Troy
Littrell
Refuge Manager
367 Highway 165
Eufaula, AL 36027-8187
(334) 687-4065
FAX: (334) 687-5906
E-mail: eufaula@fws.gov
Directions
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Fact
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Hunting
Information
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Bird
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 Refuge
Facts:
- Established: 1964.
- Acres: 11,184 (Alabama &
Georgia) Corps of Engineers (COE) Project overlay.
- Located in Barbour and Russell
counties, AL and Stewart and Quitman counties, GA.
- Other management: conservation
easements—21 in 11 counties (AL and GA) totaling 1360 acres; fee title
tracts—three in three counties (GA) totaling 591 acres.
- Most of Alabama portion
of refuge lies within Eufaula city limits.
- Location: the refuge is
located 5 miles north of Eufaula, AL on U.S. Hwy 431 then 1 and 1/2
miles on 165 north.
Natural History:
- Refuge occupies the upper
portion of the Corps of Engineers project Walter F. George Reservoir
(Lake Eufaula).
- Concentrations of ducks,
geese, wood storks, sandhill cranes, raptors, wading birds, shorebirds
and songbirds.
- Several rookeries present
along with bald eagle and osprey nests.
- Open water -- 4000 acres
- Wetlands -- 3000 acres
- Woodlands -- 2000 acres
- Croplands -- 1000 acres
- Grasslands -- 1000 acres
Financial Impact
of Refuge:
- Six-person staff.
- 325,000 visitors annually
.
- Current budget (FY 05):
$178,000.
Refuge Objectives:
- Provide habitat for migratory
waterfowl and other birds.
- Provide habitat and protection
for endangered species such as American alligator, bald eagle, and wood
stork.
- Provide wildlife-dependent
recreation and environmental education for the public.
Management Tools:
- Water management.
- Cooperative farming.
- Timber management.
- Prescribed fire.
- Mechanical/chemical control
of noxious plants.
- Public hunting.
- Education/interpretation.
- Law enforcement.
- Partnerships.
Public Use Opportunities
- Trails.
- Auto tour route.
- Fishing.
- Two observation towers.
- Wildlife observation.
- Photography.
- Hunting, including youth
hunts.
Volunteer Opportunities
Two full-service hook
up sights are available for camper volunteers (no charge). Duties usually
include various maintenance and biological projects. Length of stay, season
and duties are negotiable. Contact Refuge Manager.
Calendar of Events:
February: squirrel/rabbit
hunting.
March: Watchable
Wildlife Program.
May: Migratory Bird
Day.
October: National
Wildlife Refuge Week, dove hunting.
October-January:
archery deer hunting (including youth gun hunts).
November-January:
waterfowl hunting (including youth hunts).
Questions and Answers:
Where can we go to see birds?
(ducks, migrant songbirds, and other specialties)?
For
waterfowl, generally November through February, we send visitors to the
Upland Waterfowl Viewing Platform overlooking the Upland Impoundment.
It is a covered, open-air pavilion, and the impoundment is a shallow water
area managed specifically as a waterfowl resting and feeding area.
For wading and waterbirds, we direct visitors to one
of four impoundments, three of which have active nesting colonies of
several species. Access these areas by automobile, walking and biking.
For migratory songbirds, we suggest walks into wooded
areas around the wildlife drive or other areas.
Many other wildlife species such as alligators, hawks,
and deer can be seen along the 7-mile wildlife drive.
Do you allow hunting and fishing
on the refuge?
Managed hunts are provided for dove, deer, waterfowl,
squirrel, and rabbit. The youth deer hunt and the waterfowl hunts are
quota hunts (limited to a given number of hunters). The dove, archery-deer,
squirrel, and rabbit hunts are not limited.
Fishing in Lake Eufaula is very popular. The refuge
provides year-round bank fishing or fishing by boat in waters within
the refuge boundaries. User fees apply only to the youth deer and waterfowl
hunts.
Do you have a visitor center?
No, however,
the refuge office has mounted animals, brochures and maps for visitor’s
use. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm.
There are no weekend staff members to meet the public.
What is the best time to visit the refuge? (Are you open on weekends?)
In general, the refuge is open to visitors during
daylight hours, seven days a week. Brochures are available at all times
at two locations. There are a 7-mile auto route, two viewing towers, and
a walking trail.
The best time to observe most wildlife is the early morning or late
afternoon hours. Some species can be observed during mid-day. We suggest
that visitors stop by the office on their visit to inquire about specific
interests.
Do you provide programs
or tours for groups?
Refuge tours are provided for organized scout,
school, and church groups or other organizations. Off-refuge programs
are provided to civic groups, school classes, or any other organization.
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