In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the U.S. Forest Service will waive all fees at recreational sites in Kisatchie National Forest, with the exception of camping on Caney Lakes on the Caney Ranger District and on the Calcasieu Ranger District.

The fees will be waived starting Saturday, Jan. 19 until Monday, Jan. 27. All other recreational activities requiring a fee will be waived.

A ban on using dogs for deer hunting in Kisatchie National Forest has been lifted. Hunters with dogs may hunt in Kisatchie National Forest from Dec. 15 - Dec. 23. Permits are required for all deer hunters during this period of time. Permits are available at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries offices and their website www.wlf.la.gov.

Helicopters are expected to be hovering over Lake Bistineau in the near future for a periodic, aerial herbicide spray to treat giant salvinia. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has contracted two days of helicopter spraying to control plants in the large, open areas starting Tuesday, November 27. 

Following the aerial treatment, airboats will concentrate on those areas with thick concentrations among dense cypress tree stands. The aerial spraying will be applied to selected areas where giant salvinia growth is particularly heavy.