Hunting

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge consists of more than 13,000 acres of various habitats – including upland and bottomland forest, diverse wetlands and prairie – along 20 miles of the Patoka River in southwestern Indiana. The refuge is known for abundant waterfowl hunting opportunities along the oxbows of the river and in its floodwaters. White-tailed deer, squirrel and turkey are also popular with hunters. Portions of the refuge are marshy and often flood, but hunters willing to put in the effort can find excellent populations of game species. The refuge has furbearer hunting opportunities for fox, coyote, raccoon, skunk and opossum. In some areas, the refuge land is not contiguous, and some areas have poor access because of adjacent private land. The refuge continually updates maps detailing open hunting areas. The refuge also manages the Columbia Mine Preserve (through a conservation easement) and two satellite units, the White River Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (open to hunting) and the Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area (closed to hunting). The refuge is actively expanding through its land acquisition program.

General Hunting and Fishing Regulations

Hunting and fishing regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Individuals accessing the refuge are subject to inspections of permits, licenses, hunting equipment, harvest limits, boats, vehicles and their contents by federal and state officers. Indiana state regulations and refuge specific regulations will be enforced. Refuge specific regulations supersede state regulations. Hunting is allowed only on refuge units described in this document. Only the species listed in this document may be harvested.

Hunting and fishing will be in accordance with applicable State of Indiana regulations subject to the conditions stated below. Brochures may be obtained by mail, at the  refuge office, or from the refuge website.

Hours

The Refuge is open for hunting during daylight hours only with the exception of hunting furbearers. The refuge is open for night hunting of furbearers (coyote, raccoon, fox, opossum, skunk). Fishing is permitted 24 hours, except the Columbia Mine Unit fishing is permitted from half-hour before legal sunrise to half-hour after legal sunset.

White River Bottoms Wildlife Management Area. The 219-acre White River Bottoms WMA is located northwest of Petersburg, Indiana on River Road. This WMA is open to hunting and fishing consistent with the species and regulations described in this brochure.

Columbia Mine Preserve Special Regulations The Columbia Mine Preserve is only open to deer hunting during the first week of the state defined archery, gun, and muzzleloader seasons and for the spring turkey hunting season. It is closed to hunting of all other game species. Additional regulations are in place on the Columbia Mine Preserve, which are outlined in a separate brochure and map.

Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area

Cane Ridge WMA is closed to hunting and fishing. The area is open for wildlife viewing at the observation deck and from county roads only.

Firearms

Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons

may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32.)

Ammunition

You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot for waterfowl and dove. Use of shot for other species must comply with state requlations for public lands. Pick up and take out spent casings.

Motorized Vehicles

All motor vehicles must remain on maintained roads and parked so as not to interfere with other traffic. Off-road vehicles are not permitted on refuge lands.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed for hunting according to State regulations during designated seasons only. Otherwise, dogs must be leashed. Dog training or running in the off- season is prohibited.

Duck/Goose Blinds and Decoys

Pits or permanent blinds may not be constructed or used on the refuge area. Only portable blinds or structures constructed of native plant materials are permitted for waterfowl hunting. Blinds must be removed or dismantled at the end of each day’s hunt. Decoys must be removed at the end of each day’s hunt.

Deer/Turkey Stands

Permanent tree stands/blinds may not be constructed or used on the refuge area. Hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven is prohibited. Portable tree stands may be used for deer or turkey hunting and may be left overnight only during the periods specified for public lands in Indiana. Tree stands must be legibly marked with owner’s name, address and phone number at eye level or lower

Boats

• On refuge property, motorboats are only permitted on Snakey Point Marsh east of the South Fork, when water levels can accommodate this use and on the Patoka River.
• Special boating regulations apply for the Miller Bridge Wetland Area and are posted on-site and available at the Refuge Headquarters.
• To minimize disturbance to wildlife, motorboats are not permitted on other refuge waters. Trolling motors are allowed.
• Air boats are prohibited on all refuge waters.
• Boats may not be left on refuge property overnight.

Prohibited Activities

• Littering/dumping including spent shotshell casings.
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting.
• Target practice or random shooting.
• Camping/overnight parking.
• Trapping furbearers.
• Open campfires/swimming.
• Taking or attempting to take any wildlife not authorized in these refuge regulations.
• Accessing the refuge across private property without permission.
• Taking, cutting or destroying any plants or parts thereof including flowers, fruits, nuts, fungi, herbs, shrubs or trees other than specified for temporary blind construction.
• Use of off-road vehicles, horses, mules, llamas and bicycles other than on maintained county road rights-of- ways.
• Marking trails with tape, ribbons, paper, paint tree blazes, etc.
• Baiting or hunting over bait including salt.
• Blocking gates or roadways with vehicles.
• Searching for or removing any object of antiquity including arrowheads, pottery, beads, etc. Use of metal detectors or digging for artifacts.
• Spotlighting.
• Use of fireworks, trail cameras and drones.
• Unless specifically listed as a permitted use, all uses of natural resources on the refuge are prohibited.

To Report Violations

• Indiana DNR Conservation Officer Dispatch 812-837-9536.
• INDNR Turn In a Poacher (TIP) Line: 1-800-847-4367 (1-800-TIP-IDNR)