| Name | Bald Knob NWR | | WMA Zone | 002 | | Region | 2 | | County Coverage | White | | Location | | | Phone | 501-724-2458 | | Seasons and Regulations | CLOSED:
- Alligator
- Elk
- Bear
- Crow
- No trapping of coyote, beaver, nutria, muskrat, armadillo, feral hog, raccoon, opossum or other furbearers.
Area Notes:Bald Knob is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has special regulations regarding hunting seasons and opportunities. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/baldknob/
Additional federal regulations, season dates and a permit (required) are available from: Cache River NWR, 26320 Highway 33 South, Augusta, AR 72006. Bald Knob NWR closes to deer hunting when the White River gauge at Augusta reaches 31 feet. This restriction is lifted when the gauge at Augusta falls below 30 feet AND the White River gauge at Georgetown falls to or below 19 feet.
| | Leased Land Permit Required | No | | Ownership | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
| | Age | Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge was formed in 1993.
| | Purpose | Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect and provide feeding and nesting areas for migrating waterfowl. This refuge provides a winter home for large concentrations of ducks and geese, but was purchased specifically for northern pintail management.
| | Description | Although Bald Knob NWR is a popular waterfowling destination early in the season, it is an excellent area for year-round bird-watching. The farm unit of the area is 12,900 acres and has one of the largest and most elaborate irrigation systems found on any refuge. This system was used for agriculture, but is now used for many management activities. These include a cooperative farming program with emphasis on rice culture, moist soils management, wading bird habitat management, producing mud flats for migrating shorebirds, flooding natural habitat including bottomland hardwoods for waterfowl, early fall flooding for waterfowl, wetland restoration and for providing fish and amphibian habitat.
| | Access | Access to the refuge is limited due to unimproved roads and few facilities have been developed. All-terrain vehicle trails provide the only access to the Mingo Creek Unit of the refuge year round and to the Farm Unit from November 15 to February 28. These trails are also opened for foot traffic. All vehicles must stay on established roads and trails.
| | Hunting Opportunities | Waterfowl are a primary hunting target on Bald Knob, but the hardwood restoration area offers deer and squirrel hunting as well. Some bobwhite quail and dove hunters may find suitable hunting habitat on non-flooded areas.
| | Management Practices | Bald Knob is a key research site for many cooperative research units and universities. This is due to the diversified management activities, irrigation and water management capabilities, and the host of species found on this refuge. Many on-going research projects involve waterfowl, Neotropical migrants, shorebirds, amphibians and food requirements and avialablity centered on rice, moist soils and invertebrate food sources and the energy provided by these food sources.
| | Recreation Other Than Hunting | Outdoor photography is very popular at Bald Knob NWR. Visitors may see large mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, bobcat, coyote, river otters and beaver year round or a wide range of smaller species such as reptiles and amphibians in the warmer months. During the late fall and through winter large concentrations of blue, snow, Canada, and white-fronted geese can be seen often feeding in the stubble left from farming. In addition, mallards, pintails, blue and green wing teal can be found swimming and feeding in wet areas. The refuge annually hosts one of the largest wintering pintail populations in Arkansas and serves as a staging area for pintails migrating to the coastal areas of west Louisiana and eastern Texas. Long-legged wading birds such as herons and egrets can be found stalking their prey in shallow waters. Songbirds such as prothonotary warblers, common yellowthroats and bluebirds can be seen year round darting among the trees. During winter, up to 40 bald eagles may be seen at a time perched high above the refuge. Peregrine falcons also are present during winter, but sightings are rare.
| | Camping | There are no camping opportunities on the refuge. However, camping is available at nearby Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA.
| | Restaurants and Other Facilities | The town of Bald Knob is only a few miles from the refuge and has many restaurants.
| 35.235147 -91.615727 |
|
|