The unique wetland resource known as Red Slough once covered an area approximately 4 miles long by 2 miles wide and was formerly one of the largest wetland complexes found within Oklahoma. Most of this area was lost or drastically altered over the course of the last half-century. Historically, bottomland hardwoods dominated the area, accounting for 75% of the Red Slough property. Scrub/shrub, emergent vegetation, and prairie habitats accounted for the remaining 25.

In the late 1960s, Red Slough was drained, cleared, and converted to agricultural land, primarily for the production of rice, soybeans, corn, and milo. The channelization and dredging of Push Creek, the creek that transects Red Slough, greatly reduced the frequency and duration of overbank flooding. This conversion to agricultural land greatly reduced or eliminated important wetland values previously associated with the natural flooding cycle.

Red Slough has become one of the hottest recreational destinations for birders and other wildlife enthusiasts in the United States. The management style employed by the Red Slough management team has made it possible for the extraordinary diversity of birdlife to occur at Red Slough. Red Slough has become a premier birdwatching and waterfowl hunting area. It is not uncommon for many birdwatchers to see more than one life bird at Red Slough in a day's trip. To date, 292 bird species have been sighted and documented within the Red Slough Wetland Reserve Project. Many of these species found at Red Slough do not regularly occur elsewhere in Oklahoma or are rare to the state. Birdwatchers have likened this area to the Gulf Coast habitats of Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.

In winter, thousands of ducks flock to the Red Slough, foraging on the flooded vegetation and aquatic invertebrates. This provides one of the best waterfowl hunting locations found within Oklahoma and the Great Plains region. The main waterfowl species include mallards, widgeons, gadwalls, pintails, wood ducks, shovelers, and teal. Waterfowl hunters come from as far away as California, Minnesota, and Georgia to specifically hunt at Red Slough. Yearly disking of approximately 300-500 acres, supplemented by millet and milo seeding, creates the quality habitat necessary for waterfowl.

A refuge area has been designated around the four major reservoirs (Otter Lake, Pintail Lake, Lotus Lake, and Bittern Lake). This area is closed to the public between October 15 and January 31 yearly. The refuge is designed to provide resting and feeding areas free of disturbance during the hunting season. Refuge boundary signs are erected completely around the refuge area, and entrance behind the signs is not permitted during the closed period.

From Idabel, Oklahoma, travel US-259 south approximately 18 miles to OK-87. Turn east on OK-87 and travel approximately 3 miles. Turn north onto Mudline Road (by the Getty gas station sign) and access the heart of the project area.