I've seen racoons, but no bunnies or opossums.

The refuge is basically just Key Deer Boulevard in Big Pine Key. You can drive down the road and see them out and about. Or you can do a tour, with Up the Keys Tours 305.587.5575 and learn all about the Key deer, their habitat, the Blue Hole and the whole area around the Key Deer Refuge. I've done a tour 3x and learned something new about Key Deer and the Florida Keys each time. And they know where to find the Key Deer, too. I thought I could find them on my own, but they know where they are if you don't see them out and about. Check it out. They have all the answers about Key Deer and the refuge and how to find them and how they survived the hurricane, etc. Enjoy and if you do drive on your own down Key Deer Boulevard, please drive slow so you don't hit any of the wildlife. I stopped traffic for a turtle crossing the road...and I'm from Chicago :-) Enjoy!

I laughed when I read your question because I thought the same as you. I was expecting a fenced in area where the deer were present. The whole Key, along with No Name Key are the preserve. As others have said, stop at the visitors center in the Winn Dixie shopping center. The people there are very helpful. I would suggest to drive through the neighborhoods on Big Pine slowly at dusk. You're sure to spot many at that time.

Turn off of the Overseas Highway onto Key Deer Blvd. On the right you will see a shopping plaza with a Winn Dixie. The Key Deer information center is across the parking lot from the grocery store. The best times for seeing the deer are sunset and sunrise. I have found one of the best areas to be way down at the end of Key Deer Blvd, at the far end of the key. The road dead ends there and there are generally deer there at sunset. Also take as slooooow drive through the neighborhood just before the road ends - have always seen deer there too. Down by No Name Pub is always a good bet, too. Have fun! They are amazing!

Absolutely 100%! Drive to the very end of Key Deer Blvd, it ends in a turn around - there are generally deer there. Then go down Kyle Blvd and drive slowly through the neighborhood - I have never not found there there. The only trick is going at dusk. I have ALWAYS found the deer just driving around at dusk. Drive slowly, pull over if there is a car behind you, look into the yards... They are, generally, everywhere. Watson Blvd and the little neighborhoods heading toward No Name Pub is also a great spot. Stop into No Name Pub for dinner after seeing the deer. Its an experience.

Hours are 9am-4pm Mon-Fri and 10am-3pm on the weekends. The refuge is beautiful. However, it's Big Pine Key. Most of the Key is just a small community. There is a Winn-Dixie grocery store with chickens in the parking lot. If you miss the refuge hours you can just cruise a few of the streets in the morning and evening. You will find a half dozen of them grazing in people's' front yards. I consider all of Big Pine Key a refuge. While you are there head towards the west end of the Key and check out the No Name Pub. Good pizza and great burgers. Plus that place has a ton of history. They have even been on a few Food Channel shows.

911 will also offer immediate assistance

As I don't work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Svc. But have lived in the refuge for 30 years the refuge itself itself is open in general 24/7/365 Unless posted go emergency situations. The refuge office on Watson Blvd. is generally not accessible HOWEVER the Visitors Center in the Winn Dixie shopping plaza on Key Deer Blvd. (turn North @ the traffic lite & stay LEFT) is open usually 9 to 5 more or less(keys time) phone # 305-872-2239