Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

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The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located three miles east of Seymour, Indiana on US-50. Established in 1966, it is comprised of 7,802 acres in its main area of Jackson County, Indiana, and an additional 78 acres near Bloomington, Indiana known as the "Restle Unit". It was established thanks to the selling of Federal Migratory Waterfowl Stamps, commonly known as Duck Stamps, by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It was Indiana's first National Wildlife Refuge. The name comes from the Muscatatuck River, which means "land of winding waters".[1] [2] [3]

Converted farm lands comprise 60% of the total land area of the park. Several archaeological sites in the refuge are on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of the tree cover is deciduous forest.[4]

The primary wildlife protected in the refuge is waterfowl. This include mating pairs of bald eagles. In 1995 river otters were introduced to the refuge, which once lived in Indiana but eventually died out in the state. This was followed in 1998 with the introduction of Trumpeter swans. A remnant of northern copperbelly water snake still exist in the park. Popular fish include bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass. Deer, quail, and rabbit are commonly hunted.[5] [6]

A visitor center, eight hiking trails (ranging from a fifth of a mile to four miles of easy to moderate hiking), a four mile driving tour, two pioneer cemeteries, and a log cabin of historical significance are available for the 125,000 annual visitors to the refuge to enjoy. A new visitor center is planned. The Refuge is open for visitation from sunrise to sunset.[7] [8]

Its latitude is 38.9333875, and its longitude is -85.8166403.[9]

The Refuge should not be confused with the old Muscatatuck State Park of Indiana's, which became Muscatatuck County Park when control of the land was given back to Jennings County, Indiana.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge - Interpretation
  2. ^ Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, an Indiana State Park near North Vernon, Scottsburg, Seymour
  3. ^ NPWRC :: Bird Checklists of the United States
  4. ^ Wildernet.com - Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Indiana
  5. ^ Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge - Recreation and Education
  6. ^ NPWRC :: Bird Checklists of the United States
  7. ^ Muscatatuck NWR - Indiana Birding Guide
  8. ^ Wildernet.com - Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Indiana
  9. ^ Wildernet.com - Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Indiana