Missouri Valley, Iowa – DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge will have one antlerless deer hunt on December 15-18, 2023. Hunters will be allowed to hunt the entire refuge for this hunt period. The hunt is muzzleloader and antlerless deer only. During this time period, the Visitor Center will remain open, but the refuge roads and trails will be closed to all other visitor activity. The scout days for the hunt will be the weekend prior, December 9-10. During the scout days, hunters can scout the refuge and hang a tree stand or put out a blind.
Nebraska residents will need to purchase either a Statewide Muzzeloader Permit or a Season Choice Wahoo Unit Permit to participate. The Statewide Muzzleloader or Season Choice Wahoo Unit Permit can be obtained through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Nebraska hunters do not need to apply through the refuge but will need to obtain a DeSoto NWR Hunting Regulation Access Permit (details below).
Iowa residents can apply for the muzzleloader hunt by mailing in a card with their name, address, and phone number. Or the information can be emailed to peter_rea@fws.gov. For Iowa Hunters, the drawing will be September 22 if needed. Any remaining unfilled slots will be available on a first-come basis. For Iowa residents, the hunt will require antlerless licenses that are specific for the DeSoto hunt and will not count against the hunter’s take. Specific information concerning the licenses will be provided to those drawn. Iowa hunters can apply by mailing their requests to DeSoto Refuge, 1434 - 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA 51555.
All hunters must possess a DeSoto NWR Hunting Regulation Access Permit for the hunts. These are free of charge and can be obtained on the DeSoto’s website www.fws.gov/refuge/desoto/visit-us/activities/hunting or by contacting Peter Rea at peter_rea@fws.gov or 712-388-4803.
Archery deer hunting is also available on DeSoto Refuge and is open to the public. The archery season on the refuge runs from October 1, 2023 until January 10, 2024. Hunters must be properly licensed and carry a free DeSoto NWR Hunting Regulations Access Permit from the refuge. The Permit has a map showing the areas that are open to archery deer hunting and explains the refuge regulations. The Permit can be picked up at the refuge hunt parking lot kiosks or off the refuge website listed above.
At DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, an entrance permit is required for all vehicles on days other than fee free days. The regular daily entrance fee for private vehicles is $3.00. Permits may be obtained at the pay stations near the entrances or at the visitor center. The charge for commercial vans and buses is $20, or $30 if 21 or more people are aboard. Annual permits, including the $15 DeSoto Refuge Pass, can be obtained at the visitor center (Visitor Center Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
The nation’s 568 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts welcome over 45 million visitors each year. Visitors participate in activities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, birding, interpretive hikes, and photographing iconic wildlife in their natural setting.
