National Wildlife Refuge · Indiana · FWS Region 3

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge lies in Ripley County, Indiana, within an approved boundary of roughly 50,753 acres. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 27,262 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
27.3Khuntable acres
50.8Kboundary acres
3game categories

Big Oaks NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Big Oaks NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, wild turkey, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

A former U.S. Army ordnance testing range, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge includes the largest unfragmented forest area in southeast Indiana and one of the largest grasslands in the state.

Youth hunting

The refuge holds youth hunts for deer and turkey, issued by lottery.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Indiana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 27,262 (54%)Closed: 23,396 (46%)27.3Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations27,262 ac 54%
  • Closed23,396 ac 46%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
23,396 ac
C
19,518 ac
B
3,972 ac
A
3,772 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
A Special regs 3,772 Required
Other		 All visitors must attend safety briefing to get a permit annually.
🧒 The refuge holds youth hunts for deer and turkey, issued by lottery.
B Special regs 3,972 Required
Other		 All visitors must attend safety briefing to get a permit annually.
🧒 The refuge holds youth hunts for deer and turkey, issued by lottery.
C Special regs 19,518 Required
Other		 All visitors must attend safety briefing to get a permit annually.
🧒 The refuge holds youth hunts for deer and turkey, issued by lottery.
Closed Closed 23,396 Required
Other		 All visitors must attend safety briefing to get a permit annually.
🧒 The refuge holds youth hunts for deer and turkey, issued by lottery.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All visitors must attend safety briefing to get a permit annually.

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Indiana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Big Oaks NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is permitted on Old Timbers Lake. A random drawing is held at 7 a.m. on days the refuge is open to fill the 25-boat limit for the lake. Only trolling motors or rowing/paddling are allowed.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Big Oaks NWR

Navigate

Destination: Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
38.95376, -85.41785
DMS
38°57′13.5″N 85°25′04.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Seymour, IN25 mi E of town
  • Cincinnati, OH50 mi W of town
  • Louisville, KY52 mi N of town
  • Frankfort, KY60 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • CVG Cincinnati/N. Kentucky41 mi
  • SDF Louisville Muhammad Ali57 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Big Oaks NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Indianapolis local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM8:14 PM13h 05m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:52 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:06 AM7:36 AM7:26 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:19 AM7:49 AM7:04 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM5:42 PM10h 35m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM5:29 PM10h 05m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:11 AM7:41 AM5:20 PM9h 40m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM5:20 PM9h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:30 AM8:00 AM5:28 PM9h 29m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:28 AM7:58 AM5:41 PM9h 43m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM6:01 PM10h 12m

Computed for 38.954, -85.418 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Big Oaks NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Big Oaks NWR?

Yes. Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (27,262 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Big Oaks NWR?

Yes — Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Big Oaks NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Big Oaks NWR located?

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is in Ripley County, Indiana, about 25 miles E of Seymour, IN (straight-line). GPS: 38.95376, -85.41785.

What are legal shooting hours at Big Oaks NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Muscatatuck NWR

Jennings County, IN · 21 mi W

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

5.2K huntable acres

Ohio River Islands NWR

Adams County, OH · 101 mi E

22 special8 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

2.9K huntable acres

Patoka River NWR

Pike County, IN · 109 mi W

1 open1 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.6K huntable acres

Green River NWR

Henderson County, KY · 135 mi SW

3 closed
No hunting listed

Wolf Creek NFH

Russell County, KY · 144 mi S

1 closed
🎣

Dale Hollow NFH

Clay County, TN · 167 mi S

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Indiana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.