The terrain, much like that of Red River WMA, is typically flat to depressed, with the only significant changes in relief being elevated roads, levees, and a large artificial sand ridge. Numerous small lakes and bayous are formed by this relatively poor drainage pattern, and a large portion of the land is subject to annual spring flooding. Spring's highly productive overflow conditions produce excellent sport angling and commercial fishing. The forest overstory is classified as bottomland hardwoods.

The game species attracting the greatest hunter participation is deer, but turkey, squirrels, waterfowl, rabbits and woodcock are also sought after.

Three primitive camping areas have been constructed and are maintained by the department. All-weather access, potable water and comfort stations are available at the Shell Road camping area. For more information, contact the Region 4 office in Ferriday at (318) 757-4571.

SHERBURNE WMA
This area is in the Morganza Floodway system of the Atchafalaya Basin in the lower and upper portions of Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, and Iberville parishes respectively, between the Atchafalaya River and the East Protection Guide Levee. It combines with the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge and Corps land to form a 43,618-acre tract that the LDWF manages as one unit.

Access to the Sherburne is had via Highway 975, which connects on the north with highway 190 at Krotz Springs and on the south with Interstate 10 at Whiskey Bay.

Entrance to the interior of the area is possible through a series of all-weather roads, ATV trails, and Big and Little Alabama bayous. Two private boat launches are on the northern portion of Big Alabama Bayou; two public launches are available, one on the northern portion of Little Alabama Bayou and the other on the southern portion of Big Alabama Bayou.

The area is classified as a bottomland-hardwoods type featuring four dominant tree-species associations: cottonwood-sycamore: oak-gum-hackberry-ash, willow-cypress-ash and overcup oak-bitter pecan.

Wildlife biologists rate deer hunting at this area as quite good; excellent to good turkey, squirrel, and woodcock hunting will also be found here. Development and management have improved access, habitat, wildlife populations and public use on the Sherburne complex.

Camping is permitted at two designated areas; the one on the southern portion of the area is strictly primitive, while the other, on the northern portion, makes running water available. For more information, contact the Region 6 LDWF office in Opelousas at (337) 948-0255.

THISTLETHWAITE WMA
Access to this well-liked area immediately northeast of Washington off Highway 10 in north-central St. Landry Parish is also possible by way of the Lebeau exit off I-49. Within the area, 17 miles of all-weather shell roads are maintained, allowing convenient access to virtually the entire tract. Approximately 11 miles of woods trails are also maintained for the convenience of hunters.

The 11,000-acre Thistlethwaite's terrain is generally flat bottomland, with a gentle north-to-south slope. Drainage is slow, with standing water present for considerable periods after heavy rains. Forest cover is predominantly oak, most commonly water oak, willow oak, overcup oak, white oak, cherrybark oak, nuttall oak, cow oak, and post oak.

Any serious deer hunter can see why this area attracts big bucks each year. Selective timber cuttings have enhanced a natural understory of dogwood, redbud, spice bush, French mulberry, greenbrier, rattan, blackberry, and many others. Choice browse plants are dogwood and wild lettuce, along with Japanese honeysuckle, which grows profusely.

The deer herd is outstanding in quality, with many trophy bucks being taken from it year after year.