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Muscatatuck
National Wildlife Refuge		 wood duck pair on the water
12985 E. U.S. Hwy. 50
Seymour, IN   47274
E-mail: muscatatuck@fws.gov
Phone Number: 812-522-4352
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://midwest.fws.gov/muscatatuck		 Managers at Muscatatuck Refuge control water levels to benefit wildlife such as wood ducks.
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  Overview
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is located in south central Indiana. It includes 7,802 acres near Seymour and a 78-acre parcel, known as the Restle Unit, near Bloomington.

Muscatatuck's mission is simple: to restore, preserve, and manage a mix of forest, wetland, and grassland habitat for fish, wildlife, and people. Special management emphasis is given to waterfowl, other migratory birds, and endangered species.

Nine miles of refuge roads that are open sunrise to sunset seven days/week attract approximately 185,000 visitors to the refuge each year. Wildlife-viewing opportunities are excellent at Muscatatuck, and the refuge is known as an exceptionally fine bird watching site.


Getting There . . .
The refuge is located in south-central Indiana on U.S. Highway 50, just three miles east of the I-65/U.S. 50 interchange at Seymour, IN. Muscatatuck is approximately an hour's drive from Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and is approximately 86 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio. The main entrance on U.S. Highway 50 is marked with large brown signs.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


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NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat
Wildlife abounds at Muscatatuck, and some animals, like white-tailed deer, raccoon, and turkey, can be seen throughout the year. Over 280 species of birds have been seen at the refuge, and the refuge is recognized as a "Continentally Important" bird area.

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History
Much of Muscatatuck is wetland habitat where the river, flood-prone creeks, and small natural springs attracted wildlife and native Americans long before white settlers arrived.

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    Alert!
Muscatatuck NWR now featured on video DVD

"AMERICA'S WILDEST PLACES" – Volume 1

Photograph of grizzly bear on DVD cover. Experience eight National Wildlife Refuges from Alaska to the Caribbean on this new two hour DVD.

See wildlife up close and personal – from grizzly bear and whooping cranes to red wolves and bald eagles. For more information, click on the photograph of the DVD cover.




Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
 Learn More >>

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Managment Activities

Water manipulation is an important management tool at Muscatatuck. Many wetland units are connected by pipes and water control structures so that water can be moved between units at different times of the year.

Muscatatuck's moist soil units, low open areas surrounded by dikes, are filled with water in the fall and drained in the spring to provide feeding areas for waterfowl and shorebirds. Similarly, green tree units, diked lowland forests, are flooded with water in the fall for waterfowl and drained in the spring to keep the trees healthy.

One result of this water manipulation is the creation of permanent marshes - swampy areas of lush vegetation interspersed with pockets of shallow open water, which are ideal homes for ducks and geese to raise their young.

Trees are also planted to reduce forest fragmentation and provide even more diverse habitats for wildlife.