Illinois and Missouri deer hunters know of the quality hunting available on Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. Established after the 1993 flood breached various levees, the refuge provides public hunting opportunities along the river. Because refuge lands offer walk-in access only, pressure is light, although not all units are open for all seasons. A hunter willing to walk will find good populations of deer, especially in the thick cover. Turkeys also thrive throughout refuge lands, particularly on the Missouri side. Duck numbers are not very high, but wood ducks and other waterfowl numbers are increasing along riverside channels as the habitat improves. In the future, waterfowl hunting may be as rewarding as deer and turkey hunting.
for more information on refuge and hunting rules and policies
Activity | Season Dates | Harvest | Hunt Areas | Regulation |
Migratory Bird Hunting | Open in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Boats, blinds, blind materials, decoys, & other hunting equipment must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day. | State bag limit | Meissner, Wilkinson, and Beaver Island Divisions | In accordance with state regulation (see Blinds section) |
Upland Game | Open in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Hunting of furbearers allowed ONLY from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset | State bag limit | All divisions | When using a shotgun, hunters must only possess and use nontoxic shot. |
Deer Hunting | Open in accordance with state seasons and regulations. | State bag limit | All divisions | (seeTreeStands section) |
TurkeyHunting | Open in accordance with state seasons and regulations | State bag limit | All divisions | Possession and use of approved nontoxic shot shells only. |
Trapping | Open in accordance with state seasons and regulations | Muskrat, beaver, and raccoon trapping permitted on all refuge lands. | All divisions | Special regulations apply and requires a Refuge Special Use Permit. |
