Big Oaks is completely fenced, and visitors must attend an annual safety briefing and be checked in and out of the refuge. Big Oaks is open to public use on Mondays and Fridays during October thru November 21 (except federal holidays). Deer hunt briefings and safety video screenings will begin on September 29 for the hunts held in October and November. Following that date, these are shown at the refuge office on public use days (Mondays and Fridays at 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM.), and hunt days (at 5:30 AM, 6:00 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM) except when those days are Federal Holidays (October 13 and November 11 are Federal Holidays and the refuge office will be closed). Normal public use safety briefings will be shown at the same times (7 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM) on public use days. 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 Season