NATCHEZ — Hunters, anglers, birders and outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature in the coming weeks and months at St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

The refuge will host bird enthusiasts coming to see thousands of long-legged wading birds that will be roosting at “The Swamp” on Saturday, Aug. 20, refuge manager Bob Strader said.

“In the past we’ve had a fair number of locals (come to see the birds),” Strader said. “But we also get people from (places like) Covington, La., and Memphis, Tenn., to see it.”

Strader said among the birds visiting the refuge this weekend would be Wood Storks, Egrets, Ibis and Herons.

Bird watchers are encouraged to come from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 6 p.m. until dark, Strader said.

“The evening session is typically a great opportunity to watch thousands of long-legged waders come to roost in ‘The Swamp’ at dusk,” he said.

Strader said visitors would be greeted at the refuge office and then directed to the refuge impoundments where the staff would help guests access the birding sites.

Strader said many dedicated bird watchers come to the refuge to see the birds each year, but novice birding fans are welcome also.

“These people are nuts about birds, but everybody can come,” he said.

Strader said the refuge is one of the best places to watch these migratory birds, he said.

“(Lake) St. John and Lake Concordia have (birds) too,” Strader said. “There are some places near the coast that blow us away in numbers. But as far as inland areas (the refuge) is probably as good as it gets.”

Local fishermen are also seeing success on the lakes of the refuge, Strader said.

“Fishing has been good (so far this year), really good,” he said. “We started opening the lakes as we could open up the roads (because of flooding).”

Strader said he is getting good reports from fishermen catching catfish, largemouth bass, and white perch on Butler and Gilliard lakes.

“It seems Gilliard has the most this year,” he said. “But there are reports of people getting ice-chests (full) of catfish out of Butler (Lake).”

Fishing season will continue at the refuge until Nov. 18, approximately when duck-hunting season begins on the refuge, Strader said.

A $15 annual pass is required for hunting and fishing on the refuge.

Hunting season is right around the corner, and the ATV trails at the refuge will open beginning Sept. 17 for hunters to begin scouting.

“(Scouting is useful) especially for people who haven’t been here before and for serious bowhunters,” Strader said.

Archery season for deer begins Oct. 1 at the refuge, and the youth gun hunt will be from Nov. 5 to Nov. 12.

“We get a handful of kids that come out, and it’s not limited to just local (children),” Strader said.

Deer muzzleloader season begins Nov. 19 and the first days of duck season are Nov. 25-27.

Duck hunting is permitted at the refuge on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the state duck hunting seasons. Hunters can use Salt Lake, Butler Lake and Gilliard Lake to hunt ducks from 1/2-hour before sunrise to noon.

Strader said the refuge produces a large number of quality deer, and allowing hunting helps them to control their population.

“(Hunting) is a tool we use to manage the population, because if the resident population is not controlled they’ll basically eat up their habitat.”

Hunting permits are currently being sold at the refuge office, and Strader said they have sold approximately 500 in the last three weeks.

“We get a high percentage of return (hunters),” he said.

Strader said the most important thing for hunters to remember is to have their proper state hunting licenses, including a primitive weapon license for bowhunters and muzzleloaders.

Strader said there are also walking trails on the refuge for people to use.

The refuge is used by a wide variety of visitors to the Natchez area, Strader said, and about half of the guests at the refuge are from other countries.

For more information about hunting or fishing permits or regulations at the refuge, bird watching or trail use call the refuge at 601-442-6696.