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Hunting at DeSoto

CLICK HERE for 2012 hunting opportunities.

2011-2012 Hunting Seasons

Archery Deer Hunting: OCTOBER 22, 2011 - JANUARY 18, 2012

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will open to archery deer hunting on October 22, 2011. The season will run through January 18, 2012. Hunters must be properly licensed and carry a free Archery Deer Access Permit from the refuge. The Permit has a map showing the areas that are open to archery deer hunting and explains the refuge regulations.

Due to damage from the flood the archery hunting areas have changed. There are also new regulations that hunters need to be aware of before hunting. The Access Permits can be picked up at the refuge headquarters which is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Federal Holidays.

For more information email desoto@fws.gov

White-tailed Deer Hunting

MUZZLELOADER HUNT:

January muzzleloader deer hunt for Iowa and Nebraska hunters.  The hunt will run from January 11 to the 18th, 2012, and will be antlerless and muzzleloader only.  Nebraska hunters need a Season Choice Area 21 permit for the hunt.  Iowa hunters will need a January antlerless license and can use either a Harrison or Pottawattamie County Antlerless permit.  Besides being properly licensed to hunt deer by their respective states, hunters must also have a DeSoto Refuge Access Permit.  This permit is free and lists the Federal regulations that the hunters must follow while hunting on DeSoto.

The Access Permits to hunt the refuges are available at the DeSoto Refuge Headquarters. You can pick them up from the staff Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 4:30pm or in a self-serve dispenser in the headquarters entry way on the weekends. Or hunters can go to the DeSoto website at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/desoto/hunting.htm under Hunting and print off the permits. Boyer Chute’s Access Permits is available at the above place or at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/boyerchute/hunting. Hunters may call Mindy Sheets at 712/388-4802 for any questions.

Wild Turkey Hunting

Youth and Disabled: Turkey HUNT

DeSoto Refuge offers a wild turkey hunt for youth and mobility-impaired hunters each spring. Interested youth hunters may apply for the hunt by sending in a 4x6 card, or larger, with their name address and telephone number. Applications should be sent to DeSoto Refuge, 1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA 51555. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult. A random drawing for these limited slots will take place on March 1st . All hunters must be licensed and abide by all applicable regulations from their state

On April 14th and 15th, 2012 DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge will offer a wild turkey hunt for youth hunters. A second weekend, April 21st and 22nd, 2012, will include hunts for both youth hunters and hunters with mobility impairments. Interested hunters may apply for the hunt by sending in their name address and telephone number. Applications should be sent to DeSoto Refuge, 1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA 51555. A random drawing for the limited slots will be done on March 1st . All applications must be received by that time. Interested mobility impaired hunters can find out more about the hunt by calling Mindy Sheets at 712-388-4802. All hunters must abide by all applicable regulations from their state.

Public Archery Turkey Hunt Season 2012

DeSoto Refuge will be open to public archery turkey hunting April 16th through May 20th, 2012. A refuge Archery Turkey Hunting Access Permit is required and can be obtained free of charge below, or at the DeSoto Visitor Center, which is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The permit includes a map showing the areas that archers can hunt. All hunters must be properly licensed, follow all applicable state and federal regulations and carry the refuge access permit while hunting.

All hunters must abide by all applicable regulations from their state. Click here for 2012 Archery Turkey Hunt Access Permit and Regulation

Contact: Mindy Sheets at 712/388-4802 or email mindy_sheets@fws.gov for details on any of the hunts at DeSoto NWR.

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