MADISON — Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge near Madison opened for its public season this month and is offering young people who love the outdoors, exploring and conservation the opportunity to earn a Junior Refuge Manager Badge.
Young people can pick up a booklet at the gatehouse and complete activities including word searches, scavenger hunts, drawing and more to earn the badge. Learn about our history, plants, animals. A backpack with field guides, magnifying glasses and binoculars can be borrowed.
First-time visitors to Big Oaks should allow extra time. Once per year, visitors are required to watch a 20-minute safety briefing video and obtain a pass to get on the property. Plus, it is 15 miles to the public use area. The refuge is located at 1661 W Jpg Niblo Road, Madison, and is open for public use from mid-April through November on Mondays, Fridays, and second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The refuge is closed today.
Hours change accordingly during the refuge’s turkey hunts: 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 28 and 29 and May 4, 5,11 and 12th. The refuge will not be open for public use on April 27.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge consists of approximately 50,000 acres of the former Jefferson Proving Ground located in Jennings, Ripley, and Jefferson Counties in southeastern Indiana. The refuge is managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and provides public use opportunities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education.
For more information about the refuge, visit fws.gov/refuge/big-oaks.
