Hunting Opportunities and 2011-2012 Regulations
Credit: USFWS
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is located within three counties (Noxubee, Oktibbeha and Winston) of east-central Mississippi, and consists of approximately 48,000 acres. Approximately 44,000 acres of the Refuge is woodlands and is occupied by a variety of upland species. The Refuge was established in 1940 from lands formerly controlled by the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act.
The primary objective is to provide resting and feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl. Secondarily, nesting habitat is managed for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Compatible public activities are encouraged, including wildlife observation, fishing, and hunting.
Concentrations of waterfowl occur on the Refuge during the fall and winter months. During these periods, up to 15,000 ducks and 1,200 geese are present. Common species include mallard, pintail, American wigeon, green-winged teal, wood duck and Canada geese.
Hunting of certain species is permitted in designated areas in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations, including Refuge regulations.
To reach the Refuge from Starkville, take Oktoc Road till it dead-ends, and then follow the Refuge signs. Another option is to take Highway 25 South just into Winston County and turn left a the Refuge sign.
General Regulations
Regulations - The regulations listed below supplement the general regulations which govern hunting on wildlife Refuge areas as set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations. Hunting will be in accordance with applicable State regulations, except where otherwise stated.
Closed Areas - Certain areas of the Refuge are closed to hunting. Such areas are conspicuously marked with "No Hunting" or "Closed" signs. GTR 1 will be closed to all types of hunting, except waterfowl hunting, on each Saturday and Wednesday morning of the state waterfowl season. At times other than these mornings, it will be open to all other types of hunting permitted on the Refuge. The area around Douglas Bluff Road is an environmental education outdoor classroom and is closed to all hunting or hunting access.
GTR's 1, 2, and 4 are steel shot zones. Shotgun hunters in these zones must use and possess only approved non-toxic shot for small game hunts.
Forfeiture of Hunting Privileges - Any person violating any Refuge regulation may be requested by the Refuge Manager to forfeit the privilege of hunting on the Refuge for the remainder of the hunting season and may be ineligible to apply for permits the following year.
Camping and Fires - Camping and fires are not permitted on the Refuge. However, camping areas are available at locations within and adjacent to the Refuge.
Hunter Orange - During all deer gun hunts, all hunters and scouters (including small game hunters and with the exception of waterfowl hunters) must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of unbroken fluorescent orange-colored material above the waistline at all times, even while in a tree stand.
Alcoholic Beverages - The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited while hunting on National Wildlife Refuges.
Boats/Canoes/Kayaks may not be left on the Refuge overnight.
Wanton Waste - No person may capture, kill or destroy any game bird, game mammal or game fish and remove the head, claws, teeth, hide, antlers or any or all of such parts from the body, with the intent to abandon the body.
Artificial Lights - The use of artificial light, including headlights, to spot or locate any animal, except authorized nighttime hunting of raccoons and opossums, is strictly prohibited.
Firearms - Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with Refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). Firearms are prohibited in all federal facilities.
Target Shooting - Target shooting is not permitted on the Refuge.
Motor Vehicles - Motor vehicles are allowed on all roads shown on the map, unless the road is closed by sign or gate. Vehicles must be parked adjacent to these roadways, and may not block gates. Ditch busting or mud riding is not allowed on the Refuge (neither off-road nor on-road) and violators will be prosecuted.
No ATVs (all terrain vehicles) allowed.
Other Wildlife - Beaver, nutria and coyote may be taken during any Refuge hunt, and feral hogs may be taken by any Refuge deer hunter with weapons legal for that hunt.
Protected Species - Only species listed in this leaflet may be hunted in permitted areas. Please protect all other wildlife.
Littering - Please help us put litter in its place. Deposit all trash in barrels provided in parking areas.
Accidents - All accidents and injuries occurring on the Refuge should be reported immediately at Refuge headquarters. Phone (662) 323-5548.
Permits
Deer Hunting Permit - A $15.00 permit is required for all deer hunting (except during the Youth Deer Hunt - see below) on Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
Permits may be purchased by mail or in person at the Refuge office. Applications must include the following:
- Hunter's full name and residence address (including zip code)
- $15.00 permit fee (Personal check or money order, made out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are acceptable methods of payment when applying by mail. Cash will be accepted when applying in person at the Refuge office.)
Incomplete or illegible applications will be rejected. Only one application per hunter.
Permits are non-transferrable and all signature blocks must be signed and in possession at all times while hunting. Any harvested deer must be tagged before they are moved. All deer must be checked at the Refuge check station the day harvested and before leaving the Refuge. The Refuge deer limit is the same as the State limit and deer harvested on the Refuge count toward the State limit Harvest restrictions are the same as State Zone 1. State law dictates that a non-resident is ineligible to harvest an antlerless deer; therefore, a non-resident hunter is allowed only three bucks on the Refuge.
Waterfowl Permits (Fee permit required)
Waterfowl hunt permits ($15.00 each) will allow the permit holder and up to two companions to hunt from a refuge blind until 12-noon on the selected day. Waterfowl hunts are scheduled each Wednesday and Saturday of the State waterfowl season. Applications, accepted from September 1, shall include name, address and three hunt dates in order of preference. Each application shall be accompanied with a $15.00 money order or personal check made out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A random drawing will be held on the first Monday in November, and successful applicants will be notified as to the day(s) they have been selected to hunt. Unsuccessful application deposits will be returned. Standby hunters will also pay $15.00 per blind.
Incomplete or illegible applications will be rejected. Only one application per hunter.
A drawing will be held on the morning of each hunt to determine the sequence in which hunt blinds will be chosen by permittees. Hunters are encouraged to use retrievers. Hunters must stay within 50 yards of assigned blind. Boats are provided for the blinds that require them.
Youth Hunts
The following youth hunts will be held. A no-cost permit (the hunt brochure) is required for all youth hunters. Youth ages 15 and under are eligible to participate in all youth hunts; however, they must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older. Both adult and youth must be together (in sight) at all times. Only the youth may handle, carry, transport, or discharge firearms.
Deer - November 11-13. State bag limits apply and any deer harvested must be checked-in.
Turkey - March 8-14. State bag limits apply and any turkey harvested must be checked-in.
Squirrel - October 8-14. State bag limits apply.
Specific Refuge Regulations
Special deer hunting blinds for persons who are limited to the use of a wheelchair are available by reservation. Contact Refuge office for information.
Deer - Permits must be carried at all times while hunting. Deer must be tagged before they are moved. Be sure to check harvested deer at the Refuge check station the day killed and before leaving the Refuge.
Portable stands only may be placed on the Refuge from September 1 - January 15. It is unlawful to drive a nail, spike, or other metal object into a tree or to hunt from any tree in which such an object has been driven. All stands must be removed from the Refuge by January 15th.
Archery - October 1 - November 18 (fee permit required). The possession or use of any drugged arrow or associated equipment is prohibited. Hunter Orange Required during all big game gun hunts including primitive weapon and youth gun hunts.
Gun - November 19 - December 1, and December 26 - January 1 (fee permit required).
Primitive Weapon - As defined by the State - November 7-18 (antlerless only) and December 2 - 15 (either sex ). A fee permit is required.
Waterfowl - Fee permit required. Until 12-noon on each Wednesday and Saturday of State waterfowl hunt season.
Turkey - Gobblers only - March 15 - May 1 (no-cost permit required). All turkeys must be checked in at a check station the day killed and before the hunter leaves the Refuge.
Small Game - No-cost permit required. Weapons for small game are restricted to shotguns with shot size no larger than No. 2 or rifles no larger than .22 standard caliber (.22 magnums not allowed). State bag limits apply.
Squirrel Hunt - October 15 - February 28. (Dogs allowed December 16 - 25 & January 2 - February 28)
Rabbit Hunt - October 15 - February 28. (Dogs allowed beginning January 2)
Quail Hunt - November 24 - March 3. (Dogs allowed)
Woodcock Hunt - State season.
Raccoon and Opossum Hunt - October 1- February 28. (Dogs required at night)
Quality Hunting Depends on You!
To view our hunting, fishing and public use regulation brochure click here
For State Regulations or Information: http://home.mdwfp.com/
For further information contact:
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
2970 Bluff Lake Road
Brooksville, Mississippi 39739
Telephone: (662)323-5548
Fax: (662)323-6390
Email: noxubee@fws.gov
