Wildlife

The diversity of habitats found on the

refuge units provide ample feeding,

nesting, and resting areas for 289

bird species, 51 types of mammals,

89 species of reptiles and amphibians,

and 142 species of fish. Large

populations of white-tailed deer

can be found throughout the area,

along with smaller animals such as

raccoons, squirrels, beavers, rabbits,

and turkeys.

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

is located within the Mississippi

Flyway, a major route for migrating

waterfowl. The extensive wetland

acreage provides a natural food

source and protection for over

Tennessee National

Wildlife Refuge,

containing over 50,000

acres of water, forests,

farmland and grasslands,

is located on and around

Kentucky Lake in

northwest Tennessee. The

refuge’s three units, Big

Sandy, Duck River, and

Busseltown, stretch

for about 65 miles along

the Tennessee River.

Established in 1945, the

refuge is managed by the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service as an important

resting and feeding area

for wintering waterfowl.

The refuge also provides

habitat for numerous

resident wildlife species

and other migratory birds.

Migratory

Birds

Clayton Ferrell USFWS

Clayton Ferrell

This blue goose,

designed by J.N.

“Ding” Darling,

has become the

symbol of the

National Wildlife

Refuge System.

200,000 ducks that arrive here each

winter. Of the 24 species of ducks

using the refuge, mallards are the

most common, followed by gadwall,

wigeon, American black duck, and

blue-winged teal. The beautiful wood

duck is found here throughout the

year, nesting in natural tree cavities

as well as in artificial nest boxes.

Thousands of Canada geese and

several snow and white-fronted

geese utilize the refuge units during

the winter.
A host of neo-tropical songbirds,

birds that winter in the tropics and

nest in North America, fill the skies

with color and song upon their

arrival in spring. Among these are

the indigo bunting, common

yellowthroat, prothonotary warbler,

yellow-billed cuckoo, and summer

tanager. Other migrants include

several species of shorebirds, raptors,

and wading birds. Among the resident

species that may be seen throughout

the year are Eastern bluebird,

American robin, red-winged

blackbird, Carolina wren, and

American goldfinch.

The American bald eagle has made an

impressive comeback and can be

found in large numbers on the refuge,

with over 94 observed during one

winter survey. These magnificent

birds have also been found to nest on

the refuge. Occasionally, osprey and

golden eagles are observed here

as well.

Several endangered or threatened

species may be found on the refuge.

Some of these include the bald eagle,

least tern, and woodstork. The vast

river and stream system within and

surrounding the refuge harbors

several species of mussels, some of

them listed as endangered.

Threatened and

Endangered

Species

Other Wildlife

The refuge harbors a large great blue

heron rookery, that once contained

over 500 nests. Also nesting on the

refuge, are double-crested

cormorants. A hotspot for fish

diversity, Tennessee National Wildlife

Refuge can boast greater fish species

diversity than any other inland

national wildlife refuge in the

country. Some of the more elusive

animals found on the refuge are river

otters, bobcats, coyotes, and mink.

Numerous species of snakes, frogs,

turtles, and insects also make the

refuge home.

Managing for Wildlife

The primary management objective

on the refuge is to provide food and

protection for wintering migratory

waterfowl. A farming program

provides wildlife with foods such as

milo, corn, soybeans, and winter

wheat. A technique known as moist

soil management is used to

supplement the farming program.

During the spring and summer, water

is remove from the shallows of

several impoundments to allow for

the germination of various natural

wetland plants. After these plants

have matured and produced an

abundance of seeds, the

impoundments are flooded in the fall

to make this natural habitat available

to waterfowl and other marsh birds.

This combination of natural foods and

planted crops equips the birds with the

nutrients needed to survive the winter

months and return to spring breeding

grounds in good condition. Shorebirds

also benefit from this type of

management in spring and fall.

Another management focus of the refuge

is to improve habitat for forest nesting

birds. During the late 1800’s and early

1900’s vast tracts of forest of this region

were clear cut to fuel the industrial

revolution. The impacts of this action as

well as others, such as the control of

wildfires, have greatly influenced the

Barron Crawford Clayton Ferrell A. Pursley

Barron Crawford Barron Crawford
present condition of the forest within the

region. The end result is a forest that is

primarily composed of trees that are the

same age, with poorly developed crowns

and in a stagnant stage of growth. The

impact that this forest condition has had

on many bird species is a loss of suitable

nesting and foraging habitat. In an effort

to restore more natural forest conditions

on the refuge, a forest management

program has been initiated to carefully

alter the forest structure. A very

selective harvest technique is used to

reduce the overcrowded conditions, thus

allowing the remaining trees to grow

larger and the vegetation near the forest

floor to become denser, resulting in

improved habitats for birds and many

other species of wildlife.

This refuge has an active wood duck nest

box program. Large numbers of “woodies” may be found in refuge

wetlands, nesting in artificial nest boxes

as well as in natural tree cavities. These

beautiful “summer ducks” are banded

during late summer in order to gather

information about hatching success,

survival, and harvest pressure. Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

staff have been involved in an important

songbird monitoring endeavor, the

MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity

and Survivorship) program. During the

summer breeding season, monitoring

stations are set up within forested

habitats where songbirds are trapped by

means of a fine gauge “mist” net and

banded with a small numbered leg band.

Data such as age, sex, and condition are

taken for each bird captured to

determine their status, movement, and

productivity. The results of these

monitoring efforts, along with actual

surveys, help detect population trends in

many species of migratory songbirds, a

great number of which are declining.

Enjoy Your Visit Wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting,

photography, boating, and canoeing are

all popular uses of the refuge. Public use

areas are open daily during daylight

hours, except as modified by seasonal

refuge regulations.

Fishing – About half of the refuge is

water, primarily Kentucky Lake, and

most of the refuge’s waters are open to

fishing year-round. Some areas are

closed seasonally to provide sanctuary

for waterfowl and eagles. The heron

rookery is closed to all entry. In early

spring, Kentucky Lake is known for

some of the best crappie fishing in the

nation. Later in the season, bass and

catfish provide sport for many. Fishing

brochures detailing regulations are

available at the refuge office.

Clayton Ferrell

Clayton Ferrell

Clayton Ferrell

Clayton Ferrell

Clayton Ferrell

USFWS

USFWS

y
Hunting – Hunting is permitted for

deer, squirrel, raccoon, and turkey.

Along with regular hunting seasons,

quota hunts are available for deer and

raccoon, and are held by means of a

drawing/permit system. A separate

hunting regulation brochure is

available from the refuge office. Wildlife Observation/Photography –

A photo/observation deck is located

near the entrance to the Duck River

“Bottoms” area. A variety of wildlife

can be observed in this area, including

waterfowl in the fall and winter,

shorebirds and wading birds in spring

and fall, and other wildlife throughout

the year. An observation deck

equipped with a mounted spotting

scope is available for viewing a variety

of wildlife at the V.L. Childs Overlook,

located at the Big Sandy Unit, off of

Swamp Creek Road. In many areas,

you will find that your vehicle can

be the best “blind”. Visitors are

encouraged to bring binoculars,

cameras, and field guides to more fully

enjoy Tennessee’s wildlife.

Group Programs – Special

environmental education programs

are available for clubs and school

groups by contacting the refuge office

at least two weeks in advance.

Environmental education is stressed,

and teachers are encouraged to utilize

the refuge for group study, with the

refuge interpretive staff providing

assistance when needed.

Refuge Regulations

Refuge boundary signs delineate

refuge property behind the sign. “Area Closed” signs are erected to

minimize disturbance to waterfowl or

other wildlife, and for public safety.

Searching for and removal of objects

of antiquity is prohibited.

Firearms are prohibited on the refuge

except during authorized hunting

seasons. Firearms must be unloaded

and encased when traveling through

the refuge.

Disturbing or feeding wildlife, and

collecting plants is strictly prohibited. Pets on a leash are permitted. Dogs

under verbal control are allowed during

refuge squirrel and raccoon hunts.

Camping is prohibited.

Open fires are prohibited.

ATV’s are not allowed.

Bicycling is permitted on established

roads during normal public use hours.

Use of artificial light (including vehicle

lights) to observe wildlife is prohibited.

Boats must be removed from the

refuge after each day’s use. Facilities accessible to the physically

challenged are available.

To Get to the Refuge

The refuge headquarters office is

located in Paris, Tennessee at 3006

Dinkins Lane just off highway 79 N.

The Duck River Unit, the largest of the

three units, is located in Humphreys

and Benton Counties at the junction of

the Duck and Tennessee Rivers. The

sub-headquarters of this unit is located

1 1/2 miles southeast of Hustburg, Tennessee. The Big Sandy Unit is

located 12 miles north of the town of

Big Sandy, and is at the junction of the

Big Sandy and Tennessee Rivers. The

Busseltown Unit is located in Decatur

County, along the western bank of the Tennessee River, the entrance to the

unit being 5 miles northeast of Parsons, Tennessee.

EB
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

Busseltown Unit
Duck River Unit
Big Sandy Unit
Tennessee

National Wildlife Refuge

3006 Dinkins Lane

Paris, Tennessee 38242

731/642 2091

Fax: 731/644 3351

http://TennesseeRefuge.fws.gov

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

December 2002

Andrew Joslin