WINN PARISH, La. — Louisiana has a new Wildlife Management Area, and it is located in southwest Winn Parish.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has officially established Coochie Brake Wildlife Management Area, opening 1,894 acres to public hunting, outdoor recreation and conservation opportunities, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The property, formerly known as the Coochie Brake State Preservation Area, became a WMA through a partnership between LDWF and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism’s Office of State Parks.

Coochie Brake consists primarily of cypress swamp, transitioning into upland habitats characteristic of the surrounding area.

Beginning Oct. 1, the new WMA will offer public hunting opportunities, including archery-only deer hunting and small game hunting. Additional regulations and season information are included in LDWF’s 2026-27 hunting season materials.

“We’re proud to partner with the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism-Office of State Parks to provide more public lands to the people of Louisiana through Coochie Brake WMA,” LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth said. “It gives another outdoor recreation opportunity to our sportsmen and women, especially those in the north central part of the state, which is a big goal of this administration.”

Beyond its recreational opportunities, Coochie Brake has a history intertwined with local folklore. According to LDWF, the area’s roots stretch back to its days as the site of a Spanish fort.

The rugged landscape was once considered an “impenetrable barrier” and over the years became associated with local stories involving curses, outlaws, moonshiners and the mysterious woods.

Its history and folklore have also inspired music about Coochie Brake and the stories surrounding the area.

LDWF added some humor to its announcement, borrowing from the lyrics of Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee” while introducing the new WMA, including the line, “It gets hotter than a hoochie … Coochie Brake.”

With its official designation, Coochie Brake WMA adds nearly 1,900 acres of public land in Winn Parish, providing additional opportunities for hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts beginning this fall.