Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge Regulations 2014-2015
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Cat Island
National Wildlife Refuge Regulations
2014-2015
The Refuge Regulations. State rules regulating General Access
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge hunting and fishing will be applicable All visitors must obtain and complete a
(NWR) was established in 2000 primarily to all game species on the refuge unless Daily Visitor Use Reporting card upon
to conserve, restore, and manage native otherwise listed in this brochure. entering the refuge and display it on the
forested wetland habitats for migratory dash so that name and address are visible
birds, aquatic resources, and endangered Permits from the outside. Before leaving the
and threatened plants and animals. The A $20.00 Annual Public Use Permit is refuge, users must complete the reverse
10,473 acre refuge is located along the required for all hunters and fisherman. side of the card and deposit it in the drop
Mississippi River about 30 miles north Permits must be signed and in your box at the front-entrance visitor kiosk
of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The habitat possession while hunting or fishing, and station. All game (including feral hogs)
consists of bottomland hardwood forests this acknowledges your understanding and fish taken must be reported on the
and cypress/tupelo swamps, which of refuge regulations. In addition to Daily Visitor Use Card.
are flooded by the Mississippi River your refuge permit, you must carry all
each year. The refuge is known for its applicable state licenses and a picture The refuge is open to public access during
numerous old growth cypress trees, many ID at all times while on refuge property. daylight hours only except during hunting
of which are over 1,000 years old. Refuge permits authorize participation season, when you may enter at 4 am and
in all refuge hunting and fishing, except must exit no later than two hours after
Access to the refuge may be limited for lottery primitive firearm and gun sunset. Fishermen may enter the refuge
during late winter/spring due to flooding deer hunts when an additional lottery ½ hour before sunrise and must exit
by the Mississippi River. To assist notification is required. Call 601/442 6696 no later than ½ hour after sunset. The
visitors, the refuge boundary is marked for more information. Refuge Manager may close the refuge
with white refuge boundary signs and due to inclement weather, road conditions,
yellow boundary paint. Markings are Permits are available for purchase excessive flooding, etc. The speed limit on
located at both eye level and up to 15 everyday between the hours of 9 am to refuge roads is 25 mph.
feet high. It is the responsibility of the 5 pm at the West Feliciana Historical
visitor to recognize these markings and to Society Museum and Tourist Information Access to private property through
avoid trespassing onto private property Center, located at 11757 Ferdinand the refuge is only permitted through a
adjacent to the refuge. Street, St. Francisville, LA. If you are Special Use Permit (SUP). SUPs are
requesting a permit by mail, send a issued only from the refuge headquarters.
General Regulations $20.00 money order payable to: Kinsail Allow 30 days to process and return
Individuals utilizing the refuge are Corporation with your full name, SUPs. SUP applications and instructions
subject to inspections of permits, address, and telephone number to Cat are available at www.fws.gov/catisland.
licenses, hunting equipment, bag limits, Island NWR, c/o Kinsail Corporation,
boats, vehicles, and their contents by PO Box 1092, McLean VA 22101. Vehicles
refuge officers. To ensure your safety Permits are also available online at www. All motor vehicles are restricted to roads
and enjoyment while visiting Cat Island lowermississippipermits.com. Permits designated on the map. Refuge roads and
NWR, please take the time to become are non-transferable and non-refundable. trails may be closed due to flooding or
familiar with the refuge regulations. The Refuge Manager may revoke any adverse weather conditions. Driving on
Annual Public Use Permit for refuge flooded roads is prohibited. All travel
Hunting and fishing regulations are violations. on refuge roads is at your own risk.
designed to provide safe recreational Parking is restricted to parking areas
opportunities through wise use of Permits are free and required for adults and immediately adjacent to roadways
renewable wildlife resources. Hunting age 65 and older and children ages 10-16 designated on the map. Bicycles are
and fishing is permitted in accordance that are hunting with an adult. Children allowed year round. Horses and mules
with Federal regulations governing public age 15 and younger that are fishing do are not allowed.
use on National Wildlife Refuges as set not need a permit to fish on the refuge.
forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal
Cat Island U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
National Wildlife Refuge 1 800/344 WILD
P.O. Box 217
Sibley, MS 39165 June 2014
601/442 6696U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
All Terrain Vehicles Prohibited Activities n Trapping
The use of all terrain vehicles (ATV or UTV) n Commercial fishing and crawfishing
are only allowed for hunting and fishing on n Riding horses or mules
designated ATV trails from September n Littering
n Spotlighting - artificial light may not be
20 through February 28, except that n Operating a vehicle or ATV/UTV on a used to locate wildlife
portions of Wood Duck Trail are open flooded road or trail
throughout the year (for fishing access n Possession of any type of shot other
only) as indicated on the refuge map. n Operating an ATV/UTV off of a than approved non-toxic shot
Visitors must be 16 years of age or older designated trail
to operate an ATV/UTV on the refuge. n Use or possession of any drug or device
ATV’s and UTV’s must not exceed 25 n Use or possession of alcoholic for employing such drug for hunting
mph when driven on the refuge. All beverages or illegal drugs
n Geocaching
ATV’s and UTV’s used on the refuge n Entering refuge from private property
must meet state requirements for use on n The use of dogs to trail wounded deer
state wildlife management areas. Use of n Boat launching by trailer from all or hogs
an ATV to travel off a designated trail is refuge roads and parking lots
strictly prohibited. Annual Public Use n Blocking gates or roadways with
Permit is required to operate ATVs on n Use of trail cameras vehicles or ATVs
the refuge. n Use of deer decoys n Inserting a nail, spike or other metal
Boats object into a tree, or hunting from any
n Unconfined Pets tree in which such an object has been
Hunters may not enter the refuge from
public waterways. Motorized boats are n Camping /overnight parking placed
allowed on the refuge when the refuge n Use or possession of climbing spurs or
is not closed due to flooding. Boats may n Campfires
spikes
not be left on the refuge overnight. All n Taking wildlife or plants or parts
U.S. Coast Guard and state boating thereof (including cutting trees or n Blocking roads, gates or trail with
regulations apply including, but not brush) vehicles or ATVs/UTVs
limited to, running lights, registration,
and personal floatation devices. n Searching for or removing any object of Hunting Regulations
archaeological or historical significance Hunter access
All boats must be hand launched on including arrowheads, pottery or Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier
the refuge. Boat launching by trailer other artifacts as well as any natural than 4 am and must exit the refuge no
from all refuge roads and parking lots is materials, such as plants, mushrooms, later than two hours after legal sunset.
prohibited. berries and antler sheds Hunting is only allowed in designated
areas during dates listed on this
Fishing, as well as waterfowl, archery, n Target practice brochure. Fishing and waterfowl, archery,
and small game hunting are closed during and small game hunting are closed during
the refuge quota deer hunts. n Discharge of a firearm, except when the refuge quota deer hunts.
hunting
Bag limits
n Possession or distribution of bait while The refuge observes state harvest
in the field and hunting with the aid of regulations unless otherwise specified
bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, in the season restrictions portion of
or any non-natural occurring food this brochure. State tagging applies to
attractant on the Refuge. game harvested on the refuge. Please
n Man-drives for game, including feral thoroughly read this brochure to
hogs determine appropriate refuge hunting
season dates and allowable refuge
n Hunting within 150 feet of any harvest bag regulations.
designated road, ATV or hiking trail, or
designated public facility, such as kiosks Shooting Hours
Shooting hours during all hunting
n Use or possession of any type of seasons are one-half hour before legal
material used as flagging or trail sunrise to one-half hour after legal sunset
markers, except bright eyes or (excluding waterfowl hunting when
reflective tape. hunting must cease at noon).
n Field dressing game or hogs within 150
feet of any road, ATV trail, or parking
lot
n Disposing of animal carcasses on the
refuge
n Possession of saws, saw blades,
hatchets, and/or machetesU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Check Stations Hunting Blinds or Stands Archery
All deer harvested on the refuge must be Only portable deer stands may be used Longbow, compound bow, and crossbow
checked daily at the deer check station on the refuge. Inserting metal objects or any bow drawn, held, or released
identified on the map of this brochure and into trees or hunting from trees into by mechanical means are considered
harvest information must be recorded on which metal objects have been inserted legal for hunting on the refuge. Archery
daily use reporting cards and deposited in is prohibited. Climbing spurs are equipment is only allowed on the refuge
the drop box at the visitor kiosk station. prohibited. Blinds and tripods must be during the refuge deer hunting season.
All deer harvest information must also dismantled and stands must be removed All state laws regulating archery
be recorded on jawbone tags located from the tree after each day’s hunt. equipment requirements apply to the
at the check stations, attached to the Hunters may place only one stand on refuge.
jawbone and placed in the designated the refuge. Deer stands are allowed on
basket. Hunters must leave the hunt area the refuge one week prior to the opening Rifles
once they have killed a deer. Harvest of archery season. All stands must be Center-fire rifles are allowed during the
information gathered at these stations removed from the refuge prior to any quota gun deer hunt. State restrictions
is critical for management of wildlife flood event or no later than 24 hours after apply to all center-fire rifle equipment.
resources on the refuge. the last day of designated refuge hunts. Rifles .22 caliber or smaller (includes .17,
NO EXCEPTIONS. Deer stands must .22 long rifle and .22 magnum) may be
Hunter Orange Requirements have each hunter’s full name, permit used during small game hunts.
All hunters are required to wear a hunter number, address, and phone number
orange cap and 400 square inches of Primitive Firearms
clearly printed on the stand. Any stand Primitive firearms allowed are the
hunter orange garments during the deer left on the refuge after the 24 hours
quota hunts. Hunter orange garments same as those allowed by the state.
indicated above will be confiscated and Exception: Use or possession of buckshot
must be unbroken and worn on the disposed of.
outermost layer of clothing at all times is prohibited. Youth are included in this
while hunting on the refuge. Hunters hunting from concealed restriction.
ground blinds (excluding waterfowl Ammunition
Hunters who use backpacks or carry hunters) must meet refuge hunter
deer stands on their backs should display Possession of lead shot, buckshot, or
orange requirements (listed above). any shotgun ammunition other than
additional hunter orange over their Only temporary blinds are allowed for
equipment for personal safety. Hunters approved, non-toxic shot is prohibited on
waterfowl hunting. Blinds and decoys the refuge. Lead center-fire bullets and
hunting from concealed ground blinds used for waterfowl hunting must be
must display a minimum of 400 square lead rifled slugs are permitted during the
removed daily by 1 pm. The use of quota gun deer hunt. Lead bullets may
inches of hunter orange above or around old structures/camps for hunting is
their blind that is visible from all sides also be used during the primitive firearm
prohibited. hunt.
and wear hunter orange while in the
blind. Hunting with Dogs Threatened Louisiana Black Bears
Hunting with dogs for migratory birds is Please be aware that the threatened
Youth Hunter Requirements permitted during migratory bird seasons.
Youths are generally defined as those Louisiana black bear listed under
Dogs are only allowed to locate, point, provisions of the Endangered Species
individuals 17 years of age or younger. flush, and retrieve migratory game birds.
Youths under the age of 16 may hunt Act of 1973 occurs throughout the refuge.
Hunting with dogs is permitted during Numerous conservation agencies have
without hunter education certification specific dates during the rabbit and
if they are accompanied by and under worked cooperatively in an effort to
squirrel season listed in this brochure. Up restore this majestic species. Because
direct supervision of a person born to 2 dogs per hunting party are permitted
before September 1, 1969 that has a valid feral hogs and black bears can be difficult
for small game hunting. All dogs must be to distinguish in heavy cover, it is critical
hunting license; or they are accompanied collared and labeled with owner’s name
by and under the direct supervision of that all hunters positively identify their
and phone number. Hunting any wildlife target before they attempt to harvest
a person who is 18 years of age or older other than migratory birds, squirrel, and
and has proof of successful completion of a feral hog. It is unlawful for anyone to
rabbit with dogs is prohibited. Use of take, harass, disturb, etc., any Louisiana
a hunter education course approved by dogs to trail wounded deer is not allowed.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and black bear. Criminal penalty: up to
Fisheries. Direct supervision means that Weapons and Ammunition $50,000 fine and one year imprisonment.
the person being supervised is within a Persons possessing, transporting, or Big Game Regulations
normal audible voice contact and in direct carrying firearms on National Wildlife Archery Season
line of sight of the supervising person at Refuges must comply with all provisions Archery hunting for deer is allowed on
all times while hunting. The supervising of state and local law. Persons may only the refuge during the specified season in
adult is responsible for ensuring that use (discharge) firearms in accordance this brochure. One deer harvested per
youth hunters do not engage in conduct with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 day is allowed.
that would constitute a violation of refuge and specific regulations in 50 CFR Part
regulations. For big game hunting, each 32).
youth must be supervised by an adult.
For small game hunting, no more than
two youths may be supervised by an
adult.U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Quota Deer Hunts Small Game Regulations Appropriate State licenses and State
Applicants will be selected by random Waterfowl recreational gear licenses are required.
drawing for the quota hunts. Successful Waterfowl hunting is open refuge wide on Use of gear or equipment other than hook
applicants will be notified by mail. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday and line or cast nets to catch bait fish is
Successful applicants will need a Quota until noon during the state season. Blinds prohibited.
Hunt Permit as well as an Annual and decoys used for waterfowl hunting
Public Use Permit in their possession must be removed daily by 1 pm. Hunting Recreational crawfishing is permitted on
to participate in the quota hunts. Only with dogs for waterfowl is allowed during the refuge with either traps or nets from
hunters chosen for the quota hunt are the state waterfowl season. No early teal March 15 - July 31, 2015. The harvest
allowed on the refuge during quota hunts. season. limit is 50 pounds per person per day. All
traps and nets must be attended at all
Primitive Firearm Deer Quota Hunt Woodcock times and may not be left on the refuge
Only legal muzzleloading rifles may be Hunters may use approved non-toxic shot overnight.
used during the primitive firearm deer and adhere to state season and harvest
quota hunt. Hunter orange requirements limits. Hunting with dogs for woodcock is Parking is only permitted in designated
apply to all hunters. One deer harvested allowed. parking areas and immediately adjacent
per day is allowed. to roadways designated on map.
Rabbit and Squirrel
Gun Deer Quota Hunt The use of dogs for rabbit and squirrel The minimum mesh size for crawfish
Hunter orange requirements apply to all hunting is only allowed during a specific traps must be a hexagon of three-
hunters. One deer harvested per day is portion of the season. Hunters must quarters by eleven-sixteenths of one
allowed. verify season dates in this brochure inch (measured from wire to wire, not
regarding the use dogs on the refuge. including coating). A State recreational
How to Apply for a Quota Hunt: gear license and a refuge Annual Public
Applications for lottery issued permits Incidental Species Use Permit is required in addition to
will be accepted from July 1 until Beaver, nutria, coyote, raccoon, and other State licensing requirements to
September 30, 2014. feral hogs may be taken with a legal harvest crawfish with traps on the refuge.
Apply online at www. firearm or archery equipment during Traps (including all traps in possession
lowermississippipermits.com any open hunting season. Hunters must of the angler) must be marked with a
or have a valid refuge permit and any state waterproof tag with the name and State
Mail the following information on a required licenses to harvest incidental recreational gear license number of the
standard species. State bag limits apply to harvest fisherman legibly printed on the tag. Only
8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper for each of coyotes, beaver, raccoon, or feral hogs. 20 traps per angler are permitted on the
hunt to: Harvest of bobcats is not allowed. refuge at the same time.
Cat Island Quota Hunt
c/o Kinsail Corporation Sport Fishing Regulations Crawfish nets are permitted on the
PO Box 1092 Fishermen may enter the refuge ½ hour refuge.
McLean VA 22101 before sunrise and must exit the refuge
no later than ½ hour after sunset. Bowfishing is allowed during daylight
n Hunt type (Gun or Primitive Firearm) hours only.
Fishermen must have a valid Refuge
n Your complete name Annual Public Use Permit and any For information on Mississippi River
applicable state licenses, including stages go to:
n Your complete mailing address state recreational gear licenses, in their http://155.76.244.230/offices/ed/edh/docs/
n Telephone number possession. bullet.txt
n $5 application fee (per person, per hunt Use of gear or equipment other than hook
application, money order only; payable and line or cast nest to catch bait fish is
to Kinsail Corporation) prohibited.
n Signature Fishing is permitted on the refuge
throughout the year from legal sunrise
n You may only apply once per hunt to legal sunset only, except that fishing is
closed during quota primitive firearm and
n To be considered a group, (up to rifle deer hunts.
5 individuals) must submit their
information separate sheets of paper Fish species allowed for harvest under
and stapled together state regulations may be included in the
daily state creel limit. State fish bag and
size limits apply. Possession of cleaned or
processed fish on the refuge is prohibited.
No harvest of frogs or turtles is
permitted on the refuge.
No slat traps, hoop nets, trotlines or yo-
yos are permitted on the refuge.U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
2014-2015 Hunting Seasons
Type Season Specific Regulations
Squirrel State Season Closed during primitive firearms and gun deer quota hunts.
Dogs permitted January 5, 2015 to end of State squirrel season.
No Spring season.
Rabbit State Season Closed during primitive firearms and gun deer quota hunts.
Dogs permitted January 5, 2015 to end of State rabbit season.
Deer-Archery State Season One, either-sex deer per day.
Closed during primitive firearms and gun deer quota hunts.
Closed during youth deer hunt.
State bag limit applies.
All deer taken must be checked at the deer check station.
Deer-Youth only October 25-26, 2014 State regulations apply for weapons.
All other hunts are closed during these days.
Buckshot prohibited.
Refuge regulations apply.
All deer taken must be checked at the deer check station.
Deer-Primitive November 14-16, Special Quota Permit Required
Firearms 2014
One, either-sex deer per day, hunter orange hat and vest required.
Deer-Gun December 12-14, Special Quota Permit Required
2014
One, either-sex deer per day, hunter orange hat and vest required.
Waterfowl Tuesday, Thursday, Closed during primitive firearms and gun deer quota hunts.
Saturday and
Sunday until Boats, blinds and decoys must be removed by 1 pm daily.
noon during State Non-toxic shot only.
waterfowl season
Possession of lead shot is prohibited.
Waterfowl – State Zone Date Closed during primitive firearms and gun deer quota hunts.
Youth Only
Boats, blinds and decoys must be removed by 1 pm daily.
Non-toxic shot only.
Possession of lead shot is prohibited
Woodcock State Season Closed during primitive firearms and gun deer quota hunts.
Non-toxic shot required.
Possession of lead shot prohibited.
Completion of Daily Use Reporting Cards required for all refuge activities, including quota hunts.Legend
Cat Island
National WildlifeRefuge Refuge Property
ATV Trail
Open Sep. 20 - Feb. 28
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ATV Trail
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Open year-round
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B
Roads
Main Cana
Environmental Education
Zones - No Hunting
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Cat Island Road Refuge Entrance
i p pi R
sis s
D Check Station
Mis
Blackfork Lake Locked gate
D
Fishing
Blue Goose Hiking Trails
ATV Trail
Parking
National Blackfork Bayou
Champion
Cypress Tree
Lake Platte
Lateral Canal
Wood Duck
ATV Trail
Wood Duck
ATV Trail
Hardwick's Ditch
Riverside
ATV Trail
Main CanalYou can also read
