Hunting, Fishing & More...

Hunting and Fishing:
Anglers and hunters will find ample opportunity to pursue their pastimes on Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish is good with most refuge waters open year-round. Fall ushers in annual hunts with seasons for squirrel, rabbit, deer, raccoon, duck, and bobwhite quail, while red maple blossoms and sunny spring days signal the start of turkey season. Current seasons and regulations are available in the Complex Hunting and Fishing Regulations.

Wildlife Viewing and Photography:
If you want to see birds, all types of birds, Panther Swamp is the place to be! Visitors can expect to see a variety of both migrating and resident wildlife in their natural settings on the refuge. Neotropical songbirds migrate through the refuge seasonally, and wintering waterfowl are most abundant during the winter months. Everyone’s favorite, the American alligator can be seen basking on logs and banks during warm spring days, and floating motionless in water during the hot summer months. White-tail deer, turkey, and numerous small mammals spend their lives on the refuge year-round and are easily viewed from car, boat, or on foot.