Refuge staff has been working to improve habitat on the impoundments on Grand Cote NWR. As a result, more ducks have been using the refuge, and the hunting has been getting better each year. Hunters can apply in advance for lottery hunts or choose to hunt a general-access area. A youth-only hunt is also held each fall. Successful applicants to the lottery hunts are assigned a blind along an impoundment. More blinds have been added in recent years. Hunters in the general area will find flooded agricultural areas as well as bottomland hardwood forest. During the fall migration, the refuge holds good numbers of ducks, including mallard, gadwall, shoveler and wood duck.
The Refuge is also open for archery deer hunting from October 1st through February 15th. Waterfowl hunting is allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the regular duck season. Rabbit hunting is allowed during the entire state season. Additional duck hunting opportunities are available through managed lottery hunts.
You can apply for Managed Waterfowl Lottery Hunts at the RecAccess website.
