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Delta National Forest
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Scan the Waterfowl Flyway
Delta National Forest lies entirely within the Mississippi Waterfowl Flyway and is a fantastic perch for spying on migratory birds, but especially ducks and other water lovers. Delta's flooded bottomland hardwoods are perfect duck habitat, and populations of waterfowl are on the rise due to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and other factors, so your chances are better than ever of spotting birds.
Spy on Wetland Wildlife
The lands of the Delta are a complex blend of perpetually flooded forest, seasonal wetlands, and dry forest. Taking advantage of these diverse habitats are white-tailed deer, turkeys, otters, bobcats, alligators, and cottonmouth snakes. For the best wildlife viewing, take to the trails or pause by the sides of park roads. If you have a canoe, float down sections of the Big Sunflower and Little Sunflower Rivers or any of a number of bayous and cutoffs. Bring your binoculars, sit back, and enjoy the show.
Tackle Backcountry Trails
There are over 50 miles of trail open to backcountry fans. Twenty of these are designated for use by ATVs and lead to hunting areas. These trails are also open to horses and mountain bikes. Try the Dowling Bayou Trail for an easy trip along the edge of the Dowling Bayou Greentree Reservoir, or the Mud Lake Trail for a dip into sometimes-flooded wetlands. In many cases, hikers will have to share the trail for a while, but most reservoirs have sections for foot traffic only, like the Sunflower Greentree Reservoir.
Duck Hunt in a Flooded Forest
Greentree Reservoirs are the bottomland hardwoods where Mississippi's nuttall and overcup oaks thrive and provide cover for migrating, wintering, and resident waterfowl, including mallards and wood ducks. Five reservoirs in all cover more than 6,400 acres, all maintained by large pumps pulling from the Big and Little Sunflower Rivers. Translation: This is prime duck-hunting country. Game hunters can also await squirrel, deer, rabbit, turkey, feral hog, and coyote in season.
Fish a Slough
White perch is the forest catch. Blue, Barge, Lost, and Fish Lakes, and a whole host of sloughs (control water areas) have excellent fishing. Most of these lakes can be accessed by canoe or small boat, and the larger rivers have boat ramps.
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