By Pete Cooper, Jr. Last April Jeep's Cajun Jamboree was held in the scenic and historic Louisiana town of St. Francisville, which is located on U.S. 61 an easy hour's drive northwest of Baton Rouge. For the occasion I was asked to create an article informing participants in the Jamboree about the excellent fishing opportunities which are found in this area, and I sincerely hope some of you were able to take advantage of them along with the festivities in and around town. With the exception of the crappie found in Old River which I noted was generally west of town and a great year-round spot for this popular species, fishing slows down in this area during late fall and winter. However, for someone who missed out on April's Jamboree and still wants to visit the area--or for someone who liked the place so much that he's looking for an excuse to return, here's a little inspiration for a December visit: St. Francisville is a very short drive from some excellent deer and duck hunting! A short drive northwest of town on LA 66 will take you to the Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area. Even if you don't hunt, these 5358 steeply rolling state-owned acres are something you just have to see! Besides the terrain, which is quite unusual for Louisiana, several rare varieties of plants are present here. In fact, this is the only place in the state where some of them are found! Also, a diversity of wildlife inhabit the area, both game and non-game species. While hunting is allowed for small game and waterfowl under the regulations that apply statewide, the period from November 24 to December 10 is set aside exclusively for muzzleloader either-sex deer hunting. Archery hunting is allowed in accordance with outside regulations, and in addition to deer, unmarked hogs may be taken from October 1 through February 28. A daily self-clearing permit which is available at the WMA's permit station, as well as a general wildlife management area access permit, is required in addition to the appropriate hunting licenses. All deer killed must be reported at the self-clearing station. The Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, comprised of 11,780 state-owned acres, 15,220 acres owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 14,000 acres owned by the Corps of Engineers and located a short drive southwest of St. Francisville, is a world of difference from Tunica Hills, yet it still offers fine deer hunting. It is located in the Morganza Floodway just east of the Atchafalaya River and is basically a bottomland hardwood forest. To reach Sherburne take the ferry across the river, proceed through New Roads, and take LA 1 south to Parlange. Turn west there on LA 78 and follow that to U.S. 190 at Livonia. Head west on U.S. 190, and just before you reach the Atchafalaya River bridge, you will see signs directing you to the WMA. Besides the general WMA access permit, Sherburne also requires daily permits which are available at various stations in the area. The archery season runs concurrently with outside areas and under similar regulations. However, there is also a modern-weapon either-sex deer season from November 24 to 26 and again on December 2 and 3. Also, a bucks-only modern-weapon season runs from December 30 to January 7, and there's an either-sex muzzleloader season from January 8 to 14. Small game and waterfowl are also available except on the days of the either-sex modern-firearms hunts. Also, lottery duck hunts are another opportunity offered here. Regulations are not consistent throughout the Sherburne WMA, so a chart of the area is recommended to prevent any unintentional violations. Contact the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at 225-765-2800 or at www.wlf.state.la.us for information on the WMA charts and on registering for a lottery duck hunt, should you like a little variety in your hunting. Should you like a whole lot of variety, then you might consider arranging a few days' hunts at the Silos Lodge, some 15 miles west of town. Situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the lodge was constructed from a pair of grain elevators into a 3-story, 7000-square-foot hunting lodge. This year my good friends the Ballays (of the Venice Marina Ballays) are running it, and the hunting promises to be great. But I am getting ahead of myself. Back to the building--which is quite unique. It is arranged into 15 spacious bedrooms, five full baths, several half-baths, a dining hall, and an entertainment room. Four balconies surround the lodge, three of which face the river. Clay pigeon shooting can be done from the porch overlooking the river, and there is a rifle range and a bow range nearby. Surrounding the lodge are 7,000 acres of varied but excellent deer habitat, ranging from vast soybean fields to bottomland hardwood forest to cypress swamps. This is basically "still hunting," and safe stands of all types are provided by the lodge. Duck hunting is also an option here, both from tree-blinds in the swamps' sloughs and the area's two lakes and from sunken blinds in the fields. All seasons run concurrently with the outside area. Standard reservations for a 2-day hunt are from noon to noon, include four guided hunts (afternoon and morning), lodging, home-cooked meals, and the use of all the facility's amenities. Since the lodge is very remote, a common meeting place will be arranged in St. Francisville. For further information on the Silos Lodge, call 1-888-321-SILO. So you see, this month--and a bit beyond--there are plenty of opportunities around St. Francisville for a Jeep owner who enjoys the hunt and who would still like to take in all that this unique area offers. Just remember while you are in the woods--be they bottomland hardwoods, cypress swamps, or those strange, steeply rolling hills--take a look around you occasionally. Besides the general and very appealing scenery, you might see something quite rare. Enjoy.

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