For more information, contact the Tensas River NWR, 2312 Quebec Road, Tallulah, LA 71282; (318) 574-2664.

Immediately south of Tensas River NWR lies Big Lake WMA, which in January 1994 surrendered to James McMurray of Gilbert the top non-typical whitetail ever to be rattled in on public lands anywhere. At 281 6/8 B&C, McMurray's 30-pointer ranks among the top 10 non-typical trophy whitetails ever killed on the North American continent.

With portions lying in Franklin, Madison and Tensas parishes 12 miles east of Gilbert, Big Lake consists of 19,231 acres of bottomland hardwoods. For maps, season dates and more information regarding Big Lake WMA, write or call the LDWF, P.O. Box 1640, Ferriday, LA 71334; telephone (318) 757-4571.

In Concordia Parish, Three Rivers and Red River WMAs make available to the deer-hunting public over 60 thousand acres of bottomland hardwoods. A review of the Louisiana Big Game Records for whitetails will find this parish listed in almost all categories, especially in the non-typical trophy list.

Expect these lands to deliver more trophy bucks, especially if cold temperatures descend on the region during the rut in late December and January. Hunting during the pre-rut begins the Friday following Thanksgiving.

For more information on these lands, call or write the LDWF, P.O. Box 1640, Ferriday, LA 71334; telephone (318) 757-4571.

North of Marksville, Lake Ophelia NWR's 17,500 Avoyelles Parish acres were once part of an immense hardwood bottomland tract bordering the Mississippi River. In the past few years, this area has produced several magnificent trophy whitetails for archers and smokepolers. Three two-day weekend lottery hunts occur each year at this area, one in December and the others in January. The balance of the season is for bowhunting and three days of youth gun hunts.

For maps and more information, contact Lake Ophelia NWR, 401 Island Road, Marksville, LA 71351; (318) 253-4238.

Find more about Louisiana fishing and hunting at: LAgameandfish.com