U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AREA

BEYOND

THIS

SIGN

CLOSED All public entry prohibited

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Bond Swamp is part of a system of more than 540

National Wildlife Refuges, which provide for the

conservation and management of habitats to benefit fish

and wildlife. The refuge strives to provide quality hunting

and fishing opportunities when compatible with the

refuge management objectives.

Through a partnership effort with the State of Georgia

and the Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway, the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service opened Bond Swamp National Wildlife

Refuge to some compatible wildlife oriented recreational

uses in 2000. Hunting for white-tailed deer and feral hogs,

bank fishing, wildlife observation through hiking, and

environmental education are some of the approved

recreational uses for the refuge.

The refuge is open to the public year round for visitation

and pre-hunt scouting during day light hours, except

during firearm hunts. Public access is permitted only on

the portion of the refuge that is located east of the

Ocmulgee River in Bibb and Twiggs counties. Camping

is prohibited.

The refuge is primarily river swamp with creeks and

sloughs traversing the entire area. When the Ocmulgee

River overflows its banks, the flood plain may remain

flooded for weeks. Access by vehicle and foot may be

difficult. Four-wheel drive vehicles may be required to

access some areas. Portions of the refuge may be closed

during periods of flooding.

General Hunt Regulations

Public hunting is permitted on approximately 5,500 acres

of the current 7,400 acres of Bond Swamp

National Wildlife Refuge. Areas closed to

public access are marked with signs and

orange paint. The refuge boundary is

marked with signs and yellow paint

Browns Mt is presently closed to all

public access.

In addition to Federal regulations, State

Game and Fish laws and regulations are

adopted and in effect unless they have

been further restricted by Federal law or

regulations. Licenses, permits, all

hunting and fishing equipment and

effects, and vehicles or other conveyances are subject to

inspection by Federal and State officers.

A refuge hunt permit and sign-in slip are required for all

hunters who enter the hunt area during refuge hunts.

The Refuge is closed to non-hunters during firearm

hunts.

Hunters are required to sign-in once prior to each hunt

at the check station. Sign-in begins the day before each

hunt at noon.

All game must be checked on the day killed at the

refuge check station as designated before leaving the

refuge.

Hunter orange is required to be worn during all firearm

hunts. At least 500 square inches of hunter orange must

be worn as an outer garment above the waist.

Hunter access is permitted from 4 am to one hour after

sunset during open seasons.

Firearms carried in any vehicle or boat must be

unloaded and encased or dismantled.

All refuge lands on the west side of the Ocmulgee River

are closed to all public entry.

Hunter Education/Children

Hunters age 16-25 must possess the hunter education

certificate while hunting. Children age 15 and under

must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an

adult age 21 or older possessing a valid hunting or

fishing license to hunt or fish on the refuge. One adult

may supervise no more than one youth hunter during

refuge firearm hunts.

Deer Hunting

Harvested deer must be recorded on the hunter's state

harvest record at the site of kill.

Hog Hunting

Feral hogs may be harvested during the refuge archery

season.

Firearm hunting for feral hogs follows State of Georgia

Deer firearms restrictions except buckshot is

prohibited. Legal firearms include center-fire rifles,

shotgun with slugs, muzzle loader and archery

equipment.

Tree Stands/Hunting Blinds

Tree stands/hunting blinds may be placed the day prior

to each hunt and must be removed by 11:00am the day

after the hunt.

ATV's

Use of ATV's is prohibited except by disabled hunters

(wheel-chair bound for mobility) with a refuge Special

Use Permit. Contact the Piedmont Refuge office for

information.

Boats

Use of boats is at the discretion of the refuge manager.

Flood conditions may prohibit use of boats.

Portable boat access is available only at the Stone Creek

parking area. Hunters are permitted to boat south of

the launch site to the railroad tracks. Gasoline motors

are prohibited.

During firearm hunts, boats used by permitted hunters

may be used beginning at noon the day before each hunt

until the last day of each hunt.

Portable boat access is available from March 15 through

October 15 at the Stone Creek parking area and Reids

Station Road. Gasoline motors are prohibited.

No boat ramp is available. The launch site is primitive

and has uneven terrain.

After launching boats at the Stone Creek parking area,

vehicles and trailers must be parked in the parking lot.

State boating laws and equipment requirements are in

effect.

Sport Fishing

Fishing is open March 15 through October 15, from

sunrise to sunset.

Fishing is permitted in all areas not designated as

closed.

Species, limits: same as State regulations except

largemouth bass must be 14 inches in length to keep.

Fishermen may use only rod and reel or pole and line to

fish. Two poles per person allowed.

Fishermen may not place or throw feeds to attract fish

How to Get Refuge Permits

Permits are required for all hunters and fishermen age

16 and over and ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE. When

signed, this brochure serves as your permit for sport

fishing and all hunting.

Additional permits may be obtained at the Stone Creek

and Longleaf Pine Trail parking lots, the Piedmont

Refuge headquarters in Jones County, by mail or

downloaded from the internet at www.fws.gov/

bondswamp

Contact the Piedmont Refuge office for more

information and to report any violations of refuge

regulations 478/986 5441.

General Prohibited Activities

Taking, collecting or disturbing any artifact, property,

plant, wildlife or part thereof, other than that

specifically permitted by refuge regulation.

Possession or use of alcoholic beverages

Driving metal objects into trees or hunting from a tree

in which metal objects have been driven

Marking trails with flagging, blazing, painting, paper,

trash or other devices

Walking, hunting, fishing, or trespassing on the railroad

right-of-way

Entering the refuge during firearm hunts without

refuge permit and/or sign in slip

Possess or hunt with buckshot

Hunting or shooting from or within 50 yards of a road

open to vehicle travel or 200 yards of a building

Transporting a loaded firearm and transporting a

firearm that is not encased or dismantled in a vehicle or

boat

Target shooting

Possessing firearms except during authorized hunting

seasons with permit.

Off road vehicle travel

Use of ATVs or other off road vehicles.

Leaving vehicles or trailers on refuge overnight

Blocking refuge road, boat ramp or gate with vehicles

or vehicle travel around a closed gate

Disturbing, annoying or interfering with other persons

Open fires

Unleashed pets

Removing live hogs from refuge

Hunting with or by aid of dogs

Littering

Horses or mules

Camping

Man-drives for deer or feral hogs
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Bond Swamp

National Wildlife

Refuge Hunting and

Fishing Regulations

2008-2009

Bond Swamp

National Wildlife Refuge

718 Round Oak - Juliette Road

Hillsboro, GA 31038

478/986 5441

http://www.fws.gov/bondswamp.html

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

http://www.fws.gov

June 2008

Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting and Fishing Permit 2008-2009

When signed, this brochure is your permit

for fishing and all hunting.

Signature

Hunting Seasons 2008-2009

Type hunt Required permits Season Dates Bag Limit

Archery - Deer & Feral Hog General Refuge Permit Sep. 13-Oct. 5, 2008 State limit on deer

Sign-in required No limit on hogs

Feral Hog Only - Firearm Hunt General Refuge Permit Dec. 4-18, 2008 No limit

Sign-in required

Feral Hog Only - Firearm Hunt General Refuge Permit Jan. 15-Feb. 1, 2009 No limit

Sign-in required

Reids Station 

Road

Joe Brown Drive

Alfred

Bond Drive

Cochran

Short

Route

Bondsview Road

P

P

N

0 Miles 1

0 Kilo 1

PHwy. 23

16

BIBB CO. TWIGGS CO.

Exit 6

To Macon

Ocmulgee

River

Stone

Creek

Longleaf

Parking Area

Stone Creek

Parking Area

Brown's

Mount

16

75

To Atlanta

To Perry

Macon

Exit 186 To

Piedmont National 

Wildlife Refuge

Exit 6

Exit 6 To

Bond Swamp

National Wildlife 

Refuge

P

1

P

2

3

4

5

67

8 

Legend

Paved Road

Dirt Road

Railroad

Powerline

Foot Travel Only

Refuge Boundary

Closed Areas

Private Property

Parking

Boat Launch (primitive)

Check Station

Compartment Number

P

1-8