The Sherman S. Shaw servitude property consists of two tracts of approximately 1,025 acres, located about 12 miles northwest of Newellton in Tensas Parish, Louisiana.
A 1-mile agricultural field separates this property from the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge to the west. It adjoins the Linda Silmon conservation servitude property to the southwest.
The property was purchased in 1994 for agricultural production. Soybeans and small grains were produced until 1996 when the property was enrolled into the Wetlands Reserve Program and restored to forested wetland habitat. Long-term objectives include the restoration of high-quality hardwoods valued for both wildlife and timber benefits.
Small wildlife openings are managed as permanent wildlife food plots, which are planted to warm- and/or cool-season grasses and legumes for wildlife.
The property provides excellent hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer and rabbits and has a history of consistently good duck hunting. The property is enrolled in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Deer Management Assistance Program. Seven moist-soil management areas provide the requirements for wildlife species such as waterfowl, coots, rails, songbirds, insects, turtles, alligators, and snakes.
As with other servitudes in this area that border the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, the most prominent and important mammals on the property are the Louisiana black bear and white-tailed deer.