Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to the first National Wildlife Refuge established in the State of Mississipi, the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, located in western Mississippi near Hollandale. Refuge History: Before the arrival of European settlers, the region that is now Yazoo National Wildlife refuge was occupied by various Native American groups for thousands of years. Today some of the Native American burial mounds are still standing in the region. The Yazoo National Wildilfe Refuge was established in 1936 in order to provide refuge for migrating flocks of ducks and geese traveling the Mississippi Flyway. Numerous purchases were made over several decades including the first 2,166 acres in 1936, 639 acres in 1937, and several additional acquisitions in the 1960’s until the refuge was 12,471 acres in 1969. A final purchase of 470 acres in 1992 brought the refuge to it’s present day size of 12,941 acres. Today, the refuge is considered to be one of the best deer hunting refuges in the southeastern United States. Wildlife: Aside from the migrating flocks of ducks and geese the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge protects the home of numerous other wild critters including deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, bobcats, and many others. Please treat their home with respect. For the lover of the outdoors please take note that fishing is not allowed in this refuge due to high levels of DDT and other pesticides found in the fish, water, and soils. However the refuge trails offer magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities. Come on out and have a blast!