Recreation
Oak Grove Birding Trail
The Oak Grove Birding Trail in the Reserve is Stop 8 on the recently established Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail. The site is a maritime, mixed hardwood forest intermingled with pine flatwoods that slopes down towards the marshes that border the upper reaches of Bayou Heron. Birding along this trail is most enjoyable and successful during the periods of spring and fall migration. Migrants such as Yellow Warblers, Redstarts and Scarlet Tanagers are some of the most common birds found here in the spring.
Paddling
The Reserve offers a variety of canoeing and kayaking experiences. Relatively calm waters exist in the bayous and tidal creeks and are well suited for recreation and touring kayaks as well as canoes. Those willing to paddle out to the bays and open water will experience more wave action and wind exposure. Sea or touring kayaks are well suited to the open water environments. Boat launch sites are available at the end of Bayou Heron Rd. for free and at Point o’ Pines for a fee of $4.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed by permit along with the appropriate Mississippi Hunting License during designated hunting seasons in the National Wildlife Refuge. Please visit the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge website for additional important information http://www.fws.gov/grandbay/hunting.html. Hunting within the Grand Bay Savanna Coastal Preserve portion of the reserve is allowed with the appropriate Mississippi Hunting License during the appropriate hunting seasons.
Fishing/Boating
A free public boat launch and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier are located at the end of Bayou Heron Road on Bayou Heron on the east side of the reserve. The pier is suitable for fishing and crabbing. The waters of the reserve are shallow, especially at low tide; so, only boats that draft a minimal amount of water should attempt to navigate outside of Bayou Heron. Unless you are exempt (under 16 or a Mississippi resident over 65), a Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required when fishing in the Reserve’s tidal waters.
