basis. The first 100 walk-ins’ for each weekend

goose season that extends will be issued permits.

beyond regular duck season.

Squirrel and Rabbit State season Refuge permit required. Shotgun only, non-toxic shot only,

shot size #4 or smaller. Dogs may be used only after close

of state gun deer season.

Snipe, Woodcock and Quail State season Refuge permit required. Non-toxic shot only, shot size #4

or smaller. Recognized breeds of setter/retriever only.

Hog Hogs may be taken as Refuge permit required.

incidental game, with bow

and arrow, during refuge

archery deer hunts.

Gallinules and Rails State season Refuge permit required.

Non-toxic shot only, shot size #4 or smaller.

Nutria State season May be taken by trapping only. Trappers must apply for a

special use permit at the refuge headquarters in Lacombe,

LA.

Limited Duck Hunt Registration Rules

1. You, or a member of your hunt party, must come into the Lacombe office to receive your permit

2. Walk-ins can come to the Lacombe office staring September 29 through October 10 during business hours (Monday -

Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm) only.

3. Hunt parties are limited to four members.

4. Once a hunt party puts the total number of hunters at or above 100 participants for each weekend the lotto will be

closed.

5. A cashier’s check for $12.50 made out to The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for all permits.

6. Mail in money orders will NOT be accepted.