Home › Mississippi › Public land › National wildlife refuges › St. Catherine Creek NWR
Refuge · Adams County
National wildlife refuge in Adams County and Wilkinson County, 21,271 acres, managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Photo: Christian Collins (CC BY-SA 2.0)
St. Catherine Creek NWR is a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge that the US Fish and Wildlife Service runs on 21,271 acres in Adams and Wilkinson counties. For agency business near St. Catherine Creek NWR, the nearest MDWFP office is MDWFP South Region Office, 62 miles off in Magnolia. The sources name ducks, geese, coots, dove, woodcock, snipe, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon and opossum, deer, turkey and wild hog as huntable at St. Catherine Creek NWR.
The source text reads as follows. Saint Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1990, provides an important wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl and seasonal habitat for other migratory birds Looking to volunteer? Saint Catherine Creek NWR has volunteer opportunities year-round! The refuge offers resident volunteers an RV pad with full-hookups with a minimum six-week commitment. On a limited basis, other housing options may also be available to volunteers. Discover these and other opportunities at volunteer.gov. Locals are encouraged to contact the refuge to find out more. With 25,000 acres of land open to deer hunting, Saint Catherine Creek NWR is one of the largest and most successful public hunting areas in southwest Mississippi. Adjacent to the Mississippi River, the refuge has a good population of deer, which can be pursued during general-access archery and muzzleloader seasons. Feral hogs may be taken during any deer season. Hunters with disabilities may use two designated blinds during the archery and muzzleloader seasons, as well as during a special firearms hunt.
From the agency records read on November 14, 2026: refuge page, 50 CFR 32.43, refuge hunt regulations.
Nearby
Federal rule 50 CFR 32.43(k) lists St. Catherine Creek NWR as open for hunting under federal and state regulations, naming ducks, geese, coot, mourning dove, woodcock, snipe, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, wild hog. These conditions are the federal part; the state part is the usual MDWFP seasons and limits.
| Game | Federal text |
|---|---|
| Migratory birds | We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, dove, and woodcock, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge. Conditions include: (1) Each person hunting or fishing must possess a valid refuge permit. (2) One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter 15 years of age or younger. |
| Upland game | We allow hunting of frog, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, beaver, nutria, and coyote in designated areas of the refuge. Conditions include: (1) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (iii), and (iv) of this section apply. (2) We only allow hunting shotguns,.22 caliber rimfire rifles or smaller, and muzzle-loading rifles under.38 caliber shooting patched round balls. We prohibit the possession of hunting with slugs, buckshot, or rifle hunting ammunition larger than.22 rimfire. |
| Big game | We allow hunting of deer, turkey, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge. Conditions include: (1) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (iii), and (iv) of this section apply. (2) We prohibit drives. We define a drive as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause game to move in the direction of any person who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the game. |
From 50 CFR 32.43 as fetched November 14, 2026; refuge hunting page: refuge page, 50 CFR 32.43, refuge hunt regulations.
21,271 acres in 5 units count as huntable on the Service layer, out of 6 units in all. The layer flags huntable units as special rules; closed units say closed.
| Unit | Regulation | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Sibley Unit | Special rules | 9,345 |
| Butler Unit | Special rules | 4,817 |
| Sibley Impoundments | Special rules | 998 |
| Mobility Impaired Units | Special rules | 1 |
| Cloverdale Unit | Special rules | 6,110 |
| Closed to Hunting | Closed | 3,517 |
From the FWS Public Hunt Units layer; acres are GIS area; checked November 14, 2026.
Entry to hunt St. Catherine Creek NWR follows refuge rules on top of state law, quoted below.
| Rule | Text as printed |
|---|---|
| Permit | FWS hunt unit layer: permit required "yes" (Other). Annual public use permit for hunting and fishing. |
| Youth hunting | A youth turkey hunt is issued by lottery. Youth hunts are also held for deer (firearms) and waterfowl. |
| Deer | Hunters must abide by all state regulations and restrictions regarding chronic wasting disease. For additional information, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd or https:// www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/chronic-wasting-disease. Deer hunting within or adjacent to brushy felds and tree plantations less than 5 feet in height must be elevated above the ground a minimum of 12 feet. |
| Migratory birds | (Duck, Dark Goose, Light Goose, Merganser, Coot, Woodcock, Snipe, and Dove) Migratory game bird hunting is allowed on designated areas of the refuge only (see maps). All hunters using shotguns must use approved non-toxic shot. The use of lead shot in shotgun shells is prohibited. |
| Spring turkey | Legal hunting weapons include shotguns loaded with non-toxic shot and archery equipment. Panther Swamp NWR: Daily bag limit is 1 adult gobbler, and the season bag limit is 2 adult gobblers. Youth Spring Turkey Bayou Cocodrie and Saint Catherine Creek NWRs: Limited Draw Hunt. Applicants may apply online. Daily bag limit is 1 adult gobbler, and the season bag limit is 2 adult gobblers. |
| Tree stands and blinds | Hunters are limited to two (2) portable stands (including climbers, platforms, tripods, ladder stands, and ground blinds). All items must be clearly labeled on the exterior with state customer identifcation (CID) number or they will be subject to removal. A stand or blind does not reserve hunting locations. |
From the refuge pages and brochures (refuge page, 50 CFR 32.43, refuge hunt regulations); checked November 14, 2026.
On the Fish and Wildlife Service hunt-unit layer, St. Catherine Creek NWR sits at 31.3963, -91.4593. County lines cross it in Adams County and Wilkinson County. A straight line from the St. Catherine Creek NWR point reaches Cloverdale in 7 miles.
From the area page and brochure (refuge page, 50 CFR 32.43) and the Fish and Wildlife Service hunt-unit layer; checked November 14, 2026.
Outside the zone map: that is where the 2 counties of St. Catherine Creek NWR stands on CWD management. On the agency layer, sampling in the 2 counties of St. Catherine Creek NWR totals 2,184 with 0 positives. MDWFP shows no date on these figures, so treat them as cumulative totals. No county on this page is in the North Central unit, and the other three units are defined by roads and rivers. Full rules sit on the CWD zone page, the results by county and the deer unit page.
| County | Layer region | District | In a zone? | Feeding | Positives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | South | 3 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 939 |
| Wilkinson | South | 3 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 1,245 |
MDWFP county layer (County_Info), CWD management zones and deer management units; region labels are the layer’s only county source; checked November 14, 2026.
Light goose Conservation Order days follow the deer rule and run half an hour past sunset, which no other waterfowl day does.
| Day | Why it matters | Sun up | Sun down | Deer window | Waterfowl window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery, Delta and Hills | 6:58 a.m. | 6:52 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 6:52 p.m. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery, Southeast | 7:08 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun deer | 6:26 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opens | 6:38 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Quail season opens | 6:43 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:44 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Dec 2, 2026 | Primitive weapon deer | 6:48 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:01 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Mar 15, 2027 | Turkey season opens | 7:18 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. |
Hours rules from the MDWFP general hunting rules and the 2026-27 migratory game bird digest (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks); sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula on Central Time; checked November 14, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Spring turkey dates are the 2027 dates MDWFP already printed for private land and authorized public land.
| Quarry | Weapon and window | Paper needed | Applies to | Start | Stop | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery velvet season | Velvet permit | Delta, Hills, North Central | Sep 11, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery velvet season | Velvet permit | Southeast unit | Sep 11, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Oct 15, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless primitive | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 9, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive weapon | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Dec 2, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive weapon | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Dec 2, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (without dogs) | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (without dogs) | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive, buck | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun, buck | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth turkey | Turkey stamp | Statewide | Mar 8, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Regular turkey | Turkey stamp | Statewide | Mar 15, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Bobwhite quail | Hunting license | Statewide | Nov 26, 2026 | Mar 7, 2027 | |
| Rabbit | Rabbit | Hunting license | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Youth squirrel | Hunting license | Statewide | Sep 24, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Squirrel | Fall season | Hunting license | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Teal | September teal | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mergansers | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Mergansers | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Mergansers | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Coots | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Coots | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Coots | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Special days | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 5, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Feb 8, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | License and HIP | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | License and HIP | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | License and HIP | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow | Hunting license | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, opossum and bobcat | Food and sport | Hunting license | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, opossum and bobcat | Food, sport and pelt | Hunting license | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 MDWFP hunting seasons sheet and the migratory game bird digest (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks), checked November 14, 2026.
The nearest five towns stretch from 7 miles out to 24 miles from St. Catherine Creek NWR. Natchez, 11 miles out, is the larger service town with 14,233 people. 21 miles away in Natchez, Natchez State Park takes CWD samples.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloverdale | Adams | – | 7 miles | north |
| Natchez | Adams | 14,233 | 11 miles | northeast |
| Morgantown | Adams | – | 14 miles | northeast |
| Woodville | Wilkinson | 835 | 22 miles | southeast |
| Roxie | Franklin | 466 | 24 miles | east |
Towns from Census 2024 estimates; CWD drop-off sites from the MDWFP drop-off list; businesses from services listings; straight-line miles; checked November 14, 2026.
Sandy Creek WMA lies 16 miles east of the St. Catherine Creek NWR point, the closest alternative. The nearest six are made up of 4 WMA, 1 national forest and 1 ranger district. The mileage uses straight lines from the St. Catherine Creek NWR point, so plan the drive separately.
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Creek WMA | WMA | 16,407 | Adams | 16 miles | east |
| Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park WMA | WMA | 3,396 | Adams | 20 miles | northeast |
| Caston Creek WMA | WMA | 28,214 | Amite | 31 miles | east |
| Homochitto National Forest | National forest | 191,846 | Franklin | 39 miles | east |
| Homochitto Ranger District | Ranger district | 191,846 | Franklin | 39 miles | east |
| Canemount WMA | WMA | 3,500 | Claiborne | 41 miles | northeast |
Point from the Fish and Wildlife Service hunt-unit layer; straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
The Mississippi River below the Natchez bluff in Adams CountyPhoto: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The wide Mississippi River seen from the bluff at Natchez, Adams CountyPhoto: Chris M Morris (CC BY 2.0)
Pascagoula River oxbow with a wooded shorelinePhoto: Ronnie Blackwell (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The national wildlife refuge is in Adams and Wilkinson counties. Cloverdale is the closest listed town, 7 miles off.
It is 21,271 acres of national wildlife refuge under the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Acres are from the Fish and Wildlife Service hunt-unit layer.
A license is required, and the refuge adds permit terms: FWS Public Hunt Units layer: permit required "yes" (Other). Annual public use permit for hunting and fishing.
Hunters can take ducks, geese, coots, dove, woodcock, snipe, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon and opossum, deer, turkey and wild hog, according to the agency pages. The seasons page has the dates and bag limits.
The statewide MDWFP calendar governs, shown on the seasons page.
Resident game hours begin a half hour before sunrise and end a half hour after sunset; migratory birds end at sunset; spring turkey has no printed hours. See the legal hours page.
The agency layer counts 0 positives out of 2,184 samples for its 2 counties; zone status covers 0 of 2. See the CWD zones page for feeding and carcass rules.
Neighbouring pins: Sandy Creek WMA (16 miles), Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park WMA (20 miles) and Caston Creek WMA (31 miles).
Look to Cloverdale (7 miles), Natchez (11 miles) and Morgantown (14 miles).
1 of 6 mapped units are closed to hunting, namely Closed to Hunting.
The Code of Federal Regulations opens the refuge to hunting under federal and state rules, with conditions for migratory birds, upland game and big game laid out above.
Carry your license and any permit the area needs, and check with the managers for closures before you set off for St. Catherine Creek NWR.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; statewide seasons from the 2026-27 MDWFP hunting seasons sheet. Checked November 14, 2026.