The Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 to develop, advance, manage, conserve, and protect the refuge’s estuarine ecosystem and its fish and wildlife resources. With a variety of coastal habitats, including freshwater and saltwater marsh systems and brackish ponds, these areas provide significant habitat for the lesser scaup, mottled duck, ring-necked duck, hooded merganser, blue-winged teal, coot and over-wintering migratory birds. Only duck and coot hunting is permitted on approximately 4,000 acres of fresh and brackish water of the refuge’s 35,000 acres.
All hunters must review the annual Ten Thousand Islands NWR Hunting and Fishing Regulations Brochure and carry a signed copy of the current Ten Thousand Islands NWR Duck and Coot Permit, while hunting on Refuge lands. Please be aware that private property adjoins refuge lands. No other wildlife may be taken or hunted on the refuge.
Information about waterfowl hunting dates in Florida can be found at https://myfwc.com/hunting/waterfowl/