Hunting opportunities at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge are available on a regulated basis. Deer and wild turkey hunts are available yearly. All hunting occurs at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge within the state seasons, follows the regulations of the state and special DeSoto NWR regulations. 

ARCHERY TURKEY HUNTING: DeSoto Refuge will be open to public archery turkey hunting from April 15th through May 19th. A refuge Archery Turkey Hunting Access Permit is required and can be obtained free of charge 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. 

Click here to download the 2013 Archery Turkey Hunting Access Permit and Regulations 

Archery Area Hunt Map 

YOUTH TURKEY HUNTING: The refuge will hold two youth shotgun turkey hunts on April 13-14th and May 18-19th. Interested youth 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 or email to mindy_sheets@fws.gov A random drawing for the limited slots will be done on March 4th. All applications must be received by that time.

A shotgun hunt for mobility impaired hunters will be held on May 18-19th. Interested mobility impaired hunters can find out more about the hunt by calling Mindy Sheets at 712-388-4802.

There will only be one antlerless muzzleloader hunt this upcoming fall and winter. The anterless deer hunt is October 19-20, 2013.
 

• Muzzleloader Deer Hunt Area Map for muzzleloading hunts

Fishing opportunities at DeSoto Lake are available from April 15-October 14. Ice fishing is open January 2- February 28/29. DeSoto Lake has a good fishery for crappie, walleye, catfish, largemouth bass, white bass, and bluegill. A number of access points allow for bank fishing, and a boat launch facility is available during the season (April 15 - Oct 14). Fish habitat structures, including tree piles, rock piles, and pallets have been placed in the lake to enhance the fishery. To protect the fragile lake shore from erosion due to wave action there is a no-wake policy in effect. For more information about fishing, please see our DeSoto Regulations Brochure, DeSoto Lake Fish Habitat Structure Map or the DeSoto Lake Depth Map.
 

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. A wide variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds, neotropical migrants, mammals and many others can be seen at the refuge. Look for wildlife from the DeSoto Visitor Center, from refuge roads and while hiking refuge trails. You will find the largest concentrations of migrating birds in the spring and fall.
 

Explore DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge through interpretive exhibits, brochures and programs. Start at the DeSoto Visitor Center for an overview of the natural and cultural history of the area. Look for kiosks and signs throughout the area. Join us for interpretive programs and special events throughout the year. 
 

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge provides many opportunities for learning. Through environmental education programs, students meet curriculum goals while connecting with nature.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge partners with the Blair Community School District (NE) and students make repeat visits to the refuge each year. They explore the refuge through the seasons and learn more about the wildlife in their own backyard.

The refuge also partners with Edison Elementary in Omaha for a yearlong Refuge experience for 6th grade students. This partnership includes school visits by rangers and field trips to the refuge.

Other are schools are also served for single visit field trips to the refuge that are facilitated with activity guides and other assistance from refuge staff. 

For more information, see the Educator Information Guide and the Blair Schools/DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Partnership mission document.

 

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is full of photographic opportunities. Photographers have ample opportunities to photograph migratory waterfowl, bald eagles, scenic vistas and other resident wildlife. There are no special photography blinds on the refuge but photographers can shoot from any location open to the general public.