Spring is a great time to see wild turkeys at the refuge. The males will be strutting for the females and putting on quite a show. The females may be gathered together in large groups. Mornings and evenings are the best times to look for turkeys which can often be seen in fields adjacent the Wildlife Drive.
 

Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy songbirds on the refuge. Bluebirds are abundant and nest in the boxes provided. If the weather is good, they may raise two of three clutches of chicks over the summer. There are about 200 bluebird boxes on the refuge that are monitored by volunteers. Many of them can be seen along public roadways. Look for the bluebirds perched atop the boxes or on nearby fences or signs.

 The fall is a great time to look for white tailed deer on the refuge. Large numbers can often be seen in the evening feeding in the farm fields. They are fattening up on soybeans to prepare for the cold winter temps. The restricted area will be open for self-guided driving tours on Sunday afternoons in October. These roads are a good place to look for deer and other wildlife.

 The winter is a good time for spotting bald eagles on the refuge. The colder and snowier the weather, the better your chance for spotting eagles. Resident eagles will be strengthening their pair bond while working on their nests. Look in large sturdy trees near the water, especially around Crab Orchard Lake. Migratory birds will come to the refuge when conditions further north include temps cold enough to freeze over lakes and ponds and snow deep enough to force geese to migrate. Look for migratory birds out on the ice or perched along the shores of Crab Orchard Lake especially from the Wolf Creek Causeway or along Route 148.