Holla Bend NWR | Southeast Region


Durwin Carter Refuge Manager 10448 Holla Bend Road Dardanelle, AR 72834 (479) 229-4300 FAX: (479) 229-4302 E-mail: hollabend@fws.gov Fact Sheet Bird List General Brochure Directions Public Use Regulations Fall Deer – Quota Hunt -- Youth Spring Turkey – Quota Hunt -- Adult Spring Turkey – Quota Hunt -- Youth		Refuge Facts: Established: 1957. Acres: 7,057 (fee ownership of 6,616 acres and management of 441 acres included in a migratory bird closure area around the refuge). Located in Pope and Yell counties, AR. Location: The refuge is located 6 miles south of Dardanelle, Arkansas, just off of State Highway 155 east. The refuge headquarters is located on the refuge.
		Natural History: Refuge lies along the Arkansas River and is bounded by an old oxbow that was created when the Army Corps of Engineers cut a channel through the bend in the river to promote navigation and flood control. The refuge protects 7,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and wetlands and provides habitat for wintering waterfowl, bald and golden eagles and migratory song birds.
		Financial Impact of Refuge: Five-person staff. 40,000 visitors annually. Current budget (FY 05) $428,000.
		Refuge Objectives: Provide habitat for migratory waterfowl. Provide habitat for endangered species. Provide habitat for resident wildlife species. Provide interpretation and recreation to the public.
		Management Tools: Water management for waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. Cooperative farming. Bottomland hardwood management and reforestation. Deer management with public hunting. Law enforcement. Partnerships.
		Public Use Opportunities: 14 miles of roads open to public vehicle traffic. 10 miles of secondary woods and field roads for foot traffic, walking trails. One observation tower and two boat launching facilities. Wildlife observation and photography. Hunting and freshwater fishing.
		Calendar of Events: Best months to visit are November through March. Worst months are June through August (hot with an abundance of biting insects). December/January: Conditions are best for observing waterfowl and eagles. March/April: Public fishing starts on March 1. Hawks and owls begin mating and nesting activities. Spring songbird migration at its peak. May: Migratory Bird Day. June: white-tailed deer fawns and turkey poults may be seen. July: scissor-tailed flycatchers can be seen throughout the refuge. August: blue-winged teal begin to arrive. September: other waterfowl species begin to arrive. October: archery deer hunting, National Wildlife Refuge Week. November: many species of waterfowl present, Canada and snow geese becoming abundant.
		Questions and Answers: When do the hunting/fishing seasons open on the refuge? Do I need a permit? Archery deer season is open October 1 through November 30. Fishing is open March 1 through October 31. These and other seasons are published in the Refuge Public Use Brochure. The refuge Hunt Permit is required and is available at the refuge headquarters. The permit is $12.50. There is no quota on the number of permits issued. Is my Golden Age Passport good at Holla Bend NWR? Yes. Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passports are also accepted. Are there camping facilities on the refuge? No. There is no camping on the refuge, but several state parks and other camping facilities and motels are located within 12 miles of the refuge. When does the front gate open and close? The gate opens at sunrise and closes at various times thrughout the season. The closing time is always posted. Do you still have alligators on the refuge? Yes.

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