Reelfoot NWR Calendar
Credit: USFWS
January
Waterfowl concentrations of up to 400,000 ducks and 150,000 geese
Time to apply for the Reelfoot NWR Turkey Quota Hunt! Applications are accepted throughout the month of January
February
Bald eagle population at its peak, over 200 on Reelfoot Lake area. Cold weather crappie fishing is going strong. Canada geese are still wintering in large numbers. Grassy Island unit open for fishing on February 1st.
Free Eagle Tours
March
Bald eagles begin northward migration by the 15th. Nesting osprey return from South America. the Long Point Unit and Lake Isom open to sport fishing on the 15th. Resident wood ducks return and start nesting activity. Large numbers of shovelers and blue-winged teal arrive on northward migration. Wild turkey are very visible on the Grassy Island unit.
April
Spring turkey hunt. Spring wildflowers bloom at Reelfoot. Shorebirds and ducks are abundant in refuge moist soil units and temporary wetlands.
May
Bluegill fishing is at its peek. This is an excellent time for bird watchers at Reelfoot. Up to 240 species have been documented. Songbirds are abundant, especially warblers. Mississippi kites can be observed. This is the month for frog listening, especially spring peepers and tree frogs, and seeing deer and wild turkey in the early morning and late evening.
Migratory Bird Day, excellent time for bird watchers
June
Deer fawns become visible this month. Herons and egrets observed fishing in shallow water. Cormorants and occasionally anhingas are present. Emergent and floating aquatic vegetation is blooming. Annual youth fishing rodeo held at our maintenance shop pond in conjunction with National Fishing Week.
National Fishing Week, Youth Fishing Rodeo
Great American Backyard Campout
Nature Tots and Summer Nature Program
July
The heat index rises to breath taking heights in Northwest Tennessee. Mosquitoes and deerflies swarm our bottomland forest.
Nature Tots and Summer Nature Programs
Time to apply for the Reelfoot NWR Deer Quota Hunt! Applications will be accepted throughout the month of July
August
Refuge squirrel season opens on the fourth Saturday of the month.
September
Marsh hawks obserbved near refuge headquarters. Fall fishing for "stripes," crappie, and bass begins.
Squirrel and archery deer hunts. Check out our online Public Use Regulations for specific hunting dates.
October
Good hiking and canoeing weather. Large numbers of gadwall and American widgeon arriving. Eagle population begins to build. Raccoon season kicks off.
November
The three day quota deer gun hunt is held the first weekend in November. Grassy Island walking trail open with excellent wildlife obseravtion such as deer, turkey, waterfowl, and songbirds. Manangement Units closed to public entry on the 15th as to protect the migrating waterfowl from disturbance.
December
Migrating Bald Eagles begin showing up at Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge. Excellent opportunities to observe ducks, geese, and eagles on the Long Point unit, Kentucky Highway 1282. The local Audubon Spociety chapters conduct the annual Christmas Bird Count.
