Located along the Upper Mississippi River, Port Louisa NWR, the northernmost refuge of the Mark Twain complex, is extensively managed to improve habitat conditions for waterfowl and many other species of wildlife. Two of the refuge's four divisions are open to deer and/or upland game hunting (excluding migratory birds). The Big Timber division is the only unit open to waterfowl hunting. Migratory bird hunting is allowed in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Large numbers of puddle and diving ducks flock to the refuge in the fall providing for excellent hunting. Detailed hunting information can be found at the refuge Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/portlouisa/
Safety
Werecommend200yardspacingbetweenhuntpartieswhenengaginginhuntingactivities. Be aware of your surroundings and follow State regulations for hunting attire.
Firearms
Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System landsmustcomplywithallprovisionsofStateandlocallaw.Personsmayonlyuse(discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32.)
Vehicles
Licensedmotorvehiclesarepermittedonlyonpublicuseroadsandtrailsasshownonthe map. ATVs and UTVs are prohibited.
Boats
Canoeing and kayaking are allowed and there is a designated water trail on the Louisa Division.OnHorseshoeBend,motorboatsareallowedforfishingonlyduringtheperiods when flood water enables access from the river over the levee.
Access
Hunters may only access the Refugeduringdaylighthours.Huntersmustparkin designated parking areas, as identified on the map below, to access the Refuge for hunting. Gates opened to enter the hunting areafromdesignatedaccesspointsmustbe closed immediately after passing through. Access to the Refuge from private property is prohibited.
Tree Stands
Portablestandsmaybeusedwherehunting isallowed,buttheymustberemovedatthe end of each day’s hunt. No nails, screws, or other hardware may be used to climb or secure blinds to trees
| Activity | Season | Division | Regulation |
| Big Game Hunting (White-tailed deerandturkey) | White-tailed deer and spring turkey hunting is allowed in accordancewith state seasons and regulations. | BigTimberDivisionandIowaRiver Corridor HorseshoeBend DivisionandKeithsburgUnitclosed toall public access from Sept. 15 to Nov. 30. HorseshoeBend openstoall hunting,exceptmigratorybirdson Dec. 1 | Hunters must possess and use only nontoxic shot while huntingturkey.Feralhogmay be harvested during white-tailed deer hunts (IL only) |
| MigratoryBird Hunting | Allowed in accordance with stateseasonsand regulations. | Big Timber Division and Iowa River Corridor Horseshoe Bend Division (open to crow and closed to migratory birds), closed to all public access from Sept. 15 to Nov. 30. KeithsburgUnit(closedtowaterfowl),closedtoallpublic access from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31. | Portableblinds areallowed on a daily basis. Hunters must possess and use only nontoxic shot. |
| Upland Game Hunting: (small game, furbearers, game birds) | Allowed in accordance with stateseasonsand regulations. | BigTimberDivisionandIowaRiver Corridor Horseshoe Bend Division and Keithsburg Unit (closed to furbearers) closed to all public access from Sept. 15 to Nov.30forHorseshoeBendandSept.15toDec.31for Keithsburg. | Nighttime hunting of furbearers is not allowed. Hunters must possess and useonlynontoxicshotwhile hunting upland game. |
| Sport Fishing | Allowed all year (sunrise to sunset) inaccordancewith state seasons and regulationsexcept where otherwise posted. | BigTimberDivisionandIowaRiver Corridor LouisaDivisionclosedSept.15toJan.1(exceptionoftheboat ramp and fishing pier access at the inlet structure.) HorseshoeBendDivisionDec.1untilSept.14Motorboats are allowed for fishing only during the periods when flood water enables access from the river over the levee. KeithsburgDivisionJan.1untilSept.14.SpringSlough parking areaisopentofishing allyear.Asignispresenttodesignatethe closed area boundary beyond the gate. | Boats and all other fishing devices must be removed at theendofeachday’s fishing. |
Prohibited Activities
By law, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted.
- Possessionof alcoholic beverages
- Camping and Fires
- ATVsand UTVs
- Searchingfororremovalofanynaturalitemssuchasantlers,bisonskulls,plants,historic, and archaeological features. They are protected by Federal law.
- Takingofturtlesor frogs
- Use of electronic or photographic trail monitoring devices
- MarkingorflagginganytreeorotherRefugefeaturewithreflectors,paint,orother substance.
- GameRetrieval/Transportationcartsoranyothermechanizeddeviceusedforretrieving game or transportation.
- Permanenttreestands,nails,screw-insteps,orotheritemsthatpenetratetheouterbarkof a tree.
- Firearmscapableoffiringcartridge ammunition
- Thedischargeofweaponsontherefugewhennotengagedinauthorizedhuntingisnot allowed.
- Access to the Refuge from private property
- Hunting is prohibited within 200 yards of any public use facility
