Prescribed burning is a major component of grassland habitat management at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. Fire is used as a tool to maintain healthy stands of native grasses and eliminate invasive species. Many species dependent on early successional grasslands, such as deer, bobwhite, and grassland birds, benefit from areas maintained by fire. Burning at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is in accordance with a Fire Management Plan. In addition, an annual Prescribed Fire Plan is written for each burn unit to guide our actions each year. 

Additional management activities on the refuge include controlling invasive plant species, monitoring wildlife populations within the refuge, and hunting deer to control the population size. Refuge staff works with state, county, and private organizations on landscape related habitat issues. The refuge also works cooperatively with private landowners on habitat projects.