re: National Forests and Govt. shutdown?

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The government shutdown will temporarily close the Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge, and workers say it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Hunting season begins for bow hunters Tuesday, but those who rely on the area’s wildlife refuges for their hunting will have to find somewhere else to go.

Refuge Manager Brett Hortman said all public use areas — including trails, boat ramps and hunting areas — will close at Black Bayou, D’Arbonne, Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake national wildlife refuges. He said 17 people work at those locations, and 12 of them will be on furloughs.

Hortman said he’s hoping the shutdown will be temporary, but he’s taking steps to notify hunters in case they can’t get to their stands.

“We’re going to try to put up signs and notify people as best we can,” Hortman said. “I know they’re going to be upset and it’s bad timing, but it’s out of our control.”

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