Big Oaks Conservation Society

10/02/2026

Please reserve your spot for this upcoming presentation ( info found below on flyer on how to reserve your attendance)

10/02/2026

Small youth hunt this year due to EHD die off last year and changes in timing and staffing, but here’s a nice deer that was harvested…..

09/29/2026

Upcoming hunting events at Big Oak National Wildlife Refuge
Archery Hunt: October 19 & 20. This hunt is for drawn hunters only. Safety briefing will be held in the white trailer at the entrance to big Oaks (no longer at the office). There will be not be any no show drawings this year. The hunt will be from 5:30am to 8:00pm. The facility will be open only to the hunters and closed to the public.
If you have been drawn to hunt, you may come in on a public use day to attend the safety briefing. The hunting area can only be chosen the day of the hunt.
Gun hunts will be November 9th and 10th. Same as above. Hunts will be 4:30am to 7:00pm due to the time change.

09/14/2026

Don’t forget!!!!

Old timbers lodge day - Open House will be held this Saturday, September 19th, noon to 5
Come visit the historic 1932 limestone lodge. Enjoy light refreshments as you tour the lodge with Big Oaks National Wildlife refuge staff and BOCS volunteers. Access to the lodge will be from gate 8. Gate 8 is about 1 mile south of New Marion on Old Michigan Road.

08/28/2026

Upcoming Events:
Old timbers lodge day - Open House
Saturday, September 19th, noon to 5
Come visit the historic 1932 limestone lodge. Enjoy light refreshments as you tour the lodge with Big Oaks National Wildlife refuge staff and BOCS volunteers. Access to the lodge will be from gate 8. Gate 8 is about 1 mile south of New Marion on Old Michigan Road.

07/21/2026

Lodge day
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sat, Sep 19, 2026

07/21/2026

Ice cream social
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Mon, Aug 3, 2026
At the Oakdale Schoolhouse

06/23/2026

The weather was great for to Saturday's Take-A-Kid Fishing Day at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. 112 Kids and 85 parents, grandparents and volunteers joined together to enjoy a full day of fishing, free food and prizes at Old Timbers Lake. Besides getting kids outdoors to fish, the Big Oaks Conservation Society hosted casting contests, mammal exhibits, scavenger hunts and an air archery range. Cane pole construction was another popular event and everyone had their fill of hot dogs, sodas and snacks. Bait was donated by Grandpas bait shop and SCC tackle. Prizes were provided by a grant from the Bethany Circle Foundation and the Big Oaks Conservation Society. Besides providing a great family day, the Big Oaks Conservation Society used the day as another opportunity to inform the public of the threat of the Refuge being closed. The Fish and Wildlife Service is still in talks to withdraw the service from the memorandum of agreement it has signed with the Army to run the Refuge on the site of the former Jefferson Proving Grounds.

06/09/2026

On June 20th for the Take a Kid Fishing Day event go straight to the refuge gate. Go to the old main JPG entrance and take the first right, right after the old guard shack. This will lead you to the white trailer that acts as the refuge entrance gate. No need to go to refuge office…..

06/08/2026