U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Cache River

National Wildlife

Refuge Public Use,

Hunting and Fishing

Regulations 2008-2009

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

26320 Highway 33 South

Augusta, AR 72006

870/347 2614

http://www.fws.gov/cacheriver

http://www.tws.gov/southeast

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

August 2008

2008-2009 General Hunting Permit – Cache River NWR

This permit must be signed to be valid. Permit

expires 6/30/2009. It must be carried by the hunter

during the hunts. NOTE: Quota Permit also required

for quota gun deer hunt.

I have read and understand the refuge hunting

regulations and realize that hunting on the refuge is

a privilege and willingly agree to allow USFWS

Officers to inspect or search all equipment used

during my hunt.

Signature (Permit not transferable)

Dove, Snipe and Woodcock: All hunt units: May be taken

when seasons correspond with duck and/or goose

seasons.* Morning (until 12 noon) hunting only. Dogs may

be used to locate and retrieve game birds.

Small Game

Squirrel: All hunt units: September 6, 2008-February 28,

2009* Dogs permitted beginning December 15, 2008.

Spring season closed. Rabbit: All hunt units: September 6, 2008 -February 28,

2009.* Dogs permitted beginning December 15, 2008.

Quail: All hunt units: State season.* Dogs permitted. Furbearer:

Beaver, muskrat, nutria, armadillo, coyote, and feral

hog: All hunt units. May be taken incidental to any refuge

hunt by the use of the device appropriate for that hunt and

according to any applicable state regulations. Raccoon and Opossum: All hunt units: November 15,

2008 - February 28, 2009.* Dogs are required for hunting

raccoons/opossum at night. Raccoon hunters may use

horses/mules on refuge lands in Unit I.

Big Game For all deer and turkey harvested on the refuge, Zone 095

must be immediately recorded on your hunting license and

later at an official state check station.

Only Shotguns with slugs, legal pistols, and muzzleloaders

shooting a single projectile may be possessed and used

during the Youth Gun Deer Hunt and Quota Gun Deer

Hunt on the Dixie Farm Unit Waterfowl sanctuary and

adjacent waterfowl hunt area and the Plunkett Farm Unit Waterfowl Sanctuary. The use of dogs is prohibited.

Only portable stands capable of being carried by one

person may be used and the owner’s name and address

must be permanently affixed to the stand. Stands may be

erected 7 days prior to the refuge deer season and must

be removed from the waterfowl sanctuary prior to

November 15 and from the rest of the refuge by the last

day of archery season. For all refuge hunts, the limit is one either-sex deer per

hunt except for the archery season in which the statewide

bag limit of three applies. The total number of deer that

can be harvested through a combination of all refuge

hunts is three, of which no more than two can be bucks.

A legal buck on the refuge is defined as any male deer (no

antler restriction). Deer harvested on the refuge are NOT

bonus deer and will count toward the state limit.

Deer (Archery/Crossbow): All hunt units. October 1, 2008 - February 28, 2009.* Either sex. State limit applies.

Deer (Muzzleloading): All hunt units:

October 18-22, 2008. Either sex. One deer limit refuge wide.

December 29-31, 2008. Either sex. One deer limit refuge

wide.

Deer (Youth Gun): All hunt units. November 1-2, 2008.

Either sex. One deer limit refuge wide.

Deer (Quota Gun): All hunt units. Quota hunt permit

required. November 8-11 and 14-16, 2008. Either sex. One

deer limit refuge wide.

all refuge lands west of Highway 33 from Interstate 40 to

Highway 64.

Specific Hunt Regulations

A refuge permit is required for all hunts. When signed,

the permit on the front cover of this brochure will serve as

a permit for all hunts (except Quota Gun Deer Hunt) and

must be carried on your person while hunting. A quota

deer permit is also required for the Quota Gun Deer Hunt.

Refuge regulations differ from surrounding deer zones

and state seasons as follows:

*The refuge is closed to all entry and public use

November 8-11 and 14-16, 2008 during the Quota Gun

Deer Hunt. Only Quota Gun Deer Hunt permit holders

are allowed on the refuge during this hunt.

Migratory Birds Waterfowl (Duck, Coot and Geese): All hunt units: ■ State Seasons* ■ Morning (until 12 noon) hunting only. ■ All day hunting permitted for geese (all applicable

species) after January, 2009 closing of duck season

through end of State conservation season.

■ State bag limit(s) apply. ■ Only non-toxic shot may be possessed or used.

Hunters should make an effort to pick up and remove

their spent shell casings and boxes from the refuge to

prevent littering.

■ Decoys, blinds, boats and all other equipment must be

removed daily by 1:00 pm.

■ Boats are prohibited on refuge from 12:00 am to 4:00

am.

■Waterfowl hunters may enter refuge no earlier than

4:00 a.m.

■ Cutting of holes or other manipulation of vegetation

(e.g., cutting bushes, mowing, weed-eating, etc.) or

hunting from manipulated areas prohibited.

■ Retriever dogs allowed.
General Introduction

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1986,

is one of over 548 national wildlife refuges administered by

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The primary objective

of the refuge is to provide habitat for migratory waterfowl

and preserve the remaining tracts of bottomland

hardwoods in the Cache River Basin. The refuge is

comprised of numerous tracts of land along Cache River

and Bayou DeView in the Arkansas counties of Jackson,

Woodruff, Prairie, and Monroe.

Public Use, hunting and fishing are allowed under

carefully controlled conditions in order to maintain wildlife

populations at levels compatible with the ecosystem. This

permits the wise use of a valuable natural resource and

provides wholesome recreational opportunities for the

public. Users of the refuge must obey all signs pertaining

to visitation, access, and public use regulations. All public

uses, including hunting and fishing, are conducted in

accordance with state and federal regulations as

supplemented by the following special refuge regulations.

Access and Vehicle Use

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge is in the acquisition

phase and the attached map shows the current ownership

at the time of printing this brochure. Isolated land tracts

that have been purchased are scattered throughout the

acquisition zone and have been posted with refuge

boundary signs and marked with yellow boundary paint.

Access to many of these refuge lands is currently through

private lands and all refuge visitors should obtain

permission from adjacent landowners prior to crossing

private land to reach refuge lands.

The refuge is closed to all entry and public use November

8 - 11 and 14 -16, 2008, during the Quota Gun Deer Hunt.

Waterfowl sanctuaries, indicated on the refuge map, are

closed to all entry and public use from November 15

through February 28.

Contact refuge headquarters or website for current IBW

Managed Access Area regulations.

Most refuge roads are open to the general public.

However, roads may be closed at any time road conditions

or other administrative needs warrant. A locked gate or

other barrier, road closed sign, or no vehicle sign means

the road is closed to all vehicle travel but not to foot travel

unless signed otherwise.

All vehicles must stay on maintained roads or established

parking areas and meet all applicable federal and state

requirements regulating the use of a licensed motor

vehicle. Modified vehicles equipped with oversize tractor

lug tires are prohibited.

Recreational use of ATVs is not allowed. ATVs may only

be used to provide access for priority public uses. ATVs

may be used on maintained roads or established parking

areas south of Highway 38 only. An ATV is defined as a

vehicle with a maximum tire pressure of 15 psi, maximum

dry weight of 1550 lbs., and with tires having a maximum

centerline lug depth of one inch. Only those vehicles

originally designed by their manufacturer to be ATVs are

allowed; mini-trucks or other modified off-road vehicles

are prohibited.

Personal watercraft (e.g., jet-ski, etc), hover craft and

airboats are prohibited. Horses/mules are prohibited (see

raccoon hunt for exception).

General Refuge Regulations

Public use of the refuge is permitted throughout the year.

Permitted activities are hunting, fishing, wildlife

observation, photography, environmental education and

interpretation. Developed public use facilities are limited.

Refuge permits are required for all hunting activities.

Permits are nontransferable and must be signed and

carried at all times by anyone on refuge land in

possession of hunting gear. A permit can be found on

the front of this brochure.

Nighttime use is limited to fishing, frogging and/or

raccoon/opossum hunting and the appropriate tackle must

be possessed.

Commercial activities

No person, including but not limited to a guide, guide

service, outfitter, club, or other organization shall provide

assistance, services, or equipment on the refuge to any

other person for compensation unless such guide, guide

service, outfitter, club, or other organization has obtained

a Special Use Permit from the refuge. For the purposes of

this regulation, any fees or services rendered to a person

for lodging, meals, club membership or similar services

will also be considered compensation.

Anyone planning to pursue any other commercial activity

(e.g., fishing, filming, photography, collecting acorns, etc.)

on refuge land, lakes, streams or waters or on adjacent

waters where riparian rights may be vested with the

refuge is required to first obtain a refuge Special Use

Permit.

Prohibited activities include:

■ Camping

■ Building fires

■ Cutting or defacing trees, shrubs or other plants

■ Littering

■ Searching for or removal of artifacts

■ Horseback riding

■ Possession or use of fireworks

■ Target practice

■ Training and pleasure running of dogs

■ Taking or possessing turtles

■ Possession, use, or manufacturing of illegal drugs

■ Use of artificial light to locate wildlife except as

authorized for frogging and raccoon/opossum hunting.

■ Possession or use of firearms, archery equipment and

crossbows except during refuge hunts that allow use

of those devices.

■ The use of audio devices, electronic callers, recordings

or similar artificial devices for simulating the call of

the Ivory-billed Woodpecker or any other non-game

bird.

Only biodegradable paper flagging or reflective tape/tacks

may be possessed or used to mark trails.

Sport Fishing and Frogging Regulations

Sport fishing and frogging are permitted year-round in

accordance with state regulations. Crawfish may be

collected for personal use only. All crawfish traps must

have the owner’s name and address permanently affixed.

Boats with the owner’s name and address permanently

displayed or valid registration may be left on the refuge

from March 1 through October 31.

Commercial fishing requires a Special Use Permit.

General Hunt Regulations

Hunter orange must be worn in accordance with Arkansas

Game and Fish Commission regulations during Quota Gun

and Muzzleloader Deer hunts.

Bag limits for all species except deer are the same as state

limits unless specified otherwise.

Stop Poaching Hotline 1800/482 9262

Mobility-impaired hunters

Mobility-impaired hunters may apply for a special permit

allowing the use of ATVs on existing refuge roads.

Issuance of the permit is restricted to persons who are

permanently confined to a wheelchair, require the use of

mechanical aids (braces, crutches, or walkers) to walk, or

have complete single leg amputations. For more

information, please call the refuge at 870/347 2614.

Firearms

Firearms must be completely unloaded, including

chamber and magazine and caps on muzzleloaders, when

carried in/on land vehicles or boats under power.

Hunters accessing WMAs or private lands by crossing the

refuge must transport firearms unloaded and cased.

Only Non toxic shot or rimfire rifles may be possessed

and used for all small game hunting. The possession or

use of buckshot is prohibited.

Prohibited hunting activities include:

■ Trapping

■ Driving or screwing any metal object into a tree or

hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been

driven or screwed to support a hunter.

■ Building or hunting from permanent blinds.

■ Hunting from a vehicle or use of a vehicle as a deer

stand.

■ Baiting or hunting over bait, salt, grain, or other feed

that could serve as a lure or attraction for wildlife.

■ Hunting from mowed or maintained roads (except

waterfowl hunting from flooded roads is permitted).

■ Possession or use of alcoholic beverages while

hunting.

■ Hunting, taking, possessing, or attempting to take

wildlife with an unauthorized guide, guide service,

outfitter, club or organization providing assistance,

service or equipment. (See Commercial Activities

Section.) It is your responsibility to verify that the

guide, guide service, etc. has obtained the required

Special Use Permit.

Hunters under the age of 16

Hunters under the age of 16 must be supervised by an

adult not less than 21 years old and must remain in sight

and normal voice contact with the adult. For small game/

waterfowl hunts, the adult may supervise no more than

two youths. For big game hunts, the adult may supervise

only one youth.

A hunter born after 1968 must carry a valid Hunter

Education Card. Hunters under the age of 16 do not need

a card if they are under the direct supervision (within

arm’s reach) of a holder of a valid hunting license at least

21 years of age. Home state Hunter Education Cards will

be honored.

Refuge Hunting Unit Boundaries

The refuge is divided into three hunt units. These are:

Unit I - refuge lands between Highway 79 and Interstate

40; Unit II - All refuge lands east of Highway 33 between

Interstate 40 and Highway 18 at Grubbs, AR; Unit III -
To apply for a quota hunt permit:

■ Quota permits issued first come, first serve.

■ 2000 permits available.

■ Permit request must be sent via regular/first class U.S.

Mail (priority/overnight/FedEx or in person will NOT

be accepted).

■ Request must be postmarked between August 1 and

August 31 or until all permits have been issued,

whichever comes first.

■ Include the full name (first middle last), mailing

address and telephone number of the permit holder

and which refuge you are requesting (Cache River or

Bald Knob).

■ Please print. Duplicated, unclear, or incomplete

applications will be returned.

■ Send a money order or cashier’s check for $12.50. No

personal checks, cash or credit cards.

■ Parties of no more than 5 people will be accepted.

■ Please include the full names (first middle last),

individual mailing addresses and individual telephone

numbers for each person in your party.

■ Please send one money order for party request.

Number of applicants X $12.50.

■ Mail request to: Central Arkansas Refuges, 26320

Highway 33 South, Augusta, AR 72006

■ Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Refuge lands are located in Flood Prone Regions B, C and

D. The descriptions of Flood Prone Regions B, C and D

are in the AGFC hunting pamphlet.

Refuge lands in Flood Prone Region C will close to all

deer hunting when the Cache River gauge at Patterson

exceeds 10 feet, as reported by the National Weather

Service at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/LZK/RVSLZK

and reopen when the same gauge reading falls below 8.5

feet.

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

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 refuge signs identified in this brochure.

wildlan

Refuge boundary sign.

Public use permitted in accordance with

refuge regulations.

Area closed to all public use.

Some areas such as waterfowl sanctuaries

are only seasonally closed. Seasonally

closed areas have the specific closure dates

printed on the face of the sign.

Refuge lands located in Flood Prone Region B will close to

all deer hunting when the White River gauge at Augusta

reaches 31 feet. as reported by the National Weather

Service at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/LZK/RVSLZK.

This restriction is lifted when the gauge at Augusta falls

below 30 feet and the White River gauge at Georgetown

falls to or below 19 feet.

Refuge lands located in Flood Prone Region D will close to

all deer hunting when the White River gauge at Clarendon

reaches 28 feet as reported by the National Weather

Service at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/LZK/RVSLZK

and will reopen the same gauge reading falls to or below

27 feet.

Turkey (Fall Gun): All Units closed.

Turkey (Fall 2008 Archery/Crossbow): October 1, 2008 -

February 28, 2009.*

Turkey (Spring 2009 Gun): Unit I and III: Same as state

season. Unit II: closed with the exception of those refuge

lands included in the combined Black Swamp WMA/Cache

River NWR quota permit hunts administered by the

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
If you believe you may have seen an Ivory-billed

Woodpecker, immediately after the sighting, make a

drawing of what you saw, noting the following

characteristics:

■ Color of trailing edge of wing (white vs. black)

■ Crest and forehead color

■ Bill color

■ Chin color

■ Relative size

■ Vocalizations

■ Habitat

If you are with someone else, individuals should make

their own notes without conferring with each other.

Please report any sightings to refuge officials and to the

Cornell Lab of Ornithology via its website:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory

 Please bookmark these important websites:

http://www.fws.gov/ivorybill

Information on the recovery of the Ivory-billed

Woodpecker

http://www.fws.gov/cacheriver

Up-to-date information on refuge public use and

regulations

http://www.agfc.com

Arkansas hunting regulations

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory

To report sightings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Red-headed

Woodpecker

Pileated

Woodpecker

Wood Duck

Red-headed

Woodpecker

Female Head

■ Female Ivory-bill crest is entirely black (female

Pileated crest resembles male ivory-billed red crest

with black forehead – use chin color as distinguishing

feature)

Male

Pileated

Woodpecker

Red-headed

Woodpecker

Female

Pileated

Woodpecker

Female

Ivory-billed

Woodpecker

White trailing

edge of wing

In flight - view from below In flight - view from above At rest Guidelines for recording a sighting

Distinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker characteristics:

■ White trailing edge of wing

(vs. dark trailing edge of Pileated).

■ Wing more slender than Pileated.

■ Tail feathers longer and more pointed.

■ Pale, ivorywhite bill.

Distinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker characteristics:

■ White trailing edge of wing

(vs. dark trailing edge of

Pileated).

■ Two white stripes

converge on lower back.

■ Tail feathers longer and

more pointed.

■ Pale, ivory-white bill.

Distinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker characteristics:

■ Two white stripes converge on lower back.

■ Entirely white secondary feathers obvious as white

patch or shield.

■ Largely dark face and dark chin (vs. white chin of

Pileated).

■ Pale, ivory-white bill.

■ Crest is curved and pointed;

male crest is red with

black forehead

(Pileated male

crest is entirely

red).

Pileated

Woodpecker

Ivory-billed

Woodpecker

Male

Ivory-billed

Woodpecker

White trailing

edge of wing

In flight - view from above At rest Guidelines for recording a sighting

Male

Ivory-billed

Woodpecker

White trailing

edge of wing

Identifying Field Marks of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Similar Birds

Wood Duck

Ivory-billed

Woodpecker

In flight - view from below

Illustrations: © David Allen Sibley