The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex has three Lottery Drawn Waterfowl Hunt opportunities on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The application period for the lottery waterfowl hunts is September 1-30, 2025. All applications must be received by Tuesday, September 30th 2025, any application cards received after will not be considered. Cards may be mailed to Cameron Prairie Lottery Hunt, 209 Nature Rd, Lake Arthur, LA 70549 or dropped into the secure incoming mailbox, located in front of the Cameron Prairie office at the edge of the parking lot. The Cameron Prairie Office/Visitor center is open Tuesday through Thursday between the hours of 9:30am and 2:30pm, cards may be brought inside and given to staff member. See description of each hunt and how to apply below.
The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to youth 8鈥�17 years of age. The youth hunts, in five blinds, are scheduled on Saturdays and selected Sundays and school holidays within the Louisiana West Zone waterfowl hunting season. The 15 available hunt dates for the 2025-26 Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt are November 8-9* (* Youth Waterfowl Day is a youth only hunt for youths 17 years old and under. Adults must supervise youth, but adults cannot hunt on this day). November 15, 22, 28, and 29, December 06, 20, 26, and 27, and January 03, 10, 17, 24 and 25 (2026). Selected youth, their adult supervisor, and a guest of any age are permitted to hunt on these dates in compliance with state law. Youth hunters must harvest their own limit. Decoys are NOT provided.
Youth hunter applicants must be 8-17 years of age by November 1, 2025. (For the Louisiana Youth Only Hunt on November 8-9, 2025, the youth and youth guest must be 17 or younger on that day to hunt). One adult will supervise no more than two youth hunters. Youths may hunt without hunter education certification if they are accompanied by and under direct supervision of a person born before September 1, 1969 that has a valid hunting license; or accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older and has proof of successful completion of a hunter education course approved by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. If the course has been taken, but the card has not been received, you are required to carry a copy of the course completion certificate while hunting. Three hunters (supervising adult, permitted youth, and a guest of any age) are permitted in each of the Cameron Prairie pit blinds.
The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Senior Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to seniors age 55 and older by November 1, 2025. Senior hunts, in five blinds, are scheduled on Wednesdays during the Louisiana West Zone waterfowl hunting season. The 8 available dates for the 2025-26 Cameron Prairie NWR Senior Lottery Waterfowl Hunt are November 19 and 26, December 03, and 24 and 31, January 7, 14 and 21 (2026). Chosen senior hunters are permitted to bring two guests of any age. Decoys are NOT provided.
The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Veteran Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to all Veterans. The Veteran hunts, in five blinds, are scheduled on Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 1, 2026, during the Louisiana West Zone waterfowl hunting season. Chosen Veteran hunters are permitted to bring two guests, guest must be Veterans as well. Decoys are NOT provided.
To apply for refuge Lottery Hunts: Submit Only ONE white 3鈥� x 5鈥� index card for each hunt that you are applying for this year. There are three different lottery waterfowl hunts, they are: 1) Cameron Prairie Youth Waterfowl Hunt and 2) Cameron Prairie Senior Waterfowl Hunt and 3) Cameron Prairie Veteran Waterfowl Hunt.
Each card must contain the following information:
1. Print or Type Name of Hunt that you are applying for:
2. Cameron Prairie Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Cameron Prairie Senior Waterfowl Hunt, Cameron Prairie Veteran Waterfowl Hunt (only one card per hunt, NOT one per hunt date)
3. Print or Type Applicant name
4. Print or Type Applicant age by November 1, 2025
5. Print or Type Applicants complete mailing address
6. Print or Type Applicants email address
7. Print or Type Applicants complete contact telephone number
8. Print or Type Applicants preferred Hunt Date and up to FOUR alternate dates, in priority order, or write 鈥渁ny available date鈥� if you can make it to any hunt date.
Phone or email applications are not accepted. If the required information is not provided, or is illegible, the applicant will not be eligible for the drawing. Individuals submitting more than one card per hunt will be disqualified from the drawing.
Successful applicants will receive a packet containing a special lottery hunt permit that will identify the hunt date and blind number of the hunt, a map to the hunt blind, a parking permit to go on the dashboard and a SWLA NWR Complex hunt permit brochure. Packets should arrive no later than October 25, 2025.
For additional information about any of the SW LA National Wildlife Refuges call 337-774-5923 or view our website at /refuge/cameron-prairie. Information will also be provided on the complex Facebook page .
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service seeks public comment on Draft Compatibility
Determination for Utility Right-of-Way on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
The 14 day public comment period commences on August 25. Please read the information bulletin and Draft Compatibility Determination; send comments or questions to [email protected]
For reference, find the FEMA Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Finding Of No Significant Impact here.
Visit Us
Located approximately 26 miles south of Sulphur, Louisiana, Sabine National Wildlife Refuge has numerous recreation areas where you can fish, crab or take a hike. Whether you are looking for an alligator to photograph or just a place to stretch your legs, the Wetland Walkway is always an adventure.
Activities
Hunting, Fishing, Hiking and Wildlife Observation and Photography are all popular activities on Sabine NWR.
Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America鈥檚 heritage. Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciation of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs. As practiced on refuges, hunting, and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances are necessary for sound wildlife management. Hunting programs can promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on lands and waters in the refuge system.
Learn more about our hunting regulations here: Southwest Louisiana Hunting Regulations
Learn more about our fishing and boating regulations here: Louisiana Fishing and Boating RegulationsSouthwest
HUNTING
Alligator
The alligator season generally occurs in September, after hatching season, but prior to winter hibernation. The season is set by LDWF and may vary slightly depending on the duration of the nesting season. The refuge harvest follows state regulations, but may be more restrictive under certain conditions. A limited number of alligator hunters are selected through a lottery drawing every three years.
Waterfowl
Hunting of ducks, geese, gallinules and coots is permitted in designated areas of the refuge during the waterfowl seasons set by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. All hunters are required to have a refuge-issued permit.
Waterfowl hunt scouting, waterfowl general hunt. Each hunting party is required to complete a harvest report listing numbers and species of game taken. Forms may be placed in designated check station drop boxes after each hunt or delivered to the refuge complex office at Cameron Prairie NWR.
Waterfowl hunt scouting is permitted during the entire fishing season (Mar 15-Oct 15) & Mon-Fri during the week prior to Louisiana鈥檚 coastal zone duck and coot season starts. Waterfowl general hunting is available Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday during the Louisiana coastal zone duck and coot season, and September teal season. Designated areas only. Closed Fridays.
CFR Entries: Title 50 Volume 6 Chapter 1 Parts 18-199 Code of Federal Regulations. All hunting is in accordance with applicable state licensing and regulations, unless otherwise stated in refuge specific regulations.
FISHING
All recreational anglers must possess a valid, basic Louisiana fishing license. Additionally, all recreational anglers fishing south of the state designated 'saltwater line' for saltwater species must have in their possession a Louisiana saltwater angler's license, as well as their basic Louisiana fishing license.
Fishing is permitted with rod and reel or pole and line, as well as jug fishing in designated areas on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
Anglers seeking freshwater fishing opportunities should try the interior waters of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Those anglers seeking saltwater fish should utilize Sabine's roadside recreation area wharfs and tidal marshes.
Crabbing
Each person is required to have either the Hook and Line license or the basic and saltwater licenses. Recreational crabbing is only permitted with a crab/drop net and/or hand line. Only cotton line and drop nets up to 24鈥� outside diameter may be used. Floats on crab lines are prohibited. All hand lines, drop nets, and bait must be removed from the refuge upon leaving. The daily crab limit is five dozen (60) per day per vehicle or boat. See refuge specific regulations for crabbing opportunities.
Cast Netting
Each person is required to have a valid, basic fishing license as well as a saltwater license to cast net for shrimp. (Sabine is south of the state designated saltwater line.) Cast nets must be less than 8.5 feet in radius. Recreational cast netting for shrimp is only permitted via boat during Louisiana inshore water shrimp season.
Possession Limits
Daily fish limits are the same as Louisiana's sport fishing limits. The daily crab limit is five dozen per day per vehicle or boat. The daily shrimp limit during the Louisiana inshore shrimp season is five gallons of heads-on shrimp per day, per vehicle or boat. The daily bait shrimp limit is one gallon per day per boat.
Universal Access
Several universally accessible fishing docks are available at Sabine NWR. For further assistance contact our Refuge Complex office at 337-598-2216.
Fishing, Crabbing, Cast netting, Shrimping
- Recreational fishing with rod and reel, pole and line, and/or jug lines is permitted. Jug line fishing is permitted in designated waterways open to fishing. It is prohibited inside Units 1A, 1B and 3. Jugs are limited to 10 per boat and must be attended at all times. All jugs must be marked with the attendants fishing license number and must be removed from the refuge daily. The use or possession of any other type of fishing gear including, limb and trot lines, and gill, trammel, and hoop nets, are prohibited in all refuge waters. The daily fish limits are the same as Louisiana鈥檚 sport fishing limits.
- Northline Recreational Area: Fishing and crabbing, year-round, sunrise to sunset.
Hog Island Cully: Fishing and crabbing, year-round, sunrise to sunset.
Blue Crab: Fishing and crabbing, year-round, sunrise to sunset.
West Cove: Fishing and crabbing, year-round, sunrise to sunset.
Interior bayous, canals and ponds: Fishing and crabbing, March 15 through October 15, sunrise to sunset. Cast netting for shrimp from a boat, Louisiana inshore shrimp season, sunrise to sunset. Cast netting for bait from a boat. Louisiana鈥檚 inshore shrimp season is one gallon, from March 15 through October 15, sunrise to sunset. - Title 50 Volume 6 Chapter 1 Parts 18-199 Code of Federal Regulations. All fishing, crabbing, and cast-netting on refuges are in accordance with applicable state licenses. Individuals utilizing the refuges are subject to inspections of licenses, fishing equipment, daily limits, boats, vehicles and their contents by federal and state officers. For recreational crabbing, each person is required to have either the Hook and Line license or the basic and saltwater licenses. Recreational crabbing is only permitted with a crab/drop net and/or hand line. See refuge specific regulations for crabbing opportunities. Each person is required to have basic and saltwater licenses to cast net for shrimp. Cast nets must be less than 8.5 feet in radius. Recreational cast netting for shrimp is only permitted during the Louisiana inshore water shrimp season. See refuge specific regulations for additional information. Daily fish limits are the same as Louisiana鈥檚 sport fishing limits. The daily crab limit is five dozen per day per vehicle or boat. The daily shrimp limit during the Louisiana inshore shrimp season is five gallons of heads-on shrimp per day, per vehicle or boat. The daily bait shrimp limit is one gallon per day per boat.
WILDLIFE VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Scenic Overlooks
In cooperation with the Creole Nature Trail All American Road, the refuge maintains a roadside 'Scenic Overlook' along State Highway 27. This area allows visitors on the refuge to stop and observe coastal marsh habitat and the wildlife inhabiting it without having to leave their vehicle.
Trails
There are two wildlife observation trails on the refuge, one in a freshwater impoundment and another in coastal brackish/saline marsh.
The Wetland Walkway is a one-and-a-half mile trail and boardwalk located approximately four miles south of the refuge office with parking and facilities near State Highway 27. It provides opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. There is a boardwalk over the impounded freshwater marsh of Unit 1B and wildlife can frequently be seen crossing the trail. The trail also features a raised observation tower that affords spectacular views especially at sundown when the western sky frames acres of grassy marsh. Visitors can see wading birds, waterfowl, alligator, rabbits, armadillos, muskrat, nutria, nesting birds, butterflies, and migrant songbirds during various times of the year from the trail. The trail is open year-round from dawn until dusk.
The Blue Goose Trail is located along State Highway 27 just north of the refuge office and features parking and a wildlife observation platform. Wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, diamond backed terrapins, and many other brackish/saline marsh and shoreline species may be seen along the trail. The trail is open year-round from dawn until dusk.
Sabine NWR also offers hikers two pedestrian hiking trails.
The Blue Goose Trail and the Wetland Walkway offer a variety of wildlife viewing and photography opportunities to refuge visitors.
Photography
Wildlife photography is permitted at designated roadside and recreation areas and in the interior refuge canals and marshes.
Wildlife photography is permitted year round at designated roadside and recreation areas. Interior refuge canals and marshes are open to photography from March 15 to October 15.
Birding
Southwest Louisiana Complex Birds List
- Several species of native and migratory birds may be photographed. There is no special permit required to observe or photograph birds on the refuge.
- Birding is permitted year round, from dawn until dusk.
Dog walking
All pets must be on a leash at all times when on the refuge.
Pets are allowed on the Blue Goose Trail and Wetland Walkway, as well as roadside recreation areas, year round, dawn until dusk.
Driving Directions to all major entrances:
From Points West: I-10 Eastbound, Exit 20 -- LA1256 Sulphur, Cameron. Head south for approximately 26 miles. Observe Sabine NWR signs.
From Points East: I-10 Westbound, Exit 20 鈥� LA1256 Sulphur, Cameron. Head south for approximately 26 miles. Observe Sabine NWR signs.
Trails
There are two wildlife observation trails on the refuge, one in a freshwater impoundment and another in coastal brackish/saline marsh.
The Wetland Walkway is a one-and-a-half mile trail and boardwalk located approximately four miles south of the refuge office with parking and facilities near State Highway 27. It provides opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. There is a boardwalk over the impounded freshwater marsh of Unit 1B and wildlife can frequently be seen crossing the trail. The trail also features a raised observation tower that affords spectacular views especially at sundown when the western sky frames acres of grassy marsh. Visitors can see wading birds, waterfowl, alligator, rabbits, armadillos, muskrat, nutria, nesting birds, butterflies, and migrant songbirds during various times of the year. The trail is open year-round from dawn until dusk.
The Blue Goose Trail is located along State Highway 27 just north of the refuge office and features parking and a wildlife observation platform. Wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, diamond backed terrapins, and many other brackish/saline marsh and shoreline species may be seen along the trail. The trail is open year-round from dawn until dusk.
Related Documents
Please view the Brochures which includes Maps and great information about the refuge.
Other Facilities in the Complex
The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of four federal wildlife refuges located in southwest Louisiana: Cameron Prairie, Sabine, Lacassine, and Shell Keys. Each of these national wildlife refuges was created to support, protect, and provide winter habitat for migratory waterfowl. These refuges are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is a national network of lands consisting of more than 560 refuges and thousands of waterfowl production areas throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories, all of which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The more than 184,000 acres of land contained within boundaries of the four National Wildlife Refuges in southwest Louisiana supports numerous species of both plants and wildlife. The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex offers a multitude of opportunities for you and your family to learn more about and enjoy these national wildlife refuges.
For additional information about Cameron Prairie, Lacassine, Sabine and Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuges contact us at:
Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex
1428 Highway 27
Bell City LA 70630
337-598-2216
Email:
Locations
Email contact: [email protected]