Big Oaks National Wildlife Rescue

This is a great refuge if you know what you are coming here to see and do. I come here to see birds. The first time I arrived, I had to check in, take a test and then be approved for a permit to go out to the refuge. After you leave the main road you have to drive north and check in with a guard and enter through a gate. It is then miles driving north to get to the area around the lakes to see birds or you can go fishing. It is a very peaceful and relaxing place as there are not many visitors. If you follow the signs you can not get lost.

Let me start off by saying that I came here to see nature. I knew the land had a history as an army proving (bombing practice) area but the experience was not what I expected. This place has about 50,000 acres of land reserved for wildlife, which is truly wonderful. Getting to this place & getting through here wasn’t easy. The signs are confusing (i.e. warnings that you are trespassing). Once we found the office, we had to watch a video about the dangers in the park (bombs) and sign a waiver (death & injury from bombs). Yikes — I’m here for trees & animals — not explosives. It was $ 3 per person to get in & then we had to drive 14 miles to the northeast corner of the refuge to the «public use area.» What a disappointment! Waste of time, gas, etc. We heard the land was sold to a private developer who is going to convert it to industrial use. Lame.