US Fish and Wildlife Logo National Wildlife Refuge logo Pond Creek NWR header
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Photo of Pond Creek marsh

Paul Gideon
Refuge Manager

1958 Central Road
Lockesburg, AR 71846
(870) 289-2126
FAX: (870) 289-2127
E-mail: felsenthal@fws.gov

paw imprint graphic Directions to Refuge

paw imprint graphic Fact Sheet

paw imprint graphic Deer Quota Hunt

paw imprint graphic Turkey Hunt Applying Procedures/Dates of Hunts

paw imprint graphic Hunting Map

 

Photo of men fishing

Photo of ducks swimming on Pond Creek NWR

 

 

Photo of some marshes on Pond Creek NWRRefuge Facts

  • Established: 1994.
  • Acres: 27,500.
  • Located in Sevier County, AR.
  • Location: the refuge is located 30 miles north of Texarkana, AR and 10 miles southeast of DeQueen, AR. Western boundary of the refuge is 10 miles from the AR-OK state line.

Natural History:

  • The Corps of Engineers has a flowage easement on much of the refuge area.
  • Arkansas Land Exchange Act enacted in 1996 added 25,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser Company lands to the refuge.
  • Abundant water resources in form of rivers, oxbow lakes, sloughs and mature bottomland hardwoods with excellent species compositions.

Financial Impact of Refuge:

  • Three-person staff.
  • 18,000 visitors annually.
  • Current budget: administered under Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Resident and non-resident visitors generated $969,220 in expenditures.

Refuge Objectives:

  • Protect the area’s wetland and bottomland hardwood habitat for natural diversity of wildlife.
  • Provide habitat for neo-tropical migratory birds.
  • Provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl.
  • Provide breeding and nesting habitat for wood ducks.
  • Provide opportunities for compatible public outdoor recreation.

Management Tools:

  • Wildlife management with public hunting.
  • Law enforcement.
  • Partnerships.
  • Timber management.

Public Use Opportunities:

  • Fishing.
  • Wildlife observation.
  • Photography.
  • Hunting.
  • Environmental education and interpretation.
  • Camping

Calendar of Events:

March: Quota permit, Youth gun turkey hunt

April: Quota permit, Gun turkey hunt; Non-quota archery turkey hunt

September - January: Squirrel and rabbit hunting

October - January: Archery deer hunting

October: Muzzleloader deer hunting

November: Quota permit, Modern gun deer hunting

November - January: Trapping, waterfowl hunting, raccoon and opossum hunting, (Beaver, nutria, coyote and feral hogs can be taken during any refuge hunt)


Questions and Answers:

Where is the refuge?

Pond Creek NWR is located in southwest Arkansas, about 10 miles south of DeQueen in Sevier County. It is in the Little River Floodplain with most habitat being bottomland hardwoods. Refuge brochures provide vicinity maps showing refuge location and major routes of travel.
What can we do there?
The refuge is open year round to wildlife-dependent recreational activities such as hunting, fishing and wildlife observation. Refuge brochures contain the information about allowable activities.

Can we hunt there?

The refuge has designated hunting seasons for small game, waterfowl and big game. Refuge hunt brochures, available at most local businesses and at all entrance points, provide season dates, a list species that can be hunted, and all regulations.

Where can we stay?

Several motels are located within the area—primarily at DeQueen or Ashdown. In addition, the refuge has six primitive (no facilities) designated areas for camping.

Can we use four-wheelers?

The refuge has several designated ATV trails available for seasonal use. All ATV’s (including four-wheelers) are restricted to these designated trails and can only be used during wildlife-dependent activities. Refuge brochures show locations of these trails and the season (dates) when they are open.
 
 
 
 
 
   
   

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