Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge is the only national wildlife refuge named for a president, and no president has left a greater conservation legacy than President Theodore Roosevelt.

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National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.  

We're sorry, but Theodore Roosevelt NWR and the Visitor Center is currently has no public visitation opportunities. Check back often for any changes! 

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Theodore Roosevelt NWR is located near the site of President Roosevelt’s famous Mississippi bear hunt held in 1902. Although current acreage is very small and the Refuge is closed to the public, it is involved in active land acquisition and will someday offer educational and interpretive information to the public about the former president's legacy in the Delta.   

      Louisiana black bears, a subspecies of the American black bear, were once extremely common throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. President Roosevelt came as the guest of a prominent plantation owner to hunt in southern Sharkey County. Holt Collier, a famous African American bear hunter and outdoorsman, was hired to guide the president on the hunt.     

      Although some details of the story have become obscured over time, the main details are almost universally agreed upon. Holt Collier’s dogs quickly located a bear and the president and his companion were told to wait on the edge of a canebrake for the bear to come out. When it seemed the dogs were moving in a different direction, President Roosevelt went back to camp for lunch. When the dogs finally cornered the bear, Collier jumped off of his horse and hit the bear in the head with the stock of his rifle, leaving the bear stunned. He then tied a rope around the bear and sent for the president. 

      When the president arrived, he found a bear that was still knocked senseless. President Roosevelt felt it would be unethical and unsportsmanlike to shoot the bear and refused, despite the urging of his companions. When the national press got word of the story, the news went wild in news stories and cartoons. A toy shop owner in New York decided to stuff toy bears and call them “Teddy’s Bears,” creating an American icon that has lasted for over a century. 

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.

      Our Species

      A variety of wildlife call Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge home. This includes migratory and resident wildlife, as well as native plant communities. 

      Our Library

      Our digital library is a one stop shop for management plans, coloring books, and other refuge documents as they are developed.

      Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan

      Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan