Perkins, C. J. 1968. Controlled burning in the management of muskrats and waterfowl in Louisiana coastal marshes. Tall Timbers Fire Ecol. The types of marshes occurring along the Louisiana coast, the vegetation present, and the role of fire in maintaining this vegetation for marsh and waterfowl management are described. Late September to January burns attract snow geese.
Fire causes muskrats to disperse, thereby facilitating trapping.
Burns in early October, before construction of muskrat houses, are desirable. Burning is necessary to maintain Olney bulrush, a preferred muskrat food, which otherwise would be replaced by marshhay cordgrass.