Pinckney

 Island

 NWR

Blackbeard

Island 

NWR 

 Harris

Neck

NWR 

Wolf Island

NWR 

GEORGIA

SOUTH

CAROLINA

Savannah NWR

Tybee NWR

Wassaw NWR

 Hardeeville

95

17

17

278

321

17

17

21

204

170

95

170

 Port

Wentworth

 Richmond Hill

 Darien

Sapelo Island

St. Catherine‘s Island

Ossabaw Island

Skidaway Island

Tybee Island

 Shellman Bluff

EXIT 67

EXIT 5

EXIT 109

GA25

Harris Neck

Road

Atlantic

Ocean

 Savannah

16

95

*

SAVANNAH

COASTAL

REFUGES

PINCKNEY ISL.

TYBEE

SAVANNAH

WASSAW

HARRIS NECK

BLACKBEARD

WOLF ISLAND

Managed

Hunts W

DEER/*HOG

ATERFOWL

TURKEY

SQUIRREL/HOG/DEER

HOG

*

*

*

Blackbeard Island NWR, McIntosh County, Georgia

Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of

over 545 national wildlife refuges. The primary objective

of a national wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for the

conservation and protection of all species of wildlife. The

harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage

wildlife populations. Carefully managed hunts maintain

wildlife populations at a level compatible with the

environment, provide recreational opportunities, and

permit the use of a valuable renewable resource.

Public hunting on Blackbeard Island NWR is permitted

on approximately 4,500 acres. Certain areas (marked on

the map printed on the reverse side) are closed to hunting.

The regulations listed below supplement the general

regulations which govern hunting on wildlife refuge

areas as set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal

Regulations. Hunting will be in accordance with

applicable State (Georgia) regulations. All Coast Guard

and State boating regulations will be enforced.

General Hunting Regulations

Federal permits are required for all hunts and must

be carried on the person while hunting. All hunters

must obtain a permit regardless of age. Permits are nontransferable. Only hunt participants with proper licenses

will be allowed on the refuge during hunts.

Hunters 15 years of age or under (youth hunters) must

have successfully passed a state-approved hunter

education course in order to participate in any refuge

hunt. Satisfactory completion of this course must be

demonstrated by a card or certificate. Youth hunters

must be supervised by an adult 21 years of age or older

and must remain in sight and normal voice contact with

the adult. The adult may supervise only one youth.

Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no

earlier than one month prior to the opening day of each

hunt. However, hunters assume all responsibility for the

loss or damage of personal property left on the refuge.

Stands must be removed by the end of each hunt.

Hunters must check in at the refuge dock prior to setting

up camp. Personal identification (driver’s license or official

state identification card) will be required at check in.

Hunters may check in no more than one day in advance

of the opening date of each hunt period. Check-in will not

be permitted after sunset of the second hunt day.

Weapons may not be taken from the campground during

authorized scouting period from check-in until the

beginning of hunt hours.

Hunters must be off the island by noon on the Sunday after

each hunt period.

Transportation is not provided to, from, or on the refuge.

Any movement within the refuge must be by foot or bicycle

(by foot only within the National Wilderness Area).

Entry and exit points are limited to designated check

stations or other specified areas. Hunters are not allowed to

leave by boat to reach other parts of the island.

Firearms are not allowed on the island. Archery target

practice will be permitted in designated areas only.

The possession or use of poison, or poison pods, is illegal.

The distribution of bait, and hunting over bait, is

prohibited.

All camping will be at designated camping areas only. Fires

must be confined to the camping area.

The possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is

prohibited.

Hunters must be on their stands from one-half hour

before legal sunrise until 9 am and from two hours

before sunset until legal sunset.

Deer harvested during scheduled hunts must be checked by

refuge personnel before leaving the refuge.

Archery hunters are encouraged to wear a fluorescent

orange outer garment while hunting on the ground or

walking to and from stands.

Hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been

driven or screwed to support a hunter is prohibited.

No flagging, blazing, painting, or trail marking devices may

be used to locate stands, or for any other purpose.

Only designated game species and feral hogs may be taken

and other wildlife may not be molested in any manner.

All forms of litter should be removed from the refuge.

Participating in "man-drives" for deer is prohibited.

Pruning/limbing of live trees is prohibited.

Archery Deer Hunts

Archery hunting for deer on Blackbeard Island NWR

will be permitted only on October 16-18, 2008 and

December 4-6, 2008.

Five deer, either sex, may be taken (state bonus tags will

be issued for two of these). Feral hogs (no bag limit) may

also be taken.

Only bows, in accordance with state regulations, will be

authorized. Crossbows are prohibited.

Blackbeard Island NWR will be closed to the general

public one day prior to, and one day after, the hunt period

as well as on hunt days.

How to Obtain Hunt Permits

The attached permit (on the cover) to participate in the

bow hunt will be validated during check-in at the refuge

dock. An unlimited number of permits will be available for

both archery hunts. Additional hunt brochures may be

obtained by mail, or picked up at the Savannah Coastal

Refuges office located in the Parkway Business Center

(off I-16 at Chatham Parkway, Savannah, GA). Hunt

brochures can also be downloaded from the refuge

website: http:www.fws.gov/blackbeardisland

Camping Facilities

All campsites are primitive. Potable water, flush toilets,

and showers are available at the campground. A cooler

unit is operated to store harvested deer.

Boater Caution

Coastal waters are subject to extreme tidal fluctuations of

six to ten feet. Hunters should be familiar with tide tables,

and monitor coastal weather conditions before navigating

to the barrier island refuge.

Notice for Boaters Launching from Harris Neck NWR

Barbour River Landing at Harris Neck NWR is open

daily 4 am-midnight only. Parking permits will be issued

to Blackbeard hunters who require 24-hour use of the

landing. Vehicles, other than those bearing permits, are

unauthorized at the landing from midnight to 4 am.

Permits (valid one day prior to, during, and one day after

hunt periods) can be obtained at the Savannah Coastal

Refuges’ office (912/652 4415) after October 1.

Fishing Regulations

Sport fishing on Blackbeard Island NWR is

permitted from the beach, in tidal creeks, and

on ponds (impounded waters) within the refuge

boundaries. Sport fishing shall be in

accordance with all applicable State

regulations* and subject to the following

special conditions:

Freshwater fishing is permitted year-round

from sunrise to sunset, except during managed

hunts.

Some portions of the freshwater ponds may be

closed seasonally to protect wildlife from

human disturbance.

Only non-motorized boats or boats with

electric motors are permitted on the

freshwater ponds.

The use of live minnows as bait is not

permitted.

Bank fishing into estuarine waters is permitted

only from sunrise to sunset.

Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.

*A Georgia fishing license is required.

Take pride in your refuge.

Report violations.

Pick up litter.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Blackbeard Island

National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting and Fishing

Regulations 2008-2009

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Savannah Coastal Refuges

1000 Business Center Drive

Parkway Business Center, Suite 10

Savannah, GA 31405

912/652 4415

http://www.fws.gov/blackbeardisland

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

July 2008

2008 Blackbeard Island NWR Bow Hunt Permit

When signed and in your possession, this brochure

serves as your Blackbeard bow hunt permit, and

acknowledges your understanding of the

regulations contained herein.

Check-in is required upon arrival at the refuge

dock.

Signature

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AREA

BEYOND

THIS

SIGN

CLOSED All public entry prohibited

Signs Protect Visitors and Resources

Millions of people visit national

wildlife refuges each year. The

impact of human activity, if not

regulated, can degrade these

wildlands. Signs control

recreational activities while

protecting natural resources on

the refuge. Please respect the

following signs:

This sign delineates the

refuge boundary. You

may enter only on

designated access

routes. Consult manager

for restrictions.

This area is closed to all

entry. No hunting or

sight-seeing is

permitted. Roads and

trails within this area

are closed to the public.

This sign delineates the

National Wilderness

Area boundary. Special

regulations pertaining to

wilderness must be

obeyed while hunting within this

area (see “Keep Wilderness Wild”

section of brochure.

Cabretta Inlet

BLACKBEARD

ISLAND

East Trail

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Sapelo Sound

A T L A N T I C

O C E A N

Blackbeard

National Wildlife Refuge

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SAPELO

ISLAND McCloy

Cree

k

Marsh Pond Horseshoe Dike

Northeast

Point

Crematorium

Rd

.

East Trail

N

0 Miles 1 0 Kilos 1

East Wilderness Trail l

l

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Creek

West Wilderness Trail

Blackbeard

Bay Hammock

Toar

Savanna Middle Trail

South Be ach Trail

N

o

rt

hDike

Legend

Closed to Hunting

Wilderness Area

Marsh

Savanna

Refuge Headquarters/Dock

Refuge Boundary

Dikes

Roads/Trails

lllllllll

North Trail

North Pond

Flag Pond

Keep Wilderness Wild

In 1964, our nation’s leaders formally acknowledged the

immediate and lasting benefits of wild places to the human

spirit and fabric of our nation by enacting landmark

legislation that permanently protected some of the most

natural and undisturbed places in America. The Wilderness Act established the National Wilderness

Preservation System to “...secure for the American

people of present and future generations the benefits of an

enduring resource of wilderness.” The Act describes

wilderness as:

“...lands designated for preservation and protection in

their natural condition...”

“...an area where the earth and its community of life are

untrammeled by man...”

“...an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its

primeval character and influence, without permanent

improvement or human habitation...”

“...generally appears to have been affected primarily by

the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work

substantially unnoticeable...”

“...has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a

primitive and unconfined type of recreation...”

“...shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreational,

scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historic

use.”

Leave No Trace – 7 Priniciples of Outdoor Ethics ■ Plan ahead and prepare ■ Travel and camp on durable surfaces ■ Dispose of waste properly ■ Leave what you find ■ Minimize campfire impacts ■ Respect wildlife ■ Be considerate of other visitors

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Wilderness Area

BOUNDARY

Consult Manager

for current regulations