Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Midwest Region

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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

Contact Us

Phone: 812-273-0783
Fax: 812-273-0786
Address:
1661 West JPG Niblo Road
Madison, IN 47250

RULES & REGULATIONS 

Report a Poacher and Information on Refuge Law Enforcement

All refuge activities are subject to the following rules & regulations and to regulations contained within 50 CFR 1.1.

A. Public Use: 

Public use on the refuge is limited to Mondays, Fridays and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from mid-April through November from 7:00AM - 4:30PM.  Days and hours may vary during hunting seasons.

  1. All visitors are required to attend a safety briefing, sign an acknowledgement of danger agreement, and obtain an annual or daily public access permit before entering the refuge.  Visitors must possess a valid daily pass at all times.  All visitors must check into and out of the refuge in accordance with the provisions of their refuge permit.

  2. A lottery system is used as needed during public use.  Any activity by a refuge visitor that will result in an unfair advantage or improve one's chance in the lottery is prohibited. 

  3. Visitor trespass into an unassigned area is not permitted.  It is the responsibility of each person to know where they are at all times.

  4. Pets must be kept on a leash, except hunting dogs used during refuge squirrel hunting season.  All pets are required to wear a collar displaying the owner's name, address, and telephone number.

  5. Searching for, removing, or possessing objects of antiquity or historical significance or unexploded ordnance, munitions or any item (s) associated with the Army’s historical mission is prohibited.

  6. Camping, fires, swimming, dumping, trapping, ATV's and littering are prohibited.

  7. Vehicles and other modes of transportation are allowed only on designated roads. Off-road vehicles are prohibited.

  8. Disturbing or collecting plants or animals and/or parts is prohibited.  Wild edible food products (i.e., mushrooms, nuts, wild asparagus and berries) and shed deer antlers may be gathered for personal use during refuge public use days subject to the following condition:  permit required.  Mushrooms must be collected in a mesh bag.

  9. Spotlighting wildlife, even without weapons, is prohibited.

 B. Legal Game: 

Hours of the refuge office on the refuge during hunting. Check monthly calendars for selected dates.

White-tailed deer:    5:30AM until 8:00PM (Archery Season, October)

                                 4:30AM until 7:00PM (Gun Season, November)

Wild Turkey:            5:30AM until 2:00PM (late April thru early May)

Squirrel:                   7:00AM until 4:30PM (August 15th thru November)

Legal shooting hours are according to state regulations.          

  1. Hunting of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and squirrel are permitted in designated areas on the refuge subject to the following condition: permit and state licenses required.

  2. Only designated game species may be taken; all other wildlife may not be molested, harassed, or taken in any manner.

  3. Firearms are allowed only during refuge firearm hunting seasons and must be unloaded and cased and dismantled while in a vehicle.

  4. Hunting is permitted by shotgun, muzzleloader, or archery.  Permitted squirrel hunters are the only hunters authorized to possess a rifle (only .22 rimfire) on the refuge. Handguns are not permitted on the refuge.  Weaponry is otherwise regulated by the state.

  5. Nontoxic shot is required for squirrel hunting (no lead shot).

  6. Portable tree stands may be used during deer season.  Stands may be left overnight if the hunter will be hunting the following day.  Tree steps or screw-in steps are prohibited.

  7. Harvested game taken on the refuge must be checked at the refuge check station.

  8. Refuge hunts require a hunting partner.  Hunting partners are required to know the location of their partner while hunting.  Youth hunters, anyone 15 or under, must be supervised by a responsible adult.

  9. Without the check-in of an antlerless deer, only 2 bucks may be taken per hunter on the refuge, 1 buck with archery licenses and 1 buck with firearm licenses. Hunters who check-in  antlerless deer with archery licenses or with firearm licenses will be authorized to harvest 1 additional buck during that respective season.

  10. Only one military/refuge deer license may be used per drawn hunt (1or 2-day hunt).  An additional military/refuge license will be valid with every check-in of an antlerless deer.

  11. Hunters may not exceed the daily bag limit of 2 deer per day.

  12. Squirrel hunting dogs are prohibited except in the day-use area.

  13. Flagging tape and reflective tacks are prohibited.

  14. Cutting of trees or trimming branches for shooting lanes is prohibited.

  15. Hunters may not possess alcoholic beverages on the refuge.

  16. Hunters must possess and carry a compass while hunting on the refuge.

  17. All hunting subject to state regulations.

 C. Sport Fishing: 

  1. Fishing is permitted on Old Timbers Lake in accordance with state fishing regulations subject to the following condition: permit required.

  2. Only fishing with rod and reel or pole and line is permitted.  Trotlines or limb lines are not permitted.

  3. There is a 25-boat limit on the lake. 

  4. Only boats powered by an electric trolling motor or those that are rowed or paddled are allowed on the lake.

  5. Retaining black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) between 12 and 15 inches is prohibited.

  6. All state boating and fishing regulations apply.

Last updated: July 8, 2008