we signed up for this hunt on Dec. 3rd and 4th. anyone hunted this refuge before? any info or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bring a thermocell. I seen guys make ultra light tripods out of aluminum..to get off the ground.

I would also make sure to leave the .243 or less at home. The deer out there are tough and it is thick in there. I know more than one guy who has lost a deer out there to a less than perfect shot.

X2 and also take snake boots and use them.

MOSQUITOS!!!!....I've hunted that refuge 3 times. 1st time I didn't listen to the warnings about mosquitoes and I suffered. Bring plenty of bug spray or a thermacell with backup. It is marshy in some areas so watch for snakes and gators. There was a pond in the refuge that held 3 huge gators on the road in. The refuge mgr told me they get fed gut piles from hunters and know when you stop their gonna get fed. I stopped for a picture and damn sure they didn't start crawling fast towards my truck! There are hogs in that refuge so be prepared to kill them too. I haven't been there in years, so I can't vouch for the condition of the refuge with the drought and fires that went through there a few years back. I don't know if their assigning units now or 1st come/1st served as when I hunted. I saw a nice 10pt come out of that refuge too. Good luck..post pics...and did I mention there's mosquitos??

I worked out there for a couple years, and some pretty good info so far.

I would get on google earth and try to find water holes. Also, the people who did the best usually stayed out there all day. Bring a lunch, hike in far, and stay all day. Have a reliable GPS because it all looks the same out there. The disked fire breaks can serve as good trails for walking and go a long way. Like others said, watch for gators, snakes, mosquitos, and do them a favor and shoot as many pigs as you can.

Good luck!

thanks guys for all the info...will be carrying a .270 or possibly my AR-15. will definitely stay out there all day. i'd rather trek all day and find my own game than sit in a deer blind. will post updates when i get back.