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Little River National
Wildlife Refuge
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 Refuge Overview: Located in McCurtain County in eastern Oklahoma, the Little River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1987 to protect bottomland hardwood forests and waterfowl habitat. Since the refuge’s creation, Migratory Bird Conservation Funds, which include Federal Duck Stamp dollars, have been used to purchase 12,261 acres for the refuge.
Tim McCabe/USFWS |
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| Wildlife and
Habitat: The Little River National Wildlife Refuge
contains most of the remaining bottomland hardwood forest habitat
in Oklahoma and is identified as a priority area by the Lower
Mississippi Valley Joint Venture. Though characterized by bottomland
hard wood forests which includes holly, willow oak, sweet gum,
cypress, and white oak, the refuge is also dispersed with old
oxbow lakes, sloughs, and some highlands dotted with loblolly
pine, hickory, and walnut. Little River is prime habitat for
mallards and wood ducks and has been managed to promote these
and other migratory waterfowl species. |
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| Recreation Opportunities: Numerous
outdoor recreational opportunities are available at the Little River
National Wildlife Refuge. Anglers come for the channel catfish, largemouth
bass, and panfish. Hunting is allowed in season for squirrels, rabbits,
raccoons, deer, turkeys, and waterfowl. The refuge also has an active
education program and natural history programs are routinely scheduled
for school groups. Of further interest, the refuge protects several
prehistoric Indian mounds that date to between 6,000 and 10,000 BCE.
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Additional Resources
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