Freddie Black Choctaw Island Wildlife Management Area and Deer Research Area East Unit covers 7,580 acres of Mississippi River bottomland habitat. The river and its wetlands support more than 400 species of wildlife, including 40 percent of North America’s migratory waterfowl. Choctaw Island includes some of the most ecologically significant and productive habitat in the state.
The area boasts more than 9 miles of primitive nature trails (foot traffic only) with little elevation change. Hikers and wildlife-watchers should be aware that the area is prone to flooding. Call the AGFC Monticello Regional Office for trail conditions, 877-367-3559.

Levee Trail: 3.4 miles
Stroll through young timber and mature hardwood forest with barred owls and eastern wild turkey. Keep an eye on openings and edges for eastern bluebirds, orchard orioles and other songbirds.

Rocky Hole Trail: 1.5 miles
Watch for waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds along Rocky Hole Lake. Be on the lookout for wood stork and roseate spoonbill during fall migration. Old-growth bottomland hardwoods along the southern end of the trail may hold migratory songbirds.

Old River Lake Trail: 1.7 miles
Waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds are common along Old River Lake, along with Acadian flycatchers, yellow-billed cuckoo, various warblers and alligators.

Mississippi River Trail: 2.8 miles
Walk along the Mississippi River and see riverboat traffic and the sandbar on Choctaw Bar Island. Look for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, endangered least tern, Mississippi kites, osprey and an occasional bald eagle.