Home / Missions / Recreation / Atchafalaya Basin

This project encompasses 595,000 acres of the largest contiguous tract of bottomland hardwoods in the United States. The Atchafalaya Basin is a scenic semi-wilderness area of hardwood forests, cypress stands, marshes and bayous. It is one of the last great river swamps left in the nation. The Atchafalaya River and hundreds of miles of bayous bring life to this wilderness area.

Hunting Guide and Restrictions

Indian Bayou Area Hunting Permit

2024-2025 Indian Bayou Hunting Permit

I have read and understand the regulations governing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Indian Bayou Area.  I hereby forever release and hold harmless the United States of America from all liability due to death, injury, or damages arising from the exercise of this hunting permit and will indemnify and save harmless the United States of America from any and all costs, damages, settlements, or judgments arising from death, injury or damage to persons or property arising from the exercise of this hunting permit.

 

______________________________________________________

Signature (Permits are not transferable) - Valid only when signed.

Recreational Activities

  • biking
  • birding
  • boating
  • canoeing (Indian Bayou)
  • cultural or historic sites
  • fishing
  • hiking (Indian Bayou) 
  • horseback riding
  • hunting
  • all-terrain vehicles
  • pets allowed
  • water sports
  • wilderness area
  • wildlife viewing
  • Army Corps Airspace

Sherburne Wildlife Management Area

The Corps has approximately 17,000 acres of lands and waters incorporated into the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).  These Corps lands are known as Bayou des Ourses, North Farm and South Farm.

In addition to the regular open public hunting seasons in the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, special lottery hunting opportunities are available on the North and South Farm properties.  These lottery hunts are managed by LDWF.  Each of them has their own application, restrictions and due dates.

The applications and more information are available on the LDWF website.

Indian Bayou Area

Indian Bayou Brochure

An annual permit is required to hunt on the Indian Bayou Area. Permits have changed this year. Permits are now located as a cut-out on page 3 of the 2024-2025 Hunting Guide to Indian Bayou. The brochure will be maintained on all informational bulletin boards throughout the project. They may also be downloaded from this webpage or picked up at the project office. The Project office is located at 112 Speck Lane Port Barre, LA 70577. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone (337) 585-0853

Crawfishing: Commercial and recreational crawfishing is permitted from October 1 - July 31 with a Special Use Crawfish Permit. Permits can be obtained at the USACE Port Barre Office for more details call (337) 585-0853.

Special Hunting Lottery Information:

               Youth & Physically Challenged Turkey Lottery:

The Turkey season is closed for the 2024-2025 hunting season.

 

                Turkey Hunt Lottery:

The Turkey season is closed for the 2024-2025 hunting season.

Youth Deer Lottery:

This special hunt is for youths between the ages of 10 and 17. The dates for these special hunts are: Nov. 23, 2024, Dec. 21, 2024, and Dec. 23, 2024. Applications are due by the close of business October 11, 2024. The application is available here:

2024 Indian Bayou Youth Lottery Deer Hunt

           Wounded Warrior Lottery Hunt

The Corps of Engineers has partnered with Wounded War Heroes to schedule a wounded warrior lottery deer hunting date. For information on the wounded warrior lottery deer hunt, please visit the Wounded War Heroes website http://wwhft.net.