Big Oaks Conservation Society

12/11/2025

Big Oaks staff, interns and friends had a jolly time in the Madison Christmas Parade this past Saturday. 🎄🎁

12/04/2025

Here's the video of the owls release from Sunday, November 30, 2025.

12/04/2025

Barred Owl Found on Refuge: Rehabilitated & Released
A Big Thank You to Nature’s Nest Wildlife Rehabilitation!

A barred owl was found on Sunday, November 23, on a road by hunt unit 64. The owl seemed to have been struck by a vehicle and was disoriented and could not fly. Based on its size we think it was a male. We gathered and secured him for transport to Nature’s Nest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Jefferson County. Upon arrival, Dana took over to help this owl back to adequate health. Dana stated that, “he spent one week in care. Luckily, he suffered a concussion only. No broken bones, he was a fortunate bird. I treated him with anti-inflammatories and supportive care. When birds of prey come in with head trauma, they usually don’t feel well enough to eat. So we have to cut up their mice and hand-feed them. When he was finally eating on his own after a while and showing normal owl behavior, that’s when I flight tested him. He passed with flying colors! He did great!” Once the barred owl passed his flight test, it was released close to where it was originally found. The owl was released on November 30 at Big Oaks. Check out Nature’s Nest Wildlife Rehabilitation page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574209799262) to learn more about Dana, this owl, and other furry friends they helped rehabilitate. Thank you again, Dana () . Everyone at Big Oaks appreciates all your help.

12/02/2025

Read all about EHD in our latest blog post, linked below.

This dead-head was found at Big Oaks, it is suspected to have died from EHD. BOCS PhotoHemorrhagic Disease (HD) is caused by one of two viruses, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus or blue-tongue (BT) virus. Although the two viruses have non-distinguishable symptoms, they differ genetically. H...

11/21/2025

A few pics from the Archery and Gun Hunts. The EHD outbreak has hit us hard this year, but there are still some nice ones here at Big Oaks.

11/20/2025

Check out our latest blog post to get to know our fall 2025 interns!

Lindsey BellHello, my name is Lindsey Bell! I am a recent graduate of Merrimack College where I earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a concentration in Conservation. I grew up in central Maine, where I spent the majority of my childhood running around the woods and learning to love the natu...

11/20/2025

Deer harvested during the 2025 Youth Hunt at Big Oaks.

11/20/2025

These hooves are from a deer that was recently harvested from Big Oaks. The significant splitting, chipping, and peeling of the hoof wall is a classic sign that this deer survived Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, EHD. Otherwise, this deer was healthy.

11/20/2025

A few deer that were harvested from this past weekend of hunting. This upcoming weekend is our final weekend of hunting for 2025.

11/11/2025

Appreciate and thankful for all of our Veterans!

10/24/2025

These deadheads were found at Big Oaks during our archery and fi****ms hunts. Staff members at the gate are issuing permits for deadheads found during hunts. A picture of the entire deer and coordinates of the skeletons location are required.

10/03/2025

Starting October 11 there are state drawn deer hunts on Big Oaks on the following dates:
Oct 11-12 2-day Archery Hunt.
Oct 18-19 2-day Archery Hunt
Oct 25-26 2-Day Primitive Muzzleloader/Archery Hunt
Oct 31 Youth Deer Hunt Workshop 5 PM
Nov 1 Youth Deer Hunt
Nov 2 1-day Gun Hunt
Nov 8 1-Day Gun Hunt
Nov 9 1-Day Gun Hunt
Nov 15-16 2-Day Gun Hunt
Nov 22-23 2 -Day Gun Hunt
Nov 24 Refuge Closed for the