U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Muscatatuck 

National Wildlife Refuge

Summary

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

November 2009

Contents

CCP Completed ...........................................1

See the CCP.................................................2

Why a CCP?.................................................2

Vital Statistics.............................................2

Refuge Vision and Goals.............................3

How the Refuge Will be Managed .............3

Who We Are and What We Do ..................7

The Planning Process ..................................7

Into the Future.............................................7

Comprehensive 

Conservation Plan 

Completed!

The Comprehensive Conservation 

Plan (CCP) for Muscatatuck National 

Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was signed on 

September 10, 2009, completing a planning process that began in 2007. 

Management highlights include:

O The Refuge will be open longer each 

day. Instead of being open from 

sunrise to sunset, the Refuge will 

now open an hour before sunrise and 

close an hour after sunset.

O Habitat will include more forest and 

fewer constructed wetlands, with 

wildlife habitat created more by 

natural processes than human 

engineering.

O Opportunities to hunt rabbit, quail, 

squirrel, turkey and deer will 

increase. 

O Access to the Refuge will remain 

free of charge. 

O The West Entrance will be closed in 

an effort to reduce non-Refuge 

traffic and increase safety for 

wildlife viewing. 

 This summary includes a general 

description of management activities 

related to habitat, wildlife, and visitors, 

plus a table comparing previous management with management under the 

CCP.

Completing the CCP doesn’t mean 

that we stop planning. Comprehensive 

conservation plans are revised at least 

every 15 years, and the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service) Manual 

requires refuges to update and revise 

their plan sooner if habitat and wildlife 

monitoring suggest that revision is warranted. 

A variety of people and organizations 

contributed their expertise and time to 

planning for Muscatatuck NWR. We 

are grateful to everyone who took the 

time to attend a meeting, review the 

Draft CCP, or comment on the plan. By 

participating in the planning process, 

you contributed to improving habitat 

for wildlife at Muscatatuck NWR and 

enhancing wildlife-dependent recreation for present and future generations.

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

2

See the CCP

You can view the full CCP on-line at: 

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/

muscatatuck

Paper copies of the CCP are 

available at several libraries, including:

O Jackson County Public Library, 303 

West Second Street, Seymour, 

Indiana.

O Crothersville Library, 120 East 

Main Street, Crothersville, Indiana

O Medora Library, 27 West Main 

Street, Medora, Indiana.

O Jennings County Public Library, 

2375 North Highway 3, North 

Vernon, Indiana.

O Monroe County Public Library, 303 

East Kirkwood Avenue, 

Bloomington, Indiana.

O Ellettsville Branch, Monroe County 

P u b l i c L i b ra r y, 3 0 0 We s t 

Temperance Street, Ellettsville, 

Indiana.

 Copies of the plan are also available 

at the Refuge. You can request a copy in 

a variety of ways:

E-mail the Refuge at: 

Muscatatuck@fws.gov

Call the Refuge at: 812/522-4352

Mail a request to: 

Muscatatuck NWR

Attention: CCP Request

12985 East U.S. Highway 50

Seymour, IN 47274

Why a CCP?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is 

completing a CCP for every refuge in 

the National Wildlife Refuge System. 

The plans outline how a refuge will fulfill its legal purpose and contribute to 

the Refuge System’s wildlife, habitat 

and public use goals. Comprehensive 

conservation plans articulate management goals for the next 15 years and 

specify the objectives and strategies 

needed to accomplish these goals. CCPs 

give a refuge’s neighbors, the 

local community, Friends 

groups, outdoor recreation 

enthusiasts and others a clear 

picture of how a refuge will be 

managed and the reasoning 

behind that management 

direction. 

Planning for national wildlife refuges has always 

occurred, but the planning 

process and products were not 

consistent throughout the 

Refuge System. This changed 

in 1997, when the National 

Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act established 

the planning process refuges 

would use and specified the elements 

required in a CCP. The Improvement 

Act and Service policy now require the 

Refuge System to manage national 

wildlife refuges based on a CCP.

Many factors, such as funding and 

natural events like flooding or drought, 

will influence the Service’s ability to 

fully implement the Muscatatuck NWR 

CCP. Comprehensive conservation 

plans outline management direction, 

but they do not constitute a commitment for staffing increases, operational 

and maintenance increases, or funding 

for future land acquisition. 

Vital Statistics

Established in 1966, Muscatatuck 

NWR manages 7,802 acres in Jackson, 

Jennings, and Monroe Counties of 

Indiana. The Refuge also administers 

nine conservation easements totaling 

130.5 acres in five Indiana counties. 

The Refuge consists of wetland, 

grassland, woodland, and riverine 

communities. The Refuge provides 

habitat for many avian species 

including ducks, geese, Wild Turkey, 

non-game grassland and forest birds 

including many neo-tropical migrants, 

shorebirds, wading birds, and 

birds of prey. A variety of 

reptiles and mammals, 

including the copperbelly 

water snake, Kirtland’s snake, 

river otter, and white-tailed 

deer, many fish species, and a 

broad range of terrestrial and 

aquatic invertebrates also 

inhabit the Refuge. In 

addition, several federally 

listed species, including the 

Indiana bat, and many more 

state-listed species, are found 

on the Refuge. 

Wood Duck. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo.
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

3

Refuge Vision and 

Goals

Refuge Vision

The planning team considered past 

vision statements and emerging issues 

and drafted the following vision statement as the desired future state of the 

Refuge:

As the land of winding waters, treasured for generations, Muscatatuck 

National Wildlife Refuge honors its 

heritage and connects visitors with 

the natural environment by conserving a rich mosaic of sustainable habitat for a diversity of wildlife and 

plants.

Refuge Management Goals

Goal 1: Habitat – A dynamic mosaic 

of vegetation that includes an expanse 

of upland and floodplain deciduous 

forest similar to that historically 

present along with lakes, marshes, and 

moist soil units.

Goal 2: Wildlife – Support the 

maximum sustainable breeding and 

post-breeding populations of cavitynesting waterfowl, neotropical 

migratory birds, Indiana bats, 

and a diversity of migratory, rare 

wetland, and resident species.

Goal 3: People – Visitors 

understand and appreciate the 

natural environment and its 

processes through participation 

in high-quality, wildlife-dependent 

recreation and educational 

opportunities.

How the Refuge 

Will be Managed

The management direction 

adopted in the CCP will change 

habitat management and visitor 

services facilities on the Refuge, but for the most part those 

changes will be gradual. Maps 

on the next two pages illustrate management activities, and a table that 

begins on page 8 compares the previous 

management direction with the direction adopted in the CCP.

To implement the CCP, the Refuge 

proposes adding two new biological 

technician positions to the staff and filling an existing but vacant tractor operator position. 

Habitat

As the Refuge implements the CCP 

over the next 15 years, management 

will reduce the focus on water manipulation on the Refuge 

and instead focus on 

restoring natural 

processes. That 

means fewer moist 

soil units on the Refuge and more bottomland and upland 

forest. There will be 

less agricultural 

cropland as forest 

converts through 

natural succession. 

Some ponds will 

revert to forested 

wetlands, but Stanfield Lake, the deepwater portion of Richart Lake, and 

existing fishing areas will be maintained. Mallard and Display Ponds will 

be closed to fishing and allowed to 

revert to forested wetland. Greentree 

reservoirs will resume a more natural 

flow regime. Upland hardwood forest 

will be managed using timber stand 

improvement techniques and forest 

hydrology will be restored. 

At the Restle Unit, the Refuge will 

maintain the existing 30-acre, seasonally flooded impoundment and 48 acres 

of bottomland hardwood forest, plus 

develop a water management plan to 

support water bird feeding, resting, and 

breeding through cycles in moist soil 

management. 

Wildlife

More wildlife and habitat monitoring 

and surveying activities will take place 

on the Refuge. Refuge staff will develop 

partnerships and seek grants to fund a 

baseline survey and studies of habitat 

use patterns for the Indiana bat. Regular waterfowl brood counts will be conducted on managed units and Moss 

Lake every 3 years, and brood habitat 

will be monitored every year. Staff will 

continue the annual May Day bird 

count and will conduct point counts 

every 5 years to more systematically 

document the effects of reforestation. 

Secretive marsh birds will be surveyed 

every 5 years to determine presence or 

White-tailed deer doe. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo.

Richart Lake, Muscatatuck NWR. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo.
Future Conditions Envisioned in the CCP, Muscatatuck NWR

November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

4
Visitor Services in Future Management, Muscatatuck NWR

November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

5
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

6

absence, and shorebird numbers and 

diversity will be monitored spring 

through fall. Existing waterfowl counts 

(weekly counts Labor Day to March, 

mid-winter counts, Great Blue Heron 

surveys every 5 years, and crane surveys as requested) will continue.

The deer population will be managed 

at numbers that support forest regeneration while still providing a quality 

hunting opportunity, with a goal of 

maintaining approximately 15 to 25 

deer per square mile.

Staff will begin monitoring fish 

within 5 years of CCP completion and 

will monitor at 10 to 15-year intervals 

for heavy metal contamination. 

Visitor Services

Hunting opportunities will expand at 

Muscatatuck NWR. The hours for rabbit, quail, squirrel and archery deer 

hunting will increase, and the program 

will be monitored for biological effects 

and safety. An early deer archery season based on the state season will start 

after National Wildlife Refuge Week. 

Squirrel, rabbit, and quail hunts will 

continue during deer hunting. A late 

deer archery season following the closure of the muzzleloader season will 

continue for the rest of the state season. 

Muzzleloader deer hunting will be 

allowed by special permit during the 

state season. Hunters will be required 

to wear hunter 

orange for all 

hunting except 

turkey hunting.

Year-round 

fishing will continue much as it 

has in the past, 

with the exception that Mallard and 

Display Ponds 

will be removed 

from the fishing program. 

Fishing will still 

be permitted on 

Richart, Stanfield, Sheryl, and Linda Lakes and 

Sand Hill and Persimmon Ponds. Boating will continue to be allowed on Stanfield Lake, and float tubes will continue 

to be allowed in all fishing areas. Access 

to fishing locations will increase. The 

fishing event for children will be continued. To reduce disturbance of migrant 

waterfowl on northern seasonally 

flooded and managed units, public 

access will be limited during peak duck 

use periods.

Observation and photography opportunities will change somewhat under 

the direction adopted in the CCP. The 

Refuge will not maintain East and West 

River Trails and they will be allowed to 

revert back to habitat. 

Surfacing on other trails 

will be improved, and the 

auto tour route will be 

black-topped if funding 

permits. The Hackman 

Overlook will be evaluated 

and either removed or 

modified. Bicycling will 

continue to be permitted 

only on gravel and paved 

roads on the Refuge.

A new observation 

platform will be built to 

facilitate wildlife viewing 

near the Refuge’s shop 

area. 

An observation platform will be 

maintained at the Restle Unit and the 

rest of the Unit will remain closed to 

public access. 

The interpretation program at Muscatatuck NWR will continue at the 

existing level, however the quality of 

interpretation will be improved at all 

current facilities and in Refuge publications. The Refuge’s website will be 

improved and updated more frequently 

and will include downloadable versions 

of Refuge brochures, lists of current 

and upcoming events, and wildlife sightings. The existing environmental education program will be modified to meet 

the Service’s definition of environmental education. 

The Refuge will continue to support 

and expand volunteer programs as staff 

and resources permit. Staff will work to 

expand partnerships with non-governmental organizations.

In addition to existing outreach 

work, staff will expand efforts to reach 

under-represented populations.

The Refuge’s hours will be expanded 

to open 1 hour before sunrise and close 

1 hour after sunset. 

The west entrance will be closed, 

which is expected to make Refuge roads 

safer, improve the Refuge experience 

for visitors, and reduce disturbance to 

Myers Cabin, Muscatatuck NWR. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo. wildlife. 

Red-eared sliders. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo.
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

7

Who We Are and What 

We Do 

The Refuge is administered by the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 

primary federal agency responsible for 

conserving, protecting, and enhancing 

the nation’s fish and wildlife 

populations and their habitats. The 

Service oversees the enforcement of 

federal wildlife laws, management and 

protection of migratory bird 

populations, restoration of nationally 

significant fisheries, administration of 

the Endangered Species Act, and the 

restoration of wildlife habitat such as 

wetlands. The Service also manages the 

National Wildlife Refuge System, which 

was founded in 1903 when President 

Theodore Roosevelt designated Pelican 

Island in Florida as a sanctuary for 

Brown Pelicans. 

Today, the Refuge System is a 

network of 550 national wildlife refuges 

and other Refuge System units 

covering more than 150 million acres of 

public lands and waters. Most of these 

lands are in Alaska, with approximately 

16 million acres located in the lower 48 

states and several island territories. 

Overall, the Refuge System provides 

habitat for more than 5,000 species of 

birds, mammals, fish, and insects.

Refuges also provide unique 

opportunities for people. When 

activities are compatible with wildlife 

and habitat conservation, refuges are 

places where people can enjoy wildlifedependent recreation such as hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation, 

photography, environmental education, 

and environmental interpretation. 

The Planning Process

The planning process for the 

Muscatatuck NWR CCP began in 

March 2007. The first step was for 

members of the regional planning staff 

and Muscatatuck NWR staff to identify 

a list of issues and concerns associated 

with the management of the Refuge. 

These preliminary issues and 

concerns were based on staff 

knowledge of the area and contacts 

with citizens in the community.

Refuge staff and Service 

planners then asked Refuge 

neighbors, organizations, local 

government units, and interested 

citizens to share their thoughts in an 

open house and through written 

comments. In May 2007, people 

were invited to an open house at the 

Refuge’s visitor center through local 

papers and a project update sent to 

the Refuge’s mailing list of 1,067 

people. Twenty-five people attended 

the open house. Comments were 

received from approximately 35 

individuals during the comment 

period, which ended June 30, 2007. 

Following the public comment period, 

an additional meeting was held in the 

Fish and Wildlife Service Regional 

Office to review the public comments 

and identify concerns from subject 

specialists.

The CCP for Muscatatuck NWR was 

prepared by a team consisting of 

Refuge and Regional Office staff. The 

CCP was published in two phases (draft 

and final documents) and in accordance 

with the National Environmental Policy 

Act (NEPA). The Environmental 

Assessment, published as Appendix A 

in the Draft CCP, presented four 

alternatives for future management 

and identified a preferred alternative. 

The Draft CCP/EA was released for 

public review and comment on April 6, 

2009. A Draft CCP/EA or a summary of 

the document was sent to more than 

1,000 individuals, organizations, local, 

state, and federal agencies, and elected 

officials. An open house was held on 

April 23, 2009, at the Muscatatuck 

NWR Visitor Center following release 

of the draft document. Twenty-five 

people attended the open house. We 

received a total of 40 comment letters 

and e-mails during the 33-day review 

period. Appendix K of the CCP 

summarizes these comments and the 

Refuge’s responses.

Into the Future

Throughout the comprehensive 

conservation planning process, many 

people have contributed time and ideas 

to make the Muscatatuck NWR CCP a 

better document. We are grateful to 

everyone who cared enough about the 

Refuge and its future to participate in 

this planning effort. We will continue to 

welcome your thoughts on Refuge 

management. 

To succeed, a management plan has 

to adapt to nature’s ever changing 

conditions. Although the plan is 

complete, we expect to review it and, if 

needed, update it every 5 to 10 years in 

response to conditions that could not be 

anticipated in planning. 

Muscatatuck NWR is a place to use 

and enjoy for both wildlife and people, 

now and in the future. We hope that you 

will continue to care about and 

participate in conserving the Refuge’s 

wildlife and habitat.

 

Common buckeye butterfly. U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

photo.
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

8

Comparison of Key Points in Previous and New Management Direction for 

Muscatatuck NWR 

Topic Previous Refuge Management Refuge Management Under the CCP

(Balance Natural Processes & Constructed Units; Increased 

Focus on High Quality Priority General Public Uses)

Upland Hardwood 

Forest

■ Allow approximately 310 acres of former cropland to 

revert to upland forest through natural succession and 

limited tree planting. 

■ Conversion of approximately 310 acres of former 

cropland to upland forest through natural succession 

and limited tree planting.

■ Active forest management that may include timber 

stand improvement and restoring hydrology and 

micro/macrotopography.

Bottomland Hardwood 

Forest: Natural and 

Constructed

■ Allow approximately 500 acres of former cropland to 

revert to bottomland hardwood forest through natural 

succession and limited tree planting.

■ Water control on two greentree reservoirs and Moss 

Lake.

■ Conversion of former cropland (approximately 500 

acres), current cropland (approximately 15 acres), and 

some water management areas (approximately 150 

acres) to bottomland hardwood forest through natural 

succession and limited tree planting. (Total of approximately 660 acres).

■ Convert greentree reservoirs to naturally flowing. 

Active management of Moss Lake. 

■ Includes reforestation, control of muskrats and beavers.

Open Water ■ Maintain current acreage as depicted in Figure on 

page 4.

■ Maintain Stanfield Lake, the deepwater portion of 

Richart Lake, and existing fishing areas except for 

Mallard and Display Ponds, which will be closed to 

fishing and will be allowed to revert to natural cover 

types. Water levels in some areas of Richart Lake may 

vary. 

■ Allow all other ponds to revert to forested wetlands. 

Seasonally Flooded 

Constructed 

Impoundments

■ Approximately 820 acres under moist soil management, which includes water and vegetation manipulation. ■ Fewer acres under moist soil management due to the 

conversion of moist soil units 8, 9, and 10 to bottomland forest. Moist soil units 1-6 are retained.

■ Moist soil unit 7 is retained to keep dual function of 

control and flow through the southern portion of the 

Refuge. Also, McDonald North and South, Sue, and 

Endicott North and South are managed as seasonally 

flooded impoundments. 

■ Reduce disturbance to migrants on northern seasonally flooded and managed units through limitation of 

public access during peak duck use periods.

Reconverting Farmland/ 

early successional 

habitat

■ Allow natural succession and planting trees for conversion to forests.■ Active conversion through planting, timber stand 

improvement, and natural succession.

■ The area surrounding the Endicott Marshes (75 

acres), kept open to benefit bird viewing. Approximately 400 additional acres of wildlife viewing areas 

also kept open to benefit cranes and other species. 

Agricultural ■ Approximately 320 acres associated with agricultural 

use, 267 acres actively farmed.

■ No acres in agriculture. Mowing, haying, or prescribed fire are used to maintain open acres for wildlife viewing and crane habitat.
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

9

Invasive Plant Species ■ Approximately 220 acres treated per year. ■ Comprehensive inventory of all invasive plants within 

5 years of plan approval. 

■ Employ early detection and rapid response protocol 

for responding to new invasives. 

■ Development of an IPM or section of HMP. Requires 

additional annual funding and possibly a biological 

technician FTE.

Seep Springs Research 

Natural Area

■ No change in management (some attempt to move 

water from area as time and resources permit).

■ Maintain optimum hydrology for the community. 

Requires detailed hydrological study.

■ In addition, take immediate action to reduce water 

levels in and adjacent to the Research Natural Area. 

Form a working group to assist in restoring and monitoring the hydrology of the seep springs habitat.

Restle Unit ■ Maintain 30 acres of seasonally flooded impoundment 

and 48 acres of bottomland hardwood forest. Closed to 

all public use.

Same as previous management, plus:

■ Develop a water management plan to support water 

bird feeding, resting, and breeding through cycles in 

moist soil management. 

Federally-listed 

Threatened and 

Endangered Species

■ Intermittent surveys initiated by various partners. ■ Indiana bat: Conduct baseline survey and study of 

habitat use patterns. Follow with monitoring at regular intervals. Develop partnerships and seek grants to 

fund monitoring studies.

Cavity-nesting 

waterfowl

■ Annual brood surveys to estimate production.

■ Cavity surveys were conducted in 1984-5 and 2006.

■ Monitor number of cavities after 15 years of plan 

implementation.

■ Conduct brood counts on managed units and Moss 

Lake every 3 years.

■ Monitor brood habitat every year.

Neotropical migratory 

birds

■ May Day count annually for presence-absence data to 

satisfy public interest.

Same as previous management plus:

■ Point counts every 5 years to more systematically document the effect of reforestation.

Secretive marsh birds 

and shorebirds

■ Limited study in past. ■ Marsh survey every 5 years to determine presenceabsence, and distribution of species, with observations 

integrated into Annual Water Management Plan.

■ Monitor shorebirds numbers and diversity spring 

through fall.

Rare wetland species ■ Periodic surveys of rare wetland species (examples 

include copperbelly watersnake, Kirtland’s snake, 

four-toed salamander, and state-listed plants including 

rare orchid) by cooperators and volunteers.

Same as previous management, plus:

■ An effort will be made to improve survey protocols.

Migratory waterbirds ■ Weekly waterfowl count from Labor Day through 

March. Provide data to state partners.

■ Mid-winter waterfowl count to satisfy Service data 

request.

■ Conduct surveys for Great Blue Herons every 5 years.

■ Conduct annual Sandhill Crane surveys as requested 

by partners.

■ No change from past management.

Comparison of Key Points in Previous and New Management Direction for 

Muscatatuck NWR (Continued)

Topic Previous Refuge Management Refuge Management Under the CCP

(Balance Natural Processes & Constructed Units; Increased 

Focus on High Quality Priority General Public Uses)
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

10

Native resident and 

other wildlife

■ Variety of studies being conducted. ■ No change from past management.

Fish and other aquatic 

species

■ Periodic surveys to monitor diversity of species. Same as previous management, plus:

■ Monitor diversity, distribution and rough abundance 

on a 10-year cycle.

Deer ■ No objective specified. ■ Maintain deer population between 15 and 25 per 

square mile to balance between forest regeneration 

and quality hunting. 

■ Monitor deer population and habitat to determine if 

population level is achieved and not harmful to Refuge 

habitat.

Beaver, muskrat, 

raccoon

■ No objectives specified. ■ Control raccoon population as prescribed by monitoring to facilitate Wood Duck production.

■ Beaver and muskrat are monitored and controlled to 

facilitate water management.

■ Identify, monitor, and control any other species identified as causing damage due to high population levels.

Heavy metal 

contamination in fish

■ Surveys conducted in 2006, results pending. ■ Fish will be used as indicator species. Conduct first 

survey within 5 years. Monitor at 10-15 year intervals.

Hunting Hunt rabbit, quail, squirrel, turkey, and deer.

(Portions of the state season; portions of the Refuge). 

No waterfowl hunting allowed. No hunting of any kind 

in the Waterfowl Sanctuary.

Same as past management, and in addition: 

■ Expand hunt times for rabbit, quail, squirrel, and 

archery deer hunting. 

■ Hunting program will be monitored for biological and 

safety effects.

■ Early archery by state season starting after National 

Wildlife Refuge Week. Squirrel, rabbit, and quail 

hunts continue during deer hunts. Late archery following closure of muzzleloader season for the remainder of the state season.

■ Muzzleloader by special permit drawing during state 

season.

■ Hunter orange required for all hunts except turkey.

■ Reduce disturbance to migrants on northern seasonally flooded and managed units through limitation of 

public access during peak duck use periods.

■ In collaboration with partners, offer state youth hunting programs, and recruit under-represented populations to participate in hunting programs.

Comparison of Key Points in Previous and New Management Direction for 

Muscatatuck NWR (Continued)

Topic Previous Refuge Management Refuge Management Under the CCP

(Balance Natural Processes & Constructed Units; Increased 

Focus on High Quality Priority General Public Uses)
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

11

Fishing ■ Year-round fishing by state regulations on designated 

lakes and ponds – Richart, Stanfield Sheryl, and 

Linda Lakes, and Sand Hill, Persimmon, Mallard and 

Display Ponds. 

■ Boating allowed on Stanfield Lake. No motors 

allowed. 

■ Float tubes allowed in all fishing areas. 

■ Three accessible fishing facilities. 

■ Kids’ fishing event once a year.

Same as previous management except:

■ Mallard and Display Ponds are removed from the fishing program and allowed to revert to bottomland forest.

■ Additionally, create more accessible sites around current fishing locations.

■ Reduce disturbance to migrants on northern seasonally flooded and managed units through limitation of 

public access during peak duck use periods.

■ Improve quality of fishing areas.

Observation & 

Photography

■ Auto tour route (4 miles). 

■ Seven hiking trails. 

■ Observation deck at Endicott Marsh. 

■ Overlook structure on Richart Lake. 

■ Nine miles of roads. 

■ Two annual photo contests. 

■ Annual migratory bird days. 

■ Refuge week activities.

■ Maintain observation platform at Restle Unit with the 

rest of the unit closed to all public uses. 

■ Bicycling is permitted on gravel/paved roads. Riding 

on hiking trails is prohibited.

■ East and West River Trails not maintained and 

allowed to revert back to habitat. 

■ Improve surfacing of all remaining trails. Blacktop 

auto tour route (contingent on funding). 

■ Build an observation structure to facilitate wildlife 

viewing near the shop area. 

■ Modify or remove Hackman Overlook structure.

■ Reduce disturbance to migrants on northern seasonally flooded and managed units through limitation of 

public access during peak duck use periods. 

■ Maintain observation platform at Restle Unit with the 

rest of the unit closed to all public uses. 

■ Bicycling is permitted on gravel/paved roads. Riding 

on hiking trails is prohibited. 

Interpretation ■ Provide 25 interpretive programs per year to schools 

and the public.

■ Interpretation on auto tour route, Chestnut Ridge 

Trail and at the Myers Cabin site. 

■ Keep six brochures updated and stocked at visitor 

contact points.

■ Maintain website.

Same as previous management, plus:

■ Improve quality of interpretation at all current facilities and throughout all Refuge fliers, brochures, and 

other documents. 

■ Improve website and update more frequently.

Environmental 

Education

■ Partnership with special group at Hayden School and 

annual internship program. 

■ Host annual Indiana Junior Duck Stamp Program and 

contest.

■ Host annual Conservation Field Days for Jackson and 

Jennings County Schools’ third-graders.

Same as previous management, plus:

■ Modify current program to satisfy the Service’s definition of environmental education.

Recreational fees None. None.

Coop Association/

Friends / Partnerships

■ One active, membership-based Friends Group, the 

Muscatatuck Wildlife Society (400 members).

■ Other partnerships include the National Wild Turkey 

Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Audubon Society.

Same as previous management, plus: 

■ Expand partnerships to include other non-government organizations.

Comparison of Key Points in Previous and New Management Direction for 

Muscatatuck NWR (Continued)

Topic Previous Refuge Management Refuge Management Under the CCP

(Balance Natural Processes & Constructed Units; Increased 

Focus on High Quality Priority General Public Uses)
November 2009 / Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

12

Volunteer Program ■ Approximately 11,000 hours contributed by 200 volunteers.Same as previous management, plus: 

■ Continue support and expand programs as staff and 

resources permit

Law Enforcement ■ One shared position with Big Oaks and Patoka River 

NWRs. 

■ Cooperative support from State Police, sheriff ’s 

departments, and IDNR. 

■ Additional support through zone resources.

Same as previous management..

Public Access / Roads ■ Open from sunrise to sunset. 

■ Entire Refuge open to the public except closed areas. 

Nine miles of roads and two public entrances. 

■ Entire Refuge open to the public except closed areas.

■ Open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

■ Close west entrance. Blacktop auto tour route. 

Improve maintenance of gravel roads and parking 

lots. 

■ West Entrance may have to remain open, or be 

reopened to use during the Highway 50 widening project, which will begin sometime during the period covered by this CCP.

Outreach ■ Maintain a website.

■ Staff a booth at the annual FFA Career Fair. Refuge 

newsletter published three times a year. 

■ Staff provide a limited number of off-site programs to 

schools and organizations.

■ Same as previous management plus:

■ Expand work to target under-represented populations. 

■ Improve website to increase participation and environmental stewardship.

Cultural Resources 

Management

■ Meet Service regulations Same as previous management..

Implementation Requirements

Staffing No change. ■ Two biological science technicians.

■ Fill existing vacant tractor operator position.

Facilities No change. ■ Dikes removed from Moist Soil Units 8, 9 and 10.

■ Pave the auto tour route. 

■ Improve existing gravel roads and parking lots.

■ Close the west entrance to the Refuge.

■ Allow the East and West River Trails to revert to natural land cover. Improve the surface of the remaining 

trails.

■ Build a wildlife observation structure near the Refuge 

shop area.

■ Evaluate the Hackman Overlook structure for modification or removal.

■ Develop additional accessible fishing sites at current 

fishing locations to supplement existing facilities.

Comparison of Key Points in Previous and New Management Direction for 

Muscatatuck NWR (Continued)

Topic Previous Refuge Management Refuge Management Under the CCP

(Balance Natural Processes & Constructed Units; Increased 

Focus on High Quality Priority General Public Uses)