Hunting

Printable hunting brochure

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is named in honor of Congressman Clarence Cannon and covers 3,750 acres of Mississippi River floodplain. Refuge lands are comprised of managed moist soil units, open water, wet meadows and bottomland forest habitats. The refuge provides a feeding and resting area for migratory birds.

Hours of Public Use

For authorized hunting activities, the refuge is open to access one hour before legal sunrise until one hour after legal sunset and in accordance with state seasons and regulations.

Public Use Information

• Hiking allowed on refuge roads and trails, unless otherwise posted. ATVs/UTVs not allowed on the refuge.
• Biking use (pedal or electric) allowed on refuge roads open to public vehicular traffic only.
• Dogs must be on a leash except for hunting purposes (where hunting allowed).
• Berry and mushroom gathering allowed for personal consumption only, not for resale or other commercial use.
• Collecting shed deer antlers not allowed.
• Camping or fires not permitted.
• Gas boat motors prohibited on refuge with the exception of Bryants Creek. Electric motors and non-motorized watercraft allowed in designated areas for hunting, fishing and accessibility.

Firearms

• Allowed only during authorized hunting activities. Must be unloaded & either dismantled or cased when transporting on refuge roads or waters, unless in compliance with state concealed/carry regulations.
• When using a shotgun, hunters must only possess and use non-toxic shot.
• Target shooting or any non-hunting discharge of firearms prohibited.

Fishing Regulations

• The taking of any mussel, clam, crayfish, leach, frog and turtle species is prohibited.
• Fishing is allowed from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
• Allowed by boat ONLY in Bryants Creek and the Mississippi River and its side-channels.

Hunting Regulations- Riverside Unit

• *** In the Riverside Unit, for hunting activities not associated with refuge managed-deer hunts, hunters may not hunt or shoot along or down the berm setback levee top or side slope. When entering the Riverside Unit from the West Unit, hunting and shooting is not allowed until the hunter reaches the signed hunting line which is located along the east toe of the berm setback levee slope.

Tree Stands

• The following applies ONLY to the McCoy Island Unit: portable tree stands and blinds are allowed from September 1 through January 31.
• The hunter’s state-generated ID number must be permanently attached in a visible location on the stand or blind. Limit one stand or blind per hunter. Placing tree stands in dead trees is prohibited.
• Trees or tree limbs greater than 1” in diameter may not be trimmed. Deer drives are prohibited.

Prohibited Activities

• By law, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted.
• Possession of alcoholic beverages
• Camping and Fires
• Searching for or removal of any natural items such as antlers, plants, historic, and archaeological features which are protected by Federal law.
• Marking or flagging any tree or other Refuge feature with reflectors, paint, or other substance.
• Permanent tree stands, nails, screw-in steps, or other items that penetrate the outer bark of a tree.
• Construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, scaffolds, or platforms prohibited.
• Target shooting or any non-hunting discharge of firearms prohibited.
• Hunting is prohibited within 200 yards of any public use facility.
• Trail cameras are prohibited.