Robert Dailey
Refuge Manager

   Directions to Refuge

   Fact Sheet

   Hunting Regulations

Refuge Facts:

• Established: 1964.
• Acres: 4,218 acres plus 236 acres in perpetual conservation easements in eight parcels in Monroe, Sumter and Conecuh counties.
• The refuge is located 10 miles northwest of Coffeeville, AL, across the Tombigbee River and north of Highway 84, in Southwest Alabama, approximately 80 miles north of Mobile.

Natural History:

• Refuge borders Tombigbee River (Tenn-Tom Waterway) for 6.5 miles.
• Two creeks (Okatuppa & Turkey) divide the refuge into three separate units.
• Approximately one-half of the refuge is creeks, sloughs, lakes, and backwaters of the Tombigbee River.
• Approximately one-half of the refuge is typical bottomland hardwoods associated with the Tombigbee River basins.
• Habitat open areas (approximately 150 acres) are utilized for waterfowl cropland and moist soil units.
• Wildlife includes: herons, raptors, otters, beavers, deer, turkeys, raccoons, squirrels, wood ducks, wintering waterfowl, and endangered/threatened species (American alligators, bald eagles and wood storks).

Financial Impact of Refuge

• Three-person staff.
• 30,000 visitors annually, mostly fishermen and hunters.
• FY 07 budget: $472,200.

Refuge Objectives

• Manage habitat for wintering waterfowl.
• Maintain habitat and provide protection for threatened and endangered species.
• Manage wood duck nest boxes and brood rearing habitat.
• Maintain wildlife diversity.
• Manage forest to be productive bottomland hardwoods.
• Provide wildlife-dependent recreation.

Management Tools:

• Water level management (moist soil units).
• Forest management (planting and selective harvest).
• Crops for wintering waterfowl.
• Deer management through recreational hunting.
• Community partnerships.
• Law enforcement.
• Wood duck artificial nest boxes and banding.
• Exotic aquatic plant management.

Public Use Opportunities

• Big game archery hunts (deer and hogs).
• Small game gun hunts (squirrels, rabbits, raccoons).
• Fishing (sport and commercial).
• Boating (ramps and parking).
• Hiking, photography, wildlife observation.
• Information kiosk and cypress swamp overlook
• Big game archery hunts (white tailed deer).

Questions and Answers

Can I camp on the refuge?

Camping is not permitted on the refuge. Camping is available at the U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers primitive campground at Lenoir Landing - one half-mile north of the refuge office/ maintenance area. Modern camping is  available at the Corps of Engineers Service Park located off Highway 84,  about 20 miles south.

We allow archery hunts for big game from opening day of the State archery  season through November 30 each year. Gun hunting for small game is allowed  during the last part of November ( opening date varies anually)

No. Sport fishing is permitted only with poles and lines or rods and reels. A refuge permit is required for commercial fishing on the refuge.

Access to this bottomland hardwood refuge is sometimes only possible by boat in the spring. Road access is limited, and frequent flooding and storms make it impassable; therefore, call first.

Boats may be launched at the refuge boat boat ramp located just past the office/maintenance area. Additionally, launches are available at either of  the Corps of Engineers campgrounds ( Lenoir landing to the north, Service  Park to the south)

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