February 11, 2019
Middle Island, located near St. Marys, West Virginia, is one of 22 islands making up Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It is one of the largest islands on the Refuge, and is covered with beautiful meadows and bottomland forest. Several miles of maintained trails allow visitors to explore the island, and as one of only two Refuge islands that can be accessed by road, it is a popular and very special destination for visitors. Beginning this February 25th, the bridge to the island will be closed for significant renovation through the end of August 2020.
Bridge to Middle Island Will Temporarily Close
Have you found an injured animal or bird? Are you desperate for help and wondering what to do? Determining whether or not to assist an injured or orphaned animal (or even determining for sure that a bird or animal needs help) can be a challenge on many levels. There are philosophical, environmental, and health considerations. It is one of those situations where our best instincts may be misleading.
What steps should I take?
Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciation of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs. As practiced on refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances are necessary for sound wildlife management. For example, because their natural predators are gone, deer populations will often grow too large for the refuge habitat to support. Hunting programs can promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on lands and waters in the Refuge System. Most of Ohio River Islands is open for hunting each fall and winter.
Learn more about hunting at the refuge ...