If you’ve ever sat quietly by the shores of Old Timbers Lake or waited in the morning mist for a state-drawn deer hunt, you know that Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is one of Indiana’s greatest ecological and recreational treasures.
Spanning 50,000 acres across Jefferson, Jennings, and Ripley counties, this uniquely rugged landscape, built on the remnants of the old-World War II-era Jefferson Proving Ground accounts for over 5% of our state’s public land! This land, through the dedication of so many, has transformed from an artillery testing zone into an unparalleled sanctuary for Indiana’s wildlife and Hoosiers who find peace in the natural world.
“We may not have large swaths of public land here in Indiana, but what we do have is deeply important to Hoosiers. Big Oaks is an absolute gem for white-tailed deer and wild turkey, and the loss of, 50000 acres would be a devastating loss of access for all public landowners, but particularly hunters. Public land opportunities are essential to keeping folks interested and engaged in outdoor pursuits, and Indiana can’t afford to lose any more.”
-Brian Stone, Indiana Chapter Chair, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Today Big Oaks is facing its greatest threat since the gates first opened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is negotiating with the U.S. Army regarding their management agreement. These conversations are sparking serious concern that this property could be closed to outdoor enthusiasts and lose the natural resource management that has transformed Big Oaks into the conservation success story it is.
The uncertainty surrounding Big Oaks isn’t happening in a vacuum. The push to alter the refuge’s management is part of a wider national move to step back from managing our public lands for conservation and public use.
Big Oaks operates as an “overlay” refuge. The U.S. Army retains underlying land ownership, while the USFWS handles the wildlife and public recreation through a real estate permit. Regional leadership is currently auditing this Memorandum of Agreement, and whispers of a potential refuge closure have us on high alert.
If the USFWS steps away and the land fully reverts to standard military administration, the consequences for conservation and public access will be devastating:
Loss of Public Access: Big Oaks provides premier, highly sought-after opportunities for deer and youth hunting, fishing on Old Timbers Lake, hiking, and world-class wildlife photography. Under sole military control, these public privileges could vanish overnight.
Designated as a Globally Important Bird Area, the refuge hosts one of the region’s largest nesting populations of Henslow’s sparrows, a state endangered species. Numerous neotropical migrants call the refuge home, including Cerulean and Worm-eating warblers, as do winter migrants like short-eared owls. A wide range of waterfowl utilize Old Timbers as a vital stopover site, while staying keenly alert of the Bald Eagles that call the refuge home. Big Oaks is home to 1/3 of Indiana’s Crawfish frog, and represents a geographically isolated, and potentially genetically unique, population. This state endangered amphibian has found a bastion in the destruction caused the explosions that shook this region decades ago. In an ironic twist, the bombs created topography like bison wallows of old, replicating the necessary habitat for this unique amphibian to thrive!
“The loss of Big Oaks will have unforeseen consequences for Indiana’s delicate ecosystems, impacting wildlife, our drinking water, and Hoosiers’ opportunity to hunt, fish, hike, and experience our natural heritage. Future generations will lose a window into what Indiana is, and we all will be lesser without that knowledge”
— Dan Boritt, Executive Director, Indiana Wildlife Federation
How We Fight Back
The Indiana Wildlife Federation believes that our federal public lands are a core part of our Hoosier heritage. We cannot afford to lose 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat and public access.
Here is how you can take action today:
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on your inbox. We are actively monitoring the conversations between the USFWS and the Army and will provide direct action alerts the moment public comment windows or advocacy opportunities open.
Speak Up Locally: If you live in southeastern Indiana, stay vocal with your elected officials. Public land, already in short supply throughout our state, are important to all Hoosiers.
Support the Federation: Your membership and donations keep our advocacy teams on the ground, working with federal partners to ensure Indiana’s wild spaces remain wild.
Thank you for standing up for the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Hoosier state.
With Love of Wildlife,
The Indiana Wildlife Federation Team
