Home Map History Refuge Brochure Bird Checklist Public Use Hunting Fishing Wildlife Observation Environmental Education Other Fish and Wildlife Management Prescribed Burning Water Level Management Moist Soil Management Forest Management Farming and Haying Wilderness Area Entrance Fee Program Pilot Knob NWR Ozark Cavefish NWR Volunteer Opportunities Swamp Friends Current News Administration Small Wetlands Program 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Site Map Contact Us Phone: 573-222-3589 Address: 24279 State Highway 51 Puxico, MO 63960

Pilot Knob NWR was established in 1987. The 90-acre Refuge, a donation of the Pilot Knob Ore Company, is located on top of Pilot Knob Mountain in Iron County, Missouri. The Refuge contains abandoned iron mine shafts excavated in the mid-1800s that have since become critical habitat for the federally-listed endangered Indiana bat.

The Indiana bat hibernates within the abandoned mine shafts located at the peak of Pilot Knob Mountain. There are differing estimates of Pilot Knob NWR's Indiana bat population, but the number is likely within the range of 50,000 to 1000,000. The bats generally arrive in September and leave in April. To avoid disturbance to the bats, the Refuge is closed to all entry. The Refuge is managed by Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

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Last updated: July 16, 2008

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