Big Sandy Unit

The Big Sandy Unit provides over 21,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat, its series of creeks, bays, islands and peninsulas is well known to hunters, birders and wildlife enthusiasts for its abundance of species including waterfowl, migratory songbirds. loons, deer, turkey and bald eagles.

The habitat in this unit is called "upland" habitat that is dryer slopes and not able to be flooded with impoundments. The three sanctuary bays in this unit mainly provide resting areas for wintering waterfowl during their migration. Providing sanctuary to these migratory birds protecting them from human disturbance is one of the most important functions of this refuge.

The Big Sandy Peninsula is the largest wooded area of the refuge providing nesting and feeding areas for migratory songbirds and raptors. It is also one of the most popular areas for hunting, as this habitat provides for ample deer and turkey populations. Birders also love this area, espcially the tip of the peninsula that is called Pace Point. The joining of the Tennessee and Big Sandy Rivers makes Pace Point a frequent stopping place for many migratory birds earning this location as one of the top ten birding areas in the state.

Whether hunting, birding, or just going for a beautiful drive, many visitors to Big Sandy Peninsula enjoy stopping at Bennett's Creek Observation Deck, Chickasaw National Recreation Trail or Mt. Zion historic church.

The Britton Ford/Sulphur Well area of the unit offers the Britton Ford Hiking Trail, open seasonally from March 16 - November 15th. The V.L. Childs Observation deck is open year round offering fantastic and close up views of waterfowl in the wintertime.

Return, or read about the Busseltown Unit or the Duck River Unit