5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd, and 715i, 3901
41 FR 9166, Mar. 3, 1976, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The regulations in this subchapter govern general administration of units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, public notice of changes in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy regarding Refuge System units, issuance of permits required on Refuge System units and other administrative aspects involving the management of various units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The regulations in this subchapter apply to areas of land and water held by the United States in fee title and to property interests in such land and water in less than fee, including but not limited to easements. For areas held in less than fee, the regulations in this subchapter apply only to the extent that the property interest held by the United States may be affected. The regulations in this subchapter also apply to and govern those areas of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal over which management responsibility has been transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-402, 106 Stat. 1961), before their establishment as a refuge and inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
(b) All national wildlife refuges are maintained for the primary purpose of developing a national program of wildlife and ecological conservation and rehabilitation. These refuges are established for the restoration, preservation, development and management of wildlife and wildlands habitat; for the protection and preservation of endangered or threatened species and their habitat; and for the management of wildlife and wildlands to obtain the maximum benefits from these resources.
(a) As used in the rules and regulations in this subchapter:
(b) Unless otherwise stated the definitions found in 50 CFR 10.12 also apply to all of subchapter C of this title 50.
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to relieve a person from any other applicable requirements imposed by a local ordinance or by a statute or regulation of any State or of the United States.
(a) Except as provided below, all areas included in the National Wildlife Refuge System are closed to public access until and unless we open the area for a use or uses in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), the Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4) and this subchapter C. See 50 CFR 36 for details on use and access restrictions, and the public participation and closure process established for Alaska national wildlife refuges. We may open an area by regulation, individual permit, or public notice, in accordance with § 25.31 of this subchapter.
(b) We may open a national wildlife refuge for any refuge use, or expand, renew, or extend an existing refuge use only after the Refuge Manager determines that it is a compatible use and not inconsistent with any applicable law. Lands subject to the patent restrictions imposed by Section 22(g) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act are subject to the compatibility requirements of Parts 25 and 26 of 50 CFR except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(1) We will complete compatibility determinations for uses of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 22(g) lands in compliance with the following requirements:
(i) Refuge managers will work with 22(g) landowners in implementation of these regulations. The landowners should contact the Refuge Manager in advance of initiating a use and request a compatibility determination. After a compatibility determination is requested, refuge managers have no longer than ninety (90) days to complete the compatibility determination and notify the landowner of the finding by providing a copy of the compatibility determination or to inform the landowner of the specific reasons for delay. If a refuge manager believes that a finding of not compatible is likely, the Refuge Manager will notify the landowner prior to rendering a decision to encourage dialog on how the proposed use might be modified to be compatible.
(ii) Refuge managers will allow all uses proposed by 22(g) landowners when the Refuge Manager determines the use to be compatible with refuge purposes.
(iii) Compatibility determinations will include only evaluations of how the proposed use would affect the ability of the refuge to meet its mandated purposes. The National Wildlife Refuge System mission will not be considered in the evaluation. Refuge purposes will include both pre-ANILCA purposes and those established by ANILCA, so long as they do not conflict. If conflicts arise, ANILCA purposes will take precedence.
(iv) A determination that a use is not compatible may be appealed by the landowner to the Regional Director. The appeal must be submitted in writing within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the determination. The appeals process provided for in 50 CFR 36.41(i) (3) through (5) will apply.
(v) Compatibility determinations for proposed uses of 22(g) lands will only evaluate the effects of the use on the adjacent refuge lands, and the ability of that refuge to achieve its purposes, not on the effects of the proposed use to the 22(g) lands.
(vi) Compatibility determinations for 22(g) lands that a use is compatible are
(vii) Refuge comprehensive conservation plans will not include 22(g) lands, and compatibility determinations affecting such lands will not to be automatically re-evaluated when the plans are routinely updated.
(viii) Refuge special use permits will not be required for compatible uses of 22(g) lands. Special conditions necessary to ensure a proposed use is compatible may be included in the compatibility determination and must be complied with for the use to be considered compatible.
(c) The Refuge Manager may temporarily allow or initiate any refuge use without making a compatibility determination if necessary to protect the health and safety of the public or any fish or wildlife population.
(d) When we add lands to the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Refuge Manager will identify, prior to acquisition, withdrawal, transfer, reclassification, or donation of those lands, existing wildlife-dependent recreational public uses (if any) determined to be compatible that we will permit to continue on an interim basis, pending completion of the comprehensive conservation plan for the national wildlife refuge. We will make these compatibility determinations in accordance with procedures in § 26.41 of this subchapter.
(e) In the event of a threat or emergency endangering the health and safety of the public or property or to protect the resources of the area, the Refuge Manager may close or curtail refuge uses of all or any part of an opened area to public access and use in accordance with the provisions in § 25.31, without advance notice. See 50 CFR 36.42 for procedures on closing Alaska national wildlife refuges.
(f) We will re-evaluate compatibility determinations for existing wildlife-dependent recreational uses when conditions under which the use is permitted change significantly, or if there is significant new information regarding the effects of the use, or concurrently with the preparation or revision of a comprehensive conservation plan, or at least every 15 years, whichever is earlier. In addition, a refuge manager always may re-evaluate the compatibility of a use at any time.
(g) Except for uses specifically authorized for a period longer than 10 years (such as right-of-ways), we will re-evaluate compatibility determinations for all existing uses other than wildlife-dependent recreational uses when conditions under which the use is permitted change significantly, or if there is significant new information regarding the effects of the use, or at least every 10 years, whichever is earlier. In addition, a refuge manager always may re-evaluate the compatibility of a use at any time.
(h) For uses in existence on November 17, 2000 that were specifically authorized for a period longer than 10 years (such as right-of-ways), our compatibility re-evaluation will examine compliance with the terms and conditions of the authorization, not the authorization itself. We will frequently monitor and review the activity to ensure that the permittee carries out all permit terms and conditions. However, the Service will request modifications to the terms and conditions of these permits from the permittee if the Service determines that such changes are necessary to ensure that the use remains compatible. After November 17, 2000 no uses will be permitted or re-authorized, for a period longer than 10 years, unless the terms and conditions for such long-term permits specifically allows for modifications to the terms and conditions, if necessary to ensure compatibility. We will make a new compatibility determination prior to extending or renewing such long-term uses at the expiration of the authorization. When we prepare a compatibility determination for re-authorization of an existing right-of-way, we will base our analysis on the existing conditions with the use in place, not from a pre-use perspective.
(i) When we re-evaluate a use for compatibility, we will take a fresh look at the use and prepare a new compatibility determination following the procedure outlined in 50 CFR 26.41.
Lost articles or money found on a national wildlife refuge are to be immediately turned in to the nearest refuge office.
The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information collection requirements contained in subchapter C, parts 25, 32, and 36 under 44 U.S.C. 3501
Whenever a particular public access, use or recreational activity of any type whatsoever, not otherwise expressly permitted under this subchapter, is permitted on a national wildlife refuge or where public access, use, or recreational or other activities previously permitted are curtailed, the public may be notified by any of the following methods, all of which supplement this subchapter C:
(a) Official signs posted conspicuously at appropriate intervals and locations;
(b) Special regulations issued under the provisions of § 26.33 of this subchapter C.
(c) Maps available in the office of the refuge manager, regional director, or area director, or
(d) Other appropriate methods which will give the public actual or constructive notice of the permitted or curtailed public access, use, or recreational activity.
We authorize the refuge manager of the facility where an activity is to take place to issue permits required by this subchapter C unless the regulations in this subchapter C require the applicant to obtain the applicable permit from the Director or Secretary. In those situations, the refuge manager will so inform the applicant, giving the applicant all necessary information as to how and where to apply.
Any person on a national wildlife refuge shall upon request by any authorized official exhibit the required Federal or State permit or license authorizing their presence and activity on the area and shall furnish such other information for identification purposes as may be requested.
The refuge manager may terminate or revoke a permit at any time for noncompliance with the terms of the permit or of the regulations in this subchapter C; for nonuse; for violation of any law, regulation, or order applicable to the refuge; or to protect public health or safety or the resources of a national wildlife refuge.
(a) The provisions of this subsection shall govern the regulation of activities that affect easement interests acquired by the United States. All other provisions of subchapter C shall apply to activities within such easement areas, but only to the extent that those provisions are directly or indirectly related to the protection of those easement interests expressly acquired by
(b) We require permits for use of easement areas administered by us where proposed activities may affect the property interest acquired by the United States. Applications for permits will be submitted in writing to the Regional Director or a designee. We may grant special use permits to owners of servient estates, or to third parties with the owner's agreement, by the Regional Director or a designee, upon written determination that such permitted use is compatible. If we ultimately determine that the requested use will not affect the United States' interest, the Regional Director will issue a letter of non-objection.
(c) In instances where the third applicant is a governmental entity which has acquired a partial interest in the servient estate by subsequent condemnation, a special use permit may be granted to the governmental entity without the servient estate owner's agreement if the regional director or his or her designee determines:
(1) The permitted use is compatible; and
(2) The permitted use is consistent with the partial property interests obtained through condemnation.
(d) Regulations pertaining to rights-of-way in easement areas are contained in 50 CFR part 29.21.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
52 FR 29860, Aug. 12, 1987, unless otherwise noted.
Reasonable charges and fees may be established for public recreational use of and, except in Alaska, entrance onto national wildlife refuges. Regulations regarding recreational use fees are contained in 36 CFR part 71. Regulations regarding entrance fees are contained in this subpart E.
To be designated as an “Entrance Fee Area”, a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System must be found to demonstrate that:
(a) The level of visitation for recreational purposes is high enough to justify the collection of fees for admission permits for economic reasons;
(b) There is a practical mechanism in existence for implementing and operating a system of collecting fees for admission permits; and
(c) Imposition of a fee for admission permits is not likely to result in undue economic hardship for a significant number of visitors to the unit.
Entrance fees established for single visit permits at a designated Entrance Fee Area shall consider the following criteria with regard to the local area within which the refuge is located:
(a) The direct and indirect cost to the Government.
(b) The benefits to the permit holder.
(c) The public policy or interest served.
(d) The comparable fees charged by non-Federal public agencies.
(e) The economic and administrative feasibility of fee collection.
The public shall be notified that an entrance fee is charged through refuge publications and posted designation signs in accordance with § 25.31 of this part.
(a) Unless otherwise provided, persons entering an Entrance Fee Area shall obtain and be in possession of a valid admission permit.
(b) The following five types of permits allowing entrance onto an Entrance Fee Area will be available for issue or purchase at such area and, except for refuge-specific permits, at Fish and Wildlife Service Regional and Washington, DC Offices, and at other locations as may be designated.
(1) Single visit permit with a charge not to exceed $3 per person or $7.50 per noncommercial vehicle (single visit can be defined as 1-15 days, dependent upon a determination of the period of time reasonably and ordinarily necessary for such a visit at a particular refuge unit).
(2) Golden Eagle Passport.
(3) Golden Age Passport.
(4) Golden Access Passport.
(5) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation (Duck) Stamp. To be valid, the Duck Stamp must be current and bear the signature of the holder on the front.
Permits issued or used for entrance onto Entrance Fee Areas are nontransferable. Failure to pay the entrance fee, to display upon request of an authorized official a valid permit, or to comply with other entrance fee provisions, rules or regulations, will be subject to the penalties prescribed in 50 CFR 28.31.
At Entrance Fee Areas:
(a) Special admission permits for uses, such as group activities, may be issued.
(b) No entrance fee shall be charged for persons under 16 years of age.
(c) No entrance fee shall be charged for travel by private noncommercial vehicle over any road or highway established as part of the National Federal Aid System (defined in 23 U.S.C. 101), which is commonly used by the public as a means of travel between two places which are outside the Entrance Fee Area.
(d) No entrance fee shall be charged for travel by private noncommercial
(e) Persons accompanying the holder of a valid single visit permit, Federal Duck Stamp or Golden Eagle, Age, or Access Passport in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle shall be entitled to general entrance.
(f) Where entry is by any means other than single, private, noncommercial vehicle, the spouse, children, or parents accompanying the holder of a valid single visit permit, Federal Duck Stamp or Golden Eagle, Age, or Access Passport shall be entitled to general entrance.
Public use facilities may be operated by concessionaires or cooperators under appropriate contact or legal agreement on national wildlife refuges where there is a demonstrated justified need for services or facilities including, but not limited to, boat rentals, swimming facilities, conducted tours of special natural attractions, shelters, tables, trailer lots, food, lodging, and related service.
Persons using national wildlife refuges shall comply with the safety requirements which are established under the provisions of this subchapter C for each individual refuge and with any safety provisions which may be included in leases, agreements, or use permits.
Accidents involving damage to property, injury to the public or injury to wildlife that occur within the boundaries of any national wildlife refuge are to be reported as soon as possible, but in no event later than 24 hours after the accident, by the persons involved, to the refuge manager or other personnel on duty at the national wildlife refuge headquarters. This report does not relieve persons from the responsibility of making any other accident reports which may be required.
5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd-668ee, and 715i; Pub. L. 96-315 (94 Stat. 958) and Pub. L. 98-146 (97 Stat. 955).
41 FR 9167, Mar. 3, 1976, unless otherwise noted.
The regulations in this part govern the circumstances under which the public can enter and use a national wildlife refuge.
(a) No person shall trespass, including but not limited to entering, occupying, using, or being upon, any national wildlife refuge, except as specifically authorized in this subchapter C or in other applicable Federal regulations.
(b) No unconfined domestic animals, including but not limited to dogs, hogs, cats, horses, sheep and cattle, shall be permitted to enter upon any national wildlife refuge or to roam at large upon such an area, except as specifically authorized under the provisions of § 26.34, § 27.91 or § 29.2 of this subchapter C.
(a) Any person entering or using any national wildlife refuge will comply with the regulations in this subchapter C, the provisions of any special regulations and any other official notification as is appropriate under § 25.31.
(b) A permit shall be required for any person entering a national wildlife refuge, unless otherwise provided under the provisions of subchapter C. The permittee will abide by all the terms and conditions set forth in the permit.
The headquarters office of any national wildlife refuge is open to public access and admission during regularly established business hours.
A permit is not required for access to any part of a national wildlife refuge by a person when accompanied by refuge personnel.
Access to and travel upon a national wildlife refuge by a person granted economic use privileges on that national wildlife refuge should be restricted to a specified area in accordance with the provisions of their agreement, lease, or permit.
A permit is not required for access to any national wildlife area for temporary shelter or temporary protection in the event of emergency conditions.
A permit is not required to enter, travel on, and exit from any national wildlife refuge on public waters and roads, and such roads, trails, footpaths, walkways, or other routes and areas which are designated for public use under the provisions of this subchapter C.
Public recreation will be permitted on national wildlife refuges as an appropriate incidental or secondary use, only after it has been determined that such recreational use is practicable and not inconsistent with the primary objectives for which each particular area was established or with other authorized Federal operations.
Recreational uses such as, but not limited to, sightseeing, nature observation and photography, interpretive centers and exhibits, hunting and fishing, bathing, boating, camping, ice skating, picnicking, swimming, water skiing, and other similar activities may be permitted on national wildlife refuges. When such uses are permitted the public will be notified under the provisions of this subchapter C.
(a) Special regulations shall be issued for public use, access, and recreation within certain individual national wildlife refuges where there is a need to amend, modify, relax or make more stringent the regulations contained in this subchapter C. The issued special regulations will supplement the provisions in this part 26.
(b) Special recreational use regulations may contain the following items:
(1) Recreational uses authorized.
(2) Seasons, period, or specific time of use.
(3) Description of areas open to recreation.
(4) Specific conditions or requirements.
(5) Other provisions.
(6) Special regulations for public use, access, and recreation are published in the daily issue of the
The following refuge units, listed in alphabetical order by State and unit name, have refuge-specific regulations for public access, use, and recreation.
Refer to § 26.34 Minnesota for regulations.
Refer to § 26.34 Minnesota for regulations.
(a)
(1) In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry—Sanctuary,” we prohibit entry as specified on signs or maps (see § 32.42 of this chapter for list of areas and locations).
(2) In areas posted and shown on maps as “Area Closed,” “Area Closed—No Motors,” and “No Hunting Zone” (Goose Island), we ask that you practice voluntary avoidance of these areas by any means or for any purpose from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck hunting season. In areas marked “no motors,” we prohibit the use of motors on watercraft from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck hunting season (see § 32.42 of this chapter for list of areas and locations).
(3) Commercial tours and filming require a permit issued by the refuge or district manager (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
(4) We allow the collecting of edible fruits, nuts, mushrooms, or other plant parts for personal use (no sale or barter allowed). We limit the amount you may collect to 2 gallons by volume per person, per day (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We also allow the collecting of shed deer antlers for personal use.
(5) We prohibit the harvest of wild rice; plant and animal specimens; and other natural objects, such as rocks, stones, or minerals. We only allow the collection of plants or their parts for ornamental use by permit issued by the refuge or district manager (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
(6) We prohibit the cutting, removal, or damage of any tree or vegetation on the refuge without a permit from the refuge or district manager. We prohibit attaching nails, screws, or other hardware to any tree (see §§ 27.51 and 32.42 of this chapter).
(7) We prohibit all vehicle use on or across refuge lands at any time except on designated routes of travel or on the ice over navigable waters accessed from boat landings. We prohibit parking beyond vehicle control barriers or on grass or other vegetation. We prohibit parking or operating vehicles in a manner that obstructs or impedes any road, trail, fire lane, boat ramp, access gate, or other facility, or in a manner that creates a safety hazard or endangers any person, property, or environmental feature. We may impound any vehicle left parked in violation at the owner's expense (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
(8) We allow dogs and other domestic animals on the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We prohibit dogs disturbing or endangering wildlife or people while on the refuge.
(ii) While on the refuge, all dogs must be under the control of their owners/handlers at all times or on a leash.
(iii) We prohibit allowing dogs to roam.
(iv) All dogs must be on a leash when on hiking trails, or other areas so posted.
(v) We allow working a dog in refuge waters by tossing a retrieval dummy or other object for out-and-back exercise.
(vi) We encourage the use of dogs for hunting (see § 32.42 of this chapter), but we prohibit field trials and commercial/professional dog training.
(vii) Owners/handlers of dogs are responsible for disposal of dog droppings in refuge public use concentration areas such as trails, sandbars, and boat landings.
(viii) We prohibit horses and all other domestic animals on the refuge unless confined in a vehicle, boat, trailer, kennel or other container (see § 26.21 of this chapter).
(9) We prohibit the carrying, possessing, or discharging of firearms (including dog training pistols and dummy launchers), air guns, or any other weapons on the refuge, unless you are a licensed hunter or trapper engaged in authorized activities during established seasons, in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations. We prohibit target practice on the refuge (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).
(10) We prohibit the use or possession of glass food and beverage containers on lands within the refuge.
(11) We require that you keep all refuge lands clean during your period of use or occupancy. At all times you must keep all refuse, trash, and litter contained in bags or other suitable containers and not left scattered on the ground or in the water. You must remove all personal property, refuse, trash, and litter immediately upon vacating a site. We require that human solid waste and associated material be either removed and properly disposed of off-refuge or be buried on site to a depth of 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) and at least 50 feet (15 m) from water's edge (see § 27.94 of this chapter).
(b)
(1) In areas posted and shown on maps as “Electric Motor Area,” we prohibit motorized vehicles and watercraft year-round except watercraft powered by electric motors or nonmotorized means. We do not prohibit the possession of other watercraft motors in these areas, only their use. These areas are named and located as follows:
(i) Island 42, Pool 5, Minnesota, 459 acres.
(ii) Snyder Lake, Pool 5A, Minnesota, 182 acres.
(iii) Mertes Slough, Pool 6, Wisconsin, 222 acres.
(iv) Browns Marsh, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 827 acres.
(v) Hoosier Lake, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 162 acres.
(2) In areas posted and shown on maps as “Slow No Wake Area,” we require watercraft to travel at slow, no-wake speed from March 16 through October 31. We apply the applicable State definition of slow, no-wake operation in these areas. We also prohibit the operation of airboats or hovercraft in these areas from March 16 through October 31. These areas are named and located as follows:
(i) Nelson-Trevino, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 2,626 acres (takes effect March 16, 2009).
(ii) Denzers Slough, Pool 5A, Minnesota, 83 acres.
(iii) Black River Bottoms, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 815 acres.
(iv) Blue/Target Lake, Pool 8, Minnesota, 1,834 acres.
(v) Root River, Pool 8, Minnesota, 695 acres.
(vi) Reno Bottoms, Pool 9, Minnesota, 2,536 acres.
(vii) Nine Mile Island, Pool 12, Iowa, 454 acres.
(viii) Princeton, Pool 14, Iowa, 327 acres.
(3) In water access and travel routes posted and shown on maps as “Slow No Wake Zone,” we require watercraft to travel at slow, no-wake speed at all times unless otherwise posted. We apply the respective State definition of slow, no-wake operation in these areas.
(4) In portions of Spring Lake and Crooked Slough—Lost Mound, Pool 13, Illinois, posted as “Slow, 5 mph When Boats Present” and marked on maps as “Speed/Distance Regulation,” we require watercraft operators to reduce the speed of their watercraft to less
(5) We prohibit the mooring, beaching, or storing of watercraft on the refuge without being used at least once every 24 hours. We define “being used” as a watercraft moved at least 100 feet (30 m) on the water with operator on board. We prohibit the mooring of watercraft within 200 feet (60 m) of refuge boat landings or ramps. We may impound any watercraft moored in violation at the owner's expense (see § 27.32 of this chapter).
(6) Conditions A1, A2, and A11 apply.
(c)
(1) We define camping as erecting a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material for use, parking of a motor vehicle or mooring or anchoring of a vessel, for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy, or, occupying or leaving personal property, including boats or other craft, at a site anytime between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
(2) We prohibit camping at any one site for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive-day period. After 14 days, you must move all persons, property, equipment, and boats to a new site located at least 0.5 mile (0.8 km) from the previous site.
(3) We prohibit camping within 200 feet (60 meters) of any refuge boat landing, access area, parking lot, structure, road, trail, or other recreation or management facility.
(4) We prohibit camping during waterfowl hunting seasons within areas posted “No Entry—Sanctuary,” “Area Closed,” “Area Closed—No Motors,” and “No Hunting Zone” or on any sites not clearly visible from the main commercial navigation channel of the Mississippi River (see § 32.42 of this chapter).
(5) You must occupy campsites daily. We prohibit the leaving of tents, camping equipment, or other property unattended at any site for over 24 hours, and we may impound any equipment left in violation at the owner's expense. We define occupy and attended as being present at a site for a minimum of 2 hours daily.
(6) You must remove any tables, fireplaces, or other facilities erected upon vacating a camping or day-use site.
(7) We allow campfires in conjunction with camping and day-use activities subject to the following conditions (see §§ 27.95 and 32.42 of this chapter):
(i) You may only use dead wood on the ground, or materials brought into the refuge such as charcoal or firewood. You must remove any unused firewood brought into the refuge upon departure due to the threat of invasive insects.
(ii) We prohibit building, attending, and maintaining a campfire without sufficient clearance from flammable materials so as to prevent its escape.
(iii) We prohibit building a fire at any developed facility including, but not limited to, boat landings, access areas, parking lots, roads, trails, or any other recreation or management facility or structure.
(iv) We prohibit burying live fires or hot coals when vacating a campfire site.
(v) We prohibit burning or attempting to burn any nonflammable materials or any materials that may produce toxic fumes or leave hazardous waste. These materials include, but are not limited to, metal cans, plastic containers, glass, fiberglass, treated wood products, wood containing nails or staples, wire, flotation materials, or other refuse.
(8) Conditions A4 through A11 apply.
(a)
(2) As provided for in Pub. L. 98-146, “Up to 15 additional permits shall be granted to those persons meeting any one of the following conditions:”
(i) A resident as of July 1, 1982, who held a valid Service access permit for improved property owners at any time during the period from July 29, 1976, through December 31, 1979.
(ii) Anyone in continuous residency since 1976, in the area bounded on the north by the refuge boundary, and on the south by a straight line passing through a point in the east-west prolongation of the centerline of Albacore Street, Whaleshead Club Subdivision, Currituck County, North Carolina.
(iii) Any permanent, full time resident as of April 1, 1983, residing in the area outlined in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section and not otherwise eligible, who can substantiate to the Secretary of the Interior that access is essential to their maintaining a livelihood; so long as they maintain full-time continuous employment in the Norfolk, Virginia, area may qualify for access.
(3) The burden of proving that the prospective permittee meets these criteria shall be on the applicant by presentation of adequate documentation to the refuge manager. Permittees may be required to submit additional documentation of their eligibility to the refuge manager in order to maintain access. Permits will be issued only to those who legally qualify for them.
(4) Only one permit will be issued per family. All permits issued will be terminated in the event that alternate access becomes available during the permit period.
(5) Permits are issued for the purpose of providing ingress and egress across the refuge beach to the permittee's residence. Personal access is limited to permittees, their families, relatives, and guests while being transported in the permittee's vehicle. “Personal access” means private, non-commercial use. Permits are not transferable by sale or devise.
(6) All vehicle occupants must provide positive identification upon the request of any refuge official.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(2) “Commercial service vehicle” means any vehicle owned or operated by or on behalf of an individual, partnership, or corporation that is properly licensed to engage entirely in the business of furnishing emergency repair services, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, and repairs to household appliances.
(3) Emergency situations. The refuge manager, upon reasonable notification, will be able to authorize essential service/emergency repair access, outside the prescribed time periods, for emergency situations should they arise.
(i)
(j)
(2) Other businesses who have verified that their business operations on the Outer Banks of Currituck County, North Carolina, have been dependent since 1972 on ingress and egress to or across the refuge will be granted permits for access in accordance with the limitations outlined in paragraph (j)(1) of this section.
(3) Each commercial fisherman or other business may be granted a maximum of five designated employees to travel the refuge beach for commercial fishing or other business-related purposes only. Commercial fishing employees may carry only other commercial fishing employees as passengers. Other business employees may carry only other employees of that business. The hauling of trailers associated with the conduct of commercial fishing or other business activities is authorized.
(4) Employees of commercial fishermen and/or other businesses who apply for access permits shall have the burden of proving, by the presentation of appropriate documentation to the refuge manager, that they are an “employee” for purposes of this section of the regulations. Appropriate documentation is defined as the submission
(k)
(2) The refuge manager may make exceptions to access restrictions, if they are compatible with refuge purposes, for qualified permittees who have demonstrated to the refuge manager a need for additional access relating to health or livelihood.
(3) The refuge manager may grant one-time use authorization for vehicular access through the refuge to individuals, not otherwise qualified above, who have demonstrated to the refuge manager that there is no feasible alternative to the access requested. Authorization for access under this provision will not be based on convenience to the applicant.
(4) Medical access waiver permits may be issued under the following conditions:
(i) The Regional Director may grant access to non-eligible permanent residents who can show proof that their physical health is such that life-threatening situations may result from more arduous travel conditions. The submission of substantiating medical records is required to be considered for a medical access waiver.
(ii) All medical access waiver permittees will be required to prove that their medical condition is or continues to be such that a life-threatening situation would result from more arduous travel conditions. Such proof shall be required prior to the issuance of an access permit, and at 3-year intervals thereafter.
(iii) A second medical opinion will be required by the Regional Director prior to the issuance or re-issuance of any such permit. This second opinion will be provided for at Service expense, by a government designated physician.
(iv) No additional medical access waiver permits will be issued after December 31, 1987.
(v) Previous holders of medical access waiver permits will retain access subject to paragraph (k)(4) (ii) and (iii) of this section.
(l)
(m)
(2) Vehicles shall be operated on the refuge beach only by the permittee or
(3) The refuge manager may prescribe restrictions as to the types of vehicles to be permitted to ensure public safety and adherence to all applicable rules and regulations.
(4) A magnetic card will be issued to each authorized driver only for his or her operation of the computer controlled gate. No more than two cards will be issued per family. Only one vehicle will be permitted to pass for each gate opening. Unauthorized use of the magnetic card may result in suspension of the permit. A fee will be charged to replace lost or misplaced cards. Malfunctioning cards will be replaced at no charge.
(5) Access is granted for the purpose of travel to and from the permittee's residence and/or place of business. Access is not authorized for the purpose of transporting individuals for hire, or for the transport of prospective real estate clients to or from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, or for any other purpose not covered in this rule.
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(2) Use by all groups exceeding 10 individuals will require a Special Use Permit, issued by the refuge manager.
(3) Registered motor vehicles and motorized bicycles (mopeds) are permitted on the paved refuge access road and parking lot at refuge headquarters. All other motorized vehicular use is prohibited, except as specifically authorized pursuant to this rule.
(4) The information collection requirement contained in this rule has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501,
Refer to § 26.34 Minnesota for regulations.
For
(a) There shall be no new private cabin site permits issued for national wildlife refuges. All appropriate provisions of 43 CFR part 21 apply to the phaseout of existing permits on national wildlife refuges.
(b) No new government owned cabin site permits for private recreational purposes shall be issued nor shall existing permits be renewed.
(a) Public meetings, assemblies, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of view may be permitted within a national wildlife refuge open to public use, provided a permit therefore has been issued by the refuge manager.
(b) Any application for such permit shall set forth the name of the applicant, the date, time, duration, nature and place of the proposed event, an estimate of the number of persons expected to attend, and a statement of equipment and facilities to be used in connection therewith.
(c) The refuge manager may issue a permit on proper application unless:
(1) A prior application for the same time and place has been made which has been or will be granted; or
(2) The activity will present a clear and present danger to public health or safety, or undue disturbance to the other users or resources of the area; or
(3) The activity is of such nature that it cannot be reasonably accommodated in the particular national wildlife refuge; or
(4) The activity conflicts with the purposes of the national wildlife refuge.
(d) The permit may contain such conditions as are reasonably consistent with protection and use of the national wildlife refuge for the purpose for which it is maintained. It may also contain reasonable limitations on the time and area within which the activity is permitted.
The Refuge Manager will not initiate or permit a new use of a national wildlife refuge or expand, renew, or extend an existing use of a national wildlife refuge, unless the Refuge Manager has determined that the use is a compatible use. This section provides guidelines for making compatibility determinations, and procedures for documenting compatibility determinations and for periodic review of compatibility determinations. We will usually complete compatibility determinations as part of the comprehensive conservation plan or step-down management plan process for individual uses, specific use programs, or groups of related uses described in the plan. We will make all compatibility determinations in writing.
(a)
(1) The proposed or existing use;
(2) The name of the national wildlife refuge;
(3) The authorities used to establish the national wildlife refuge;
(4) The purpose(s) of the national wildlife refuge;
(5) The National Wildlife Refuge System mission;
(6) The nature and extent of the use including the following:
(i) What is the use? Is the use a priority public use?;
(ii) Where would the use be conducted?;
(iii) When would the use be conducted?;
(iv) How would the use be conducted?; and
(v) Why is the use being proposed?.
(7) An analysis of costs for administering and managing each use;
(8) The anticipated impacts of the use on the national wildlife refuge's purposes and the National Wildlife Refuge System mission;
(9) The amount of opportunity for public review and comment provided;
(10) Whether the use is compatible or not compatible (does it or will it materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purpose(s) of the national wildlife refuge);
(11) Stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility;
(12) A logical explanation describing how the proposed use would, or would not, materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purpose(s) of the national wildlife refuge;
(13) The Refuge Manager's signature and date signed; and
(14) The Regional Chief's concurrence signature and date signed.
(15) The mandatory 10- or 15-year re-evaluation date.
(b)
(c)
(d)
Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended (16 U.S.C. 685); Sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651 (16 U.S.C. 725); Sec. 5, Stat. 449 (16 U.S.C. 690d); Sec. 10, 45 Stat. 1224 (16 U.S.C. 715i); Sec. 4, 48 Stat. 402, as amended (16 U.S.C. 664); Sec. 2, 48 Stat. 1270 (43 U.S.C. 315a); 49 Stat. 383 as amended; Sec. 4, 76 Stat. (16 U.S.C. 460k); Sec. 4, 80 Stat. 927 (16 U.S.C. 668dd) (5 U.S.C. 685, 752, 690d); 16 U.S.C. 715s).
41 FR 9168, Mar. 3, 1976, unless otherwise noted.
The regulations in this part 27 govern those acts by the public which are prohibited at all times except as permitted in this part, part 26, and part 25, subpart D—Permits.
No person shall take any animal or plant on any national wildlife refuge, except as authorized under 50 CFR 27.51 and parts 31, 32, and 33 of this subchapter C.
Travel in or use of any motorized or other vehicles, including those used on air, water, ice, snow, is prohibited on national wildlife refuges except on designated routes of travel, as indicated by the appropriate traffic control signs or signals and in designated areas posted or delineated on maps by the refuge manager and subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(a) Unless specifically covered by the general and special regulations set forth in this chapter, the laws and regulations of the State within whose exterior boundaries a national wildlife refuge or portion thereof is located shall govern traffic and the operation and use of vehicles. Such State laws and regulations which are now or may hereafter be in effect are hereby adopted and made a part of the regulations in this part.
(b) No operator of a vehicle shall be under the influence of intoxicating beverages or controlled substances.
(c) Driving or operating any vehicle carelessly or heedlessly, or in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of other persons, or without due care or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under prevailing conditions, having regard to traffic, weather, wildlife, road, and light conditions, and surface, width, and character of the travel way is prohibited. Every operator shall maintain such control of the vehicle as may be necessary to avoid danger to persons or property or wildlife.
(d) The vehicle speed limit shall not exceed 25 m.p.h. except as otherwise legally posted.
(e)(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all time be equipped with a muffler in good working order, and which cannot be removed or otherwise altered while the vehicle is being operated on a national wildlife refuge. To prevent excessive or unusual noise no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle. A vehicle that produces unusual or excessive noise or visible pollutants is prohibited.
(2) A refuge manager, by posting of appropriate signs or by marking on a map which shall be available at the refuge headquarters, may require that any motor vehicle operating in the designated area shall be equipped with a spark arrestor that meets Standard 5100-1a of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture which standard includes the requirements that such spark arrestor shall have an efficiency to retain or destroy at least 80 percent of carbon particles, for all flow rates, and that such spark arrestor has been warranted by its manufacturer as meeting the above mentioned efficiency requirement for at least 1,000 hours, subject to normal use, with maintenance and mounting in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
(f) The operation of a vehicle which does not bear valid license plates and is not properly certified, registered, or inspected in accordance with applicable State laws is prohibited.
(g) Driving or permitting another person to drive a vehicle without valid license is prohibited. A valid driver's or operator's license must be displayed upon the request of any authorized official.
(h) Stopping, parking or leaving any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon any road, trail, or fire lane so as to obstruct the free movement of other vehicles is prohibited, except in the event of accident or other
(i) All persons shall obey the lawful order or signal of any authorized official directing, controlling, or regulating the movement of traffic.
(j) Load, weight and width limitations, as may be necessary, shall be prescribed and the public advised under provisions of § 25.31. Such limitations must be complied with by the operators of all vehicles.
(k) A motor vehicle involved in an accident is not to be moved until an authorized official arrives at the scene of the accident, unless such vehicle constitutes a traffic or safety hazard.
(l) A motor vehicle shall not be operated at anytime without proper brakes and brake lights, or from sunset to sunrise without working headlights and taillights which comply with the regulations for operation on the roads of the State within whose boundaries the refuge is located.
(m) Such other requirements which are established under the provisions of this subchapter C.
(a) The use of boats in national wildlife refuges is prohibited except as may be authorized under and subject to the requirements set forth below.
(b) When the use of boats is permitted on any national wildlife refuge, the public will be notified under the provisions of this subchapter C and the following operational requirements and limitations will apply:
(1)(i) In addition to the regulations contained in this part, the U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, titles 33 and 46 CFR, are applicable on navigable waters of the United States.
(ii) Unless specifically covered by the general and special regulations set forth in this chapter, the laws and regulations of the State within whose exterior boundaries a national wildlife refuge or portion thereof is located shall govern boating and the operation and use of boats. Such laws and regulations which are now or may hereafter be in effect are hereby adopted and made a part of the regulations in this part.
(2) No operator or person in charge of any boat shall operate or knowingly permit any other person to operate a boat in a reckless or negligent manner, or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person, property or wildlife.
(3) No person shall operate or be in actual physical control of a boat while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or controlled substances.
(4) No person shall operate a boat in a manner which will unreasonably interfere with other boats or with free and proper navigation of the waterways of the areas. Anchoring in heavily traveled channels or main thoroughfares shall constitute such interference if unreasonable in the prevailing circumstances.
(5) No person shall operate a boat on refuge waters that has a marine head (toilet) unless it conforms to Environmental Protection Agency regulations regarding sewage discharge.
(6) Every sailboat when underway from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit a bright white light visible all around the horizon for a distance of two miles.
(7) Leaving any boat unattended, outside of designated mooring or beaching areas, for a period in excess of 72 hours without written permission of the refuge manager is prohibited and any boat so left may be impounded by the refuge manager.
(8) Government-owned docks, piers, and floats are not to be used for loading and unloading of boats, except in emergencies or unless specifically authorized by the refuge manager.
When water skiing is permitted upon national wildlife refuge waters, the public will be notified under the provisions of this subchapter C and the following requirements and limitations will apply:
(a) Water skiing is permitted only during daylight hours and during periods posted or otherwise designated under the provisions of this subchapter C.
(b) When a skier is in “tow” there must be two persons in the boat at all times, with one person not operating
(c) The direction of a tow boat when circling will be counter clockwise.
(d) Skiers must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved ski belts, life jackets or buoyant vests.
(e) Water skiing is prohibited within 300 feet of harbors, swimming beaches, and mooring areas, and within 100 feet of any designated swimming area.
The unauthorized operation of aircraft, including sail planes, and hang gliders, at altitudes resulting in harassment of wildlife, or the unauthorized landing or take-off on a national wildlife refuge, except in an emergency, is prohibited. National wildlife refuge boundaries are designated on up-date FAA aeronautical charts.
Carrying, possessing, or discharging firearms, fireworks, or explosives on national wildlife refuges is prohibited unless specifically authorized under the provisions of this subchapter C.
Only the following persons may possess, use, or transport firearms on national wildlife refuges in accordance with this section and applicable Federal and State law:
(a) Persons using firearms for public hunting under the provisions of 50 CFR part 32.
(b) Persons carrying unloaded firearms, that are dismantled or cased, in vehicles and boats over routes of travel designated under the provision of subchapter C.
(c) Persons authorized to use firearms for the taking of specimens of wildlife for scientific purposes.
(d) Persons authorized by special regulations or permits to possess or use firearms for the protection of property, for field trials, and other special purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Chapter, persons may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national wildlife refuge in accordance with the laws of the state in which the wildlife refuge, or that portion thereof, is located, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable Federal law.
The use or possession of cross bows, bows and arrows, air guns, spears, gigs, or other weapons on national wildlife refuges is prohibited except as may be authorized under the provision of this subchapter C.
(a) Disturbing, injuring, spearing, poisoning, destroying, collecting or attempting to disturb, injure, spear, poison, destroy or collect any plant or animal on any national wildlife refuge is prohibited except by special permit unless otherwise permitted under this subchapter C.
(b) [Reserved]
Plants and animals or their parts taken elsewhere shall not be introduced, liberated, or placed on any national wildlife refuge except as authorized.
The destruction, injury, defacement, disturbance, or the unauthorized removal of any public property including natural objects or private property on or from any national wildlife refuge is prohibited.
No person shall search for or remove from national wildlife refuges objects of antiquity except as may be authorized by 43 CFR part 3.
(a) No person shall search for buried treasure, treasure trove, valuable semi-precious rocks, stones, or mineral specimens on national wildlife refuges unless authorized by permit or by provision of this subchapter C.
(b) Permits are required for archeological studies on national wildlife refuges in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter C.
Prospecting, locating, or filing mining claims on national wildlife refuges is prohibited unless otherwise provided by law. See § 29.31 for provisions concerning mineral leasing.
Tampering with, entering, or starting any motor vehicle, boat, equipment or machinery or attempting to tamper with, enter, or start any motor vehicle, boat, equipment or machinery on any national wildlife refuge without proper authorization is prohibited.
The taking or filming of any motion or sound pictures on a national wildlife refuge for subsequent commercial use is prohibited except as may be authorized under the provisions of 43 CFR part 5.
The operation or use of audio devices including radios, recording and playback devices, loudspeakers, television sets, public address systems and musical instruments so as to cause unreasonable disturbance to others in the vicinity is prohibited.
No unauthorized person shall use or direct the rays of a spotlight or other artificial light, or automotive headlights for the purpose of spotting, locating, or taking any animal within the boundaries of any national wildlife refuge or along rights-of-way for public or private roads within a national wildlife refuge.
Entering or remaining in any national wildlife refuge when under the influence of alcohol, to a degree that may endanger oneself or other persons or property or unreasonably annoy persons in the vicinity, is prohibited.
(a) Definitions for the purpose of this section:
(1) The term
(2) The term
(3) The term
(b) Offenses. (1) The delivery of any controlled substance on a national wildlife refuge is prohibited, except that distributed by a practitioner in accordance with applicable law.
(2) The possession of a controlled substance on a national wildlife refuge is prohibited unless such substance was obtained by the possessor directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order, from a practitioner acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by applicable law.
(3) Presence in a national wildlife refuge when under the influence of a controlled substance to a degree that may
Any act of indecency or disorderly conduct as defined by State or local laws is prohibited on any national wildlife refuge.
Disturbing, molesting, or interfering with any employee of the United States or of any local or State government engaged in official business, or with any private person engaged in the pursuit of an authorized activity on any national wildlife refuge is prohibited.
Gambling in any form, or the operation of gambling devices, for money or otherwise, on any national wildlife refuge is prohibited.
Begging on any national wildlife refuge is prohibited. Soliciting of funds for the support or assistance of any cause or organization is also prohibited unless properly authorized.
The conducting or operation of field trials for dogs on national wildlife refuges is prohibited except as may be authorized by special permit.
No person shall without proper authority construct, install, occupy, or maintain any building, log boom, pier, dock, fence, wall, pile, anchorage, or other structure or obstruction in any national wildlife refuge.
Abandoning, discarding, or otherwise leaving any personal property in any national wildlife refuge is prohibited.
(a) The littering, disposing, or dumping in any manner of garbage, refuse sewage, sludge, earth, rocks, or other debris on any national wildlife refuge except at points or locations designated by the refuge manager, or the draining or dumping of oil, acids, pesticide wastes, poisons, or any other types of chemical wastes in, or otherwise polluting any waters, water holes, streams or other areas within any national wildlife refuge is prohibited.
(b) Persons using a national wildlife refuge shall comply with the sanitary requirements established under the provisions of this subchapter C for each individual refuge; the sanitation provisions which may be included in leases, agreements, or use permits, and all applicable Federal and State laws.
On all national wildlife refuges persons are prohibited from the following:
(a) Setting on fire or causing to be set on fire any timber, brush, grass, or other inflammable material including camp or cooking fires, except as authorized by the refuge manager or at locations designated for that purpose or as provided for under § 26.33(c) of this subchapter C.
(b) Leaving a fire unattended or not completely extinguished;
(c) Throwing a burning cigarette, match, or other lighted substance from any moving conveyance or throwing of same in any place where it may start a fire; and
(d) Smoking on any lands, including roads, or in any buildings which have been designated and/or posted with no smoking signs.
Except as may be authorized, posting, distributing, or otherwise displaying private or public notices, advertisements, announcements, or displays of any kind in any national wildlife refuge, other than business designations on private vehicles or boats is prohibited.
Soliciting business or conducting a commercial enterprise on any national
Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended (16 U.S.C. 685); sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651 (16 U.S.C. 725); sec. 5, 45 Stat. 449 (16 U.S.C. 690d); sec. 10, 45 Stat. 1224 (16 U.S.C. 715i); sec. 4, 48 Stat. 402, as amended (16 U.S.C. 664); sec. 2, 48 Stat. 1270 (43 U.S.C. 315a); sec. 4, 76 Stat. 654 (16 U.S.C. 460k); sec. 4, 80 Stat. 927 (16 U.S.C. 668dd) (5 U.S.C. 301).
41 FR 9171, Mar. 3, 1976, unless otherwise noted.
The regulations in this part govern the enforcement, penalty and procedural requirements for violations of parts 25, 26, and 27.
Refuge managers and other authorized personnel are authorized pursuant to authority delegated from the Secretary and which has been published in the
(a) Any person who violates any of the provisions, rules, regulations, posted signs, or special regulations of this subchapter C, or any items, conditions or restrictions in a permit, license, grant, privilege, or any other limitation established under the subchapter C shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this section.
(b) Failure of any person, utilizing the resources of any national wildlife refuge or enjoying any privilege of use thereon for any purpose whatsoever, to comply with any of the provisions, conditions, restrictions, or requirements of this subchapter C or to comply with any applicable provisions of Federal or State law may render such person liable to:
(1) The penalties as prescribed by law. (Sec. 4, 76 Stat. 654, 16 U.S.C. 460k-3; Sec. 4, 80 Stat. 927, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 668dd(e); Sec. 7, 60 Stat. 1080, 16 U.S.C. 666a; Sec. 6, 40 Stat. 756, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 707; Sec. 7, 48 Stat. 452, 16 U.S.C. 718g; Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended, 18 U.S.C. 41.)
(2) [Reserved]
(a) Any person violating sections 1855-1856 of the Criminal Code (18 U.S.C. 1855-1856) as they pertain to fires on national wildlife refuge lands of the United States shall be subject to civil action and to the penalty provisions of the law.
(b) Any person violating sections 1852-1853 of the Criminal Code (18 U.S.C. 1852-1853) as they pertain to timber on national wildlife refuge lands of the United States shall be subject to civil action and to the penalty provisions of the law.
Any property abandoned or left unattended without authority on any national wildlife refuge for a period in excess of 72 hours is subject to removal. The expense of the removal shall be borne by the person owning or claiming ownership of the property. Such property is subject to sale or other disposal after 3 months, in accordance with section 203m of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1959, as amended (40 U.S.C. 484m), and regulations issued thereunder. Former owners may apply within 3 years for reimbursement for such property, subject to disposal and storage costs and similar expenses, upon sufficient proof of ownership.
(a) Any animal trespassing on the lands of any national wildlife refuge may be impounded and disposed of in accordance with State statutes insofar as they may be applicable. In the absence of such State statutes, the animals shall be disposed of in accordance with this section.
(b) If the owner is known, prompt written notice of the impounding will be served in person with written receipt obtained or delivery by certified mail with return receipt requested. In the event of his failure to remove the impounded animal within five (5) days from receipt of such notice, it will be sold or otherwise disposed of as prescribed in this section.
(c) If the owner is unknown, no disposition of the animal shall be made until at least fifteen (15) days have elapsed from the date of a legal notice of the impounding has been posted at the county courthouse and 15 days after the second notice published in a newspaper in general circulation in the county in which the trespass took place.
(d) The notice shall state when and where the animal was impounded and shall describe it by brand or earmark or distinguishing marks or by other reasonable identification. The notice shall specify the time and place the animal will be offered at public sale to the highest bidder, in the event it is not claimed or redeemed. The notice shall reserve the right of the official conducting the sale to reject any and all bids so received.
(e) Prior to such sale, the owner may redeem the animal by submitting proof of ownership and paying all expenses of the United States for, capturing, impounding, advertising, care, forage, and damage claims.
(f) If an animal impounded under this section is offered at public sale and no bid is received or if the highest bid received is an amount less than the claim of the United States, the animal may be sold at private sale for the highest amount obtainable, or be condemned and destroyed or converted to the use of the United States. Upon the sale of any animal in accordance with this section, the buyer shall be issued a certificate of sale.
(g) In determining the claim of the Federal Government in all livestock trespass cases on national wildlife refuges, the value of forage consumed shall be computed at the commercial unit rate prevailing in the locality for that class of livestock. In addition, the claim shall include damages to national wildlife refuge property injured or destroyed, and all the related expenses incurred in the impounding, caring for and disposing of the animal. The salary of Service employees for the time spent in and about the investigations, reports, and settlement or prosecution of the case shall be prorated in computing the expense. Payment of claims due the United States shall be made by certified check or postal money order payable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Dogs and cats running at large on a national wildlife refuge and observed by an authorized official in the act of killing, injuring, harassing or molesting humans or wildlife may be disposed of in the interest of public safety and protection of the wildlife.
Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended, sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651, secs. 5, 10, 45 Stat. 449, 1224, secs. 4, 2, 48 Stat. 402, as amended, 1270, sec. 4, 76 Stat. 645; 5 U.S.C. 301, 16 U.S.C. 668dd, 685, 725, 690d, 715i, 664, 43 U.S.C. 315a, 16 U.S.C. 460k; 80 Stat. 926.
31 FR 16026, Dec. 15, 1966, unless otherwise noted.
We may only authorize public or private economic use of the natural resources of any national wildlife refuge, in accordance with 16 U.S.C. 715s, where we determine that the use contributes to the achievement of the national wildlife refuge purposes or the National Wildlife Refuge System mission. We may authorize economic use by appropriate permit only when we have determined the use on a national wildlife refuge to be compatible. Persons exercising economic privileges on national wildlife refuges will be subject to the applicable provisions of this subchapter and of other applicable laws and regulations governing national wildlife refuges. Permits for economic use will contain such terms and conditions that we determine to be necessary for the proper administration of the resources. Economic use in this section includes but is not limited to grazing livestock, harvesting hay and stock feed, removing timber, firewood or other natural products of the soil, removing shell, sand or gravel, cultivating areas, or engaging in operations that facilitate approved programs on national wildlife refuges.
Cooperative agreements with persons for crop cultivation, haying, grazing, or the harvest of vegetative products, including plantlife, growing with or without cultivation on wildlife refuge areas may be executed on a share-in-kind basis when such agreements are in aid of or benefit to the wildlife management of the area.
Fees and charges for the grant of privileges on wildlife refuge areas and for the sale of products taken therefrom, where not otherwise prescribed by law or regulation, shall be set at a rate commensurate with fees and charges for similar privileges and products made by private land owners in the vicinity or in accordance with their local value. Fees or rates of charge for products and privileges may be based either on a monetary exchange or on a share in kind of the resource or product.
The regulations in this subpart prescribe the procedures for filing applications and the terms and conditions under which rights-of-way over and across the lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be granted.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
(2)(i) All applications filed pursuant to this subpart in the name of individuals, corporations, or associations must be accompanied by a nonreturnable application fee. No application fee will be required of (A) State of local governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof except as to rights-of-way, easements or permits under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by Pub. L. 93-153, or (B) Federal Government agencies.
(ii) Application fees will be in accordance with the following schedule:
(A) For linear facilities (e.g., powerlines, pipelines, roads, etc.).
(B) For nonlinear facilities, $250 for each 40 acres or fraction thereof.
(C) Where an application includes both linear and nonlinear facilities, payment will be the aggregate of amounts under paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section.
(D) When an application is received, the Regional Director will estimate the costs expected to be incurred in processing the application. If the estimated costs exceed the payments under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) (A), (B), or (C) of this section by an amount greater than the cost of maintaining actual cost records, the Regional Director shall require the applicant to make periodic payments in advance of the incurrence of such costs by the United States except for the last payment which will reflect final reimbursement for actual costs of the United States in processing the application. Overpayments may be refunded or adjusted by the Regional Director as appropriate.
(E) The Regional Director shall, on request by an applicant or prospective applicant, give an estimate based on the best available cost information, of the costs which would be incurred by the United States in processing an application. However, reimbursement will not be limited to the estimate of the Regional Director if the actual costs exceed the estimate. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult with the Regional Director in advance of filing an application in regard to probable costs and other requirements.
(3)(i) By accepting an easement or permit under this subpart, the holder agrees to reimburse the United States for reasonable costs incurred by the Fish and Wildlife Service in monitoring the construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of facillities within or adjacent to the easement or permit area. No reimbursement of monitoring costs will be required of (A) State or local governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof except as to right-of-way, easements, or permits granted under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 as amended by Pub. L. 93-153, or (B) Federal Government agencies.
(ii) Within 60 days of the issuance of an easement or permit the holder must submit a nonreturnable payment in accordance with the following:
(A) For linear facilities e.g., powerlines, pipelines, roads, etc.).
(B) For nonlinear facilities, $100 for each 40 acres or fraction thereof.
(C) Where an easement or permit includes both linear and nonlinear facilities, payment will be the aggregate amounts under paragraph (a)(3)(2)(ii) (A) and (B) of this section.
(D) When an easement or permit is granted the Regional Director shall estimate the costs, based on the best available cost information, expected to be incurred by the United States in monitoring holder activity. If the estimated costs exceed the payments under paragraph (a)(3)(2) (ii), (A), (B), or (C) of this section by an amount which is
(E) Following the termination of an easement or permit, the former holder will be required to pay additional amounts to the extent the actual costs to the United States have exceeded the payments required by paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(A), (B), and (C) of this section.
(4) All applications filed pursuant to this subpart must include a detailed environmental analysis which shall include information concerning the impact of the proposed use of the environment including the impact on air and water quality; scenic and esthetic features; historic, architectural, archeological, and cultural features; wildlife, fish and marine life, etc. The analysis shall include sufficient data so as to enable the Service to prepare an environmental assessment and/or impact statement in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
(b)
(c)
(2) For the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas:
(3) For the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin:
(4) For the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands:
(5) For the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia:
(6) For the States of Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming:
(7) For the State of Alaska:
(a) Where the land administered by the Secretary is owned in fee by the United States and the right-of-way is compatible with the objectives of the area, permit or easement may be approved and granted by the Regional Director. Generally an easement or permit will be issued for a term of 50 years or so long as it is used for the purpose granted, or for a lesser term when considered appropriate. For rights-of-way granted under authority of section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, for pipelines for the transportation of oil, natural gas, synthetic liquid or gaseous fuels, or any refined product produced therefrom, the grant may be for a term not to exceed 30 years and the right-of-way may not exceed 50 feet, plus the area occupied by the pipeline and its related facilities unless the Regional Director finds, and records the reasons for his finding, that, in his judgment, a wider right-of-way is necessary for operation and maintenance after construction, or to protect the environment or public safety. Related facilities include but are not limited to valves, pump stations, supporting structures, bridges, monitoring and communication devices, surge and storage tanks, terminals, etc. However, a temporary permit supplementing a right-of-way may be granted for additional land needed during construction, operation, maintenance, or termination of the pipeline, or to protect the natural environment or public safety.
(b) Unless otherwise provided, no interest granted shall give the grantee any right whatever to remove any material, earth, or stone for construction or other purpose, except that stone or earth necessarily removed from the right-of-way in the construction of a project may be used elsewhere along the same right-of-way in the construction of the same project.
(a) Any right-of-way easement or permit granted will be subject to outstanding rights, if any, in third parties.
(b) An applicant, by accepting an easement or permit agrees to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Regional Director in the granting document. Such terms and conditions shall include the following, unless waived in part by the Regional Director, and may include additional special stipulations at his discretion. See § 29.21-8 for special requirements for electric powerlines and § 29.21-9 for special requirements for oil and gas pipelines.
(1) To comply with State and Federal laws applicable to the project within which the easement or permit is granted, and to the lands which are included in the right-of-way, and lawful existing regulations thereunder.
(2) To clear and keep clear the lands within the easement or permit area to the extent and in the manner directed by the project manager in charge; and to dispose of all vegetative and other material cut, uprooted, or otherwise accumulated during the construction and maintenance of the project in such a manner as to decrease the fire hazard and also in accordance with such instructions as the project manager may specify.
(3) To prevent the disturbance or removal of any public land survey monument or project boundary monument unless and until the applicant has requested and received from the Regional Director approval of measures the applicant will take to perpetuate the location of aforesaid monument.
(4) To take such soil and resource conservation and protection measures, including weed control on the land covered by the easement or permit as the project manager in charge may request.
(5) To do everything reasonably within his power, both independently and on request of any duly authorized representative of the United States, to prevent and suppress fires on or near, lands to be occupied under the easement or permit area, including making available such construction and maintenance forces as may be reasonably
(6) To rebuild and repair such roads, fences, structures, and trails as may be destroyed or injured by construction work and upon request by the Regional Director, to build and maintain necessary and suitable crossings for all roads and trails that intersect the works constructed, maintained, or operated under the right-of-way.
(7) To pay the United States the full value for all damages to the lands or other property of the United States caused by him or by his employees, contractors, or employees of the contractors, and to indemnify the United States against any liability for damages to life, person or property arising from the occupancy or use of the lands under the easement or permit, except where the easement or permit is granted hereunder to a State or other governmental agency which has no legal power to assume such a liability with respect to damages caused by it to lands or property, such agency in lieu thereof agrees to repair all such damages. Where the easement of permit involves lands which are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States, the holder or his employees, contractors, or agents of the contractors, shall be liable to third parties for injuries incurred in connection with the easement or permit area. Grants of easements or permits involving special hazards will impose liability without fault for injury and damage to the land and property of the United States up to a specified maximum limit commensurate with the foreseeable risks or hazards presented. The amount of no-fault liability for each occurrence is hereby limited to no more than $1,000,000.
(8) To notify promptly the project manager in charge of the amount of merchantable timber, if any, which will be cut, removed, or destroyed in the construction and maintenance of the project, and to pay the United States in advance of construction such sum of money as the project manager may determine to be the full stumpage value of the timber to be so cut, removed, or destroyed.
(9) That all or any part of the easement or permit granted may be terminated by the Regional Director, for failure to comply with any or all of the terms or conditions of the grant, or for abandonment. A rebuttable presumption of abandonment is raised by deliberate failure of the holder to use for any continuous 2-year period the easement or permit for the purpose for which it was granted or renewed. In the event of noncompliance of abandonment, the Regional Director will notify in writing the holder of the easement or permit of his intention to suspend or terminate such grant 60 days from the date of the notice, stating the reasons therefor, unless prior to that time the holder completes such corrective actions as are specified in the notice. The Regional Director may grant an extension of time within which to complete corrective actions when, in his judgment, extenuating circumstances not within the holder's control such as adverse weather conditions, disturbance to wildlife during breeding periods or periods of peak concentration, or other compelling reasons warrant. Should the holder of a right-of-way issued under authority of the Mineral Leasing Act, as amended, fail to take corrective action within the 60-day period, the Regional Director will provide for an administrative proceeding pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 554, prior to a final Departmental decision to suspend or terminate the easement or permit. In the case of all other right-of-way holders, failure to take corrective action within the 60-day period will result in a determination by the Regional Director to suspend or terminate the easement or permit. No administrative proceeding shall be required where the easement or permit terminates under its terms.
(10) To restore the land to its original condition to the satisfaction of the Regional Director so far as it is reasonably possible to do so upon revocation and/or termination of the easement or permit, unless this requirement is waived in writing by the Regional Director. Termination also includes permits or easements that terminate under the terms of the grant.
(11) To keep the project manager informed at all times of his address, and, in case of corporations, of the address of its principal place of business and the names and addresses of its principal officers.
(12) That in the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project, he shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, or national origin and shall require an identical provision to be included in all subcontracts.
(13) That the grant of the easement or permit shall be subject to the express condition that the exercise thereof will not unduly interfere with the management, administration, or disposal by the United States of the land affected thereby. The applicant agrees and consents to the occupancy and use by the United States, its grantees, permittees, or lessees of any part of the easement of permit area not actually occupied for the purpose of the granted rights to the extent that it does not interfere with the full and safe utilization thereof by the holder. The holder of an easement or permit also agrees that authorized representatives of the United States shall have the right of access to the easement or permit area for the purpose of making inspections and monitoring the construction, operation and maintenance of facilities.
(14) That the easement or permit herein granted shall be subject to the express covenant that any facility constructed thereon will be modified or adapted, if such is found by the Regional Director to be necessary, without liability or expense to the United States, so that such facility will not conflict with the use and occupancy of the land for any authorized works which may hereafter be constructed thereon under the authority of the United States. Any such modification will be planned and scheduled so as not to interfere unduly with or to have minimal effect upon continuity of energy and delivery requirements.
(15) That the easement or permit herein granted shall be for the specific use described and may not be construed to include the further right to authorize any other use within the easement or permit area unless approved in writing by the Regional Director.
(a) If construction is not commenced within two (2) years after date of right-of-way grant, the right-of-way may be canceled by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at his discretion.
(b) Proof of construction: Upon completion of construction, the applicant shall file a certification of completion with the Regional Director.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a) Payment for use and occupancy of lands under the regulations of this subpart will be required and will be for fair market value as determined by appraisal by the Regional Director. At the discretion of the Regional Director, the payment may be a lump sum payment or an annual fair market rental payment, to be made in advance. If any Federal, State or local agency is exempted from such payment by and any other provision of Federal law, such agency shall otherwise compensate the Service by any other means agreeable to the Regional Director, including, but not limited to, making other land available or the loan of equipment or personnel, except that any such compensation shall relate to, and be consistent with the objectives of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Regional Director may waive such requirement for compensation if he finds such requirement impracticable or unnecessary.
(b) When annual rental payments are used, such rates shall be reviewed by the Regional Director at any time not less than 5 years after the grant of the permit, right-of-way, or easement or the last revision of charges thereunder, The Regional Director will furnish a notice in writing to the holder of an easement or permit of intent to impose new charges to reflect fair market value commencing with the ensuing charge year. The revised charges will be effective unless the holder files an appeal in accordance with § 29.22.
By accepting a right-of-way for a power transmission line, the applicant thereby agrees and consents to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions, except those which the Secretary may waive in a particular case, in addition to those specified in § 29.21-4(b).
(a) To protect in a workmanlike manner, at crossings and at places in proximity to his transmission lines on the right-of-way authorized, in accordance with the rules prescribed in the National Electric Safety Code, all Government and other telephone, telegraph and power transmission lines from contact and all highways and railroads from obstruction and to maintain his transmission lines in such manner as not to menace life or property.
(b) Neither the privilege nor the right to occupy or use the lands for the purpose authorized shall relieve him of any legal liability for causing inductive or conductive interference between any project transmission line or other project works constructed, operated, or maintained by him on the servient lands, and any radio installation, telephone line, or other communication facilities now or hereafter constructed and operated by the United States or any agency thereof.
(a)
When the right-of-way or proposed facility will occupy Federal land under the control of more than one Federal Agency and/or more than one bureau or office of the Department of the Interior, a single application shall be filed with the appropriate State Director of the Bureau of Land Management in accordance with regulations in 43 CFR part 2800.
Any portion of the facility occupying land of the National Wildlife Refuge System will be subject to the provisions of these regulations.
(b)
(1)
(2)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(2)(i) The owners or operators of pipelines subject to this subpart shall accept, convey, transport, or purchase without discrimination all oil or gas delivered to the pipeline without regard to whether such oil or gas was produced on Federal or non-Federal lands.
(ii) In the case of oil or gas produced from Federal lands or from the resources on the Federal lands in the vicinity of the pipelines, the Secretary may, after a full hearing with due notice thereof to the interested parties and a proper finding of facts, determine the proportionate amounts to be accepted, conveyed, transported or purchased.
(3)(i) The common carrier provisions of this section shall not apply to any natural gas pipeline operated by any person subject to regulation under the Natural Gas Act or by any public utility subject to regulation by a State or municipal regulatory agency having jurisdiction to regulate the rates and charges for the sale of natural gas to consumers within the State or municipality.
(ii) Where natural gas not subject to state regulatory or conservation laws governing its purchase by pipelines is offered for sale, each such pipeline shall purchase, without discrimination, any such natural gas produced in the vicinity of the pipeline.
(4) The Regional Director shall require, prior to granting or renewing a right-of-way, that the applicant submit and disclose all plans, contracts, agreements, or other information or material which he deems necessary to determine whether a right-of-way shall be granted or renewed and the terms and conditions which should be included in the right-of-way. Such information may include, but is not limited to: (i) Conditions for, and agreements among owners or operators, regarding the addition of pumping facilities, looping, or otherwise increasing the pipeline or terminal's throughput capacity in response to actual or anticipated increases in demand; (ii) conditions for adding or abandoning intake, offtake, or storage points or facilities; and (iii) minimum shipment or purchase tenders.
(k)
(l)
(m)
An appeal may be taken from any final disposition of the Regional Director to the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and, except in the case of a denial of a right-of-way application, from the latter's decision to the Secretary of the Interior. Appeals to the Secretary shall be taken pursuant to 43 CFR part 4, subpart G.
Where mineral rights to lands in wildlife refuge areas are vested in the United States, the provisions of 43 CFR 3101.3-3, 3109.4, 3201.1-6 and 3501.2-2 govern.
Persons holding mineral rights in wildlife refuge lands by reservation in the conveyance to the United States and persons holding mineral rights in such lands which rights vested prior to the acquisition of the lands by the United States shall, to the greatest extent practicable, conduct all exploration, development, and production operations in such a manner as to prevent damage, erosion, pollution, or contamination to the lands, waters, facilities and vegetation of the area. So far as is practicable, such operations must also be conducted without interference with the operation of the refuge or disturbance to the wildlife thereon. Physical occupancy of the area must be kept to the minimum space compatible with the conduct of efficient mineral operations. Persons conducting mineral operations on refuge areas must comply with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations for the protection of wildlife and the administration of the area. Oil field brine, slag, and all other waste and contaminating substances must be kept in the smallest practicable area, must be confined so as to prevent escape as a result of rains and high water or otherwise, and must be removed from the area as quickly as practicable in such a manner as to prevent contamination, pollution, damage, or injury to the lands, waters, facilities, or vegetation of the refuge or to wildlife. Structures and equipment must be removed from the area when the need for them has ended. Upon the cessation of operations the area shall be restored as nearly as possible to its condition prior to the commencement of operations. Nothing in this section shall be applied so as to contravene or nullify rights vested in holders of mineral interests on refuge lands.
5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 668dd, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 715i, as amended; 41 CFR 101-44.
Range animals on fenced wildlife refuge areas, including buffalo and longhorn cattle, determined to be surplus to the needs of the conservation program may be planned and scheduled for disposal.
Disposition shall be made only during regularly scheduled disposal program periods, except in the event of exigent circumstances affecting the animals, their range, or the recipient. The Refuge Manager is responsible for determining the existence of “exigent circumstances.” Surplus range animals may be disposed of, subject to State and Federal health laws and regulations, by donation for specific purposes to public agencies, public institutions, other governments or charitable institutions, or sold on the open market.
(a) Feral animals, including horses, burros, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, reindeer, dogs, and cats, without ownership that have reverted to the wild from a domestic state may be taken by authorized Federal or State personnel or by private persons operating under permit in accordance with applicable provisions of Federal or State law or regulation.
(b) [Reserved]
Feral animals taken on wildlife refuge areas may be disposed of by sale on the open market, gift or loan to public or private institutions for specific purposes, and as otherwise provided in section 401 of the act of June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 383, 16 U.S.C. 715s).
Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended, sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651, secs. 5, 10, 45 Stat. 449, 1224, secs. 4, 2, 48 Stat. 402, as amended, 451, as amended, 1270, sec. 4, 76 Stat. 654; 5 U.S.C. 301, 16 U.S.C. 685, 725, 690d, 715i, 664, 718(b), 43 U.S.C. 315a, 16 U.S.C. 460k; sec. 2, 80 Stat. 926; 16 U.S.C. 668bb.
31 FR 16027, Dec. 15, 1966, unless otherwise noted.
The populations and requirements of wildlife species on wildlife refuge areas shall be determined by population census, habitat evaluation, and other means of ecological study.
Upon a determination that wildlife are surplus to a balanced conservation program on any wildlife refuge area, the surplus may be reduced or utilized in accordance with Federal and State law and regulation by:
(a) Donation or loan to public agencies and institutions.
(b) Sale to public or private agencies and institutions.
(c) Commercial harvest of fishery resources.
(d) Official wildlife control operations.
(e) Public hunting or fishing.
(f) Trapping.
Wildlife specimens may be donated or loaned to public institutions for specific purposes. Donation or loans of resident species of wildlife will not be
Surplus wildlife specimens may be sold alive or butchered, dressed and processed subject to Federal and State laws and regulations and the provisions of this part.
Refuge managers may allow commercial harvest of fishery resources by issuance of a permit or by refuge-specific regulation in compliance with applicable State and Federal laws when compatible and in compliance with § 29.1 of this subchapter C.
(a) Animal species which are surplus or detrimental to the management program of a wildlife refuge area may be taken in accordance with Federal and State laws and regulations by Federal or State personnel or by permit issued to private individuals.
(b) Animal species which are damaging or destroying Federal property within a wildlife refuge area may be taken or destroyed by Federal personnel.
The privilege of hunting and fishing may be extended to the general public under the provisions of regulations cited in parts 32 and 33 of this subchapter.
Except as hereafter noted, persons trapping animals on wildlife refuge areas where trapping has been authorized shall secure and comply with the provisions of a Federal permit issued for that purpose. This permit shall specify the terms and conditions of trapping activity and the rates of charge or division of pelts, hides, and carcasses. Lands acquired as “waterfowl production areas” shall be open to public trapping without Federal permit provided that trapping on all or part of individual areas may be temporarily suspended by posting upon occasions of unusual or critical conditions affecting land, water, vegetation, or wildlife populations. Each person trapping on any wildlife refuge area shall possess the required State license or permit and shall comply with the provisions of State laws and regulations.
The disposition of animals and the pelts or carcasses thereof accruing to the United States through the trapping programs shall be sold by public auction or on the open market unless required for official purposes.
5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd-668ee, and 715i.
58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, unless otherwise noted.
The opening of a wildlife refuge area to hunting will be dependent upon the provisions of law applicable to the area and upon a determination by the Secretary that the opening of the area to the hunting of migratory game birds, upland game, or big game will be compatible with the principles of sound wildlife management and will otherwise be in the public interest. The opening or closing of wildlife refuge areas to hunting shall be in accordance with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553). Lands acquired pursuant to the Act of May 18, 1948 (62 Stat. 238, 16 U.S.C. 695) will be opened to hunting only after it has been determined that the major portion of the crops in the vicinity of the area involved have been harvested, that the period of susceptibility of such crops to wildfowl depredation has passed, or that the possibility of these crops being damaged by waterfowl is minor. Lands acquired as “waterfowl production areas” shall annually be open to the hunting of migratory game birds, upland game, and big game subject to the provisions of State law and regulations and the pertinent provisions of parts 25 through 31 of this subchapter:
The following provisions shall apply to each person while engaged in public hunting on areas of the National Wildlife Refuge System:
(a) Each person shall secure and possess the required State license.
(b) Each person 16 years of age and older shall secure and possess a Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp while hunting migratory waterfowl.
(c) Each person shall comply with the applicable provisions of Federal law and regulations including this subchapter and the current Federal Migratory Bird Regulations.
(d) Each person shall comply with the applicable provisions of the laws and regulations of the State wherein any area is located unless further restricted by Federal law or regulation.
(e) Each person shall comply with the terms and conditions authorizing access or use of wildlife refuges, including the terms and conditions under which hunting permits are issued.
(f) Each person must comply with the provisions of any refuge-specific regulations governing hunting on the wildlife refuge area. Regulations, special conditions, and maps of the hunting areas for a particular wildlife refuge are available at that area's headquarters. In addition, refuge-specific
(g) The use of any drug on any arrow for bow hunting on national wildlife refuges is prohibited. Archers may not have arrows employing such drugs in their possession on any national wildlife refuge.
(h) The unauthorized distribution of bait and the hunting over bait is prohibited on wildlife refuge areas. (Baiting is authorized in accordance with State regulations on national wildlife refuges in Alaska).
(i) The use of nails, wire, screws or bolts to attach a stand to a tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter is prohibited on wildlife refuge areas.
(j) The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited.
(k) You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field, which we identify in 50 CFR 20.21(j), while on Waterfowl Production Areas, or on certain other areas of the National Wildlife Refuge System as delineated on maps, leaflets and/or signs, available at each refuge headquarters or posted at each refuge, or as stated in refuge-specific regulations. Where we allow turkey and deer hunting, you may use slugs and shot containing lead to hunt these species unless prohibited by refuge-specific regulations and/or State law.
(l) The refuge-specific regulations (§ 32.20 through § 32.72) may include the items discussed in § 32.3(b). Refuge permits and brochures should also include those items and any special conditions allowed by paragraph (f) of this section.
(a) Refuge-specific hunting regulations are issued only at the time of or after the determination and publication of the opening of a wildlife refuge area to migratory game bird, upland game or big game hunting.
(b) Refuge-specific hunting regulations may contain the following items:
(1) Wildlife species that may be hunted;
(2) Seasons;
(3) Bag limits;
(4) Methods of hunting;
(5) Description of areas open to hunting; or
(6) Other provisions as required.
(c) Refuge-specific hunting regulations will not liberalize existing State laws or regulations.
(d) Refuge-specific hunting regulations are subject to change and the public is invited to submit suggestions and comments for consideration at any time.
(e) We initially publish refuge-specific hunting regulations in the daily issue of the
(f) Refuge-specific hunting regulations may be amended or new conditions imposed at any time during the hunting season when unpredictable changes occur in wildlife populations, habitat conditions or in other factors affecting a refuge's wildlife resources. Changes in refuge-specific hunting regulations made under the conditions noted in this paragraph (f) can be in force only for the one season to which the changes apply.
Wildlife refuge areas may be opened to sport fishing only after a determination is made that this activity is compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established. In addition, the sport fishing program must be consistent with principles of sound fishery management and otherwise be in the public interest. The opening or closing of wildlife refuge areas to fishing is subject to the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure
The following provisions shall apply to each person while engaged in public sport fishing on a wildlife refuge area:
(a) Each person shall secure and possess the required State license.
(b) Each person shall comply with the applicable provisions of Federal law and regulation including this subchapter.
(c) Each person shall comply with the applicable provisions of the laws and regulations of the State wherein any area is located unless the same are further restricted by Federal law or regulation.
(d) Each person shall comply with the terms and conditions authorizing access and use of the wildlife refuge area.
(e) Each person must comply with the provisions of any refuge-specific regulation governing fishing on the wildlife refuge area. Regulations, special conditions, and maps of the fishing areas for a particular wildlife refuge are available at that area's headquarters. In addition, refuge-specific sport fishing regulations appear in §§ 32.20 through 32.72.
(a) Refuge-specific fishing regulations are issued only at the time of or after the opening of a wildlife refuge area to sport fishing.
(b) Refuge-specific fishing regulations may contain the following items:
(1) Fish species that may be taken;
(2) Seasons;
(3) Creel limits;
(4) Methods of fishing;
(5) Description of areas open to fishing; or
(6) Other provisions as required.
(c) Refuge-specific fishing regulations will not liberalize existing State laws or regulations.
(d) Refuge-specific fishing regulations are subject to change and the public is invited to submit suggestions and comments for consideration at any time.
(e) We initially publish refuge-specific sport fishing regulations in the daily issue of the
(f) Refuge-specific fishing regulations may be amended as needed when unpredictable changes occur in fish and wildlife populations, habitat conditions or in other factors affecting a refuge's fish and wildlife resources.
Refuge units open to hunting and/or sport fishing in accordance with the provisions of subpart A of this part and §§ 32.20-32.72, inclusive, are as follows:
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. Fishing is permitted only from sunrise to sunset.
2. Only nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted on Gator and Little Gator Lakes.
1. You must possess and carry a signed hunt permit when hunting.
2. We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 m) of River Road.
3. We prohibit ATVs, mules, and horses on the refuge.
4. We allow the use of dogs to hunt upland game, but the dogs must be under the immediate control of the handler at all times and not allowed to run free (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. We allow shotguns with #4 shot or smaller, rifles firing .22 caliber rimfire ammunition, or archery equipment.
6. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a valid hunting license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than two youths.
7. We prohibit marking trees and the use of flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other similar marking devices (see § 32.2(i)).
1. You must possess and carry a signed hunt permit when hunting.
2. We prohibit the use of firearms for hunting deer on the refuge. However, you may archery hunt in the portions of the refuge that are open for deer hunting during the archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader seasons established by the State.
3. We prohibit damaging trees or hunting from a tree that contains an inserted metal object (see § 27.51 of this chapter). Hunters must remove stands from trees after each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We require tree stand users to use a safety belt or harness.
5. We prohibit the use of dogs for hunting or pursuit of big game.
6. Conditions B2, B3, and B7 apply.
7. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a valid hunting license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than one youth.
8. We prohibit participation in organized drives.
1. We prohibit the taking of frog or turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. Condition B3 applies.
1. We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 m) of the fenced-in Work Center Area or the refuge boat ramp.
2. Access to the Middle Swamp is by boat only. We prohibit access to the refuge from private land.
3. We prohibit marking trees and use of flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other similar marking devices.
4. You may take incidental species as listed in the refuge hunt permit during any fall hunt with those weapons legal during those hunts.
5. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit when hunting.
6. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
7. We prohibit the mooring and storing of boats from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
8. We require hunters to check all harvested game at the conclusion of each day at one of the refuge check-out stations.
9. You may only use approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) #4 or smaller, .22 caliber rimfire, or legal archery equipment.
10. We allow you to use dogs during the hunt, but the dogs must be under the immediate control of the handler at all times and not allowed to roam free (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). We prohibit dogs in the Middle Swamp area of the refuge.
11. We prohibit the use of mules, horses, and ATVs on all refuge hunts.
1. Conditions B1 through B8 and B11 apply.
2. We require tree stand users to use a safety belt or harness.
3. We prohibit damaging trees or hunting from a tree that contains an inserted metal object (see § 32.2(i)). Hunters must remove stands from trees each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit participation in organized drives.
1. We allow fishing year-round, except in the waterfowl sanctuary, which we close from December 1 through March 1.
2. With the exception of the refuge boat ramp, we limit access from
3. You may use a rod and reel and pole and line. We prohibit all other methods of fishing.
4. We prohibit the taking of frogs or turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit bow fishing.
6. We prohibit the use of airboats, hovercraft, and inboard waterthrust boats such as, but not limited to, personal watercraft, watercycles, and waterbikes on all waters of the refuge.
7. We allow commercial fishing with the use of nets, seines, boxes, and baskets only by Special Use Permit.
8. We prohibit mooring or storing of boats from
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit when hunting.
2. We allow dove hunting on selected areas and days during the State dove season. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We allow goose and duck hunting by permit only in the Kennedy and Bradley Units on selected days until 12 p.m. (noon) during State waterfowl seasons. We close all other areas within the refuge to waterfowl hunting.
4. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells while in the field (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less when hunting duck or goose.
5. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. Youth hunters must possess and carry verification of passing a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
1. Conditions A1 and A5 apply.
2. We allow squirrel and rabbit hunting on selected areas and days during the State season.
3. We prohibit dogs (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. We allow only shotguns.
5. We prohibit the mooring and storing of boats from 1
6. You may possess only approved nontoxic shotshells while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
1. Conditions A1 and B5 apply.
2. We allow both archery deer and feral hog hunting during State archery and gun seasons.
3. We close the portion of the refuge between Bustahatchee and Rood Creeks to archery hunting until November 1.
4. All youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. We allow youth gun deer hunting (ages 10-15) within the Bradley Unit on weekends during October where an adult must supervise youth age 15 or under. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
5. We close the portion of the refuge around the Upland Impoundment, also designated by signs reading “Closed Seasonally November 15-February 28,” to hunting after November 15.
6. We prohibit damaging trees or hunting from a tree that contains an inserted metal object (see § 32.2(i)). Hunters must remove tree stands from the refuge each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
7. We allow access to the refuge for all hunts from 1
8. We prohibit hunting by aid or distribution of any feed, salt, or other mineral at any time (see § 32.2(h)).
9. We prohibit participation in organized drives.
10. We prohibit mules and horses on all refuge hunts.
11. We require tree stand users to use a safety belt or harness.
1. We allow fishing, including bowfishing, from legal sunrise to legal sunset only in refuge waters other than Lake Eufaula.
2. We prohibit taking frog or turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter) from refuge waters not connected with Lake Eufaula.
3. We adopt reciprocal license agreements between Alabama and Georgia for fishing in Lake Eufaula. Anglers fishing in refuge impounded waters must possess and carry a license for the State in which they are fishing.
4. We prohibit use of boats with motors in all refuge impounded areas.
5. Condition B5 applies.
Refer to § 32.43 Mississippi for regulations.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit when hunting.
2. We allow hunting on designated areas from 12 p.m. (noon) to legal sunset Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
3. Hunters must park in designated parking areas. We prohibit parking vehicles on refuge roads or in the fields (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
4. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
5. We allow you to use dogs during the hunt, but the dogs must be under the immediate control of the handler at all times and not allowed to roam free (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. Conditions A1 and A3 through A5 apply.
2. We allow hunting on designated areas from legal sunrise to legal sunset Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, except that you may hunt opossum and raccoon after legal sunset.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit while hunting.
2. We prohibit marking trees and the use of flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other similar marking devices (see § 27.61 of this chapter).
3. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a valid hunting license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than two youths.
4. We prohibit the use of horses, mules, and ATVs on all refuge hunts.
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
2. We only allow hunting from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We prohibit the use of dogs (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter) to hunt or pursue raccoon, opossum, or fox.
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
2. We prohibit damaging trees or hunting from a tree that contains an inserted metal object (see § 32.2(i)). Hunters must remove stands from trees each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit using dogs (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter) to hunt or pursue big game.
4. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a valid State hunting license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than one youth.
5. We require tree stand users to use a safety belt or harness.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit when hunting.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) #4 or smaller, .22 caliber rimfire, or legal archery equipment.
3. You must unload and case or dismantle firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) before placing them in a vehicle or boat.
4. We prohibit hunting in the Triana recreation area or within 100 yards (90 m) of any public building, public road, walking trail, or boardwalk.
5. We prohibit mules and horses on all refuge hunts.
6. We allow hunting on designated areas Monday through Saturday. We prohibit hunting on Sunday.
7. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
8. We prohibit mooring or storing of boats from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
9. We prohibit marking trees and the use of flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other similar marking devices.
10. We allow the use of dogs to hunt upland game, but the dogs must be under the immediate control of the handler at all times and not allowed to run free (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. Conditions B1, B3, B4, B6, B8, and B9 apply.
2. We prohibit participation in organized drives.
3. We allow bows with broadhead arrows and flintlocks .40 caliber or larger only.
4. We prohibit damaging trees or hunting from a tree that contains an inserted metal object (see § 32.2(i)). Hunters must remove stands from trees each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
5. We require tree stand users to use a safety belt or harness.
6. We prohibit mules and horses on all refuge hunts.
7. We prohibit hunting by aid or distribution of any feed, salt, or other mineral at any time (see § 32.2(h)).
8. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. Youth hunters must have passed a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than one youth.
9. You may only hunt feral hog during the refuge archery and flintlock deer season.
1. We prohibit bank fishing around the shoreline of the refuge headquarters. Consult with the refuge brochure for further information.
2. We open all other refuge waters to fishing year-round unless otherwise posted.
3. We prohibit fishing in the Waterfowl Display Pool and other waters adjacent to the visitor center.
4. We prohibit airboats and hovercraft on all waters within the refuge boundaries.
5. We prohibit inboard waterthrust boats such as, but not limited to, personal watercraft, watercycles, and waterbikes on all waters of the refuge except that portion of the Tennessee River and Flint Creek from its mouth to mile marker 3.
6. We prohibit mooring and storing of boats from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
Alaska refuges are opened to hunting, fishing and trapping pursuant to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Pub. L. 96-487, 94 Stat. 2371). Information regarding specific refuge regulations can be obtained from the Region 7 Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK, or by contacting the manager of the respective individual refuge.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We allow only shotguns for hunting. We limit all shotguns to a maximum three-shell capacity, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells (see § 20.21(b) of this chapter).
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We only allow hunting in accordance with State regulations for the listed species.
4. We only allow hunting on the refuge in those areas south of the Bill Williams Road and east of Arizona State Rt. 95 and the south half of Section 35, T 11N-R 17W as posted.
5. Only upon specific consent from an authorized refuge employee may you retrieve game from an area closed to hunting or entry.
6. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of any building, road, or levee.
7. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
8. Anyone for hire to assist or guide a hunter or angler must first obtain, possess, and carry a valid Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
9. We prohibit the construction or use of any pits, permanent blinds, or other structures (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
10. Hunters must remove all personal items from the refuge at the end of each day's activity, i.e., boats, equipment, cameras, temporary blinds, stands, etc. (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
11. Hunters must report accidents involving property damage or personal injury to the refuge manager or authorized Service personnel (see § 25.72 of this chapter).
1. Conditions A1 through A11 apply.
2. We only allow hunting of cottontail rabbit from September 1 to the close of the State quail season.
1. Conditions A3 and A5 through A11 apply.
2. We only allow hunting on the refuge in those areas south of the Bill Williams River Road and east of Arizona State Rt. 95 plus the south half of Section 35, T.11N, R 17W as posted. Exceptions: Arizona Wildlife Management Areas 16A and 44A.
1. We close the isolated grow-out cove near the visitor center to fishing as posted.
2. We prohibit personal watercraft (PWC as defined by State law), air boats, and hovercraft on all waters within the boundaries of the refuge.
3. We designate all waters as wakeless speed zones (as defined by State law).
4. Persons fishing from a boat or other floating object must obtain, possess, and carry a current Colorado River shared jurisdiction stamp.
5. Conditions A3 and A7 through A11 apply.
1. We allow portable or temporary blinds and stands, but you must remove them at the end of each hunt day.
2. We prohibit the use of flagging tape, reflective tape, or other signs or markers used to identify paths or to mark tree stands, blinds, or other areas.
3. The No-Hunt Zones include all Service property east of milepost 7 of Arivaca Road within the Arivaca Creek Management Area, all Service property in Brown Canyon, all Service property within
1. Conditions A1 through A3 apply.
2. We require hunting groups using more than four horses to possess and carry a refuge special use permit.
3. We require each hunter using horses to provide water and feed and clear all horse manure from campsites.
4. We prohibit upland game hunting on the refuge from June 1 through August 19.
1. You may only hunt feral hog during big game seasons. Each hunter must possess and carry a valid hunting license and big game permit for the season in progress. There is no bag limit.
2. Conditions A1 through A3, B2, and B3 apply.
1. We allow only shotguns.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. You must obtain a permit to enter the Island Unit.
4. You must pay a hunt fee in portions of the refuge. Consult refuge hunting leaflet for locations.
5. We do not allow pit or permanent blinds.
6. You may hunt only during seasons, dates, times, and areas posted by signs and/or indicated on refuge leaflets, special regulations, and maps available at the refuge office.
7. You must remove all temporary blinds, boats, and decoys from the refuge following each day's hunt.
8. We do not allow hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of any public roads or levees.
9. We close Farm Unit 2 to all hunting except goose hunting during the Arizona waterfowl season.
10. Consult the refuge hunt leaflet for the shot limit.
11. The area known as Pretty Water is open to waterfowl hunting from
12. The Hart Mine Marsh area is open to hunting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily during goose season.
1. We allow only shotguns and bows and arrows.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. You may hunt cottontail rabbit from September 1 through the last day of the respective State's quail season.
4. During the Arizona waterfowl season, you may not hunt quail and rabbit in Farm Unit 2.
5. You may not hunt within 50 yards (45 m) of any public road.
1. During the Arizona waterfowl season, you may not hunt mule deer in Farm Unit 2.
2. You may not hunt within 50 yards (45 m) of any public road.
1. We prohibit falconry.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. You may not hunt within 50 yards (45m) of any building or public road.
4. We prohibit target shooting or the discharge of any weapon except to hunt.
5. We prohibit possession of firearms except while hunting.
6. We prohibit the construction or use of pits and permanent blinds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
7. You must remove temporary blinds, boats, hunting equipment, and decoys from the refuge following each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit retrieving game from closed areas. You may retrieve game from areas closed to hunting, but otherwise open to entry, as long as you possess no firearms or other means of take.
9. Anyone hired to assist or guide hunter(s) must obtain, possess, and carry a valid Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
10. We prohibit hunting on those refuge lands within the Lake Havasu City limits.
11. The following conditions apply only to Pintail Slough (all refuge lands north of North Dike):
i. We require a fee for waterfowl hunting. You must possess proof of payment (refuge permit) while hunting.
ii. Waterfowl hunters must hunt within 25 feet (7.5 m) of the numbered post of their assigned blind.
iii. We limit the number of persons at each waterfowl hunt blind to three. Observers cannot hold shells or guns unless in possession of a valid State hunting license and stamps.
iv. We limit the number of shells a waterfowl hunter may possess to 25.
v. Waterfowl hunters must possess at least 12 decoys per blind.
vi. You may use only dead vegetation or materials brought from off refuge for making or fixing hunt blinds. We prohibit the cutting, pulling, marking or removing vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
vii. Waterfowl hunters must be at their blind at least 45 minutes before legal shoot time and not leave their blind until 10:00 am MST.
viii. We allow waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Waterfowl hunting ends at 12:00 p.m. (noon) MST. Hunters must be out of the slough area by 1:00 p.m. MST.
ix. We allow hunting in the juniors-only waterfowl season.
x. We allow dove hunting only during the September season.
12. The following conditions apply to all waters of the lower Colorado River within the Havasu NWR:
i. We close designated portions of Topock Marsh to all entry from October 1 through the last day of the waterfowl hunt season (including the State junior waterfowl hunt). These areas are indicated in refuge brochures and identified by buoys and/or signs.
ii. We prohibit hunting in the waters of the Colorado River and on those refuge lands within 1/4 mile (.4 km) of the waters of the Colorado River from and including Castle Rock Bay north to Interstate 40.
iii. We allow hunting on refuge lands and waters south of Castle Rock Bay to the north boundary of the Lake Havasu City limits.
13. We prohibit the use of all air-thrust boats and/or air-cooled propulsion engines, including floating aircraft.
14. Hunting dogs must be under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
1. Conditions A1 through A10, A11vi., and A12 apply.
2. We prohibit the possession or use of rifles.
3. We allow hunting of quail in Pintail Slough prior to and following the State waterfowl season (The State waterfowl season includes the State general waterfowl season, the days between the juniors-only waterfowl hunt and the general State waterfowl season, and the juniors-only waterfowl hunt.).
4. We allow hunting of cottontail rabbit in Pintail Slough prior to and following the State waterfowl season (The State waterfowl season includes the State general waterfowl season, the days between the juniors-only waterfowl hunt and the general State waterfowl season, and the juniors-only waterfowl hunt.).
1. Conditions A3 through A9 and A12ii apply.
1. We prohibit the use of all air-thrust boats or air-cooled propulsion engines, including floating aircraft.
2. We prohibit overnight boat mooring and shore anchoring unless actively fishing as defined by State regulations (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Anyone hired to assist or guide anglers must obtain, possess, and carry a valid Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
4. The following apply only on Topock Marsh:
i. We close designated portions to all entry from October 1 through the last day of the waterfowl hunt season (including the State junior waterfowl hunt).
ii. We close designated portions to all entry from April 1 through August 31. These areas are indicated in refuge brochures and identified by buoys and or signs.
iii. We prohibit personal watercraft (PWC, as defined by State law).
5. The following apply to all waters of the Colorado River within Havasu NWR from the south regulatory buoy line to the north regulatory buoy line at Interstate 40 (approximately 17 miles [27.2 km]).
i. We prohibit personal watercraft (PWC, as defined by State law) as indicated by signs or regulatory buoys in all backwaters.
ii. We limit watercraft speed as indicated by signs or regulatory buoys to no wake (as defined by State law) in all backwaters.
iii. We prohibit water-skiing, tubing, wake boarding, or other recreational-towed devices.
6. The following apply to the Mesquite Bay areas of Lake Havasu.
i. We prohibit entry of all watercraft (as defined by State law) in all three bays as indicated by signs or regulatory buoys.
ii. The Mesquite Bays are Day Use Only areas and open from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset.
1. Pits and permanent blinds are not allowed.
2. Temporary blinds, boats and decoys must be removed from the refuge following each day's hunt.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. Allowed methods of take for quail and cottontail rabbit are shotgun and bow and arrow.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting quail and cottontail rabbit (see § 32.2(k).
3. We allow cottontail rabbit hunting from September 1 to the close of the State quail season.
4. We require Special Use Permits for hunting coyote and fox.
5. We allow coyote and fox hunting only during the State quail season.
1. Hunting of coyote, fox, and cottontail rabbit is permitted during the State quail season only, except as provided below.
2. Hunting of coyote and fox is not permitted during the deer season except that deer hunters with valid Unit 45A, 45B, and 45C deer permits may take these predators until a deer is taken.
3. Allowed method of take of cottontail rabbits is shotgun only.
1. We allow only shotguns.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. Cottontail rabbit season shall open on September 1 and close on the last day of the State quail season.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We require refuge hunting permits. The permits are nontransferable, and anyone on refuge land in possession of hunting equipment must sign, possess, and carry the permits at all times.
2. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and coot daily until 12 p.m. (noon) throughout the State seasons, except for season closures on the Farm Unit during Gun Deer Hunt and for the exception provided in A3.
3. We allow hunting for goose from
4. We allow hunting for dove, snipe, and woodcock when their seasons correspond with duck and/or goose seasons.
5. We prohibit commercial hunting/guiding.
6. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less. The possession limit includes shells located in/on vehicles and other personal equipment.
7. We prohibit hunting closer than 100 yards (90 m) to another hunter or hunting party.
8. You must remove decoys, blinds, boats, and all other equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) daily by 2:00 p.m.
9. Waterfowl hunters may enter the refuge parking areas at 4:45 a.m. and access the refuge at 5 a.m.
10. Hunters may leave boats with the owner's name and address permanently displayed or valid registration on the refuge from March 1 through October 31.
11. We prohibit possession of or marking trails with materials other than biodegradable paper flagging or reflective tape/tacks.
12. We prohibit building or hunting from permanent blinds.
13. We prohibit cutting of holes or manipulation of vegetation (
14. We allow retriever dogs.
15. You must unload firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) when carried in/on land vehicles or boats under power.
16. We allow waterfowl hunting from roads and levees.
17. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. For migratory bird hunting, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
18. We prohibit target practice or nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
19. We only allow vehicle use on established roads and trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We limit vehicle access on the Mingo Creek Unit to ATV use, only on marked ATV trails. You may use conventional vehicles on the Farm Unit from March 1 to November 14. You may only use ATVs from November 15 to February 28 for access beyond Parking Areas.
20. We prohibit entry into or hunting in waterfowl sanctuaries from November 15 through February 28.
21. You must adhere to all public use special conditions and regulations on the annual hunt brochure/permit.
22. We prohibit airboats, hovercraft, and personal watercraft (Jet Ski, etc.).
1. Conditions A1, A5, A11, A15, A17 (for upland game hunting, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters), A18, A19, A21, and A22 apply.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We allow fall squirrel hunting in accordance with the State season on the Mingo Creek Unit and on the Farm Unit, except for season closure on the Farm Unit during the Gun Deer Hunt. We prohibit dogs, except for the period of December 15 through February 28. We do not open for the spring squirrel season.
4. We allow rabbit hunting in accordance with the State season on the Mingo Creek Unit and on the Farm Unit, except for season closure on the Farm Unit during the Gun Deer Hunt. We prohibit dogs, except for the period of December 15 through February 28.
5. We allow quail hunting in accordance with the State season except for season closure on the Farm Unit only during the Gun Deer Hunt. We allow dogs.
6. We allow hunting of raccoon and opossum with dogs beginning in November and continuing for up to a 3-week period. We list annual season dates in the refuge hunting brochure/permit. We prohibit pleasure running or training of dogs.
7. We prohibit the use of horses.
8. You may take beaver, muskrat, nutria, armadillo, feral hog, and coyote during any refuge hunt with the weapon allowed for that hunt.
9. We prohibit entry into or hunting in refuge waterfowl sanctuaries from November 15 to February 28.
10. We prohibit hunting from roads except by waterfowl hunters.
11. You may leave boats with the owner's name and address or valid registration permanently displayed on the refuge from March 1 through October 31.
12. We prohibit hunting from a vehicle.
13. We only allow rifles chambered for rimfire cartridges.
1. Conditions A1, A5, A11, A15, A18, A19, A21, A22, and B8, B11, and B12 apply.
2. We divide the refuge into two hunting units: Farm Unit and Mingo Creek Unit.
3. The archery/crossbow hunting season for deer begins on the opening day of the State season and continues throughout the State season in the Mingo Creek Unit and Farm Unit except for the season closure on the Farm Unit during the Gun Deer Hunt. We provide annual season dates and bag limits on the hunt brochure/permit.
4. Muzzleloader hunting season for deer will begin in October and will continue for a period of up to 9 days in all hunting units with annual season dates and bag limits provided on the hunt brochure/permit.
5. The Gun Deer Hunt will begin in November and continue for a period of up to 9 days on the Farm Unit with annual season dates and bag limits provided on the hunt brochure/permit. We close the Mingo Creek Unit.
6. The fall archery/crossbow hunting season for turkey will begin on the opening day of the State season and continue throughout the State season on the Mingo Creek Unit only.
7. We prohibit spring and fall gun hunting for turkey.
8. Immediately record the zone 002 on your hunting license and later at an official check station for all deer and turkey harvested on the refuge.
9. You may only possess shotguns with rifled slugs, muzzleloaders, and legal pistols during the modern Gun Deer Hunt.
10. You may only use single-person portable deer stands.
11. We prohibit hunting from a vehicle or use of a vehicle as a deer stand.
12. You must permanently affix the owner's name and address to all deer stands on the refuge.
13. You must remove all deer stands from the Waterfowl Sanctuaries by November 14, except for stands used by Gun Deer Hunt permit holders who must remove their stands by the last day of the gun hunt. You must remove all stands from the rest of the refuge by the last day of the archery season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit the use of dogs.
15. We prohibit the possession of buckshot on all refuge lands.
16. We prohibit hunting from a mowed and/or graveled road right-of-way.
17. Refuge lands are located in State flood zone B, and we will close them to all deer hunting when the White River gauge at Augusta reaches 31 feet (9.3 m), as reported by the National Weather Service in the
18. We only allow Gun Deer Hunt permit holders on the Farm Unit during the Gun Deer Hunt.
19. We close Waterfowl Sanctuaries to all entry and hunting from November 15 to February 28, except for Gun Deer Hunt permit holders, who may hunt the sanctuary when the season overlaps with these dates.
20. An adult not less than age 21 must supervise and remain within sight and normal voice contact of hunters age 15 and under. For big game hunting, one adult may only supervise one youth.
1. Conditions A5, A19, A21, and A22 apply.
2. We close waterfowl sanctuaries to all entry and fishing/frogging from November 15 to February 28. We also close the Farm Unit to all entry and fishing during the Gun Deer Hunt.
3. You may leave boats with the owner's name and address permanently displayed or valid registration on the refuge from March 1 to October 31. We prohibit use of boats from 12 p.m. (midnight) to 5 a.m. during duck season.
4. We prohibit commercial fishing.
5. We limit nighttime use to anglers fishing/frogging with fishing and/or frogging tackle only.
6. We prohibit mooring houseboats to the refuge bank on the Red River.
1. We require refuge hunt permits. The permits are nontransferable and anyone on refuge land in possession of hunting equipment must sign and carry the permit at all times.
2. We prohibit firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) on the refuge, except during refuge squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon seasons. We provide annual season dates in the refuge hunting brochure/permit.
3. You may take nutria, beaver, and coyote during any refuge hunt with the firearm allowed for that hunt, subject to State seasons.
4. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. For small game hunts, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
5. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
6. You may take opossum during a raccoon hunt.
7. We prohibit dogs except for raccoon hunting. We prohibit pleasure running or training of dogs (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
8. You may only possess shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and rifles firing .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.
9. You must unload and case firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while in a vehicle, on any refuge road, parking area, or boat ramp.
10. We prohibit firearms south of Highway 18 and at the Brights Landing boat access.
11. We prohibit boats from November 1 through February 28, except on that portion of the refuge open for public fishing with electric motors and Ditch 28.
12. We prohibit hunting from mowed or gravel roads.
13. We prohibit ATVs (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
14. You must adhere to all public use special conditions and regulations on the annual hunt brochure/permit.
1. Conditions B1, and B11 through B14 apply.
2. We allow archery/crossbow hunting for white-tailed deer. We provide annual season dates in the hunt brochure/permit.
3. Hunters may only possess long, recurve, compound, or crossbows. We prohibit possession of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) by archery/crossbow hunters.
4. We prohibit dogs.
5. We prohibit possession of or marking trails with materials other than biodegradable paper/flagging or reflective tape/tacks.
6. Upon harvest of deer, hunters must immediately record the deer zone 030 on their license and later on official check station records.
7. Hunters must check out (check harvested deer) at the Hunter Information Station.
8. We only allow portable tree stands, and you must remove them daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit driving metal or other objects into trees or hunting from trees in which objects have been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
10. We prohibit cutting, pruning, or trimming vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
11. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
12. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 1 hour before legal shooting time and depart no later than 1 hour after legal shooting time.
13. An adult age 21 or older must supervise and remain within sight and normal voice contact of hunters age 15 and under. For big game hunts, one adult may supervise no more than 1 youth.
1. We prohibit the use of limb lines and jug fishing.
2. The use of limb lines and toxic chemical containers for jug fishing is not permitted.
3. The ends of trotlines must consist of a length of cotton line that extends from the points of attachment into the water.
4. Boats may be launched only in designated areas.
5. We prohibit ATVs, airboats, personal watercraft, Jet Skis, and hovercraft (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
6. Frogging is permitted from the beginning of the State frogging season through October 31. The use of archery equipment for taking frogs is not permitted.
7. The taking of largemouth bass is permitted in accordance with the posted length and/or slot limits.
8. We prohibit possessing turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We require refuge hunting permits. These permits are nontransferable, and anyone on the refuge in possession of hunting equipment must sign and carry the permit at all times.
2. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and coot daily until 12 p.m. (noon) throughout the State seasons, except for refugewide season closures during Gun Deer Hunt and the exception provided in A3.
3. We allow hunting for goose from
4. We allow hunting for dove, snipe, and woodcock when their seasons correspond with duck and/or goose seasons.
5. No person, including but not limited to, a guide, guide service, outfitter, club, or other organization, will provide assistance, services, or equipment on the refuge to any other person for compensation unless such guide, guide service, outfitter, club, or organization has obtained a Special Use Permit from the refuge. For the purposes of this regulation, we will consider any fees or services rendered to a person for lodging, meals, club membership or similar services as compensation.
6. We prohibit hunting, taking, possessing, or attempting to take wildlife with a guide, guide service, outfitter, club, or organization providing assistance, service, or equipment who does not possess and carry the required refuge Special Use Permit.
7. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
8. You must remove decoys, blinds, boats, and all other equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) daily by 2 p.m.
9. Waterfowl hunters may enter the refuge parking areas at 4:45 a.m. and access the refuge at 5 a.m.
10. We prohibit boats on the refuge from 12 p.m. (midnight) to 5 a.m. during duck season.
11. We prohibit possession of or marking trails with materials other than biodegradable paper, flagging, or reflective tape/tacks.
12. We prohibit building, or hunting from, permanent blinds.
13. We prohibit cutting of holes or other manipulation of vegetation (e.g., cutting bushes, mowing, weed-eating, herbicide use, and other actions) or hunting from manipulated areas (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
14. We allow retriever dogs.
15. You must unload firearms when carried in/on land vehicles or boats under power (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter).
16. We allow waterfowl hunting on flooded roads.
17. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. For migratory bird hunting, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
18. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
19. We prohibit ATVs except on established roads used by conventional vehicles on refuge lands south of Highway 38. We prohibit driving around a locked gate, barrier, or beyond a sign closing a road to vehicular traffic. We only allow vehicle use on established roads (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
20. We prohibit entry into or hunting in Waterfowl Sanctuaries from November 15 through February 28.
21. You must adhere to all public use special conditions and regulations on the annual hunt brochure/permit.
22. We close all other hunts during the Gun Deer Hunt. We only allow Gun Deer Hunt permit holders on the refuge during this hunt.
1. Conditions A1, A5, A6, A7, A11, A15, A17 (for upland game hunts, the adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters), and A18 through A21 apply.
2. Fall squirrel season corresponds with the State season on all refuge hunt units except for refugewide season closure during the Gun Deer Hunt. We prohibit dogs, except for the period of December 15 through February 28. We do not open for the spring squirrel season.
3. Rabbit season corresponds with the State season on all refuge hunt units except for refugewide season closure during the Gun Deer Hunt. We prohibit dogs, except for the period of December 15 through February 28.
4. Quail season corresponds with the State season on all refuge hunt units except for refugewide season closure during the Gun Deer Hunt. We allow dogs.
5. We allow hunting of raccoon and opossum with dogs on all refuge hunt units. We provide annual season dates in the refuge hunting brochure/permit. We prohibit pleasure running or training of dogs.
6. We allow the use of horses for raccoon and opossum hunters in refuge Hunt Unit I. We prohibit horse use in other refuge hunt units or by other refuge hunters or visitors.
7. You may take beaver, muskrat, nutria, armadillo, feral hog, and coyote during any refuge hunt with the firearm allowed for that hunt.
8. We prohibit hunting from mowed and/or graveled roads except by waterfowl hunters during flooded conditions.
9. You may leave boats with the owner's name and address or valid registration permanently displayed on the refuge from March 1 through October 31. We prohibit boats on the refuge from 12 p.m. (midnight) until 5 a.m. during the duck season.
10. We prohibit hunting from a vehicle.
11. We only allow rifles chambered for rimfire cartridges.
12. We close all other hunts during the Gun Deer Hunt. We only allow Gun Deer Hunt permit holders on the refuge during this hunt.
1. Conditions A1, A5, A6, A11, A15, A18 through A21, B9, and B10 apply.
2. We divide the refuge into the following three hunting units: Unit I—refuge lands between Highway 79 and Interstate 40; Unit II—all refuge lands east of Highway 33 between Interstate 40 and Highway 18 at Grubbs, Arkansas; Unit III—all refuge lands west of Highway 33, from Interstate 40 to Highway 64.
3. Archery/crossbow hunting season for deer begins on the opening day of the State season and continues throughout the State season in all refuge hunting units except for refugewide season closure during the Gun Deer Hunt. We provide annual season dates and bag limits on the hunt brochure/permit.
4. Muzzleloader hunting season for deer will begin in October and will continue for a period of up to 9 days in all hunting units with annual season dates and bag limits provided on the hunt brochure/permit.
5. The Gun Deer Hunt will begin in November and continue for a period of up to 9 days in all hunting units with annual season dates and bag limits provided on the hunt brochure/permit.
6. The fall archery/crossbow hunting season for turkey will begin on the opening day of the State season and continue throughout the State season in Hunt Units I, III, and Unit II lands within the fall State archery/crossbow turkey zone except for refugewide season closure during the Gun Deer Hunt. We close Unit II lands outside the fall archery/crossbow turkey zone. We do not open for fall gun hunting for turkeys.
7. The spring gun hunt for turkey will begin on the opening day of the State season and continue throughout the State season in Hunt Units I and III. We close Unit II lands with the exception of those refuge lands included in the combined Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area/Cache River National Wildlife Refuge quota permit hunts administered by the State.
8. Immediately record the zone 095 on your hunting license and later at an official check station for all deer and turkey harvested on the refuge.
9. You may only possess shotguns with rifled slugs, muzzleloaders, and legal pistols during the modern Gun Deer Hunt on the Dixie Farm Unit Waterfowl Sanctuary, adjacent waterfowl hunt area, and the Plunkett Farm Unit Waterfowl Sanctuary.
10. We only allow portable deer stands capable of being carried by a single individual.
11. We prohibit hunting from a vehicle or use of a vehicle as a deer stand.
12. You must permanently affix the owner's name and address to all deer stands on the refuge.
13. You must remove all deer stands from the waterfowl sanctuaries by November 14 and from the rest of the refuge by the last day of archery season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit the use of dogs.
15. We prohibit the possession of buckshot on all refuge lands.
16. We prohibit hunting from a mowed and/or graveled road right-of-way.
17. We will close refuge lands located in State-designated Flood Prone Region B and reopen them to all deer hunting in accordance with State-established gauge readings, when the
18. We will close refuge lands located in State-designated Flood Prone Region C to all deer hunting when the Cache River gauge at Patterson reaches 10 feet (3 m), as reported by the National Weather Service in the
19. We will close refuge lands located in Flood Prone Region D to all deer hunting when the White River gauge at Clarendon reaches 28 feet (8.4 m), as reported by the National Weather Service in the
20. We close all other hunts during the Gun Deer Hunt. We only allow Gun Deer Hunt permit holders on the refuge during this hunt.
21. An adult not less than age 21 must supervise and remain within sight and normal voice contact of hunters age 15 and under. For big game hunting, one adult may only supervise one youth.
1. We close waterfowl sanctuaries to all entrance and fishing/frogging from November 15 to February 28. We prohibit refugewide entry and fishing during the Gun Deer Hunt.
2. Conditions A19, A21, B9, and B10 apply.
3. We require a Special Use Permit for all commercial fishing activities on the refuge.
4. We prohibit hovercraft, personal watercraft (Jet Skis, etc.), and airboats.
1. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and coot during the State duck season except during scheduled quota refuge Gun Deer Hunts. We allow hunting of woodcock during the State season. Dates for quota deer hunts are typically in November, and we publish them annually in the refuge hunt brochure. We are open for the September teal season.
2. Hunting of duck, goose, and coot ends at 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
3. We only allow portable blinds. You must remove all duck hunting equipment (portable blinds, boats, guns, and decoys) (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the hunt area by 1:30 p.m. each day.
4. You may only possess approved nontoxic shells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less each day during waterfowl season; hunters may not discharge more than 25 shells per day.
5. We close areas of the refuge posted with “Area Closed” signs and identify them on the refuge hunt brochure map as a Waterfowl Sanctuary and closed to all public entry and public use during waterfowl hunting season. Exception: we open the Waterfowl Sanctuary to all authorized activities during the September teal season.
6. No person will utilize the services of a guide, guide service, outfitter, club, organization, or other person who provides equipment, services, or assistance on Refuge System lands for compensation unless the guide, guide services, outfitter, club, organization, or person has obtained a Special Use Permit from the refuge. It is the responsibility of the hunter to verify that the guide has the required Special Use Permit; failure to comply with this provision subjects each hunter in the party to a fine if convicted of this violation.
7. You must possess and carry a refuge hunt brochure permit. These hunt brochure permits are available in unlimited qualitites at the refuge office, brochure dispensers at multiple locations throughout the refuge, and at area businesses.
8. We prohibit possession and/or use of herbicides.
9. We prohibit marking trails with tape, ribbon, paint, or any other substance other than biodegradable materials.
10. We prohibit possession or use of alcoholic beverage(s) while hunting (see § 32.2(j)). We prohibit consumption or possession of opened container(s) of alcoholic beverage(s) in parking lots, on roadways, and in plain view in campgrounds.
11. Hunters under age 16 do not need to have a hunter education card if they are under the direct supervision (within arm's reach) of a holder of a valid hunting license at least age 21.
12. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice
13. We only allow ATVs for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting and fishing. We restrict ATVs to designated times and designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) marked with signs and paint. We identify these trails and the dates they are open for use in the refuge hunt brochure. We limit ATVs to those having an engine displacement size not exceeding 700cc. We limit ATV tires to those having a centerline lug depth not exceeding 1 inch (2.5 cm). You may use horses on roads and ATV trails (when open to motor vehicle and ATV traffic respectively) as a mode of transportation for on-refuge, wildlife-dependent activities.
14. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of roads and trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) open to motor vehicle use (including ATV trails).
15. We prohibit target practice with any weapon or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
16. We only allow camping at designated primitive campground sites identified in the refuge hunt brochure, and we restrict camping to individuals involved in wildlife-dependent refuge activities. Campers may stay no more than 14 days during any 30 consecutive-day period in any campground and must occupy camps daily. We prohibit all disturbances, including use of generators, after 10 p.m. You must unload all weapons (see § 26.42(b) of this chapter) within 100 yards (90 m) of a campground.
17. You may take beaver, nutria, feral hog, and coyote during any daytime refuge hunt with weapons and ammunition allowed for that hunt. There is no bag limit. You may not transport live hogs.
18. We prohibit blocking of gates and roadways (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
19. We allow the use of retriever dogs.
20. We require you to unload and case any firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in any land vehicle, boat under power, or on horses. We define “loaded” as any shells in the gun or cap on a muzzleloader.
21. We prohibit the use or possession of any electronic call or other electronic device used for producing or projecting vocal sounds of any wildlife species.
22. We prohibit hunting with the aid of bait, salt, or any ingestible attractant (see § 32.2(h)).
23. We prohibit hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter (see § 32.2(i)).
24. If you harvest a deer or turkey on the refuge, you must immediately record the zone 220 on your deer/turkey tag as the zone of kill.
25. We prohibit the taking of wildlife or plants (including cutting trees or brush) other than specified in the hunt brochure (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
1. Conditions A4 through A18, A20, and A21 apply.
2. We allow hunting on the refuge during State seasons for this zone through January 31. We list specific hunting season dates annually in the refuge hunt brochure. We close hunting during refuge quota deer hunts. We annually publish dates for these quota deer hunts in the refuge hunt brochure.
3. We do not open for spring squirrel hunting season and summer/early fall raccoon hunting season on the refuge.
4. We prohibit possession of lead ammunition except that you may use rimfire rifle lead ammunition no larger than .22 caliber for upland game hunting. We prohibit possession of shot larger than that legal for waterfowl hunting.
5. You may use dogs for squirrel and rabbit hunting from December 1 through January 31. You may also use dogs for quail hunting and for raccoon/opossum hunting during open season on the refuge for these species. At other times, you must keep dogs and other pets on a leash or confine them (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. Conditions A6, A8 through A11, A13 through A18, A20, and A21 apply.
2. We allow archery deer hunting on the refuge from the opening of the State season for this deer management zone through January 31.
3. You must possess and carry a refuge hunt brochure permit to archery deer hunt, and multiple copies of these brochures are available at the refuge office, in brochure dispensers located at entrances throughout the refuge, and at many area businesses.
4. We close archery deer hunting during the quota deer hunts.
5. The refuge will conduct only one 2-day quota permit for the muzzleloader deer hunt (typically in October) and only two 2-day quota permits for the Gun Deer Hunts (typically in November).
6. We restrict hunt participants for quota hunts to those drawn for a quota permit. The permits are nontransferable. Hunt dates and application procedures will be available at the refuge office in July.
7. The quota muzzleloader and Gun Deer Hunt bag limit is one deer, either sex, on each hunt.
8. You must check all harvested deer during quota hunts at refuge deer check stations on the same day of the kill. We identify the check station locations in the refuge hunt brochure. Carcasses of deer taken must remain intact (except you may field dress) until checked.
9. You may only use portable deer stands. You may erect stands 2 days before each hunt, but you must remove them within 2 days after each hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit horses and mules during refuge quota deer hunts.
11. We open spring archery turkey hunting during the State spring turkey season for this zone. We do not open for fall archery turkey season.
12. We close spring archery turkey hunting during scheduled turkey quota gun hunts.
13. The refuge will conduct one 2-day, youth-only (age 15 and under at the beginning of the spring turkey season) quota spring turkey hunt and two 3-day quota spring turkey hunts (typically in April). Specific hunt dates and application procedures will be available at the refuge office in January. We restrict hunt participants to those selected for a quota permit, except that one nonhunting adult age 21 or older must accompany the youth hunter during the youth hunt.
14. An adult age 21 or older must accompany and be within sight or normal voice contact of hunters age 15 and under. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
15. We prohibit the use of deer decoy(s).
1. Conditions A6, A8, A9, A13, A16, and A18 apply.
2. We prohibit fishing in the waterfowl sanctuary area during the waterfowl hunting season, with the exception of the main channel of the Ouachita River and the borrow pits along Highway 82. We post the Waterfowl Sanctuary area with “Area Closed” signs and identify those areas in refuge hunt brochures.
3. You must reset trotlines when receding water levels expose them.
4. We prohibit consumption or possession of opened container(s) of alcoholic beverage(s) in parking lots, on roadways, and in plain view in campgrounds (see § 32.2(j)).
1. We require refuge hunting permits. The permits are nontransferable, and anyone on refuge land in possession of hunting equipment must sign, possess, and carry the permits at all times.
2. You may only take all upland game mentioned above during the refuge archery season.
3. We allow gun hunting of raccoon and opossum with dogs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until legal sunrise during the month of February. We prohibit pleasure running or training of dogs (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. You must unload and case firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) when traveling in vehicles on refuge roads.
5. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42(a) of this chapter).
6. We prohibit possession or use of alcoholic beverage(s) while hunting (see § 32.2(j)).
7. We only allow ATVs for disabled hunters with a refuge ATV permit.
8. We prohibit the use of horses.
9. We prohibit hunting from a vehicle.
10. We only allow vehicle use on established roads and trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
11. Hunters must enter and exit the refuge from designated roads and parking areas.
12. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of roads and trails open to motor vehicle use.
13. We prohibit marking trails with tape, ribbon, paint, or any other substance other than biodegradable materials.
14. We allow the use of nonmotorized boats during the hunting season, but we prohibit hunters leaving boats on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
1. Conditions B1 and B4 through B14 apply.
2. Archery/crossbow season for deer and turkey begins October 1 and continues through December 10.
3. The refuge will conduct one youth-only (between ages 12-15 at the beginning of the gun deer season in Zone 7) quota deer hunt. This hunt will take place after the archery season (typically in December). Specific hunt dates and application procedures will be available at the refuge office in September. We restrict hunt participants to those selected for a quota permit, except that one nonhunting adult age 21 or older must accompany the youth hunter during the youth hunt.
4. We open spring and fall archery turkey hunting during the State spring and fall turkey season for this zone.
5. We close spring archery turkey hunting during scheduled turkey quota gun hunts.
6. The refuge will conduct one 2-day youth-only (age 15 and under at the beginning of the spring turkey season) quota spring turkey hunt and one 2-day quota spring turkey hunt (typically in April). Specific hunt dates and application procedures will be available at the refuge office in January. We restrict hunt participants to those selected for a quota permit, except that one nonhunting adult age 21 or older must accompany the youth hunter during the youth hunt.
7. An adult age 21 or older must accompany and be within sight or normal voice contact of hunters age 15 and under. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
8. We allow only portable deer stands. Hunters may erect stands 2 days before the start of the season and must remove the stands from the refuge within 2 days after the season ends (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
9. Hunters must permanently affix the owner's name and address to all deer stands on the refuge.
10. We prohibit the use of dogs during big game hunting.
11. We prohibit hunting from paved, graveled, and mowed roads and mowed trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
12. We prohibit hunting with the aid of bait, salt, or ingestible attractant (see § 32.2(h)).
13. We prohibit all forms of organized drives.
14. You must check all game at the refuge check station.
1. Conditions B7, B8, and B10 apply.
2. Waters of the refuge are only open for fishing March 1 through October 31 during daylight hours.
3. We do not require a permit to fish but do require an entrance pass to the refuge.
4. We limit free-floating fishing devices, trotlines, and tree limb devices to 20 per person. Each device must have the angler's name and address.
5. You must reset trotlines and limb lines when receding water levels expose them.
6. We prohibit leaving trotlines and other self-fishing devices overnight or unattended.
7. We will allow only bank fishing in Long Lake year-round from legal sunrise to legal sunset. Access to this bank fishing area is through the parking area off of Hwy 155.
8. We allow only bow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset during August.
9. We allow frogging from May 1 to May 31. We allow only frogging on those areas of the old river channel that connect with the Arkansas River.
10. Anglers must enter and exit the refuge from designated roads and parking areas.
11. We prohibit anglers from leaving their boats unattended overnight on any portion of the refuge (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
12. We require a Special Use Permit for all commercial fishing activities on the refuge.
13. We prohibit possessing turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit hovercraft, personal watercraft (Jet Skis, etc.), and airboats.
1. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and coot during the State duck season. We allow hunting of woodcock during the State season. The September teal season is closed.
2. Hunting of duck, goose, and coot ends at 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
3. We only allow portable blinds. You must remove portable blinds, boats, and decoys from the hunt area each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less per day during waterfowl hunting season; hunters may not discharge more than 25 shells per day.
5. We close areas of the refuge by posting “Area Closed” signs and/or marking with purple paint and identifing on the refuge hunt brochure map as Sanctuary to all public entry and public use. Exception: we open the area identified as North Sanctuary on refuge hunt brochure map to all authorized public use activities from 2 days prior to opening of deer archery season through October 31.
6. No person will utilize the services of a guide, guide service, outfitter, club, organization, or other person who provides equipment, services, or assistance on Refuge System lands for compensation. Failure to comply with this provision subjects each hunter in the party to a fine if convicted of this violation.
7. We require a refuge hunt brochure permit that is available in unlimited quantities at the refuge office, brochure dispensers at multiple locations throughout the refuge, and at area businesses. You must possess and carry a signed permit when hunting on the refuge.
8. We prohibit possession and/or use of herbicides (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit marking of trails with tape, ribbon, paint, or any other substance other than biodegradable materials.
10. We prohibit possession or use of alcoholic beverage(s) while hunting (see § 32.2(j)). We prohibit consumption or possession of opened container(s) of alcoholic beverage(s) in parking areas and on roadways.
11. Hunters under age 16 do not need to have a hunter education card if they are under the direct supervision (within arm's reach) of a holder of a valid hunting license who is at least age 21.
12. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
13. We only allow ATVs for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting and fishing. We restrict ATVs to designated times and designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) marked with signs and paint. We identify those trails and the dates they are open for use in the refuge hunt brochure. We limit ATVs to those having an engine displacement size not exceeding 700cc. We limit ATV tires to those having a centerline lug depth not exceeding 1 inch (2.5 cm). You may use horses on roads and ATV trails (when open to motor vehicle and ATV traffic respectively) as a mode of transportation for on-refuge, wildlife-dependent activities. You may use ATVs on unmarked roads and levees in the North Sanctuary beginning 2 days prior to the opening of deer archery season through October 31.
14. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of roads and trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) open to motor vehicle use (including ATV trails).
15. We prohibit target practice with any weapon or any nonhunting discharge of weapons (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
16. We prohibit blocking of gates and roadways (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
17. You may take beaver, nutria, feral hog, and coyote during any daytime refuge hunt with weapons and ammunition legal for that hunt. There is no bag limit. We prohibit transportation of live hogs.
18. We allow retriever dogs.
19. We require you to unload and case firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in any land vehicle, boat under power, or on horses. We define “loaded” as shells in the gun or cap on a muzzleloader.
20. We prohibit the use or possession of any electronic call or other electronic device used for producing or projecting vocal sounds of any wildlife species.
21. We prohibit hunting with the aid of bait, salt, or any ingestible attractant (see § 32.2(h)).
22. We prohibit hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter (see § 32.2(i)).
23. If you harvest a deer or turkey on the refuge, you must immediately record the zone 490 on your deer/turkey tag as the zone of kill.
24. We prohibit the taking of wildlife or plants (including cutting trees or brush) other than specified in this brochure (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
1. Conditions A4 through A17, A19, and A20 apply.
2. We allow hunting during State seasons (see State regulations for the appropriate zone) for the species listed above through January 31. We list specific hunting season dates annually in the refuge hunt brochure.
3. We do not open for the spring squirrel season and summer/fall racoon hunting season.
4. We prohibit possession of lead ammunition except that you may use rimfire rifle lead ammunition no larger than .22 caliber for upland game hunting. We prohibit possession of shot larger than that legal for waterfowl hunting.
5. You may use dogs for squirrel and rabbit hunting January 1 through 31. You may also use dogs for quail hunting and for raccoon/opossum hunting during open season. At other times, you must keep dogs and other pets on a leash or confined (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. Conditions A5 through A11, A13 through A17, A19, and A20 apply.
2. Conditions A5 through A11, A13 through A17, and A19 apply.
3. We allow muzzleloader deer hunting during the October State muzzleloader season for this zone (see State regulations for appropriate zone).
4. Bag limit for the October muzzleloader deer hunt is one buck and one doe.
5. We only allow portable deer stands. You may erect stands 2 days before each hunt, but you must remove them within 2 days after each hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
6. We prohibit horses and mules during the muzzleloader deer hunt.
7. We allow spring archery turkey hunting during the State spring turkey season. See State regulations for appropriate zones.
8. We do not open for the fall turkey archery season and spring turkey gun season.
9. We do not open for the gun deer season and December muzzleloader deer season.
10. An adult age 21 or older must accompany and be within sight and normal voice contact of hunters age 15 and under. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
11. We prohibit the use of deer decoy(s).
1. We allow hunting of migratory game birds during the State duck seasons, except we close during scheduled quota refuge Gun Deer Hunts. Dates for quota deer hunts are typically in November, and we publish them annually in the refuge hunt brochure. We are open for the September teal season.
2. Hunting ends at 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
3. We only allow portable blinds. Hunters must remove from the hunt area each day all duck hunting equipment, including blinds, decoys, and boats (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. No person will utilize the services of a guide, guide service, outfitter, club, organization, or other person who provides equipment, services, or assistance on Refuge System lands for compensation. Failure to comply with this provision subjects each hunter in the party to a fine if convicted of this violation.
5. We require a refuge hunt brochure permit; multiple copies of this permit are available at the refuge office, brochure dispensers at multiple locations throughout the refuge, and at area businesses. You must possess and carry a signed permit when hunting on the refuge.
6. We prohibit possession and/or use of herbicides (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
7. We prohibit marking trails with material other than biodegradable paper, flagging, or reflective tape/tacks.
8. We prohibit possession or use of alcoholic beverage(s) while hunting (see § 32.2(j)). We prohibit consumption or possession of opened container(s) of alcoholic beverage(s) in parking lots, on roadways, and in plain view in campgrounds.
9. All persons born after 1968 must possess a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.
10. Hunters under age 16 do not need to have a hunter education card if they are under the direct supervision (within arm's reach) of a holder of a valid hunting license who is at least age 21. An adult age 21 or older must supervise youth hunters under age 16 who have a valid Hunter Education Card, and youth hunters must remain in sight and normal voice contact with the adult. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters for any hunting season.
11. We only allow ATVs for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting and fishing. We restrict ATVs to designated times and designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) marked with signs and paint. We identify those trails and the dates they are open for use in the refuge hunt brochure. We limit ATVs to those having an engine displacement size not exceeding 700cc. We limit ATV tires to those having a centerline lug depth not exceeding 1 inch (2.5 cm). You may use horses on roads and ATV trails (when open to motor vehicle and ATV traffic respectively) as a mode of transportation for on-refuge, wildlife-dependent activities.
12. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of roads and trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) open to motor vehicle use (including ATV and designated hiking trails).
13. We prohibit target practice with any weapon or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
14. We allow only camping at designated primitive campground sites identified in the refuge hunt brochure. We restrict camping to the individuals involved in refuge wildlife-dependent activities. Campers may stay no more than 14 days during any consecutive 30-day period in a campground and must occupy the camps daily. We prohibit all disturbances, including use of generators, after 10 p.m. We allow no more than three portable stands per person.
15. You may take beaver, nutria, feral hog, and coyote during any daytime refuge hunt with weapons and ammunition allowed for that hunt. We prohibit the use of dogs. There is no bag limit. You may not transport live hogs.
16. We prohibit blocking of gates, boat ramps, or roadways (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
17. We allow the use of retriever dogs during State waterfowl seasons.
18. You must unload and case firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in any land vehicle, boat under power, or on horses. We define “loaded” as shells in the gun or cap on a muzzleloader.
19. We prohibit the use or possession of any electronic call or other electronic device used for producing or projecting vocal sounds of any wildlife species.
20. We prohibit possession, placement, or hunting over bait, salt, or any other ingestible attractant (see § 32.2(h)).
21. We prohibit the use of an artificial light to locate wildlife (exception: raccoon/opossum hunting with dogs).
22. We prohibit taking of wildlife or plants (including cutting trees or brush) other than what we allow in the refuge brochure (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
23. We prohibit placement of metal objects (screw, nail, spike, etc.) into a tree to support a hunter or hunting from a tree with such metal objects placed (see § 32.2(i)).
24. We prohibit possessing, using, or leaving any tree stand, game camera, or boat on the refuge without the owner's name and address affixed in a conspicuous manner.
1. We allow hunting during State seasons (see State regulations for appropriate zone) for the species listed above through January 31. We annually list specific hunting season dates and quota Gun Deer Hunt dates in the refuge hunt brochure. We close upland game hunting during refuge quota Gun Deer Hunts.
2. We do not open for spring squirrel season and summer/fall raccoon season.
3. Conditions A4 through A16 and A19 through A24 apply.
4. We prohibit possession of lead ammunition, except that you may use rimfire rifle lead ammunition no larger than .22 caliber for upland game hunting. We prohibit possession of shot larger than that legal for waterfowl hunting.
5. We allow use of dogs for squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum hunting during the State raccoon/opossum hunting season. At other times you must keep dogs and other pets on a leash or confined (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. We allow archery deer hunting on the refuge from the opening of the State season through January 31 (see State regulations for appropriate zone).
2. Conditions A4 through A16 and A19 through A24 apply.
3. We close archery deer hunting during the quota Gun Deer Hunts.
4. We allow muzzleloader deer hunting during the October State muzzleloader season for this deer management zone. The bag limit is one buck and one doe. Hunters must take and check-in a doe before taking a buck.
5. The refuge will conduct one 2-day quota Gun Deer Hunt (typically in November).
6. We restrict hunt participants for this quota Gun Deer Hunt to those drawn for a quota permit. Hunt dates and application procedures will be available at the refuge office in July. The permits are nontransferable.
7. The quota Gun Deer Hunt bag limit is one buck and one doe.
8. You must check all deer taken during the quota gun deer and muzzleloader hunts at the refuge deer check station on the same day of kill. You must keep carcasses of deer taken intact (you may remove entrails) until checked.
9. We prohibit horses and mules during refuge muzzleloader and quota deer hunts.
10. We open spring archery turkey hunting during the State spring turkey season for this zone. The State bag limit for this turkey hunt applies. We do not open for fall archery turkey season.
11. We close spring archery turkey hunting during scheduled turkey quota permit gun hunts.
12. The refuge will conduct one 2-day, youth-only (age 15 and younger at the beginning of the spring turkey season) quota spring turkey hunt and one 3-day quota spring turkey hunt (typically in April). Specific hunt dates and application procedures will be available in January. We restrict hunt participants on these hunts to those drawn for a quota permit, except that during the youth hunt, a nonhunting adult age 21 or older must accompany the youth hunter. The limit is one bearded turkey.
13. We prohibit the use of buckshot for gun deer hunting.
14. You may only use portable deer stands erected 2 days before each hunt, but you must remove them within 2 days after each hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
15. One adult may supervise no more than one youth during big game hunts.
16. We prohibit the use of deer decoy(s)
17. We prohibit deer drives.
18. We prohibit all public use, except fishing and access for fishing, during quota hunts.
1. You must reset trotlines when exposed by receding water levels.
2. Conditions A4 through A16 and A18 through A24 apply.
3. We prohibit consumption or possession of opened container(s) of alcoholic beverage(s) in parking lots, on roadways, and in plain view in campgrounds (see § 32.2(j)).
1. We require refuge hunting permits. The permits are nontransferable and anyone on refuge land in possession of hunting equipment must sign and carry them at all times.
2. We provide annual season dates on the hunt brochure/permit.
3. You must sign in prior to the hunt and sign out after the hunt at the Hunter Information Station.
4. You must adhere to all public use special conditions and regulations on the annual hunt brochure/permit.
1. Conditions A1, A3, and A4 apply.
2. We allow shotguns using approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 long-rifle caliber rifles. We prohibit possession of lead shot and .22 magnum caliber rifles.
3. We provide annual season dates for squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum hunting on the hunt brochure/permit.
4. You may take nutria, beaver, feral hog, and coyote during any refuge hunt with the firearm allowed for that hunt, subject to State seasons on these species.
5. We prohibit dogs except for raccoon hunting where we require them. We prohibit pleasure running or training of dogs.
6. We allow raccoon hunters to use horses/mules but prohibit their use by other refuge hunters and visitors.
7. We prohibit hunting from or within 50 yards (45 m) of graveled roads and within 150 yards (135 m) of refuge buildings.
1. Conditions A1 and A4 and B4 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting from or within 50 yards (45 m) of graveled roads and within 150 yards (135 m) of refuge buildings.
3. We specify annual season dates, bag limits, and hunting methods on the annual hunting brochure/permit.
4. Immediately record the deer zone 640 on the hunter's license and later on official check station records upon harvest of a deer.
5. You must sign in prior to the hunt and sign out after the hunt at the Hunter Information Station. You must check harvested deer at this location.
6. We prohibit dogs.
7. We allow only single-person portable tree stands. You may place tree stands on the refuge 2 days before the hunt but must remove them within 2 days after the hunt. You must permanently affix the owner's name and address on stands left on the refuge.
8. We prohibit possession of or marking trails with materials other than biodegradable paper/flagging or reflective tape/tacks.
9. We prohibit ATVs.
1. We allow fishing from March 15 through October 31 from
2. We prohibit fishing in Big Creek and other ditches that flow through the refuge.
3. We prohibit the possession or use of live carp, shad, buffalo, or goldfish for bait.
4. We prohibit the possession or use of yo-yos, jugs, or other floating containers, drops or limb lines, trotlines, or commercial fishing tackle.
5. We prohibit fishing within 100 yards (90 m) of any refuge building.
6. We allow bank fishing but you must park vehicles in designated parking areas.
7. We prohibit the taking of frogs, mollusks, and turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
8. You must use the public boat ramp off Highway 77 to launch boats into Wapanocca Lake.
9. You must remove all boats daily from the refuge (see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit airboats, personal watercraft, and hovercraft.
1. You must sign, possess, and carry a refuge permit.
2. We allow duck hunting from legal shooting hours until 12 p.m. (noon).
3. We allow retriever dogs.
4. You must remove blinds, blind material, and decoys (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge by 1 p.m. each day.
5. North Unit waterfowl season and youth waterfowl hunts are concurrent with State season dates.
6. You may take coot and woodcock during the State season.
7. We restrict the South Unit waterfowl season to the Jack's Bay hunt area as indicated in the general user permit. It is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday of the concurrent State season dates.
8. Waterfowl hunters may enter and access the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m.
9. The following refuge users (age 16 or older) must sign and possess and carry a refuge general user permit: hunters, anglers, campers, and ATV users.
10. We prohibit boating December 1 through January 31 in the South Unit Waterfowl Hunt Area, except from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. on designated hunt days.
11. We prohibit marking trails with materials other than biodegradable paper flagging or reflective tape/tacks.
12. We prohibit use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting (see § 32.2(j)).
13. We prohibit cutting of holes in or other manipulation of vegetation or hunting in such areas (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit waterfowl hunting on Kansas Lake Area (indicated in user permit).
15. We prohibit loaded weapons in a vehicle or boat while under power (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter). We define “loaded” as shells in the gun or ignition device on a muzzleloader.
16. We allow duck hunting on specific scattered tracts of land, in accordance with the North Unit regulations. Consult the refuge office for further information.
17. We allow the use of ATVs only on yellow-marked trails throughout the refuge, unless marked otherwise. We prohibit the use
1. Conditions A1, A8, A10, A11, A12, and A14 apply.
2. You may hunt rabbit and squirrel on the North Unit during the concurrent State season dates until January 31.
3. We allow dogs for hunting of rabbit and squirrel December 1 through January 31 on the North Unit.
4. You may hunt rabbit and squirrel on the South Unit from the beginning of the concurrent State season through November 30.
5. We prohibit dogs on the South Unit for the purpose of squirrel or rabbit hunting.
6. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot when hunting upland game, except turkey (see § 32.2(k)). We allow the possession of lead shot for hunting turkey.
7. We close all upland game hunts during quota modern gun and quota muzzleloader deer hunts.
8. We allow spring squirrel hunting on the North Unit with the concurrent State spring season dates.
1. Conditions A1, A8, A10, A11, A12, and A14 apply.
2. Archery deer and turkey seasons on the North Unit will begin with the concurrent State archery season and end January 31. (Kansas Lake Area Closed after November 30)
3. Archery deer and turkey seasons on the South Unit will begin with the concurrent State archery season and end December 31.
4. The user permit dictates the modern gun quota deer season dates each year for the North and South Units. We require a quota permit. You may take one deer of either sex.
5. The muzzleloader quota deer season is the first 3 days of the State season for the North and South units. We require a quota permit. You may take one deer of either sex.
6. We allow modern guns on the North Unit as per dates indicated in the general user brochure. We only allow take of one legal buck.
7. You may hunt the North or South Unit by muzzleloader or modern gun with a quota hunt permit. You may take only one deer of either sex. We list the season in the refuge hunt brochure/permit.
8. We allow muzzleloader hunting on the North Unit for 4 consecutive days following the 3-day muzzleloader quota hunt. We allow take of only one buck.
9. State deer limits apply to archery hunting season except during the refuge muzzleloader and modern gun season.
10. We close all nonquota hunting during the quota deer hunts.
11. We do not open to the bear season on all refuge-owned lands, including those lands in Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area.
12. If you harvest deer and turkey on the refuge, you must immediately record the zone number on your hunting license and later at an official check station.
13. We prohibit muzzleloader and modern gun deer hunting in the Kansas Lake Area after October 30 of each year.
14. We close refuge lands on the North Unit to all deer hunting and fall turkey hunting when the White River gauge reading at St. Charles reaches 23 feet (8.4 m), as reported by the National Weather Service in the
15. We close refuge lands on the South Unit to all deer hunting and fall turkey hunting when the White River gauge reading at St. Charles reaches 23 feet (8.4 m) and the gauge at Lock and Dam # 1 reaches 145 feet (43.5 m) simultaneously as reported by news release and will reopen these lands when the same gauge reading reaches 21 feet (6.3 m) and 143 feet (42.9 m), respectively, as reported by news release.
16. We allow access and refuge use during quota hunt to anglers and nonconsumptive users.
17. We prohibit distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, salt, or ingestible attractant (see § 32.2(h)).
18. We prohibit the use of dogs and/or horses other than specified in the general user permit.
19. We prohibit all forms of organized drives.
20. We prohibit firearm hunting from or across roadways, levees, and maintained utility rights-of-way for deer only.
21. We prohibit hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter.
22. We prohibit leaving a hunt stand after February 7 (one week after the end of the season).
23. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
24. We prohibit modern gun and muzzleloader deer hunting on Kansas Lake Area after October 30.
25. You may take beaver, nutria, and feral hog incidental to any daytime refuge hunt with weapons allowed for that hunt.
1. Conditions A8 and A10 apply.
2. We allow fishing year-round in LaGrue, Essex, Prairie, Scrubgrass and Brooks Bayous, Big Island Chute, Moon and Belknap Lakes next to Arkansas Highway 1, Indian Bay, the Arkansas Post Canal and adjacent drainage ditches; those borrow ditches located adjacent to the west bank of that portion of the White River Levee north of the Arkansas Power and Light Company powerline right-of-way; and all refuge-owned waters located north of Arkansas Highway 1. We open all other refuge waters to sport fishing from March 1 through November 30 unless posted otherwise.
3. We require a refuge Special Use Permit to fish with any type tackle other than hook and line.
4. We allow frogging on all refuge-owned waters open for sport fishing as follows: We allow frogging on the South Unit from the beginning of the State season through November 30; we allow frogging on the North Unit for the entire State season.
5. We allow the use of bow and arrow for taking bullfrogs or fish by a refuge Special Use Permit.
6. We allow crawfishing.
7. We require a Special Use Permit for all commercial fishing on the refuge in addition to compliance with State regulations governing commercial fishing.
8. We allow commercial fishing on all refuge waters from 12:00 p.m. (noon) September 30 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) November 30. However, when the White River exceeds 23.5 feet (7 m) at the St. Charles, Arkansas gauge or 146 msl (mean sea level) at the tailwater gauge at Lock and Dam #1 on the Arkansas Post Canal, we allow commercial fishing on all refuge waters from 12:00 p.m. (noon) March 1 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) September 30.
9. We prohibit take or possession of any freshwater mussels, and we do not open to mussel shelling.
10. Anglers must reset trotlines when receding water levels expose them. Anglers must display their name and address on a tag on each line.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Refer to § 32.22 Arizona for regulations.
1. Air-thrust and inboard waterthrust boats are not permitted.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. Hunters may hunt only in the unit for nine (9) consecutive days beginning on the first Saturday following the third Wednesday in August.
2. Access to the unit is permitted only through the gate located on Clear Lake Road.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
2. Each hunter may not possess more than 25 shells while in the field.
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We prohibit bicycles and other conveyances.
4. We prohibit building or maintaining fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter), except in portable gas stoves.
5. You may only enter or exit at designated locations (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
6. Vehicles may only stop at designated parking areas (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas.
7. We only allow overnight stays in vehicles, motor homes, and trailers at the check station parking area.
8. You must restrain dogs on a leash within all designated parking areas (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. Conditions A1 through A8 apply.
2. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
1. You must unload firearms while transporting them between parking areas and spaced blind areas.
2. We do not allow snipe hunting in the spaced blind areas.
3. We restrict hunters assigned to the spaced blind area to within 100 feet (30 m) of their assigned hunt site except for retrieving downed birds, placing decoys, or traveling to and from the area.
4. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
5. You may possess no more than 25 shells while in the field.
6. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
7. No person may build or maintain fires, except in portable gas stoves.
8. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
9. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment, or stopping between designated parking areas.
10. We only allow overnight stays in vehicles, motor homes, and trailers at the check station parking area.
11. You must restrain dogs on a leash within all designated parking areas (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. We do not allow pheasant hunting in the spaced blind area except during a special 1-day-only pheasant hunt on the first Monday after the opening of the State pheasant hunting season.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
4. You may possess no more than 25 shells while in the field.
5. No person may build or maintain fires, except in portable gas stoves.
6. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
7. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment, or stopping between designated parking areas.
8. Conditions A10 and A11 apply.
1. We allow hunting in tidal areas, including salt marshes, sloughs, mudflats, and open waters of the San Francisco Bay. Unless posted in the field and/or noted below, we allow hunting by boat in all refuge tidal areas up to the mean high-water line. We close the following tidal areas to hunting and/or shooting:
i. Newark Slough to hunting and shooting from its source to Hetch-Hetchy Aqueduct, a distance of 3
ii. Dumbarton Point Marsh to the Hetch-Hetchy Aqueduct (west side of Newark Slough); and
iii. The headwaters of Mallard Slough (Artesian Slough) in the vicinity of the Environmental Education Center to hunting, as designated by posted signs.
2. We allow hunting in the 17 salt evaporation ponds listed below. These ponds are surrounded by levees and were formerly part of the San Francisco Bay. We have not opened any other ponds.
i. Ponds R1 and R2 in the Ravenswood Unit. These ponds are located on the west side of the Dumbarton Bridge between Ravenswood Slough and Highway 84. You may access these ponds only by foot or bicycle from either of two trailheads off Highway 84. We prohibit hunting within 300 feet (90 m) of Highway 84. These ponds will be open 7 days a week.
ii. Ponds M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and A19 in the Mowry Slough Unit. These ponds are located on the east side of the Bay between Mowry Slough and Coyote Creek. You may only access these ponds by boat. You may land your boat at specific points on the Bay side of the levee as designated by refuge signs. You may pull your boat across the levee from the Bay. We prohibit hunting within 300 feet (90 m) of the Union Pacific Railroad track. These ponds will be open 7 days a week.
iii. Ponds AB1, A2E, AB2, A3N, and A3W in the Alviso Unit. These ponds are located on the west side of the Bay between Stevens Creek and Guadalupe Slough. You must obtain a refuge Special Use Permit to hunt these ponds. Access to Ponds AB1 and A2E will be from the Crittenden Lane Trailhead in Mountain View. Access to Ponds A3W will be from the Carl Road Trailhead in Sunnyvale. Access to Ponds A3N and AB2 is by boat from the other ponds. We allow hunting only
iv. Ponds A5, A7, and A8N in the Alviso Unit. These ponds are located on the south end of the Bay between Guadalupe Slough and Alviso Slough. You must obtain a refuge Special Use Permit to hunt these ponds. Access is via walking and bicycling from the Gold Street gate in Alviso. We allow hunting from existing hunting blinds and by walking pond levees. We allow hunting only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays on these ponds.
3. During the 2 weekends before the opening of the hunt season, you may bring a boat into Ponds AB1, A2E, AB2, A3N, A3W, A5, A7, and A8N and moor it at a designated site only if authorized by a valid refuge Special Use Permit. These boats will be used to access the hunting blinds and will stay in the pond during the hunt season. You must remove your boat within 2 weeks following the close of the hunt season. We allow nonmotorized boats and motorized boats powered by electric or 4-stroke gasoline motors only.
4. You may maintain an existing blind in the ponds open to hunting if you have a valid refuge Special Use Permit, but the blind will be open for general use on a first-come, first-served basis. We prohibit pit blinds or digging into the levees (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
5. You must remove all decoys and other personal property (except personal boats authorized by a refuge Special Use Permit) from the refuge by legal sunset. You must remove all trash, including shotshell hulls, when leaving hunting areas (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. Hunters may enter closed areas of the refuge to retrieve downed birds, provided they leave all weapons in a legal hunting area. We encourage the use of retriever dogs. You must keep your dog(s) under immediate control of the handler at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). Dogs must remain inside a vehicle or be on a leash until they are on the ponds or on the levees (Ponds R1, 2, A5, 7, and 8N only) as a part of the hunt.
7. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
8. You must keep firearms unloaded (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) until you are within the designated hunt area.
9. We prohibit target practice on the refuge or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
10. At the Ravenswood Unit only, we only allow portable blinds or construction of temporary blinds of natural materials that readily decompose. We prohibit collection of these natural materials from the refuge (see § 27.51 of this chapter). You must remove portable blinds (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) by legal sunset. Temporary blinds become available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis on subsequent days. We prohibit permanent blinds, pit blinds, or digging into the levees (see § 27.92 of this chapter). We prohibit entry into closed areas of the refuge prior to the hunt season in order to scout for hunting sites or to build blinds.
1. We allow fishing from land at the Coyote Creek Lagoon in Fremont, the Faber-Laumeister Unit in East Palo Alto, the Dumbarton Fishing Pier, and along the San Francisco Bay shoreline within
2. We open fishing areas daily (except we close the Dumbarton Fishing Pier and adjacent shoreline on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). We open the Dumbarton Fishing Pier from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. November 1 through March 31 and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 1 through October 31. We open Coyote Creek Lagoon and Faber-Laumeister Unit from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We prohibit the collection of bait of any type from the refuge except from the Dumbarton Fishing Pier, where it is legal to collect bait for noncommercial purposes.
4. We prohibit the use of balloons to float hooks and bait farther than hand casting.
5. We prohibit personal watercraft (e.g., Jet Skis, waterbikes) on the refuge.
Refer to § 32.22 Arizona for regulations.
1. We require adults age 18 or older to accompany youth hunters under age 16. No more than three youth hunters may accompany one adult hunter.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We prohibit public access into or through closed areas and designate closed areas as nonretrieval zones.
4. You may only use portable blinds in the free-roam hunting areas (
5. You must remove all blinds, decoys, shell casings, and other personal equipment and refuse from the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) .
6. We require hunters to keep dogs inside vehicles, or on a leash, except when using them for authorized hunting purposes (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. On the Salmon Creek Unit, we allow hunting on Tuesdays and Saturdays (except Federal holidays), and hunters must possess and carry a valid daily refuge permit. We issue refuge permits prior to each hunt by random drawing conducted at the check station 1
8. On the Salmon Creek Unit, you may possess only approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less per hunter, per day.
9. On the Salmon Creek Unit, we restrict hunters to within 100 feet (30 meters) of the assigned hunt site except for placing and retrieving decoys, retrieving downed birds, or traveling to and from the parking area. You must unload firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while transporting them between the parking lot and designated blind sites.
10. We open the Table Bluff Unit (southwest corner of South Bay) to hunting.
11. We open portions of the Eureka Slough and Jacoby Creek Units to hunting. We designate the Eureka Slough and Jacoby Creek Units as boat access only. On the Eureka Slough and Jacoby Creek Units, we prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 meters) of Highway 101.
Refer to § 32.22 Arizona for regulations.
1. Hunters assigned to the spaced blind unit must travel to and from parking areas and blind sites with firearms unloaded.
2. Hunters assigned to the spaced blind unit must remain within 100 feet of the numbered steel post (blind site) except when pursuing cripples, placing decoys or traveling to and from the parking area.
3. Hunters may not possess more than 25 shells while in the field.
4. Hunters must park in assigned lots.
5. Only nonmotorized boats are permitted.
1. Pheasant hunting is only permitted in the free roam unit.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. In the controlled waterfowl hunting area, we require entry permits for the first 2 days of the waterfowl season for all hunters 16 years of age or older. An adult with a permit must accompany hunters under the age of 16 hunting in the controlled area. We require advance reservations for the first 2 days of the hunt.
2. Shooting hours end at 1:00 p.m. on all California portions of the refuge with the following exceptions:
a. The refuge manager may designate up to 6 afternoon special youth or disabled hunter waterfowl hunts per season; and
b. The refuge manager may designate up to 3 days per week of afternoon waterfowl hunting for the general public after December 1.
3. You may carry only unloaded firearms on hunter access routes open to motor vehicles or when taking them through posted retrieving zones when traveling to and from the hunting areas.
4. You may not set decoys in retrieving zones.
5. We do not allow air-thrust and inboard waterthrust boats.
6. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
7. You may use only nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors on units 4b and 4c from the start of the hunting season through November 30. You may use motorized boats on units 4b and 4c from December 1 through the end of hunting season.
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
2. You may carry only unloaded firearms on hunter access routes open to motor vehicles or when taking them through posted retrieving zones when traveling to and from the hunting areas.
1. You must unload firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) before transporting them between parking areas and blind sites. Unloaded means that no ammunition is in the chamber or magazine of the firearm.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less per day after leaving the parking lot.
3. Each hunter must remain inside his or her assigned blind, except for placing decoys, retrieving downed birds, and traveling to and from the parking area. We prohibit shooting from outside the blind.
4. Dogs must remain under the immediate control of their owners at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. On the opening weekend of the hunting season, hunters must possess and carry a refuge permit issued through random drawing to hunters with advance reservations only.
2. After the opening weekend of the hunting season, we only allow hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Hunters must check-in and out of the refuge by using self-service permits. Hunters must completely fill out the “Refuge Hunt Permit” portion of the permit and deposit it in the drop box prior to hunting. The hunter must possess and carry the “Record of Kill” portion of the permit while on the refuge and turned in prior to exiting the hunting area.
3. In the designated spaced blind area, you must remain within 50 feet (15 m) of the established blind stake for the blind assigned to you.
4. We require adults age 18 or older to accompany youth hunters age 15 and under.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less after leaving the parking area.
6. In the free-roam hunting areas, you may only use portable blinds or blinds constructed of vegetation.
7. You must remove all blinds, decoys, shell casings, other personal equipment, and refuse from the refuge at the end of each day (
8. Hunters must enter and exit the hunting area from the two designated hunt parking lots, which we open 1
9. We only allow access to the hunt area by foot, bicycle, and nonmotorized cart. We prohibit bicycles in the hunt area during the opening weekend of the hunting season.
1. We limit hunting to junior hunters only, age 15 or under, possessing a valid State Junior Hunting License and refuge Junior Pheasant Hunt Permit.
2. We require adults age 18 or older to accompany junior hunters.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
4. Hunters must enter and exit the hunting area from the two designated hunt parking lots.
1. We prohibit fishing from October 1 through January 31.
2. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We only allow walk-in access to Dorris Reservoir from February 1 through March 31.
4. We only allow use of boats on Dorris Reservoir from April 1 through September 30.
1. You must unload firearms while transporting them between parking areas and spaced blind areas.
2. We do not allow snipe hunting in the spaced blind area.
3. We restrict hunters assigned to the spaced blind unit to within 100 feet (30 m) of their assigned hunt site except for retrieving downed birds, placing decoys, or traveling to and from the parking area.
4. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
5. You may possess no more than 25 shells while in the field.
6. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
7. No person may build or maintain fires, except in portable gas stoves.
8. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
9. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas.
10. We only allow overnight stays in vehicles, motor homes, and trailers at the check station parking area.
11. You must restrain dogs on a leash within all designated parking areas (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. We do not allow pheasant hunting in the spaced blind area except during a special 1-day-only pheasant hunt on the first Monday after the opening of the State pheasant hunting season.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
4. You may not possess more than 25 shells while in the field.
5. No person may build or maintain fires, except in portable gas stoves.
6. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
7. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas.
8. Conditions A10 and A11 apply.
1. We only allow shotgun hunting.
2. You must unload firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) before transporting them between parking areas and hunting areas. “Unloaded” means that no ammunition is in the chamber or magazine of the firearm.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
4. We prohibit hunting within 50 feet (15 m) of any landward boundary adjacent to private property.
5. We prohibit hunting within 150 yards (45 m) of any occupied dwelling, house, residence, or other building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith.
6. Access to the hunt area on all units open to public hunting is by boat only, except on Sul Norte Unit, Drumheller, and Drumheller North, which are accessible by foot traffic or boat. We prohibit bicycles or other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
7. We prohibit fires on the refuge, except we allow portable gas stoves on gravel bars (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter).
8. We allow camping on gravel bars up to 7 days during any 30-day period. We prohibit camping on all other refuge lands.
9. We open the refuge for day-use access from 1
10. We require dogs to be kept on a leash, except for hunting dogs engaged in authorized hunting activities, and under the immediate control of a licensed hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
11. We prohibit permanent blinds. You must remove all personal property, including decoys and boats, by 1
12. We prohibit cutting or removal of vegetation for blind construction or for making trails (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
1. We only allow shotgun and archery hunting.
2. Conditions A3 through A12 apply.
1. Conditions A4 through A12, and B1 apply.
2. We prohibit construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms ladders or screw-in foot pegs.
3. You must remove all personal property, including stands, from the refuge by 1
1. Conditions A7, A8, A9, and A12 apply.
2. On Packer Lake, due to primitive access, we allow only boats up to 14 feet (4.2 m) and canoes. We allow electric motors only.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells while on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less.
2. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
3. You must keep firearms unloaded until you are within the designated hunt area.
4. We only allow dogs engaged in hunting activities on the refuge during the waterfowl season. Hunters must keep their dog(s) under their immediate control at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). We prohibit training of dogs on the refuge. We prohibit other domesticated animals or pets.
5. We prohibit target practice on the refuge or any nonhunting discharge of weapons (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
1. You may only use portable blinds, temporary blinds constructed of natural materials, or existing concrete blinds. We prohibit cutting or breaking woody vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
2. You must remove all portable blinds, decoys, and other personal equipment from the refuge following each day's hunt.
3. You must dismantle any temporary blinds constructed of natural materials at the end of each day.
4. You may only hunt snipe within the free-roaming portion of the San Luis Unit waterfowl hunting area.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less after leaving your assigned parking lot or boat launch.
6. We prohibit dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas. You must return your permits to the check stations immediately upon completion of your hunt and prior to using any tour routes or leaving the refuge vicinity.
7. You may not transport loaded firearms while walking or bicycling between parking areas in spaced blind units, or while traveling in a boat under power.
8. We restrict hunters in the spaced blind area to their assigned blind except when they are placing decoys, traveling to and from the parking area, retrieving downed birds, or when shooting to retrieve cripples.
9. Access to the Frietas Unit free-roam hunting area is by boat only with a maximum of 5 mph. Prohibited boats include air-thrust and/or inboard water-thrust types.
10. We prohibit the use of motorized boats in the free-roam units with the exception of the Frietas Unit.
11. We do not allow vehicle trailers of any type or size to be in the refuge hunt areas at any time or to be left unattended at any location on the refuge.
12. Dogs must remain under the immediate control of their owners at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
B.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less while in the field.
2. Dogs must remain under the immediate control of their owners at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset, except on that portion of the San Joaquin River's south (left descending) bank within the West Bear Creek Unit designated as open for fishing 24 hours per day.
2. We only allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel to take gamefish, and anglers must attend their equipment at all times.
3. We prohibit the use of any boat, float tube, or other floating aid/device.
1. Unless posted in the field and/or noted below, we only allow hunting in the open waters of San Pablo Bay and its navigable sloughs. We have not opened the following areas to hunting:
i. Lower Tubbs Island; ii. Lower Tubbs Setback;
iii. Cullinan Ranch Unit; and
iv. Within 300 feet (90 m) of Highway 37.
2. You may only hunt from a boat or a floating blind. We prohibit walk-in hunting on the refuge.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less while in the field.
4. You must remove all decoys, boats, and other personal property from the refuge at
5. We allow temporary floating blinds on the refuge subject to refuge manager approval. We allow blind installation beginning on October 1, but hunters must remove blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by February 1. Temporary floating blinds become available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis on subsequent days. We prohibit entry to closed areas of the refuge prior to the hunting season in order to scout for hunting sites.
6. We only allow dogs engaged in hunting activities on the refuge during waterfowl season. We prohibit other domesticated animals or pets. Hunters must keep their dog(s) under their immediate control at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). We prohibit training of dogs on the refuge.
7. We prohibit digging into levees or slough channels.
8. We prohibit target practice on the refuge or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
9. We allow foot access through the refuge to the State's Tolay Creek Unit for waterfowl hunting. You must unload and either break down or case all shotguns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while in transit through the refuge.
1. You may only hunt on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less while in the field.
3. You may only access the Tolay Creek Unit by foot or bicycle.
4. We only allow dogs engaged in hunting activities on the refuge during pheasant season. We prohibit other domesticated animals or pets.
1. Hunters using the Union Tract must use goose decoys.
2. You must hunt from assigned blinds on the Union Tract and within 100 feet (30 m) of blind sites on the Hazard Tract, except when shooting to retrieve crippled birds.
3. Firearms must be unloaded while being transported between parking areas and blind sites.
4. Hunters may not possess more than 25 shells while in the field.
1. Fishing is permitted from April 1 through September 30.
2. Only boat fishing is permitted.
1. We allow hunting on Sun River Unit only on Wednesdays and Saturdays from
2. We will select hunters through a random drawing process conducted at the refuge. Hunters should bring a copy of their refuge notification on the day of their hunt. Hunters should contact the refuge manager for additional information.
3. We require adults, age 18 or older, to accompany hunters under age 16.
4. We prohibit bicycles or other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should contact the refuge manager regarding allowed conveyances.
5. You must unload firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) before transporting them between parking areas and spaced-blind areas. “Unloaded” means that no ammunition is in the chamber or magazine of the firearm.
6. We restrict hunters to their assigned spaced-blind except when they are placing or retrieving decoys, traveling to and from the parking area, retrieving downed birds, or when shooting to retrieve cripples.
7. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less.
8. We prohibit fires on the refuge (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter).
9. We allow vehicles to stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas.
10. We allow only nonmotorized boats to access water blinds.
11. You must remove all decoys, personal equipment, shotshell hulls, and refuse from the refuge by 12:30 p.m. (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
12. Junior hunters must possess a valid Junior Hunting License.
13. We allow the use of hunting dogs for retrieving birds, provided the dogs remain under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
2. You may possess no more than 25 shells while in the field.
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
4. No person may build or maintain fires, except in portable gas stoves.
5. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
6. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas.
7. We only allow overnight stays in vehicles, motor homes, and trailers at the check station parking area.
8. You must restrain dogs on a leash within all designated parking areas (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
2. Access is by foot traffic only. We do not allow bicycles and other conveyances. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
3. You may possess no more than 25 shells while in the field.
4. No person may build or maintain fires, except in portable gas stoves.
5. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
6. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas.
7. Conditions A7 and A8 apply.
1. We require entry permits in the controlled waterfowl hunting area for the first 2 days of the waterfowl season for all hunters 16 years of age or older. An adult with a permit must accompany hunters under the age of 16 hunting in the controlled area. We require advance reservation for the first 2 days of the hunt.
2. Shooting hours end at 1:00 p.m. on all California portions of the refuge with the following exceptions:
a. The refuge manager may designate up to six afternoon special youth or disabled hunter waterfowl hunts per season; and
b. The refuge manager may designate up to 3 days per week of afternoon waterfowl hunting for the general public after December 1.
3. We do not allow possession of any loaded firearms more than 200 feet (60 m) from the established blind stakes. You select blind sites by lottery at the beginning of each hunt day. You may shoot only from within your assigned blind site.
4. You may carry only unloaded firearms on hunter access routes open to motor vehicles or when taking them through posted retrieving zones when traveling to and from the hunting areas.
5. We do not allow you to set decoys in retrieving zones.
6. We do not allow air-thrust and inboard waterthrust boats.
7. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
2. You may carry only unloaded firearms on hunter access routes open to motor vehicles or when taking them through posted retrieving zones when traveling to and from the hunting areas.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. Anglers may not fish between June 1 and July 31 each year.
2. Anglers may fish only during daylight hours.
1. We require a valid State fishing license and valid refuge fishing permit for all anglers age 16 and older. You must obtain and display a daily refuge fishing badge while fishing.
2. We only allow the use of rod and reel with one hook or lure per line.
3. We only allow catch and release fishing.
4. We only allow barbless hooks.
5. We only allow artificial flies or lures.
6. We prohibit the use of live bait.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We require hunters to obtain an annual Special Use Permit in advance for permission to hunt in the designated hunting area. Consult the refuge manager for details on how and when to apply for a Special Use Permit.
2. Any person entering, using, or occupying the refuge for hunting must abide by all the terms and conditions of the Special Use Permit.
3. You must have all applicable hunting licenses, permits, stamps, and a photographic identification in your possession while hunting on the refuge.
4. We will limit hunt days to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during the waterfowl hunting season as established by the State.
5. We only allow shotguns.
6. You must keep firearms unloaded until you are within the designated hunting area (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter).
7. Access to the hunt area is by foot or boat in designated areas only. Mobility-impaired hunters should consult with the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
8. You may possess no more than 25 approved nontoxic shot per day while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
9. This is a waterfowl hunt only. We allow no more than two dogs per waterfowl hunting party. We prohibit dog training on the refuge.
10. During State-established youth days, licensed junior hunters may hunt in the designated hunting area when accompanied by a licensed adult hunter age 18 or older. Adults must possess a valid hunting license; however, we prohibit them carrying a firearm.
11. We prohibit the use of air-thrust and inboard water-thrust boats such as, but not limited to, hovercrafts, airboats, jet skis, watercycles, and waterbikes on all waters within the refuge boundaries.
12. We prohibit hunters launching any boats on the refuge that they cannot portage by hand. A dock and a boat ramp are not available on the refuge.
13. We prohibit pit or permanent blinds.
14. You must remove all temporary blinds, boats, decoys, and all other personal property from the refuge each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. Permits are required for waterfowl hunting except on the South Upland Hunting Area.
2. Hunting of waterfowl and coots is permitted on the South Waterfowl Area, the West Waterfowl Area, and the Young Waterfowlers Area.
3. Only snow geese may be taken on the Snow Goose Area.
4. Hunting is permitted only from designated sites, except on the South Upland Hunting Area and the Snow Goose Area.
5. The maximum number of hunters permitted per blind is as follows:
West Waterfowl Area—4; South Waterfowl Area—3; Young Waterfowlers Area—2.
6. The possession of a loaded shotgun while outside a blind or designated site is not permitted unless actively pursuing crippled birds.
7. Waterfowl hunters may not possess more than 15 shotgun shells per day on the West and Young Waterfowlers Hunt Areas.
1. We allow hunting only on the South Upland Hunting Area.
2. We allow hunting from
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. We require a refuge permit except on the South Upland Hunting Area.
2. Hunting on the Headquarters Deer Hunt Area must be from designated stands only, unless actively tracking or retrieving wounded deer.
3. We require a valid State permit for turkey hunting.
4. During firearms deer season, hunters must wear in a conspicuous manner as an outer layer on the head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of solid-colored orange clothing or material.
1. We require daily permits and fees. The permits are nontransferable. Consult with the refuge manager for details on permit conditions.
2. For all refuge hunts, a hunting or nonhunting adult age 18 or older must accompany a permitted juvenile age 17 or under.
3. Hunters may take waterfowl and coot on the Waterfowl Hunting Area only as designated on brochures available from the refuge manager.
4. The refuge is open to hunting of waterfowl and coot on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the State waterfowl hunting seasons from
5. Access to the Waterfowl Hunting Area is by boat only and hunters must use designated launching sites to launch their boats.
6. We prohibit the use of air-thrust and inboard water-thrust boats on all waters within the refuge boundaries. We allow a maximum horsepower of 30 HP.
7. We allow waterfowl hunting from designated blind sites only. We allow a maximum of three people per blind.
8. Hunters may take mourning dove, snipe, and woodcock only on the upland game hunting areas as shown on brochures available from the refuge manager.
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. Hunters may take pheasant, rabbit, and quail only on designated upland game hunting areas as shown on brochures available from the refuge manager.
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. Hunters may take white-tailed deer only on designated deer hunting areas as shown on brochures available from the refuge manager.
3. Deer hunting during firearms seasons must be from designated stands only, unless actively tracking or retrieving wounded deer. We allow hunters to hunt from portable stands during archery hunts in all designated areas and during firearms hunts in the Slaughter Canal Area only. Tree stands must be portable, temporary in design, and completely removed at the end of each day. The Service is not responsible for any stands left overnight.
4. All persons in firearms hunting areas must display a minimum of 400 total square inches (2,600 cm
5. Hunters may use or possess slugs only during designated shotgun seasons.
6. Each permitted hunter has a season limit of only one antlered deer on the refuge.
1. We allow fishing and launching of boats on designated areas as shown on brochures available from the refuge manager.
2. The refuge is open from
3. Anglers using boats on Turkle and Fleetwood Ponds may propel them manually or with electric motors only.
4. We prohibit the use of air-thrust and inboard water-thrust boats on all waters within the refuge boundaries. We allow a maximum of 30HP on Prime Hook Creek.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge waterfowl hunt permit while hunting. Only original permits are lawful. Internet copies are not valid.
2. We allow hunting in the interior of the refuge south of latitude line 26.27.130 and north of mile markers 12 and 14. We prohibit hunting from canals or levees and those areas posted as closed.
3. Consult the refuge manager for current waterfowl season dates and times.
4. We do not open to hunting on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Christmas Day.
5. We allow hunting on the refuge from
6. Hunters may enter and leave the refuge at the Headquarters Area (Boynton Beach), the Hillsboro Area (Boca Raton), and the 20 Mile Bend Area (West Palm Beach).
7. Hunters must unload and case or dismantle firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) when outside of hunting area and when en route to or from the hunting area. Hunters may only use no greater than .10 gauge shotguns. We prohibit all other firearms or weapons (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).
8. We only allow temporary blinds of native vegetation. We prohibit the taking, removing, or destroying of refuge vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
9. Hunters must remove decoys and other personal property (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the hunting area each day.
10. We encourage the use of dogs to retrieve dead or wounded waterfowl. Dogs must remain under the immediate control of the owner at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). We prohibit pets at all other times.
11. Hunters must complete a daily bag report card and place it in an entrance fee canister each day prior to exiting the refuge.
12. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. Youth hunters must have completed a hunter education course.
13. We only allow boats equipped with outboards or electric motors and nonmotorized boats. We prohibit airboats, hovercraft, and personal watercraft (Go Devils, Jet Skis, jet
14. We require all boats operating outside of the main perimeter canals (the L-40 Canal, L-39 Canal, L-7 Canal, and L-101 Canal) in interior areas of the refuge and within the hunt area, to fly a 12 inch by 12 inch (30 cm x 30 cm) orange flag, 10 feet (3 m) above the vessel's waterline.
15. We prohibit motorized vehicles of any type on the levees and undesignated routes (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
16. Hunters, their vehicles, boats, equipment, and other belongings are subject to inspection by Service law enforcement officers.
17. For emergencies or to report violations, contact law enforcement personnel at 1-800-307-5789. Law enforcement officers may be monitoring VHF Channel 16.
1. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. Special black bass regulations are in effect within the boundaries of the refuge. The daily creel limit is five black bass per person, per day, where only one bass may be over 14 inches (35 cm) in length.
3. We allow fishing south of a line of latitude of 26.27.130 and in the rim canal in the rest of the refuge. We prohibit fishing in Management Compartments A, B, and C, and those areas posted as closed to fishing or the public.
4. We only allow the use of rods and reels and poles and lines, and anglers must attend them at all times.
5. We prohibit commercial fishing and the taking of frogs, turtles, and other wildlife (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
6. We prohibit the possession or use of cast nets, seines, trot lines, jugs, gigs, and other fishing devices.
7. Anglers may only launch boats at the Headquarters Area (Boynton Beach), the Hillsboro Area (Boca Raton), and 20 Mile Bend (West Palm Beach).
8. Conditions A13, A14, A15, and A17 apply.
9. Anglers, their vehicles, boats, equipment, and other belongings are subject to inspection by Service law enforcement officers.
1. Fishing is permitted only from sunrise to sunset.
2. Fishing is permitted year-round, from refuge beaches only.
1. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. We allow salt-water fishing along the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon year-round in accordance with State recreational fishing regulations.
3. We prohibit commercial fishing and the taking of frogs, turtles, and other wildlife (
4. We allow the use of only rods and reels and poles and lines, and anglers must attend them at all times.
5. We allow only two poles per angler, and anglers must attend those poles at all times in conjunction with the Martin County, Florida, two-pole ordinance.
6. We prohibit motorized vehicles of any type on the fire roads, undesignated routes, and areas posted as closed (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
7. Anglers, their vehicles, boats, equipment, and other belongings are subject to inspection by Service law enforcement officers.
8. For emergencies or to report violations, contact law enforcement personnel at 1-800-307-5789. Law enforcement officers may be monitoring VHF Channel 16.
1. We prohibit fishing and crabbing in all waters of the Bailey Tract except for Smith Pond and Airplane Canal.
2. We allow fishing and crabbing in all other refuge waters except in areas designated as “closed to public entry”.
3. We prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs, stone crabs, or spider crabs.
4. We allow the take of blue crab with the use of dip nets only.
5. The daily limit of blue crab is 20 per person (including no more than 10 females).
6. We prohibit kite surfing, kite boarding, wind surfing, sail boarding, and any similar type of activities.
7. We allow vessels propelled only by polling, paddling, or floating in the post “no-motor zone” of the Ding Darling Wilderness Area. All motors, including electric motors, must be in a nonuse position (out of the water) when in the “no-motor zone.”
8. We prohibit camping on all refuge lands and overnight mooring of vessels on all refuge waters.
9. You may only launch vessels at designated sites on the refuge.
10. We allow public access to Wildlife Drive and Indigo Trail beginning at 7:30 a.m., except on Fridays, when we close Wildlife Drive to all public access.
11. All visitors (e.g., anglers and photographers) must exit refuge lands and waters no later than
12. We allow fishing and crabbing from the bank on the impoundment side only (left side) of Wildlife Drive. We prohibit all public entry into the impoundments.
13. We prohibit commercial fishing and crabbing (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit the possession or use of seines or trot lines.
15. We prohibit the use of cast nets from Wildlife Drive or any structure affixed to shore.
16. All fish must remain in whole condition.
17. We prohibit consumption of alcohol or possession of open alcohol containers on refuge lands and waters (see § 32.2(j)).
18. We prohibit airboats, Hovercraft, and personal watercraft (Go Devils, Jet Skis, jet boats, and Wave Runners).
19. Vessels must not exceed slow speed/minimum wake in refuge waters.
20. We close to public entry islands (including rookery islands) except for designated trails.
1. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. We prohibit the use of airboats on the refuge.
3. We prohibit commercial fishing or the taking of frogs or turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit the use of snatch hooks in the refuge impoundments.
5. When boating, you must slow down and observe all manatee speed zones and caution areas.
1. We require hunters to possess and carry signed refuge hunt permits for all hunts.
2. We designated open and closed refuge hunting areas on the map in the refuge hunt permit that the hunter must possess and carry.
3. You must park vehicles in a manner that does not block roads or gates (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
4. We prohibit the use of ATVs (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
5. We prohibit horses.
6. We prohibit possession of a loaded firearm or bow and arrow (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while on a refuge road right-of-way designated for motorized vehicle travel or in any vehicle or boat. We define “loaded” as shells in the chamber or magazine or percussion cap on a muzzleloader, or arrow notched in a bow.
7. We prohibit hunting from all refuge roads open to public vehicle travel. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of the Dixie Mainline and Lower Suwannee Nature Drive (Levy Loop Road).
8. We prohibit construction of permanent blinds or stands.
9. In addition to State hunter education requirements, an adult (parent or guardian)
10. We prohibit guiding or participating in a guided hunt where a fee is charged.
11. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
12. We prohibit marking any tree, or other refuge feature, with flagging, litter, paint, or blaze.
13. We allow marking trails with reflective markers, but you must remove the markers (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) at the end of the refuge deer hunting season.
14. Hunters utilizing the refuge are subject to inspection of licenses, permits, hunting equipment, bag limits, vehicles, and their contents during compliance checks by refuge or State law enforcement officer.
15. Hunters must be at their vehicles by 1 hour after legal shooting time.
16. We prohibit cleaning of game within 1,000 feet (300 m) of any developed public recreation area, game check station, or gate.
1. Conditions A1 through A16 apply.
2. The refuge upland game hunting season opens on the Monday after the refuge limited hog hunt closes and ends on February 28.
3. We allow night hunting in accordance with State regulations for raccoon and opossum on Wednesday through Saturday nights from legal sunset until legal sunrise during the month of February.
1. Conditions A1 through A16 apply.
2. We prohibit the use of hunting and tracking dogs for all deer and hog hunts.
3. We require quota hunt permits (issued through a random draw) for the limited deer gun hunt, limited hog hunt, and limited youth gun deer hunt. They cost $12.50.
4. Quota hunt permits are nontransferable.
5. Hunters may only use archery equipment in accordance with State archery regulations during the refuge archery season.
6. Hunters may only use muzzleloading firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) in accordance with State muzzleloader regulations during the refuge muzzleloader season.
7. We prohibit hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been inserted (see § 32.2(i)).
8. You may leave temporary tree stands on the refuge starting on the last weekend of August, but you must remove them by the last day of the general gun hunting season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
9. All hunters (including all persons accompanying hunters) must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
10. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
11. The refuge general gun season begins on the opening Saturday of the Florida State Central Management Zone, General Gun season and ends on the following Friday. It reopens on the Monday after the refuge limited deer season and ends on the following Sunday. The refuge general gun season lasts 14 days.
12. The refuge limited either-sex deer hunt is on the second Saturday and Sunday of the State Central Management Zone General Gun season. This coincides with the opening of the State's either-sex hunt deer hunting season.
13. The youth limited Gun Deer Hunt is the Saturday and Sunday following the close of the refuge general gun season.
14. The refuge limited hog hunt begins on the first Monday after the Florida State Central Management Zone General Gun (antlered deer and wild hog) season closes, and ends on the following Sunday.
15. During the limited youth hunt, an adult age 21 or older must accompany the youth, age 15 and under, but only the youth hunter may hunt and handle the firearm.
16. We confine the limited youth hunt to the Levy County portion of the refuge, and hunters must access the refuge from Levy County Road 347.
17. We allow hunting of deer (except spotted fawns), feral hog (no size or bag limit), gray squirrel, rabbit, armadillo, opossum, raccoon, beaver, and coyote during the archery season.
18. Hunters may take deer, with one or more antlers at least 5 inches (12.5 cm) in length visible above the hairline, and feral hog (no bag or size limit) during the muzzleloader and general-gun season.
19. Hunters may take hog (no size or bag limit), and a maximum of two deer per day, during the limited deer gun hunt and limited youth gun deer hunt, except only one deer may be a buck for each of the 2-day limited hunts.
20. Hunters may take hog (no size or bag limit) during the limited hog hunt.
21. We prohibit all other public entry or use of the hunting area during the limited hog, limited gun, and limited youth deer
22. Hunters must check all game harvested during all deer and hog hunts.
23. You may take only bearded turkeys and only during the State spring turkey
24. Shooting hours for spring turkey begin
25. We only allow shotguns with shot no larger than size 2 common shot or bows and arrows for spring turkey hunting.
1. Anglers may take game and nongame fish only with pole and line or rod and reel.
2. We prohibit taking of frogs and turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit leaving boats on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit consumption of alcohol or possession of open alcohol containers in the public use areas of Shired Island boat launch/fishing and parking lot area and the Shell Mound fishing/recreational area (see § 32.2(j)).
1. You must possess and carry a current signed Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge hunt permit at all times while hunting waterfowl on the refuge.
2. You must possess and carry (or hunt within 30 yards (27 m) of a hunter who possesses) a valid refuge waterfowl hunting quota permit while hunting areas 1 or 4 from the beginning of the regular waterfowl season through December 31. No more than four hunters will hunt using a single valid refuge waterfowl hunting quota permit.
3. You may hunt Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and all Federal holidays that fall within the State's waterfowl season.
4. You may hunt in four designated areas of the refuge as delineated in the refuge hunting regulations map. We prohibit hunters to enter the normal or expanded restricted areas of the Kennedy Space Center.
5. You may hunt only waterfowl on refuge-established hunt days from the legal shooting time until 1 p.m.
6. You may enter no earlier than 4 a.m. for the purpose of waterfowl hunting.
7. We require all hunters to successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course.
8. We require an adult, age 18 or older, to supervise hunters under age 18.
9. We prohibit accessing a hunt area from Black Point Wildlife Drive. You may not leave vehicles parked on Black Point Wildlife Drive, Playalinda Beach Road, or Scrub Ridge Trail (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit construction of permanent blinds (see § 27.92 of this chapter) or digging into dikes.
11. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 15 feet (4.5 m) or shooting from any portion of a dike, dirt road, or railroad grade.
12. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 150 yards (135 m) of SR 402, SR 406, or any paved road right-of-way.
13. All hunters must stop at posted refuge waterfowl check stations and report statistical hunt information to refuge personnel.
14. Hunters may not use or possess more than 25 shells per day.
1. You must possess and carry a current, signed refuge fishing permit at all times while fishing on the refuge.
2. We prohibit fishing after legal sunset or before legal sunrise, except that we allow fishing at night from a vessel in the open waters of Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Haulover Canal.
3. We allow launching of boats for night fishing activities only from Bair's Cove, Beacon 42, and Bio Lab boat ramps.
4. We prohibit crabbing or fishing, and access for the purpose of crabbing or fishing, from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point Wildlife Drive except L Pond Road.
5. We prohibit launching boats, canoes, or kayaks from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point Wildlife Drive except L Pond Road.
6. Anglers and crabbers must attend their lines at all times.
7. We prohibit harvesting or possession of horseshoe crabs.
8. We prohibit use of personal watercraft, air thrust boats, and hovercraft.
9. Vessels must not exceed idle speed in Bairs Cove and KARS Marina.
10. We prohibit motorized vessels in the Banana River within the posted “No-Motor Zone,” including any vessel having an attached motor or a nonattached motor capable of use (including electric trolling motor).
11. We prohibit fishing within the normal or expanded restricted areas of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), unless those areas are officially designated by KSC as special fishing opportunity sites.
12. We prohibit the use of internal combustion engines within the two zones in Mosquito Lagoon. The zones include the posted waters located north of WSEG Boat Ramp and west of the Intra Coastal Waterway and
1. Fishing is permitted year-round.
2. Bank fishing from spoil islands is permitted, during daylight hours only.
1. We require refuge permits for hunting the Piney Island unit. Permits are available at no cost from the refuge office. Each hunter must possess and carry a signed hunt permit when using the hunt area.
2. You must remove blinds daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Hunters may access the hunt area by boat.
4. We allow retriever dogs to recover game.
5. We prohibit migratory game bird hunting in the Executive Closure area on the refuge.
1. We require refuge permits for hunting upland game. Permits are available at no cost from the refuge office. Each hunter must possess and carry a signed permit while participating in a hunt.
2. Hunters must wear 500 square inches (3,250 cm
3. You may use .22 caliber or smaller rim-fired rifles, shotguns with nontoxic shot (#4 bird shot or smaller) (see § 32.2(k)), or muzzleloaders to harvest squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon. In addition, you may use shotgun slugs, buckshot, or archery equipment to take feral hogs. We prohibit the use or possession of other weapons.
4. You must unload all firearms for transport in vehicles (uncap muzzleloaders) (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit dogs in the hunt area.
6. There is no limit on the size or number of feral hog that hunters may take.
7. We allow hunting on designated areas of the refuge. Contact the refuge office for specific dates.
8. We prohibit hunting from any named or numbered road (with the exception of persons hunting during the mobility impaired hunt).
9. We prohibit cleaning of game within 1,000 feet (300 m) of any residence, developed public recreation area, or game check station.
10. You must check out all game taken at a game check station.
1. We require refuge permits issued by lottery. Lottery applications are available at the refuge office each year beginning in July. There is a fee for permits. Permits are nontransferable. There is an additional fee for duplicate permits. Each hunter must possess and carry a signed permit when participating in a hunt. Prior to hunting each day, you must check-in at a hunt check station as specified in the refuge hunt brochure. You must check out upon completion of hunting each day.
2. Conditions B4, B5, B8, and B10 apply.
3. You may access the refuge hunt areas by vehicle for prehunt scouting 2 days prior to the hunt for which you are drawn. We prohibit weapons in the hunt area during the prehunt scouting (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
4. There is a two-deer limit per hunt as specified in C8 and C9 below, except in the youth hunt, where the limit is one deer per hunt as specified in C11 below. The limit for bearded turkey is one per hunt. There is no limit on feral hog.
5. We prohibit the use of deer decoys.
6. We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, or reflective trail markers.
7. There are two fall archery hunts: Hunters may harvest either-sex deer or feral hog during the fall archery hunts. There will be a fall archery hunt on the Panacea and Wakulla Units. We prohibit other weapons in the hunt area (see § 27.43 of this chapter). Contact the refuge office for specific dates.
8. There are two modern gun hunts. Hunters may harvest deer and feral hog. Modern guns must meet State requirements. We will hold one hunt on the Panacea Unit and one on the Wakulla Unit. See condition C10 for game limits. Contact the refuge office for specific dates.
9. The bag limit for white-tailed deer is two deer per scheduled hunt period. We allow hunters to harvest two antlerless deer per
10. There is one youth hunt, for youths ages 10 to 15, on the St. Marks Unit in an area to be specified in the refuge hunt brochure. Hunters may harvest one deer of either sex or feral hog (no limit). An adult, age 21 or older, must accompany each youth hunter, and each adult may accompany only one youth. The adult must possess a refuge permit. Only the youth hunter may handle or discharge firearms. Contact the refuge office for specific dates.
11. There is one mobility-impaired hunt. Hunters may have an able-bodied hunter accompany them. You may transfer permits issued to able-bodied assistants. We limit those hunt teams to harvesting white-tailed deer and feral hog within the limits described in condition C10. Contact the refuge office for specific dates.
12. There is one spring gobbler hunt. You may harvest one bearded turkey per hunt. You may only use shotguns to harvest turkey. Contact the refuge officer for specific dates. You must unload and dismantle or case weapons (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) after 1 p.m.
1. We prohibit taking blue crabs from impoundments or canals on the St. Marks Unit.
2. We only allow fishing in refuge lakes, ponds, and impoundments from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We allow fishing in tidal and coastal waters 24 hours per day year-round.
4. We prohibit use of boats with motors over 10 hp on any refuge lake, pond, or impoundment.
5. We allow use of hand-launched boats on impoundments on the St. Marks Unit from March 15 through October 15 each year. We prohibit launching of boats from trailers in the impoundments in the St. Marks Unit.
6. We prohibit taking of frogs or turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
7. We prohibit use of cast nets and traps to take fish from any lake, pond, or impoundment on the refuge.
8. You must attend all fishing equipment.
9. We prohibit bow fishing on refuge lakes, ponds, and impoundments.
10. The interior ponds and lakes on the Panacea Unit are open year-round for bank fishing. We open vehicle access to these areas from March 15 through May 15 each year. Ponds and lakes that you can access from County Road 372 are open year-round for fishing and boating.
11. We prohibit commercial boats, air-thrust boats, and personal watercraft to launch at the saltwater boat ramp on the St. Marks Unit.
12. We prohibit air-thrust boats or personal watercraft to launch from Wakulla Beach.
13. All fish must remain in a whole condition when being transported from the refuge.
1. We require refuge permits. The permits are nontransferable, and the hunter must possess and carry them while hunting. Only signed permits are valid. We allow people only with a signed refuge hunt permit on the island during the hunt periods. Contact the refuge office for details on obtaining a permit. We will charge fees for the hunts.
2. We restrict hunting to three hunt periods: Sambar deer, raccoon, and feral hog - November 17-19; and white-tailed deer, raccoon, and feral hog - December 15-17 and January 5-7. Hunters may check-in and set up camp sites and stands on November 16, December 14, and January 4. Hunters must leave the island and remove all equipment by 4 p.m. on the last day of the hunt.
3. Hunters must check in at the check stations on the island. We restrict entry onto St. Vincent Island to the Indian Pass and West Pass Campsites. We restrict entry during the sambar deer hunt to the West Pass Campsite. All access to hunt areas will be on foot or by bicycle from these areas.
4. Hunt hours are
5. We restrict camping and fires (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter) to the two designated camping areas. We may restrict or ban fires during dry periods.
6. We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages during the refuge hunt period (see § 32.2(j)).
7. You may set up tree stands only after you check in, and you must remove them from the island at the end of the hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
8. You may retrieve game from the closed areas only if accompanied by a refuge officer.
9. You may retrieve game from the closed areas only if accompanied by a refuge staff member.
10. We limit weapons to primitive weapons on the sambar deer hunt and the primitive
11. We allow only stand, still, and stalk hunting. We prohibit game drives.
12. We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, or reflective trail markers.
13. We prohibit target practice on the refuge (see § 27.42 of this chapter). You may discharge muzzleloaders at the designated discharge area between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
14. Nonmovement stand hours for all hunts will be from legal morning shooting time until 9 a.m.
15. We prohibit discharging of weapons (including cap firing) in campgrounds (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
16. Weapons must have the caps removed from muzzleloaders and arrows quivered before and after legal shooting hours.
17. Hunters must check out at the check station prior to leaving the refuge at the end of their hunt. A refuge staff member or volunteer must check the campsites before the hunters leave the refuge.
18. We prohibit motorized equipment, generators, or land vehicles (except bicycles).
19. Bag limits:
i. Sambar deer hunt—one sambar deer of either sex, no limit on feral hog or raccoon.
ii. Archery hunt—one white-tailed deer of either sex (no spotted fawns or spike bucks), no limits on feral hog or raccoon.
iii. Primitive weapons hunt - one white-tailed deer buck having one or more forked antlers at least 5 inches (12.5 cm) in length visible above the hairline with points greater than 1 inch (12.5 cm) in length; we issue a limited number of either-sex permits. If you have an either-sex permit, the bag limit is one deer that may be antlerless or a buck with legal antler configuration. There is no limit on feral hog or raccoon.
20. We prohibit bringing live game into the check station.
21. Hunters must observe quiet time in the campground between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. We prohibit loud or boisterous behavior or activity.
22. We prohibit domestic animals.
1. You may fish from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. We allow boats with electric motors. You must remove all other motors from the boats and secure them to a designated motor rack with a lock and chain.
3. We prohibit the use of live minnow as bait.
4. We allow fishing on Lakes 1 and 2 and Oyster Pond from April 1 through September 30.
5. We allow fishing in Lakes 3, 4, and 5 from May 15 through September 30.
6. We allow only the use of rods and reels or poles and lines in the refuge lakes. You must attend your fishing equipment at all times.
7. You may take only fish species and fish limits authorized by State regulations. We prohibit the taking of frog or turtle.
1. We allow hunting daily during the early wood duck/teal season.
2. We allow only hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day within the regular State season.
3. You must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge hunt permit (free) at all times while hunting on the refuge.
4. We allow only hunting in the areas posted and shown on the refuge hunt brochure.
5. We post entry points with signs numbered 1, 2, and 3 along the south side of U.S. 41. Hunters may enter the refuge at 4 a.m. and shooting hours start
6. We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 m) of the south edge of U.S. 41 and the area signed around the small access road extending south from U.S. 41.
7. We prohibit pit blinds and permanent blinds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
8. We allow and recommend prehunt scouting from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
9. You may only take duck and coot with a shotgun (no larger than a 10 gauge). We prohibit possession of handguns and long guns. We prohibit target practice on the refuge (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit air-thrust boats, hovercraft, personal watercraft, and off-road vehicles at all times. We limit vessels to a maximum of a 25 hp outboard motor. We allow go-devil type motors.
11. We require all guides to purchase, possess, and carry a refuge Special Use Permit.
12. We allow and recommend use of dogs for waterfowl retrieval. Dogs must remain under the immediate control of their handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). We allow dogs during prehunt scouting.
13. We allow youth hunt days in accordance with State regulations. Hunters under age 16 may hunt only with a nonhunting adult age 18 or older. Youth hunters must remain within sight and sound of the nonhunting adult.
1. We prohibit air-thrust boats, hovercraft, personal watercraft, and off-road vehicles in the freshwater and brackish marsh area south of U.S. 41. We limit vessels to a maximum of a 25 hp outboard motor. We allow go-devil-type motors.
2. We allow fishing in the freshwater and brackish marsh area of the refuge year-round from legal sunrise to legal sunset. You may fish the tidal and barrier island area of the refuge year-round 24 hours a day.
3. We only allow crabbing and crab pots for recreational use in the freshwater and brackish marsh area of the refuge. You may only use crab pots in accordance with State regulations. Abandoned or unchecked crab pots after 72 hours are subject to impoundment.
4. We prohibit commercial fishing and the taking of snake and frog in the freshwater and brackish marsh area of the refuge.
5. We prohibit the use of trotlines, gigs, spears, bush hooks, snatch hooks, crossbows, or bows and arrows of any type in the freshwater and brackish marsh area of the refuge.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We only allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel, which the angler must attend at all times.
2. We allow sport fishing after legal sunset; but we prohibit all other activity after legal sunset.
3. We prohibit marking of paths or navigational routes.
4. We prohibit swimming, wading, jet skiing, water skiing, and the use of airboats.
1. Hunters must possess and carry signed refuge permits on their persons at all times. You may obtain information on permits and the hunt at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
2. Hunters must check-in no more than 1 day in advance of the opening day of each hunt. We prohibit check-in after legal sunset of the second hunt day.
3. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no earlier than 1 month prior to the opening day of each hunt but must remove the stand (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by the end of each hunt.
4. Hunters must check-in at the refuge dock prior to setting up camp. We require personal identification at check-in.
5. Within the refuge, you may only travel by foot or bicycle, except in the wilderness area where we allow only foot travel. We limit entry and exit points to the designated check stations or other specified areas. We prohibit hunters to leave by boat to reach other parts of the island.
6. You may only camp at the designated camping area.
7. You must confine fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter) to the camping area.
8. We prohibit flagging, blazing, or trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.
9. We only allow bows. We prohibit crossbows or firearms (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take deer.
11. You may take five deer of either sex and State bonus tags will be issued for two of these. There is no bag limit on feral hog.
12. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during the scheduled hunt before hunters may remove them from the refuge.
13. Hunters must be on their stands from
14. We prohibit target practice except in designated areas (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
15. Hunters must be off the island by 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday.
16. We close the refuge to the nonhunting public 1 day prior to and 1 day after the hunt period, as well as on hunt days.
17. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.
18. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
1. Anglers may fish in freshwater year-round from sunrise to sunset, except during managed deer hunts.
2. Only nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted.
3. The use of live minnows as bait is not permitted.
4. Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.
5. Anglers may bank fish into estuarine waters daily from sunrise to sunset only.
1. We coordinate hunting seasons and limits with the State and annually list them in the refuge hunting brochure.
2. We require you to possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit while hunting. You may obtain this permit from the refuge office.
3. We require you to sign in once prior to each hunt at the refuge check station.
4. We allow access to the hunt area from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit overnight camping and/or parking.
5. We prohibit buckshot.
6. We prohibit flagging, blazing, painting, or any other trail-marking devices.
7. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of a road open to vehicle travel or within 200 yards (180 m) of a building.
8. We prohibit entry into the designated hunt area by nonhunters during the hunts.
9. We prohibit hunting or possession of weapons in public use or other areas posted “No Hunting Zone” or “Area Closed” or designated as no hunting areas on the hunt brochure map (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).
10. We require you to bring any deer or hog you harvest to the refuge check station the day you kill it and before you leave the refuge.
11. We prohibit possession of field-dressed deer or hogs unless you have checked them at the refuge check station.
12. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages while on the refuge.
13. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
14. We require each firearms hunter to wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
15. We prohibit walking or trespassing on the railroad tracks to access the refuge.
16. We prohibit removal of live hog from the refuge.
17. We prohibit the use of dogs.
18. We prohibit ATVs on the refuge except by disabled hunters with a refuge Special Use Permit.
19. We allow limited nonmotorized portable boat access at the Stone Creek parking area.
20. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
21. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older possessing a valid hunting license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
22. Firearm hunting for feral hogs follows State of Georgia deer firearms restrictions except we prohibit possession or use of buckshot.
1. We allow fishing from March 15 to October 15, except on the Ocmulgee River, which is open to fishing year-round.
2. We only allow access to the refuge and fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We only allow fishing with pole and line or rod and reel.
4. We prohibit boats on all refuge waters, except the Ocmulgee River, where we allow boats.
5. We prohibit leaving boats or other personal equipment on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
6. The minimum size limit for largemouth bass is 14 inches (490 cm).
Refer to § 32.20 Alabama for regulations.
1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit on their person at all times. We require payment of a fee for the quota gun hunt only. You may obtain information on permits, quota hunt applications, and quota hunt drawings at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
2. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge during the week preceding each hunt, but you must remove stands by the end of
3. Hunters must be on their stands from
4. We prohibit use of flagging, blazing, or trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.
5. We prohibit hunting closer than 100 yards (90 m) to State Highway 131, the refuge entrance drive, refuge headquarters, Barbour River Landing, Barbour River Road, or Gould's Cemetery.
6. We require personal identification at check-in.
7. To hunt during the morning stand hours, bow hunters must enter the refuge through the refuge entrance gate only, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. We will allow hunters to exit and re-enter through the entrance gate only, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. After 4 p.m. we prohibit entry to the refuge.
8. During the archery hunt, we will restrict vehicles to the auto tour route (see § 27.31 of this chapter) and allow two-way traffic.
9. During the archery hunt, we only allow bows. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).
10. We require gun hunters to check-in at the refuge headquarters between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and park in designated areas prior to hunting. We prohibit entry by boat.
11. You may take three deer of either sex (State bonus deer tags will be issued for two of these). There is no bag limit on feral hog.
12. During the gun hunt, we only allow shotguns with slugs 20 gauge or larger and bows. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).
13. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
14. Gun hunters must wear an outer garment with a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
15. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during refuge hunts before leaving the refuge.
16. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
17. We will close the refuge to the nonhunting public on all hunt days.
18. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.
19. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
1. Anglers may fish in estuarine waters year round from sunrise to sunset daily.
2. Bank fishing into estuarine waters is permitted only from sunrise to sunset.
3. We close the Barbour River Landing (boat ramp and parking areas) to the public from 12 a.m. (midnight) to 4 a.m.
1. We only allow foot and bicycle traffic on the refuge portion of Cowhouse Island.
2. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve during quail hunts.
3. For more information, contact the refuge at 912-496-7836.
1. In the Pocket Unit:
i. We only allow archery hunting and foot traffic.
ii. You must sign-in and out.
iii. You must remove tree stands daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
iv. We prohibit dogs.
2. In the Suwannee Canal Unit:
i. We only allow two
ii. We require a refuge permit through refuge lottery, which interested parties should enter before August 31 (fee will be announced).
iii. Hunters must remain on stands from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 9 a.m.
iv. You must sign-in and sign out.
v. You must tag your deer with special refuge tags. There is a limit of two deer of either sex per day.
vi. We only zone Chesser Island Hunt area to accommodate wheelchair hunters.
vii. Conditions B3, C1iii, and C1iv apply.
viii. We prohibit dogs.
3. In the Cowhouse Island Unit:
i. Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area rules, regulations, dates, and times apply.
ii. Conditions B1, B3, C1iii, and C1iv apply.
1. We allow motorized boats with motors 10 hp or less.
2. We prohibit possession of live bait fish.
3. We only allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel.
4. In the Suwannee Canal unit:
i. We prohibit fishing in the boat basin.
ii. We prohibit fishing in ponds and canals along the Swamp Island Drive.
iii. We reserve the porch and canal area behind the visitor center for youth age 15 and under and physically disabled.
5. Condition B3 applies.
1. We prohibit upland game hunting during refuge deer or turkey hunts.
2. We coordinate hunting seasons for raccoon and opossum with the State and annually list them in the refuge hunt brochure.
3. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit while hunting. You may obtain the permit from the refuge office.
4. We require a refuge hunt permit to hunt on the Hitchiti Experimental Forest in accordance with refuge hunting seasons and regulations.
5. We prohibit hunting or possessing weapons in areas posted “No Hunting Zone” or “Area Closed” or designated as no hunting areas on the hunt brochure map (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).
6. The refuge is a day-use-only area, with the exception of legal hunting activities.
7. We allow access to the hunt area for quail, squirrel, and rabbit hunting from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit overnight camping and/or parking.
8. We allow hunting for raccoon and opossum from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the days listed as open in the refuge hunt brochure.
9. We only allow .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms for raccoon and opossum hunting.
10. You may use dogs on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations.
11. You must keep your dogs confined or on a leash except when hunting, and you must remove your dogs upon your departure from the refuge (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. Conditions B4, B5, and B6 apply.
2. We coordinate hunting seasons and limits with the State and annually list them in the refuge hunting brochure.
3. We require you to possess and carry a signed refuge permit while archery hunting. You may obtain this permit from the refuge office.
4. We require a refuge hunt permit and payment of a fee for the quota firearms hunts. You may obtain applications and information about the hunt drawing from the refuge office.
5. We have a special deer hunt for disabled hunters confined to wheelchairs. You may obtain information about this hunt from the refuge office.
6. We prohibit entry into designated hunt area by nonhunters during the hunts.
7. We allow access to the hunting area from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit overnight camping and/or parking except in the designated campground at Pippins Lake. You must have a refuge hunting permit to enter and use the campground.
8. We prohibit buckshot.
9. We only allow alcoholic beverages in the designated campground.
10. We prohibit flagging, blazing, painting, or any other trail-marking devices.
11. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of a road open to vehicle travel or within 200 yards (180 m) of a building.
12. You must bring any deer, turkey, or hog you harvest to the refuge check station intact, except entrails, the day you kill them and before you leave the refuge. We prohibit possession of dressed deer, turkey, or hog unless you have checked them at the refuge check station.
13. We prohibit ATVs on the refuge except by disabled hunters with a refuge Special Use Permit.
14. We prohibit target practice on the refuge, including the shooting of firearms or bows in the designated campground, or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
15. We prohibit audio equipment such as radios or other noise-making devices such as generators after 10 p.m. or before 6 a.m. in the campground (see § 27.72 of this chapter).
16. We prohibit dogs for hunting big game.
17. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
18. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older possessing a valid hunting license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
1. We allow fishing from April 1 to September 30.
2. We only allow access to the refuge and fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. You may keep the following numbers of fish each day: bass—5; channel catfish—5; sunfish or bream—15; all other species—State limit.
4. We allow nonmotorized boats on all ponds designated as open to fishing. We allow boats with electric motors only in Pond 2A and Allison Lake.
5. We limit fishing in Pond 21A to youths age 15 and under.
6. We only allow fishing with pole and line or rod and reel.
7. We prohibit leaving boats or other personal equipment on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit the use of fish for bait.
9. We prohibit placing or throwing in the water feeds, grains, or other materials to chum or attract fish.
10. You must immediately release any grass carp you catch. We are using these fish to help combat an exotic weed invasion in some ponds.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit at all times while hunting on the refuge. We require a fee only for the quota youth waterfowl hunt on the Solomon Tract.
2. We only allow temporary blinds. You must remove decoys and other personal property from the refuge daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 m) of Georgia Highway 25; or in or on Middle and Steamboat Rivers and Houstown Cut, or closer than 50 yards (45 m) of the shoreline of these waterways.
4. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.
5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit at all times while hunting on the refuge. Permits and hunt information are available at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
2. We only allow .22 caliber rimfire rifles or shotguns with #2 shot or smaller for squirrel hunting.
3. We prohibit handguns.
4. We prohibit the use of dogs.
5. You may take feral hog with weapons legal for this hunt (no bag limit).
6. We require a refuge big game license.
7. We require hunters to wear an outer garment that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
8. Conditions A4 and A5 apply.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit at all times while hunting on the refuge. We require a fee for the wheelchair-dependent hunters' quota gun hunt for deer. Permits, quota hunt applications, and information about the quota hunt drawing are available at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
2. We allow archery hunting for deer and hog from October 1 through 31 on designated areas (consult the refuge brochure for the areas).
3. We only allow bows for deer and hog hunting during the archery hunt. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).
4. We allow gun hunting for deer and hog from November 1 through 30 on designated areas of the refuge. We also allow hog (only) hunting during a special 9-day hunt in March.
5. We only allow shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and bows for deer and hog hunting throughout the designated hunt area during the November gun hunt and the March hog hunt.
6. You may place one stand on the refuge for 2 consecutive days during the October archery hunt, the November gun hunt, and the March hog hunt. You must remove your stand by legal sunset of the second day of each 2-day period. Your name, address, and phone number must be marked on your stand.
7. You may take five deer, no more than three anterless and two antlered. There is no bag limit on feral hog.
8. Doe days for refuge lands in Georgia will only coincide with doe days set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for Effingham County.
9. Conditions B7, A4, and A5 apply.
10. We allow turkey hunting during a special 16-day turkey hunt in April. We only allow shotguns with #2 shot or smaller and bows for turkey hunting in accordance with State regulations. We prohibit possession or use of slugs or buckshot during turkey hunts. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).
11. You must remove hunt stands daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
1. Anglers may fish in refuge impoundments and canals from March 1 through November 30 annually.
2. Anglers may fish in Kingfisher Pond year round.
3. We allow fishing from sunrise to sunset.
4. Anglers may bank fish year round in the canals adjacent to the wildlife drive.
5. Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.
6. Anglers may only use non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors within impounded waters.
1. Hunters must carry a signed refuge permit on their person at all times. We only require payment of a fee for the quota gun hunt for deer. You may obtain information on permits, quota hunt applications, and quota hunt drawings at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
2. We prohibit flagging, blazing, or trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.
3. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
4. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during scheduled hunts before hunters leave the refuge.
5. You may take five deer of either sex (State bonus tags issued for two of these). There is no bag limit on feral hog.
6. Hunters must be on their stands from
7. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
8. We only allow bows and muzzleloading rifles during the primitive weapons hunt. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).
9. We only allow shotguns of 20-gauge or larger (slugs only), centerfire rifles of .22 caliber or larger, bows, and primitive weapons during the gun hunt. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit mooring boats to the government dock except for loading or unloading purposes.
11. Hunters must check-in at the refuge dock prior to setting up camp. We require personal identification at check-in.
12. We only allow camping at the designated camping area. You must confine fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter) to the camping area.
13. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no earlier than 1 month prior to the opening day of each hunt, but you must remove all stands by the end of each hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
14. We require hunters to wear an outer garment that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of hunter-orange material above the waistline.
15. Hunters may check-in at the refuge dock no more than 1 day in advance of the opening day of the hunt. We will confine hunters to the camping area until 12 p.m. (noon) of the first day of check-in; we will allow scouting from 12 p.m. (noon) until 5 p.m.
16. Hunters must be off the island the day following the last day of the hunt.
17. Within the refuge, you may only walk or use a bicycle. We prohibit hunters to leave by boat to reach other parts of the island.
18. We will close the refuge to the nonhunting public 1 day prior to, and 1 day after, the hunt period as well as on the hunt days.
19. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.
20. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
1. Fishing is permitted year-round except during refuge hunts.
2. Bank fishing into estuarine waters is permitted only from sunrise to sunset.
1. Anglers may fish year round.
2. Fishing from boats is only permitted on Beacon and Wolf Creeks.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. You must have reservations or permits to access the refuge.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We prohibit air-thrust boats.
2. We allow nonmotorized and motorized boats after September 20 within the designated refuge hunting areas.
3. You may only use portable blinds or construct temporary blinds of natural vegetation. Blinds will be available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis. You must remove portable blinds from the refuge at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. You must remove all personal property, including decoys and boats, (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
1. We prohibit boats in the fishing area.
2. We prohibit use and possession of lead weights or sinkers.
1. We prohibit public entry onto the refuge prior to 1 hour before legal hunting hours.
2. You may only use portable blinds or construct temporary blinds of natural vegetation. Blinds will be available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis. You must remove portable blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day.
3. You must remove all personal property (see § 27.93 of this chapter), including decoys, from the refuge at the end of each day.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
1. You may hunt only ducks, coots, and doves on the Lake Lowell sector.
2. Only portable and temporary blinds constructed of natural materials are permitted.
3. Snipe and dove hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
4. We restrict nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors only to the area bounded by the water's edge and extending to a point 200 yards (180 m) lakeward in hunting area 1 on the Lake Lowel sector.
1. Hunting of pheasant, quail and partridge is permitted on the Lake Lowell Sector.
2. Shooting hours on the Lake Lowell sector are the same as those for waterfowl hunting.
3. Hunting is not permitted on the Snake River sector from February 1 through May 31.
4. Pheasant, quail, and partridge hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. During the waterfowl season, we allow fishing only within the area bounded by the water's edge extending to a point 200 yards (180 m) lakeward in front of the Lower Dam, fishing area A and in front of the Upper Dam, and fishing area B on the Lake Lowell sector.
2. Nonmotorized boats are permitted from
3. Motorized and nonmotorized boats are permitted from
4. Shoreline fishing is not permitted on the islands of the Snake River Sector from February 1 through May 31.
1. We only allow nonmotorized boats.
2. You may only use portable blinds or construct temporary blinds of natural vegetation. Blinds will be available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis. You must remove portable blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day.
3. We only allow hunters and dogs to retrieve game in designated hunting areas.
4. You must remove all personal property, including decoys and boats, (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
1. We allow hunting only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less per day.
3. All firearms must be unloaded when in the posted retrieving zone for purposes of retrieving downed birds or traveling to or from the hunting area.
4. On waterfowl hunt days, we allow public entry onto the refuge from 3:00 a.m. until 1 hour after legal sunset.
5. We prohibit overnight vehicle parking on the refuge.
1. We allow bank fishing only.
2. We prohibit fishing from boats, float tubes, or other personal flotation devices.
1. We only allow hunters and dogs to retrieve game in designated hunting areas.
2. You may only use portable blinds or construct temporary blinds of dead natural vegetation. Blinds will be available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis. You must remove portable blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day. We prohibit use of rock piles above the high-water mark for blind construction. We prohibit pit blinds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
3. We only allow vehicle parking in designated parking lots.
4. On West Hunting Area (Lake Walcott), we allow hunting on the uplands and over water within 100 yards (90 m) of the shoreline. We only allow use of boats for retrieval of game.
5. On East Hunting Area (Tule Island), we allow boats during the waterfowl hunting season.
1. We allow bank fishing year-round. We only allow vehicle access (see § 27.31 of this chapter) to shoreline fishing areas on designated routes.
2. We allow ice fishing in accordance with State regulations. We prohibit motor vehicles (see § 27.31 of this chapter) on the ice.
3. We allow bank and float-tube fishing year-round, throughout all of Lake Walcott.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. Hunting is permitted only in the area outside the main dike in the Liverpool Lake section and north of the entrance to the north ditch known as Goofy Ridge Ditch.
2. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
1. We allow fishing on Lake Chautauqua from January 15 through October 15. We prohibit fishing in the Waterfowl Hunting Area during the waterfowl hunting season.
2. We allow bank fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset from October 16 to January 14 between the boat ramp and the fishing trail in the North Pool and from Goofy Ridge Public Access to the west gate of the north pool water control structure.
3. Motorboats must not exceed “no-wake” speeds.
4. We prohibit the public entering Weis Lake on the Cameron-Billsbach Unit of the refuge from October 16 through January 14.
1. Hunters may hunt waterfowl, by daily permit drawing, on the controlled areas of Grassy Point, Carterville, and Greenbriar land areas, as well as on Orchard, Sawmill, Turkey, and Grassy islands from
2. We prohibit waterfowl hunting in the restricted use area of Crab Orchard Lake.
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
4. Hunting blinds must be a minimum of 200 yards (180 m) apart.
5. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, and other personal equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
6. Goose hunters outside the controlled goose hunting area on Crab Orchard Lake must hunt from a blind that is on shore or anchored a minimum of 200 yards (180 m) away from any shoreline. Waterfowl hunters may also hunt on the east shoreline in Grassy Bay.
1. We prohibit upland game hunting in the controlled goose hunting areas during the goose hunting season, except we allow furbearer hunting from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
2. We prohibit upland game hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of all designated public use facilities, including but not limited to parking areas, picnic areas, campgrounds, marinas, boat ramps, public roads, and established hiking trails listed in the refuge trails brochure.
3. We prohibit hunters using rifles or handguns with ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire, except they may use black powder firearms up to and including .40 caliber.
1. We require all deer and turkey hunters using the restricted use area to check in at the refuge visitor contact station prior to hunting.
2. We allow deer hunting with archery equipment only in the following areas:
i. In the controlled goose hunting area;
ii. On all refuge lands north of Illinois State Route 13; and
iii. In the area north of the Crab Orchard Lake emergency spillway and west of Crab Orchard Lake.
3. We prohibit big game hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of all designated public use facilities, including but not limited to parking areas, picnic areas, campgrounds, marinas, boat ramps, public roads, and established hiking trails listed in the refuge trails brochure.
4. You must remove all portable hunting stands, blinds, and other hunting equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. Condition A3 applies.
1. On Crab Orchard Lake west of Wolf Creek Road:
i. Anglers may fish from boats all year.
ii. Anglers must remove all trotlines/jugs from legal sunrise until legal sunset from the Friday immediately prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
2. On Crab Orchard Lake east of Wolf Creek Road:
i. Anglers may fish from boats March 15 through September 30.
ii. Anglers may fish all year at the Wolf Creek and Route 148 causeways.
3. Anglers must check and remove fish from all jugs and trotlines daily.
4. We prohibit using stakes to anchor any trotlines.
5. Anglers must tag all trotlines with their name and address.
6. We prohibit anglers using jugs or trotlines with any flotation device that has previously contained any petroleum-based material or toxic substance.
7. Anglers must attach a buoyed device that is visible on the water's surface to all trotlines.
8. Anglers may use all noncommercial fishing methods, except they may not use any underwater breathing apparatus.
9. On A-41, Bluegill, Managers, Honkers, and Vistors Ponds:
i. Anglers may fish only from legal sunrise to legal sunset March 15 through September 30.
ii. We prohibit anglers from using boats or floatation devices.
10. Anglers may not submerge any pole or similar object to take or locate any fish.
11. Organizers of all fishing events must possess a refuge-issued permit.
12. We prohibit anglers from fishing within 250 yards (225 m) of an occupied waterfowl hunting blind.
13. We restrict motorboats to slow speeds leaving “no wake” in Cambria Neck, and within 150 feet (45 m) of any shoreline, swimming area, marina entrance, boat ramp, or causeway tunnel on Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, or Devils Kitchen Lakes.
1. We require hunters to possess and carry a free refuge hunting permit while hunting on the refuge.
2. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, and platforms (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, and scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit outboard motors larger than 10 hp.
5. We prohibit the use of paint, flagging, reflectors, tacks, or other manmade materials to mark trails or hunting locations.
6. We allow dove hunting beginning on September 1 and continuing on the following Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays throughout the State season.
7. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dogs are under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
8. On the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve:
i. We prohibit all upland game hunting, big game hunting, and duck hunting.
ii. You may hunt goose only following the closure of the State duck hunting season.
iii. We allow goose hunting only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
iv. We allow hunting from
v. Hunters must exit the Reserve by 2 p.m.
vi. We prohibit entry to the Reserve prior to 4:30 a.m.
vii. We prohibit hunting during the special snow goose seasons after closure of the regular goose seasons.
viii. We prohibit construction or use of pit blinds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
ix. We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 m) of any private property boundary.
x. All hunting parties must be at least 200 yards (180 m) apart.
xi. All hunters must sign in and out and report daily harvest at the hunter registration station.
xii. All hunting parties must hunt over a minimum of 12 decoys at each blind site.
1. Conditions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A7 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting after legal sunset, except we allow raccoon and opossum hunting after legal sunset.
1. Conditions A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 apply.
1. Condition A4 applies.
2. Anglers must remove all boats and fishing equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's fishing activity.
3. We prohibit the use of trotlines, jugs, yo-yos, nets, or any commercial fishing equipment except in areas where State regulation authorizes commercial tackle.
4. We prohibit the use of more than two poles per angler and more than two hooks or lures per pole.
5. We prohibit possession of bass less than 15 inches (37.5 cm) in length from refuge ponds.
6. We prohibit possession of more than six channel catfish from refuge ponds.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
3. We allow the use of motorized boats at no-wake speeds on all refuge waters.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
2. You must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds from the area at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We prohibit leaving boats on refuge waters overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
2. Condition A3 applies.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting for upland game except turkey (see § 32.2(k)). We allow possession of lead shot for hunting turkey.
2. We only open Long Island Division and Fox Island Division for upland game hunting from
3. We only allow turkey hunting on the Fox Island Division during the State spring seasons, including youth season. We do not open to fall turkey hunting.
4. We close Fox Island Division to all hunting and nonhunting entry from October 16 through December 31, except the Division is open to deer hunting as described below in C2.
1. We only allow the use of portable stands, and hunters must remove them from the refuge at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
2. On the Fox Island Division, we only allow hunting during the “Antlerless-Only” portion of the State firearms deer season.
3. On the Delair Division, we only allow muzzleloader hunting subject to the following conditions:
i. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
ii. We require hunters to check-in and out of the refuge each day.
iii. We require hunters to record all harvested deer with refuge staff before removing them from the refuge.
iv. Shooting hours end at 3 p.m. each day.
v. Hunters must park all vehicles only in designated parking areas.
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle and frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. On the Fox Island Division, we only allow bank fishing along any portion of the Fox River from January 1 through October 15.
1. We allow sport fishing on all areas open to public access from legal sunrise to legal sunset from January 15 to October 15.
2. We allow foot access on refuge land along the east side of Meredosia Lake in Morgan County from legal sunrise to legal sunset from October 16 to January 14. The boat ramp remains open throughout the year for access to Meredosia Lake.
3. We prohibit leaving boats on refuge waters overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. Motorboats must not exceed “no-wake” speeds.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, scaffolds, or platforms (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove boats, blinds, blind materials, stands, decoys, and other hunting equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
1. The Harlow and Meissner Island Divisions are open only to archery hunting.
2. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
3. On refuge lands where archery and firearm hunting seasons (shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader) run concurrent, archery hunters must comply with firearm blaze-orange, safety requirements for the State in which they are hunting (i.e., Missouri or Illinois).
1. We close the Meissner Island Division to all sport fishing.
2. We prohibit the taking of turtle and frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
3. We allow fishing only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
4. Anglers must remove all fishing devices (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day's fishing.
1. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, and portable blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day.
2. We allow portable blinds on a daily basis at any location on first-come, first-served basis.
3. We prohibit hunting on the Louisa, Horseshoe Bend, and Keithsburg Divisions.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while hunting upland game. You may use lead shot to hunt turkey. We allow shotgun slug or muzzleloading rifle for hunting coyotes.
2. We only allow squirrel hunting on the Keithsburg Division from the beginning of the State season to September 15.
3. We allow hunting in designated areas on the Horseshoe Bend Division from September 1 until September 14 and from December 1 until February 28. We allow spring turkey hunting.
4. We allow hunting on the Big Timber Division from September 1 until February 28. We allow spring turkey hunting.
1. We only allow the use of portable stands, and hunters must remove them at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
2. We close Horseshoe Bend Division to all public access from September 15 until December 1.
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We close the following Divisions to all public access: Louisa Division—September 14 until January 1; Horseshoe Bend Division—
4. Anglers must remove boats and all other fishing devices (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day's fishing.
5. We only allow motor boats on Horseshoe Bend Division for fishing during the periods when flood water enables access from the river over the levee.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, scaffolds, or platforms (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. From October 15 through December 31 we close the Batchtown, Gilbert Lake, and Portage Island Divisions, and the portion of the Calhoun Division north and west of the Illinois River Road, to all public access.
4. Anglers must remove boats and all other fishing devices (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day's fishing activity.
5. We only allow boats on the Gilbert Lake Division for fishing during those periods when flood water enables access from the river over the levee.
Refer to § 32.42 Minnesota for regulations.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We require a refuge access permit.
2. We allow the use of hunting dogs only during the squirrel hunting season. Hunters must ensure that all hunting dogs wear a collar displaying the owner's name, address, and telephone number.
3. Hunters must hunt only in assigned areas. We prohibit trespass into an unassigned hunt area.
4. In areas posted “Area Closed,” we prohibit entry, including hunting.
5. We prohibit the use of flagging tape and reflective tacks.
6. We allow the use of squirrel hunting dogs only in the day-use area.
7. Permitted squirrel hunters are the only hunters authorized to possess a rifle (only .22 rimfire) on the refuge.
8. Squirrel hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
9. We prohibit the use or possession of handguns on the refuge.
10. We require that hunters check all harvested game taken on the refuge at the refuge check station.
11. We require all refuge hunters to hunt with a partner. We require hunting partners to know the location of their partner while hunting. Youth hunters, anyone age 17 or under, must be directly supervised by a responsible adult age 18 or older.
12. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages on the refuge (see § 32.2(j)).
13. Hunters must possess and carry a compass while hunting on the refuge.
1. Conditions B1, B3, B4, B5, B9, B10, B11, B12, and B13 apply.
2. The refuge access permit will contain bag limits and license requirements.
3. We allow the use of portable hunting stands and blinds. All hunting stands and blinds may be left in the field overnight only if the hunter will be hunting that same location the following day. We prohibit tree steps or screw-in steps (see § 32.2(i)).
1. We require a refuge access permit.
2. We only allow fishing with a rod and reel or pole and line.
3. We prohibit the use of trotlines.
4. We allow boats only rowed, paddled, or powered by an electric trolling motor on the Old Timbers Lake.
5. We prohibit retaining black bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass between 12 and 15 inches (30 and 37.5 cm).
1. We prohibit discharge of firearms within 100 yards (90 m) of an occupied dwelling.
2. We allow the use of hunting dogs only for hunting rabbit and quail, provided the dogs are under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
3. We allow .22 caliber rifles only with rimfire ammunition and shotgun for upland game hunting.
4. We prohibit quail, squirrel, and rabbit hunting during refuge deer hunts.
1. Condition B1 applies.
2. You must possess and carry a refuge permit during the State muzzleloader deer season.
3. You must possess and carry a refuge permit during the deer archery hunting season that overlaps with the State muzzleloader deer season.
4. Our late archery season deer hunt opens at the end of the State muzzleloader season and ends at the conclusion of the State late archery season.
5. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
6. Hunters may take only one deer per day from the refuge.
7. We allow only spring turkey hunting on the refuge, and hunters must possess a refuge permit.
1. We allow the use of boats only on Stanfield Lake. We prohibit the use of gasoline- or electric-powered boat motors. We allow manual- (foot- or hand-) propelled boats.
2. We allow the use of belly boats or float tubes in all designated fishing areas.
3. We allow fishing only with rod and reel or pole and line.
4. We prohibit harvest of frog and turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials after each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We allow motorboats only on Snakey Point Marsh east of the South Fork River and the Patoka River. All other areas are open to either manual-powered boats or boats with battery-driven motors only.
4. Motorboats must not exceed “no wake” speeds.
5. We prohibit the use of powered airboats on the refuge.
6. We close the Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area to all hunting.
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit for all furbearer hunting.
2. We allow the use of dogs for hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Condition A6 applies.
3. We prohibit marking trails with tape, ribbons, paper, paint, tacks, tree blazes, or other devices.
1. We allow sport fishing in accordance with State regulations on the main channel of the Patoka River.
2. All other refuge waters are subject to the following conditions:
i. We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
ii. We allow fishing only with rod and reel or pole and line.
iii. The minimum size limit for large-mouth bass on Snakey Point Marsh is 14 inches (35 cm).
iv. You must possess and carry a refuge permit to take bait fish, crayfish, snapping turtle, and bullfrog.
3. Anglers must remove boats at the end of each day's fishing activity (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. Conditions A2 through A5 apply.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. The refuge manager will annually determine and publish hunting seasons and dates and include them in the refuge access permit.
2. You must possess and carry a refuge access permit at all times while in the hunting area. Hunters may enter the hunting areas only within the dates listed on the Refuge Access Permit.
3. All areas open to hunting may be accessed by hunters with a valid Iowa or Nebraska resident hunting permit. Reciprocity exists, with both States allowing hunters with either resident permit to access refuge hunting land in either State.
4. Hunters holding nonresident Nebraska or nonresident Iowa permits may hunt only on the ground that lies within the State that issued the nonresident permit.
5. We allow hunters in the designated area from 3 hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal sunset.
6. We require all hunters using the designated archery hunting areas to individually register their name and vehicle at the parking area prior to entering the archery area. After hunting, hunters must complete the daily registration by recording the number of hours hunted and kill information.
7. All hunters must be in possession of a valid Entrance Fee Permit.
8. Hunters may not construct or use permanent blinds or stands. Hunters must remove hunting blinds or stands and other property by the close of the season (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit shooting on or over any refuge road open to vehicle traffic within 30 feet (9 m) of the centerline.
10. We prohibit field dressing of any big game within 100 feet (30 m) of the centerline of any refuge road.
11. We prohibit use of two-way mobile radio transmitters to communicate the location or direction of game or to coordinate the movement of other hunters.
1. We allow ice fishing in DeSoto Lake January 2 through the end of February. The refuge manager may open DeSoto Lake to ice fishing before January 2 or after the end of February, depending on ice conditions.
2. We allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel fishing in DeSoto Lake from April 15 through October 14. The refuge manager may open DeSoto Lake to fishing as early as April 1, depending on waterfowl usage each year.
3. We allow the use of archery and spear fishing for nongame fish only from April 15 through October 14.
4. When the lake is open to ice fishing, we prohibit motor- or wind-driven conveyances on the lake.
5. We allow the use of portable ice fishing shelters on a daily basis from January 2 through the end of February. The refuge manager may open DeSoto Lake to the use of ice fishing shelters before January 2 or after the end of February, depending on ice conditions.
6. Anglers may use no more than two lines and two hooks per line, including ice fishing.
7. We prohibit the use of trotlines, float lines, bank lines, or setlines.
8. Anglers must adhere to minimum length and creel limits as posted.
9. We prohibit anglers leaving any personal property, litter, fish or any parts thereof, on the banks, in the water, or on the ice.
10. We prohibit digging or seining for bait.
11. We prohibit take or possession of turtle or frog at any time (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
12. We limit boating to “no-wake” speeds, not to exceed 5 miles per hour.
13. We allow anglers on the refuge from
1. In areas posted “Area Closed,” we prohibit entry, including hunting.
2. In areas open to hunting, we allow hunting beginning November 1 until the close of State hunting seasons or January 15, whichever occurs first.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting for any allowed birds or other small game.
1. In areas posted “Area Closed,” we prohibit all public entry, including hunting.
2. In areas open to hunting, we allow hunting beginning November 1 until the close of State hunting seasons or January 15, whichever occurs first.
3. We allow archery and muzzleloader hunting only.
4. We allow deer drives only during lawful party hunting conducted within the refuge, in accordance with State regulations. We prohibit driving deer from or through the refuge to any persons hunting outside the refuge boundary.
5. We do not allow construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders.
6. You must remove all stands from the refuge following each day's hunt.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while hunting for any permitted bird or other small game.
2. We allow hunting of upland game from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the dates posted at the refuge.
3. All hunters must cover their head and chest with one or more of the following articles of visible, external, solid-blaze-orange clothing: a hat, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, sweater, shirt, or coveralls.
4. We prohibit shooting on or over any refuge road within 50 feet (15 m) from the centerline.
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
2. We only allow portable stands, and hunters must remove them at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. We only allow hunter access from
Refer to § 32.42 Minnesota for regulations.
Refer to § 32.32 Illinois for regulations.
1. We allow hunters on the refuge from 1 hour before legal sunrise until
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We allow boats or other floating devices. We allow gasoline and electric motors. We prohibit the use of air-thrust boats. You may not leave boats unattended.
4. You may construct blinds using manmade materials or natural vegetation found on the refuge. We prohibit bringing plants or their parts onto the refuge (see § 26.52 of this chapter).
5. You must remove boats, decoys, and blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
6. We allow the use of hunting dogs provided that the dogs remain under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. We prohibit entry into any closed area to retrieve downed game, unless the hunter has received written permission from the refuge manager.
8. We prohibit hunting on road rights-of-way on any portion of the refuge not open to hunting. The road right-of-way extends to the center of the road.
1. We only allow hunting in the Core Area during the dates posted at the Refuge Headquarters.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)). We prohibit possession of shotgun slugs.
3. Hunters may only enter the refuge from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
4. Conditions A6, A7, and A8 apply.
1. Condition B1 and A8 apply.
2. Deer hunters in the Core Area must possess a valid State deer hunting license and an unfilled deer transportation tag.
3. We only allow deer hunters to enter the refuge from
4. Deer hunters may only possess shot shells that shoot a single projectile (
5. We prohibit turkey hunting in the Core Area at all times.
6. We only allow turkey hunters to enter the refuge from
7. Turkey hunters may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
8. We allow the use of temporary stands, blinds, platforms, or ladders. You may construct blinds using manmade materials or natural vegetation found on the refuge. We prohibit bringing plants or their parts onto the refuge (see § 27.52 of this chapter).
9. You must remove decoys, stands, blinds, platforms, and ladders from the refuge at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit entry into any closed area to retrieve downed game, unless the hunter has received written permission from the refuge manager.
1. We allow fishing from April 15 through September 30.
2. We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We prohibit the use of boats, canoes, or other floating devices.
4. We prohibit the use or possession of lead terminal tackle.
Refer to § 32.42 Minnesota for regulations.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We only allow waterfowl hunting on portions of the refuge on the south side of the Neosho River.
2. We prohibit hunting or possession of weapons on the Neosho River.
3. We prohibit shooting from or over roads and parking areas.
4. We only allow portable blinds and blinds made from natural vegetation. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds and/or pits (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit leaving decoys unattended at any time.
6. Dogs must be under the owner's immediate control at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. We prohibit hunters or dogs retrieving game in areas closed to hunting.
8. We allow crow hunting on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
i. We prohibit the use of centerfire rifles and pistols on the refuge;
ii. We close hunting areas on the north side of the Neosho River to all hunting from November 1 through March 1; and
iii. Conditions A2, A3, and A7 apply.
1. Conditions A2, A3, A6, A7, A8i, and A8ii apply.
1. We only allow shotguns, muzzleloading firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter), and archery equipment for deer hunting.
2. We prohibit the use of deer game tags on the refuge.
3. We do not open for deer hunting during the extended white-tailed deer antlerless season in January.
4. We require the use of approved nontoxic shot for turkey hunting (see § 32.2(k)).
5. Dogs used during the fall turkey season must be under the owner's immediate control at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. Conditions A2, A3, A7, and A8ii apply.
1. We do not open areas on the north side of the Neosho River to all fishing from November 1 through March 1, except for the Dove Roost pond and the Upper Burgess marsh.
2. We only allow fish bait collecting for personal use. We prohibit digging or habitat disturbance (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
1. You may only possess six shells per day in the area from the Quillback Cove parking lot to the No Hunting Zone boundary east of Dogtown.
2. You may use natural vegetation to construct a temporary blind.
3. You may use portable hunting blinds.
4. We prohibit construction or use of any permanent blind.
5. We prohibit digging or using holes or pits for blinds.
6. We prohibit retrieval of waterfowl from an area closed to waterfowl hunting.
7. We only allow waterfowl hunting by boat in Bow Creek. You may not create a wake while in Bow Creek.
8. We only allow motorized vehicles on designated roads, parking lots, campgrounds, and boat ramps (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit the use of ATVs (all-terrain vehicle), OHVs (off-highway vehicle), NHVs (nonhighway vehicle), or snowmobiles on the refuge (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
10. We prohibit commercial guiding on the refuge.
11. We prohibit overnight camping on the refuge.
12. We prohibit open fires on the refuge.
1. You may only possess bow and arrow or shotguns no larger than 10 gauge on the refuge.
2. In addition to pheasant, we allow hunting of fox squirrel and cottontail rabbit only during pheasant season.
3. You may only possess six shells per day in the area from the Quillback Cove parking lot to the “Closed to Hunting” boundary east of Dogtown.
4. We prohibit retrieval of upland game from an area closed to upland game hunting.
5. We prohibit retrieval of turkey from an area closed to turkey hunting.
6. Conditions A8 through A12 apply.
1. We only allow archery hunting of deer.
2. You must obtain a refuge-issued permit to hunt deer on the refuge. You must sign and carry the permit in the field while hunting.
3. You may use portable tree stands and hunting blinds provided that you install them no more than 7 days prior to the season and remove them no later than 2 days after the season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit construction or use of any permanent stand or blind (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit digging or using holes or pits for blinds.
6. You may use natural vegetation to construct a temporary blind.
7. We prohibit retrieving deer from an area closed to deer hunting.
8. We prohibit retrieving turkey from an area closed to turkey hunting.
9. We prohibit the use of nails, wires, screws, or bolts to attach a stand to a tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
10. Conditions A8 through A12 apply.
1. We allow access to Kirwin Reservoir by foot to bank or ice fish.
2. We only allow motorized vehicles on designated roads, parking lots, campgrounds, and boat ramps (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit motorized vehicles on the ice.
3. We allow motorized boating in the main body of Kirwin Reservoir and in Bow Creek. You must not create a wake in Bow Creek or within 100 yards (90 m) of any shoreline or island in the main body of Kirwin Reservoir.
4. We allow motorless boats in the Solomon Arm of Kirwin Reservoir from August 1 through September 30.
5. We prohibit access within 100 yards (90 m) of a nesting endangered or threatened species.
6. We allow noncommercial collection of bait fish in accordance with State regulations.
7. We prohibit fishing tournaments on the refuge.
8. We prohibit disposal of fish cleanings on the refuge (see § 27.94 of this chapter).
9. Conditions A8 through A12 apply.
1. We restrict outboard motor use to the westernmost 5
2. We prohibit discharge of firearms within 150 yards (135 m) of any residence or occupied building.
3. We allow only temporary portable blinds and blinds made from natural vegetation.
4. You must remove boats, decoys, portable blinds, and other personal property from the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. Condition A2 applies.
2. We prohibit centerfire and rimfire rifles and pistols.
3. You may possess only bow and arrow or shotguns smaller than 10 gauge while hunting upland game.
4. We require the use of approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
1. Conditions A2, A3, A4, B2, and B4 apply.
2. You must possess and carry a refuge access permit to hunt deer and spring turkey.
3. We prohibit hunting with the aid of or distribution of any feed, salt, or other mineral (see § 32.2(h)).
4. We allow the use of portable tree stands. You must label portable tree stands left overnight with your name and phone number so it is visible from the ground.
5. You may install portable tree stands no sooner than September 15, and you must remove them by January 15 of each year.
1. We open refuge hunting areas September 1 through February 28.
2. We may close refuge hunting areas to hunting without notice when whooping crane are present or emergencies arise.
3. We post refuge hunting areas as “Public Hunting Areas” and delineate them on the refuge hunting brochure map.
4. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 1 hour before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge up to 1 hour past legal shooting hours.
5. We prohibit hunting from or across any road, trail, or parking area.
6. Hunters must park in designated parking areas.
7. We only allow portable devices or temporary blinds of natural vegetation. We prohibit construction of permanent blinds or pits (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit the retrieval of game from areas closed to hunting.
9. We prohibit the use of boats, canoes, or other watercraft.
1. Conditions A1 through A6, and A8 apply.
2. We only allow shotguns for hunting on the refuge.
1. You may take fish species listed in the State fishing regulations. We prohibit taking of frog, snake, or any other wildlife (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. We prohibit the use of trotlines and setlines.
3. We prohibit the use of seines for taking bait.
4. We prohibit fishing from water control structures and bridges.
5. We restrict fishing in the designated “Kid's Pond,” approximately
6. The bag limit for the Kid's Pond is one fish per day.
7. We prohibit the use of boats, canoes, or other watercraft.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. The refuge is a day-use area only, with the exception of legal hunting/fishing activities.
2. We prohibit the use of motorized off-road vehicles (e.g., ATVs) and any unlicensed vehicles on the refuge (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
3. We prohibit target practice with any weapon or nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit the use of horses and mules on refuge property during the State muzzleloader and modern gun deer hunts. We allow horseback riding on refuge roads and portions of the abandoned railroad tracks owned by the refuge for access purposes while engaged in wildlife activities. We prohibit horses and mules off these secondary access routes for any reason.
5. You must possess and carry a valid refuge permit while hunting and/or fishing on the refuge.
6. To retrieve or track game from a posted closed area of the refuge, the hunter must first receive authorization from the refuge manager at 270-527-5770 or the law enforcement officer at 270-702-2836.
7. We prohibit the use of flagging tape, reflective tacks, or nonbiodegradable devices used to identify paths to and mark tree stands, blinds, and other areas.
8. We close portions of abandoned railroad tracks within the refuge boundary to vehicle access (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit discharge of firearms or carrying loaded firearms on or within 100 feet (90 m) of any home, the abandoned railroad tracks, graveled roads, and hiking trails.
10. We prohibit possession or use of alcoholic beverages while hunting (see § 32.2(j)).
11. We prohibit the use of electronic calls
12. An adult, age 21 or older, must supervise all youth hunters, age 15 and under. Youth hunters must remain in sight and normal voice contact with the adult. On small game hunts, the adult may supervise no more than two youths; on big game hunts, the adult may supervise no more than one youth.
13. All persons born after January 1, 1975 must possess a valid hunter education card while hunting.
14. Waterfowl hunters must pick up decoys and equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter), unload firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter), and be out of the field by 2 p.m. daily during the State waterfowl season.
15. Waterfowl hunters must remove decoys, blinds, boats, and all other equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) and be out of the field daily by 2 p.m.
16. We close, as posted, the Sharpe-Elva Water Management Unit from November 1 through March 15 to all entry with the exception of drawn permit holders and their guests.
17. We only allow waterfowl hunting on the Sharpe-Elva Water Management Units on specified Saturdays and Sundays during the State waterfowl season. We only allow hunting by individuals in possession of a refuge draw permit and their guests. State regulations and the following conditions apply:
i. Application procedures and eligibility requirements are available from the refuge office.
ii. We allow permit holders and up to three guests to hunt their assigned provided blind on the designated date. We prohibit guests in the blind without the attendance of the permit holder.
iii. We prohibit selling, trading, or bartering of permits. This permit is nontransferable.
iv. You may place decoys out Saturday morning at the beginning of the hunt, and you must remove them by Sunday at the close of the hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
v. We prohibit watercraft on the Sharpe-Elva Water Management Units, except for drawn permit holders to access their blinds and retrieve downed birds as needed.
1. Conditions A1 through A13 apply.
2. We close squirrel, rabbit, and quail seasons during muzzleloader and modern gun deer hunts.
3. You may not kill or cripple a wild animal without making a reasonable effort to
4. You may use only rimfire rifles, pistols, shotguns, and legal archery equipment for taking upland game.
5. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while hunting small game.
6. You may hunt coyote only during any daytime refuge hunt with weapons and ammunition allowed for that hunt.
1. Conditions A1 through A17 and B3 apply.
2. We only allow the use of portable and climbing stands. You may place stands in the field no earlier than 2 weeks prior to the opening of deer season, and you must remove them from the field within 1 week after the season closes (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). The hunter's name and address must appear on all stands left in the field.
3. You must use safety belts at all times when occupying the tree stands.
4. We prohibit organized deer drives of two or more hunters. We define “drive” as: the act of chasing, pursuing, disturbing, or otherwise directing deer so as to make animals more susceptible to harvest.
1. Conditions A1 through A15 apply.
2. The following apply to the Environmental Education and Recreation Area (EERA).
i. The EERA is a day-use area only.
ii. We only allow one rod and reel or pole and line for fishing per person.
iii. We prohibit the use of any type of watercraft.
iv. We prohibit the introduction or stocking of any species (see § 27.52 of this chapter).
v. We prohibit the use of live fish for bait.
vi. We close designated portions of the EERA to all entry from November 1 to March 15.
vii. We allow the taking of largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill in accordance with posted limits.
Refer to § 32.68 West Virginia for regulations.
1. The refuge is a day-use area only, with the exception of legal hunting/fishing activities.
2. We prohibit the use of motorized off-road vehicles (e.g., ATVs) on the refuge (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
3. We set season dates and bag limits annually and publish them in the refuge public use regulations available at the refuge office.
4. You must possess and carry a valid refuge permit and report game taken as specified within the permit.
5. We allow hunters to access the refuge no more than 2 hours before legal sunrise and no more than 2 hours after legal sunset with the exception of raccoon hunters, who we will allow access from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight).
6. All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult hunter may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
1. Conditions B1 through B6 apply.
2. You may only participate in the refuge firearms deer and turkey hunts with a special quota permit issued through random drawing. You may obtain information on permit applications at the refuge headquarters.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while turkey hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)).
4. We only allow the use of portable blinds and tree stands on the refuge. You must remove blinds, tree stands, and all other personal equipment from the refuge at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
1. We allow access to the Long Point Unit (north of Upper Blue Basin) for fishing from March 16 through November 14, and the Grassy Island Unit (south of Upper Blue Basin) for fishing from February 1 through November 14.
2. We allow fishing on the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We prohibit taking of frog or turtle on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit airboats, hovercraft, or personal watercraft (Jet Skis) on any waters within the refuge boundary.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit.
2. We allow migratory game bird hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until 12 p.m. (noon) during the State season. We do not open for the special teal season and State youth waterfowl hunt.
3. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of the maintained rights-of-way of roads, refuge road or designated trail, building, residence, or designated public facility.
4. You must remove temporary blinds (see § 27.93 of this chapter) used for duck hunting by 12 p.m. (noon) on the last day of the State waterfowl season. You must clearly mark any stand or blind left on the refuge with the name and address of the person using the stand or blind. You must remove decoys daily.
5. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
6. Any hunter under age 17 must possess and carry proof of completion of an approved Hunter Safety Course and be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise (within sight of and in normal voice contact with) only one youth for all youth hunts except migratory birds. One adult may supervise no more than two youths while hunting migratory game birds.
7. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
8. We prohibit use or possession of any type of trail-marking material.
9. Coyote, beaver, feral hog, and raccoon are incidental take species and, as such, you may take them during any open hunting season only with the weapon allowed for that season if you are a hunter having the required licenses and permits. There is no bag limit on coyote, feral hog, and beaver. State regulations apply on other incidental species.
10. Each hunter is responsible for reporting harvest information on a hunter information report card located at the self-clearing check station.
11. You must check all game taken on the refuge before leaving the refuge at one of the self-clearing check stations indicated on the map in the refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations Brochure.
12. You must use boats to access the refuge from Bayou Cocodrie or Cross Bayou. We prohibit entering the refuge from U.S. Highway 84. You must dock all boats used to access the refuge on the banks of the refuge. Boats used to cross “low water crossings” at Cross Bayou may be left for a maximum of 3 days, and you must clearly mark them with the name and address of the person responsible for the boat while it is on the refuge. We only allow outboard motors in Cocodrie Bayou and tributaries accessible therefrom.
13. We only allow ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) from September 1 through the hunting season. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is an off-road vehicle with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 pounds (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25×12 with a maximum 1 inch (2.5 cm) lug height and a maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi as indicated on the tire by the manufacturer.
14. Special access ATV trails are available for mobility-impaired hunters and hunters age 60 and older with proper State permits. Hunters with mobility impairments must possess and carry a valid Disabled Hunter Permit/Card from the State to use special access ATV trails. Hunters must equip their ATVs with a red flag at least 6 inches (15 cm) wide and 12 inches (30 cm) long on a pole or
15. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)). This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
1. We allow squirrel and rabbit hunting during the State season except during the open youth hunt for deer, the youth lottery hunt, the primitive firearms hunt, and the lottery deer hunt.
2. Conditions A1, A3, and A7 through A15 apply.
3. We allow the use of dogs to hunt squirrel and rabbit during that portion of the season designated as “With/Without Dogs.” We list specific season dates in the refuge brochure.
4. While engaged in upland game hunting, we prohibit possession of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) larger than .22 caliber rimfire, shotgun slugs, or buckshot.
5. Refuge users may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must exit the refuge by 2 hours after legal sunset except that raccoon and opossum hunters during the month of February may use the refuge at night.
6. Youth hunters under age 16 must have completed a hunter education course and possess and carry evidence of completion. An adult age 21 or older must closely supervise youth hunters (within sight and normal voice contact). One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter while hunting upland game.
1. Conditions A1, A3, A7 through A15, and B5 apply.
2. The bag limit is one deer (of either sex) per day. The State season limit applies.
3. You must check all deer on the same day taken during lottery deer hunts at a staffed refuge check station.
4. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
5. We prohibit hunters leaving stands on the refuge until the opening day of archery season, and they must remove them by the end of the last day of the archery season. Hunters must clearly mark stands used on the refuge with the name and address of the owner of the stand. Hunters must remove portable stands from trees daily and must place free-standing stands in a nonhunting position daily (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. We only allow deer hunting with modern firearms during the lottery deer hunt. We require special limited permits for the lottery deer hunt. We only allow hunters with a valid lottery deer hunt permit (must possess and carry the permit) to use the refuge during the lottery deer hunt.
7. We open archery season on the Saturday closest to October 31, and keep it open until the end of the State season, except we close the refuge to archery hunting during the refuge youth hunt, youth lottery hunt, and lottery deer hunt.
8. We allow deer hunting with primitive firearms subject to State regulations. Specific open dates will appear in the annual Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations Brochure.
9. We prohibit possession or use of buckshot.
10. We prohibit possession or use of climbing spikes.
11. We prohibit baiting or hunting over bait and the possession of bait or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
12. Youth hunters under age 16 must have completed a hunter education course and possess and carry evidence of completion. An adult age 21 or older must closely supervise youth hunters (within sight and normal voice contact). One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter while hunting big game.
1. Conditions A11 through A15 apply.
2. You must tend trotlines daily. You must attach ends of trotlines by a length of cotton line that extends into the water.
3. We prohibit commercial fishing. Recreational fishing using commercial gear (slat traps, etc.) requires a special refuge permit (that you must possess and carry) available at the refuge office.
4. We prohibit the taking of alligator snapping turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
5. We only allow fishing during daylight hours.
6. The refuge boat ramp is open from 4 a.m. until 2 hours after legal sunset.
1. The refuge is open from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset.
2. We allow sport fishing and shellfishing year-round on all refuge lands south of the Intracoastal Waterway, from the banks of U.S. Highway 11, and within the banks of the borrow canal and borrow pits between U.S. Highway 11 and Interstate 10. We close the remainder of the refuge from November 1 through January 31.
3. We only allow sport fishing with hand-held rod and reel or hand-held rod and line. You may take bait shrimp with cast nets 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter or less. You may take crawfish (up to 100 pounds (45 kg) per person) with wire nets up to 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter. We allow recreational crabbing with a limit of 12 dozen per person. You must attend all fishing, crabbing, and crawfishing equipment at all times.
4. The use of trotlines, limblines, slat traps, gar sets, nets or alligator lines is prohibited on the refuge.
5. Only outboard motors 25 horsepower or less are permitted in waterways inside the hurricane protection levee.
6. We prohibit air-thrust boats, motorized pirogues, mud boats, and air-cooled propulsion engines on the refuge.
7. We prohibit feeding of any wildlife within the refuge.
8. We prohibit all commercial finfishing and shellfishing.
1. All hunters must possess and carry a signed hunt permit while hunting on the refuge. This permit is free and available on the front cover of the refuge brochure. This permit is free and available on the front cover of the refuge's brochure.
2. We prohibit hunting in and/or shooting into or across any open field, roadway, or canal.
3. Youth hunters under age 16 must have completed a State-approved Hunter Education Course and possess and carry a card or certification of completion. Each youth hunter under age 16 must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise no more than two refuge-permitted youth hunters. We require all adult supervisors and hunters of migratory waterfowl to possess and carry a State hunter safety course card or certificate.
4. We require waterfowl hunters to remove all portable blinds, boats, decoys, and other personal equipment from the refuge by 1 p.m. daily.
5. All hunters must check-in prior to hunting and check out after hunting at a refuge self-clearing check station. You must report all game taken on the refuge when checking out by using the check card.
6. We prohibit airboats and marsh buggies (tracked vehicles) on the refuge. We restrict motorized boat use to existing canals, ditches, trenasses, ponds, and from areas marked as nonmotorized areas only.
7. We prohibit parking, walking, or hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any active oil well site, production facility, or equipment. We also prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, trail, building, residence, or designated public facility.
8. We prohibit feeding of any wildlife within the refuge.
9. We allow hunting until 12 p.m. (noon). We allow hunters to enter the refuge up to 2 hours before legal sunrise.
10. We allow waterfowl hunting in Centerville, Garden City, and Bayou Sale Units during the State waterfowl season. We open no other units to migratory waterfowl hunting.
11. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
12. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)). This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
1. We only allow hunting from the start of the State squirrel and rabbit seasons until the last day of State waterfowl season in the West Zone.
2. We prohibit upland game hunting on days corresponding with refuge deer gun hunts.
3. We allow hunters to enter the refuge up to 2 hours before legal sunrise, but they must leave the refuge 1 hour after legal sunset.
4. We allow hunting 7 days per week beginning with the opening of the State season in Centerville, Garden City, Bayou Sale, North Bend—East, and North Bend—West Units through the last day of the State waterfowl season in the West Zone. We open no other units to the hunting of upland game.
5. We prohibit dogs.
6. Conditions A1, A2, A3, A5, A6, A7, A8, and A12 apply.
1. We allow hunting of deer only with firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) during 5 specific days during October and November. A youth gun hunt will occur during the last weekend of October. The general gun hunt will occur during the final full weekend in November. The general gun hunt will be a lottery hunt. We will require a Lottery Hunt
2. We allow hunting of deer with archery equipment from the start of the State archery season until the last day of November in the following units: Garden City, North Bend—East, and North Bend—West. The following units are open to archery deer hunting from the start of the State archery season until January 31: Centerville, Bayou Sale, and Garden City (south of Garden City levee only). We close refuge archery hunting on those days that the refuge deer gun hunts occur.
3. All archery hunters must possess and carry proof of completion of the International Bowhunters Education Program.
4. We allow hunting in the Centerville, Garden City, Bayou Sale, North Bend—East, and North Bend—West Units only. We do not open the Bayou Sale Unit for all big game firearm hunts.
5. We only allow each hunter to possess 1 deer of either sex per day. State season limits apply.
6. You may take no other native or feral wildlife other than white-tailed deer while engaged in big game hunting (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
7. We allow the use of portable deer stands according to State of Louisiana Wildlife Management Area regulations.
8. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
9. Conditions A1, A2, with the following exception to A3: One adult may supervise only one youth; A5, A6, A7, A8, B3, and B5 apply.
1. We only allow recreational fishing. We prohibit all commercial fishing activity.
2. We prohibit the use of unattended nets, traps, or lines (trot, jug, bush, etc.).
3. The refuge is open from legal sunrise until legal sunset unless stated otherwise.
4. We prohibit the take of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
5. Conditions A6 and A8 apply.
1. We allow waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon), including the State special teal season and State youth waterfowl hunt.
2. We do not open the refuge to goose hunting for that part of the season that extends beyond the regular duck season.
3. You must remove blinds and decoys (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by noon.
4. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
5. You must possess and carry a valid refuge hunt permit.
6. We prohibit air-thrust boats, motorized pirogues, mud boats, and air-cooled propulsion engines on the refuge.
7. Youth hunters under age 16 must have completed a hunter education course and possess and carry evidence of completion. An adult age 21 or older must closely supervise youth hunters (within sight and normal voice contact). One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
9. We prohibit possession of buckshot, slugs, rifles, or rifle ammunition.
10. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any road open to vehicle travel, residence, or Boy Scout Road. We prohibit hunting in refuge-designated closed areas, which are posted on the refuge and identified in the refuge hunt permits (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
11. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)).
12. Hunters may not enter the refuge before 4 a.m.
13. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
14. We prohibit horses.
1. We allow upland game hunting during the open State season using only approved nontoxic (see § 32.2(k)) shot size #4 or smaller.
2. You may only use dogs for squirrel and rabbit after the close of the State archery deer season.
3. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for quail.
4. Conditions A5 through A14 apply.
1. We are open during the State season for archery hunting of deer.
2. We only allow portable stands.
3. We prohibit dogs and driving deer.
4. You may take deer of either sex in accordance with State regulations. The State season limits apply.
5. Hunters may erect temporary deer stands 14 days prior to the start of deer season. Hunters must remove all deer stands within 14 days of the end of the refuge deer season (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. Hunters may take hogs only during the refuge deer archery hunt.
7. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals or other feed or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
8. Conditions A5 through A8, and A10 through A13 apply, except in condition A7, one adult may supervise only one youth while hunting big game.
1. You may only fish from
2. You must only use rods and reel or pole and lines while fishing.
3. We prohibit the use of trotlines, limblines, slat traps, gar sets, nets, or alligator lines on the refuge. You may take bait with cast nets 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter or less.
4. We allow recreational crabbing.
5. We prohibit all commercial finfishing and shellfishing.
6. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
7. Condition A6 applies.
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit.
2. We allow hunting north of “cemetery pipeline” and east of the main body (permanent water) of Black Bayou Lake.
3. We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) during the State season except we do not open during the special teal season and State youth waterfowl hunt.
4. We prohibit accessing the hunting area by boat from Black Bayou Lake.
5. You may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m.
6. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of the maintained right-of-way of roads, from or across ATV trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit hunting within 50 feet (15 m), or trespassing on above-ground oil or gas production facilities.
7. We prohibit leaving boats, blinds, and decoys unattended.
8. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
9. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. One adult may supervise two youth hunters.
10. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
11. We only allow ATVs on trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) designated for their use and marked by signs. We do not open ATV trails March 1 through August 31. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is an off-road vehicle with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 lbs. (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25×12 with a maximum of 1 inch (2.5 cm) lug height and a maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi as indicated on the tire by the manufacturer.
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, A6, A9, and A10 apply.
2. We prohibit possession of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) larger than .22 caliber rimfire, shotgun slugs, and buckshot.
3. You may hunt raccoon and opossum from
4. We allow the use of dogs to hunt squirrel and rabbit during that part of the State season that occurs in January and February.
5. We allow use of horses and mules to hunt raccoon and opossum at night only after obtaining a Special Use Permit at the refuge office.
6. We prohibit opossum and raccoon night hunters from using ATVs.
7. You may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must exit no later than 1 hour after legal shooting hours.
8. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while hunting on the refuge. This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, A6, A10, A11, and B7 apply.
2. We prohibit gun deer hunting.
3. The daily bag limit is one deer of either sex. The State season limit applies.
4. We prohibit leaving deer stands, blinds, and other equipment unattended.
5. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
6. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. You may enter the refuge
2. You may only launch boats at the concrete ramp adjacent to the visitor center. We prohibit launching boats with motors greater than 50 hp. We prohibit personal watercraft (Jet Skis).
3. We prohibit trotlines, limb lines, yo-yos, traps, or nets.
4. We prohibit commercial fishing.
5. We prohibit leaving boats or other equipment on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
6. We require a boat launch fee. You must pay launch fees and fill out and properly display your launch permit before launching boat.
7. We prohibit take of frog, turtle, and mollusk (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit crossing the water hyacinth blooms in a boat.
1. We allow hunting from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon).
2. We allow woodcock hunting in accordance with State regulations using only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) size #4 or smaller.
3. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. One adult may supervise up to two youth hunters.
4. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
5. We require a signed refuge hunt permit.
6. We allow public hunting refuge-wide during the open State season for listed species, except for the east levee of the Pearl River Navigation Canal as indicated on refuge permit map.
7. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, designated trail, building, residence, designated public facility, or from or across aboveground oil or gas or electric facilities.
8. We prohibit possession of slugs, buckshot, rifle, or pistol ammunition unless otherwise specified.
9. We allow primitive camping within 100 feet (30 m) of designated streams. These include either bank of the Boque Chitto River, Wilson Slough, and West Pearl River south of Wilson Slough, refuge lands along the East Pearl River, and Holmes Bayou.
10. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
11. We prohibit horses.
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot size #4 or smaller or .22 caliber rimfire or smaller.
2. You may use dogs for rabbit and squirrel from November 1 to the end of the State season except during the refuge gun and muzzleloader season.
3. You may use dogs for raccoon and opossum from January 1 through the last day of February.
4. We will close the refuge to hunting (except waterfowl) and camping when the Pearl River reaches 15.5 feet (4.65 m) on the Pearl River Gauge at Pearl River, Louisiana.
5. We prohibit the take of feral hog during any upland game hunts.
6. Conditions A3 (upland game hunts), and A5 through A10 apply.
7. During the refuge deer gun season, all hunters except waterfowl hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of unbroken hunter orange as the outermost layer of clothing on the chest and back, and in addition we require a hat or cap of unbroken hunter orange.
1. Conditions A3 (one adult may supervise only one youth hunter during refuge gun deer hunts), A5 through A7, A10, B4, and B7 apply.
2. Hunters may erect temporary deer stands 14 days prior to the start of deer season. Hunters must remove all deer stands within 14 days of the end of the refuge deer season (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We allow archery deer hunting during the open State archery season.
4. We list specific dates for general gun big game hunts in the refuge hunt brochure.
5. We list specific dates for primitive weapons big game hunts in the refuge hunt brochure.
6. We prohibit the use of dogs.
7. We prohibit using shot larger than No. 2 during turkey season.
8. You may take hog as incidental game while participating in the refuge archery, primitive weapon, and general gun deer hunts only. We list specific dates for the special hog hunts in January and February in the refuge hunt brochure. During the special hog hunts you must use trained hog-hunting dogs to aid in the take of hog. During the special hog hunts you may take hog from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, and you must use pistol or rifle ammunition not larger than .22 caliber rimfire or shotgun with nontoxic shot to take the hog after it has been caught by dogs.
9. You must kill all hogs prior to removal from the refuge.
10. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. We only allow cotton limb lines.
2. Conditions A9 and B4 apply.
3. We close the fishing ponds at the Pearl River Turnaround to fishing during the months of April, May, and June.
4. We allow boats in the fishing ponds at the Pearl River Turnaround that do not have gasoline-powered engines attached. These boats must be hand launched into the ponds.
5. We prohibit the take of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
6. We allow trotlines but the last five feet of trotline must be 100% cotton.
1. Anglers may fish year-round.
2. Crabbers must tend crabbing equipment at all times.
3. Anglers may not use trotlines, slat traps, or nets.
1. The waterfowl hunt consists of a youth (age 17 and younger) limited permit hunt only. We provide hunt dates and application requirements to the public through the media early each fall. We notify successful applicants prior to the applicable hunt season. The permitted youth must be present in the blind for his/her guest to hunt.
2. All hunters born on or after September 1, 1969, must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter (age 16 and under) must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. For waterfowl hunts, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
3. We require every hunter to possess and carry signed refuge hunting regulations and permit.
4. Each hunter must complete a Hunter Information Card at a self-clearing check station after each hunt and before leaving the refuge.
5. We allow dove hunting on designated areas during the first split of the State dove season only.
6. We allow snipe hunting on designated areas for the remaining portion of the State snipe season following closure of the State duck and coot season in the West Zone.
7. We prohibit hunting closer than 50 yards (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, trail, building, residence, or designated public facility.
8. We prohibit any person or group from acting as guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity in which any other individual(s) pay or promise to pay directly or indirectly for
1. Conditions A2 (for big game hunt, one adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter), A3, A4, A7, and A8 apply.
2. We prohibit entrance to the hunting area earlier than 4 a.m. Hunters must leave no later than 1 hour after legal sunset.
1. You must fish with a rod and reel or a pole and line. We prohibit the possession of any other type of fishing gear, including limb lines, gill nets, jug lines, yo-yos or trotlines.
2. You may recreationally fish, crab, or cast net in the East Cove Unit year-round from legal sunrise to legal sunset, except during the State waterfowl season and when we close the Grand Bayou Boat Bay.
3. We prohibit fishing, crabbing, or cast netting from or trespassing on refuge water control structures at any time.
4. On East Cove Unit, we prohibit walking, wading, or climbing in or on the marsh, levees, or structures.
5. We allow sport fishing, crabbing, and cast netting in the canal and waterways adjacent to the Gibbstown Unit Bank Fishing Road and the Outfall Canal from March 15 through October 15.
6. We only allow nonpowered boats in the Bank Fishing Road waterways.
7. We allow only recreational crabbing with cotton hand lines or dropnets up to 24 inches ( 60 cm) outside diameter. We prohibit using floats on crab lines.
8. You must attend all lines, nets, and bait and remove them from the refuge (see § 27.93 of this chapter) when you leave.
9. We allow a daily limit of five dozen crabs per boat or vehicle.
10. We allow recreational cast netting for shrimp during the Louisiana Inland Shrimp Season when we open the East Cove Unit for boats.
11. Allowed cast net size is in accordance with State regulations.
12. We allow a daily limit of 5 gallons (19 L) of heads-on shrimp per boat.
13. We only allow recreational cast netting for bait year-round when we open the East Cove Unit for boats.
14. We prohibit the use of ATVs, air-thrust boats, and personal motorized watercraft (Jet Skis) in any refuge area (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
15. You may operate outboard motors in refuge canals, bayous, and lakes. In the marsh we allow only trolling motors.
16. Condition A8 applies.
17. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
18. We allow cast netting for bait on both the East Cove Unit and the Gibbstown Unit in accordance with State regulations when the unit is open for public fishing only.
1. Hunters or anglers age 17 or older must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that they understand and will comply with all regulations.
2. All users must obtain a daily use reporting card and place it in plain view on the dashboard of their vehicle so that the personal information is readable. Users must return cards to the refuge kiosk upon departure from the refuge.
3. Hunters may enter the refuge 2 hours before legal sunrise and must exit the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours.
4. We prohibit possession of firearms in areas posted as “No Hunting Zones.”
5. You must use designated parking areas to participate in any refuge public use activity.
6. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult must possess and carry a refuge permit and may supervise no more than two youth hunters during waterfowl/upland game hunting.
7. We allow take of beaver, feral hog, nutria, raccoon, and coyote incidental to any refuge hunt with weapons legal for that hunt until you take the daily bag limit of game.
8. Hunters must report all harvested game on the back of the daily use reporting card prior to leaving the refuge.
9. We allow use of all-terrain vehicles on designated refuge trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) for wildlife-dependent activities from the first Saturday in September to the last day of the State-designated rabbit season. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is an off-road vehicle with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 lbs. (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to
10. We prohibit transport of loaded weapons on an ATV (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter). For muzzleloaders, we define loaded as cap on primer.
11. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, trail or ATV trail, building, residence, or designated public facility.
12. We prohibit the possession or use of nonbiodegradable flagging tape.
13. We prohibit horses or mules.
14. We only allow parking in designated parking areas.
15. We prohibit camping or overnight parking on the refuge.
16. We prohibit air-thrust boats on the refuge.
17. We prohibit all other hunting during refuge lottery deer hunts.
18. We allow waterfowl hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until 12 p.m. (noon) during the designated State duck season.
19. Waterfowl hunters must remove boats, blinds, and decoys by 1 p.m. daily.
20. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
21. We prohibit accessing refuge property by boat from the Mississippi River.
22. Persons using the refuge are subject to inspection of permits, licenses, hunting equipment, bag limits, and boats and vehicles by law enforcement officers.
23. We allow nonmotorized or electric-powered boats only.
24. We prohibit trapping.
25. We prohibit the possession of saws, saw blades, or machetes.
26. We prohibit possession of alcohol (see § 32.2(j)).
27. We prohibit ATVs on trails/roads (see § 27.31 of this chapter) not specifically designated by signs for ATV use.
28. We prohibit all commercial activities (including, but not limited to, guiding).
1. Conditions A1 through A3, A5 through A9, A11 through A17, A19, A21, A22, and A26 through A28 apply.
2. We allow the use of .22 caliber long rifles and shotguns to hunt upland game.
3. We allow the use of squirrel and rabbit dogs from the day after the close of the State-designated deer rifle season to the end of the State-designated season. We allow up to two dogs per hunting party for squirrel hunting.
4. We require the owner's name and phone number on the collars of all dogs.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)). This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
6. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. Conditions A1 through A3, A5 through A9, A11 through A17, A19, A21, A22, and A26 through A28 apply.
2. We allow archery-only deer hunting on the refuge during the State archery deer season.
3. There will be two or three lottery gun hunts (primitive firearms/rifle) in November and December (see refuge brochure for details). We will set hunt dates in July, and we will accept applications from August 1 through August 31. Applicants may apply for more than one hunt. There is a $5 application fee per person for each hunt application and a $15 fee per person per permit for each successful applicant. We will notify successful applicants by September 5.
4. We allow only portable deer stands. Hunters may erect stands 2 days before the beginning of the refuge archery season and must remove them the last day of the State archery season (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). Hunters may erect stands 2 days before hunting season; however, they must place them in a nonhunting position at the conclusion of each day's hunt.
5. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail wounded deer or hogs.
6. You must only use portable deer stands. Deer stands must have the owner's name, address, and phone number clearly printed on the stand.
7. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail wounded deer.
8. You may only take one deer of either sex per day during the deer season. State season limits apply. During the deer quota hunts, you may only take one deer of either sex during the quota hunt weekend.
9. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
10. We prohibit driving or screwing nails, spikes, or other metal objects into trees or hunting from any tree into which such an object has been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
11. We allow “still hunting” only. We prohibit man drives or use of dogs.
12. We prohibit use or possession of climbing spurs.
1. We prohibit commercial fishing or commercial crawfishing.
2. Conditions A1 through A3, A8, A9 (on the open portions of Wood Duck ATV trail for wildlife-dependent activities throughout the year), A13 through A16, A19, A21 through A23, and A26 through A28 apply.
3. We only allow hook and line to catch bait fish.
4. We prohibit slat traps or hoop nets on the refuge.
5. You may use trotlines and yo-yos on the refuge. The ends of trotlines must consist of a length of cotton line that extends from the points of attachment into the water. You must attend yo-yos (within sight) at all times.
6. We prohibit possession of cleaned or processed fish on the refuge.
7. We allow recreational crawfishing on the refuge subject to specific dates (see refuge brochure for details). The harvest limit is 100 pounds (45 kg) per permit per day.
8. You must attend all crawfish traps and nets at all times and may not leave them on the refuge overnight. We allow up to and not exceeding 20 traps per angler on the refuge.
9. We prohibit harvest of frog or turtle on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit boat launching by trailer from all refuge roads and parking lots.
1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge hunting permit. Prior to entering and leaving the hunt area, we require hunters to sign in and out at designated locations as indicated on the refuge hunt/fish permit.
2. We allow goose, duck, and coot hunting on the Bushley Bayou Unit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from
3. We open the refuge to hunters 2 hours before official sunrise for migratory game bird hunting.
4. We allow use of ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) subject to refuge-specific dates and terms (see refuge hunting brochure for details). We prohibit the use of an ATV on graveled roads designated for motor vehicle traffic unless otherwise posted. We only allow ATVs for wildlife-dependent activities. We define an ATV as an off-road vehicle (not legal for highway use) with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 pounds (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25 x 12 with a maximum 1 inch (2.5 cm) lug height and a maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi as indicated on the tire by the manufacturer.
5. We require hunters to remove all portable blinds, boats, decoys, and other personal equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge by 1 p.m. daily.
6. We prohibit all migratory game bird hunting during deer-gun and primitive firearms hunts.
7. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, ATV trail, building, residence, or designated public facility. We prohibit parking, walking, or hunting with 150 feet (45 m) of any active oil well site, production facility, or equipment.
8. We prohibit the use of air-thrust boats, inboard water-thrust boats, or personal watercraft. We only allow nonmotorized boats, boats with electric motors, or boats with a motor of 10 hp or less on Black Lake, Dempsey Lake, Long Lake, Rhinehart Lake, and Round Lake.
9. We prohibit the use of mules or horses.
10. Youth hunters under age 18 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult must possess and carry a refuge permit and may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
11. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)). This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
12. We prohibit the possession of buckshot, slugs, or rifle ammunition larger than .17 caliber rimfire while engaged in migratory game bird hunts.
13. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting or fishing guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting or fishing on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
14. We prohibit marking areas or trails with tape, paint, paper, flagging, or any other material.
15. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds. We only allow dogs after the last refuge deer primitive firearms hunt, except when we allow them for waterfowl hunting throughout the entire refuge waterfowl season.
16. We prohibit camping or parking overnight on the refuge.
17. We prohibit parking on the refuge for access to adjoining nonrefuge property.
18. We prohibit vehicles having wheels with a wheel-tire combination having a radius of 17 inches (42.5 cm) or more from the center of the hub (measured horizontal to ground).
19. Refuge hunting seasons apply to all navigable waterways that are wholly within the refuge boundaries.
1. Conditions A1, A4, A7 through A11, A13, A14, and A16 through A19 apply.
2. At the Headquarters Unit, we only allow squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and feral hog hunting from the first day of the State squirrel season through October 31.
3. At the Bushley Bayou Unit, we allow squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and feral hog hunting in accordance with the State season.
4. We open the refuge to hunters from 2 hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal sunset.
5. We prohibit squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon hunting during deer-gun and primitive firearms hunts.
6. We prohibit the use of airboats, inboard water-thrust boats, or personal watercraft. We only allow nonmotorized boats, boats with electric motors, or boats with a motor of 10 hp or less on Black Lake, Dempsey Lake, Long Lake, Rhinehart Lake, and Round Lake of the Bushley Bayou Unit and Duck Lake, Cowpen Bayou, Willow Lake, and the Highway 28 and 84 borrow pits of the Headquarters Unit.
7. At the Headquarters Unit, we close upland and big game hunting during high water conditions with an elevation of 42 feet (12.6 m) or above as measured at the Corps of Engineers center of the lake gauge on Catahoula Lake. At the Bushley Bayou Unit, we close upland and big game hunting during high water conditions with an elevation of 44 feet (13.2 m) or above as measured at the Corps of Engineers center of the lake gauge on Catahoula Lake.
8. On the Bushley Bayou Unit, we allow the use of dogs to hunt squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon only after the last refuge deer-primitive firearms hunt. We allow no more than two dogs per hunting party for squirrel hunting. Hunters may use only beagles that do not exceed 15 inches (37.5 cm) at front shoulders for rabbit hunting.
9. Dog owners must place their names and phone numbers on the collars of all of their dogs.
10. We require hunters participating in special dog seasons for rabbit and squirrel to wear a minimum of a hunter-orange cap. All other hunters and archers (while on the ground), except waterfowl hunters, also must wear a minimum of a hunter-orange cap during the special dog seasons for rabbit and squirrel.
1. Conditions A1, A4, A7 through A9, A11, A13, A14, A16 through A19, B4 through B7, and B10 apply.
2. At the Bushley Bayou Unit, we allow deer-archery hunting during the State archery season, except when closed during deer-gun and deer-primitive firearms hunts. We allow either-sex, deer primitive firearms hunting during the first segment of the State season for Area 1, weekdays only (Monday through Friday) and the third weekend after Thanksgiving Day. We allow either-sex, deer-gun hunting for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving Day and for the second weekend following Thanksgiving Day.
3. At the Headquarters Unit, we allow deer-archery hunting during the State archery season, except when closed during the deer-gun hunt south of the French Fork of the Little River. We allow either-sex, deer-gun hunting on the fourth weekend after Thanksgiving Day on the area south of the French Fork of the Little River.
4. We allow portable stands and climbing stands, but hunters must remove them from the refuge daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit possession of buckshot.
6. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
7. You may only take one deer per day during any refuge deer hunt. The State season limits apply.
8. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game or using pursuit dogs.
9. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult must possess and carry a refuge permit and may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
10. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail wounded deer.
11. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals or other feed or nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
12. Deer hunters hunting from concealed ground blinds must display a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
1. Conditions A4, A7, A9, A13, A14, A16, A17, and B6 apply.
2. We require anglers to possess and carry at all times a signed copy of a current refuge hunting/fishing permit.
3. At the Bushley Bayou Unit, we allow fishing and crawfishing year-round. We allow trotlines, but you must tend them at least once every 24 hours and reset them when receding water levels expose them. You must attach them with a length of cotton line that extends into the water. We allow yo-yos, but you must attend and only use them from 1 hour before legal sunrise until
4. At the Headquarters Unit, we allow year-round fishing on Cowpen Bayou and the Highway 28 borrow pits. We open fishing on the remainder of the Headquarters Unit including Duck Lake, Muddy Bayou, Willow Lake, and the Highway 84 borrow pits from March 1 through October 31. We only allow pole and line or rod and reel fishing. We prohibit snagging.
5. We allow fishing from 1 hour before legal sunrise until
6. At the Headquarters Unit, we only allow launching of trailered boats at designated boat ramps. You may launch small, hand-carried boats at nonboat ramp sites. We prohibit dragging boats or driving vehicles (see § 27.31 of this chapter) onto road shoulders to launch boats.
7. We prohibit the taking or possession of all snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, and mollusks by any means (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit bank fishing on Bushley Creek and fishing in Black Lake, Dempsey Lake, Long Lake, Rhinehart Lake, and Round Lake during deer-gun and primitive firearms hunts. We prohibit fishing in Black Lake, Dempsey Lake, Long Lake, Rhinehart Lake, and Round Lake during waterfowl hunts.
1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit.
2. We prohibit waterfowl hunting in the “Beanfield” area west of Bayou D'Arbonne and between Holland's Bluff Road and the “Big Powerline” east of Bayou D'Arbonne. We mark prohibited areas with blue paint and signs.
3. We prohibit woodcock hunting in the “Beanfield” area west of Bayou D'Arbonne.
4. We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) during the State season except when closed during the special teal season and State youth waterfowl hunt.
5. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m.
6. We prohibit hunting within 100 feet (30 m) of the maintained rights of way of roads (see § 27.31 of this chapter), and from aboveground oil or gas or electrical transmission facilities.
7. We prohibit leaving boats, blinds, and decoys unattended.
8. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
9. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult must possess and carry a refuge permit and may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
10. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
1. Conditions A1, A6, A9, and A10 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting in the “Beanfield” area west of Bayou D'Arbonne after October 31.
3. We prohibit possession of firearms larger than .22 caliber rimfire, shotgun slugs, and buckshot while engaged in upland game hunting.
4. You may hunt raccoon and opossum during the daylight hours of rabbit and squirrel season and at night during December and January. You may use dogs for night hunting. You may take raccoon and opossum on the refuge, but we prohibit their sale for human consumption.
5. You may use dogs to hunt squirrel and rabbit after the last refuge Gun Deer Hunt.
6. You may only use horses and mules to hunt raccoon and opossum at night after obtaining a special permit at the refuge office.
7. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must exit no later than 2 hours after legal shooting hours.
8. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)). This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
1. Conditions A1, A3 (for gun deer hunting), A6, A10, and B7 apply.
2. We allow general gun deer hunting on the following days: the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday of November, the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday following Thanksgiving Day, and the second Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving Day. We allow archery deer hunting during the entire State season.
3. We allow a restricted Gun Deer Hunt for hunters with Class I Wheelchair Bound Permit issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the second consecutive Saturday and Sunday of November. Only permitted hunters may carry firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
4. The daily bag limit is one antlered and one antlerless deer. The State season limit applies.
5. You must check all deer taken during general Gun Deer Hunts at a refuge check station between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the same day taken unless stated otherwise in the annual refuge hunting brochure and permit.
6. Archery hunters must possess and carry proof of completion of the International Bowhunters Education Program.
7. We prohibit leaving deer stands, blinds, and other equipment unattended.
8. Deer hunters must wear hunter orange as per State deer hunting regulations on Wildlife Management Areas.
9. We prohibit hunters placing, or hunting from, stands on pine trees with white painted bands/rings.
10. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult must possess and carry a refuge permit and may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
11. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. We prohibit leaving boats and other personal property on the refuge unattended.
2. You must tend trotlines daily. You must attach ends of trotlines by a length of cotton line that extends into the water.
3. We prohibit commercial fishing. Recreational fishing using commercial gear (slat traps, etc.) requires a special refuge permit (that you must possess and carry) available at the refuge office.
4. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We allow waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon), including the State special teal season, State youth waterfowl season, and State light goose special conservation season.
2. We only allow temporary blinds. You must remove both blinds and decoys (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by 12 p.m. (noon).
3. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
4. Hunters must possess and carry a valid refuge hunt permit.
5. We only allow hunting on those portions of the refuge that lie northwest of Main Pass and south of Raphael Pass.
6. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)). We prohibit possession of buckshot, slugs, rifles, or rifle ammunition.
7. We prohibit air-thrust boats, mud boats, and air-cooled propulsion engines on the refuge.
8. We close all refuge lands between Raphael Pass and Main Pass to all entry during the State waterfowl hunting season.
9. We prohibit discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) within 250 yards (225 m) of buildings or worksites, such as oil or gas production facilities.
10. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult must possess and carry a refuge permit and may supervise no more than two youth hunters
11. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of weather such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
12. We open the refuge from
1. The refuge rabbit season opens the day after the State duck season closes and continues through the remainder of the State rabbit season.
2. We restrict hunting to shotgun only.
3. We allow dogs for rabbit hunting.
4. Conditions A4 through A10 (each adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters during upland game hunting), A11, and A12 apply.
1. Conditions A4 through A12 apply, with the following exception to condition A10: Each adult can only supervise one youth hunter.
1. We only allow recreational fishing and crabbing from
2. We allow archery deer hunting October 1 through 31 (either sex) and from the day after the close of the State duck season through the end of the State deer archery season.
3. Hunters must only use portable stands for archery deer hunting.
4. We prohibit dogs and driving of deer for archery deer hunting.
5. You may only take hog with archery equipment.
6. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals or other feed or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. We only allow recreational fishing and crabbing from
2. We prohibit all commercial finfishing and shellfishing.
3. We prohibit the use of trotlines, limblines, slat traps, jug lines, nets, or alligator lines.
4. Conditions A8, A10, and A11 apply
5. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We require hunters and anglers age 16 and older to purchase and carry a signed refuge special recreational activity permit.
2. Hunters must check-in and check out subject to refuge-specific terms (see refuge hunting brochure for details).
3. The refuge opens at 4 a.m. and closes 1 hour after legal sunset.
4. Youth hunters under age 18 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters during waterfowl hunts.
5. You must use designated parking areas to participate in any refuge public use activity.
6. We prohibit camping or parking overnight on the refuge.
7. We prohibit discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) except when hunting.
8. We prohibit marking of trails with nonbiodegradable flagging tape.
9. We allow use of ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) from the first Saturday in September to the last day of the State rabbit season. An ATV is an off-road vehicle with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 pounds (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25×12 with a maximum 1 inch (2.5 cm) lug height and a maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi as indicated on the tire by the manufacturer.
10. We prohibit horses and mules.
11. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, trail or ATV trail, building, residence, or designated public facility.
12. We prohibit transport of loaded weapons on an ATV (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter).
13. We prohibit blocking of gates or trails (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter) with vehicles or ATVs.
14. We prohibit ATVs on trails/roads (see § 27.31 of this chapter) not specifically designated by signs for ATV use.
15. We only allow nonmotorized boats or electric-powered motors.
16. We allow incidental take of raccoon, feral hog, beaver, nutria, and coyote while you are hunting migratory birds, upland
17. We only allow waterfowl (duck, goose, coot) hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 12 p.m. (noon) during the Statewide duck season.
18. We only allow the use of shotguns while waterfowl hunting.
19. We prohibit handguns for hunting (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
20. You must remove all decoys, portable blinds, and boats (see § 27.93 of this chapter) daily.
21. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
22. The refuge will hold lotteries to hunt waterfowl from blinds on designated sections of the refuge during the regular State waterfowl season subject to refuge-specific dates, terms, and selection process (see refuge hunting brochure for details). Youth ages 10 to 17 and their adult co-applicant supervisors are given preference in these lottery hunts. Once selected in the lottery, the youth co-applicant must be present on the day of the hunt for the permit to be valid. In the event that we receive no youth applications for a given hunting date, we will fill blinds with adult applicants for that date. All hunts are subject to water availability.
23. Individuals utilizing the refuge are subject to inspections of permits, licenses, hunting equipment, bag limits, and boats and vehicles by law enforcement officers.
24. We prohibit the possession of saws, saw blades, or machetes.
25. We prohibit trapping.
26. Hunting is subject to closure due to high water conditions.
27. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
1. Conditions A1 through A11, and A13 through A16, A20, and A24 through A28 apply.
2. We allow rabbit hunting during the State season.
3. We only allow rabbit dogs after the close of the State deer rifle season.
4. We require the owner's name and phone number on the collars of all dogs.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) for upland game hunting. This requirement only applies to the use of shotgun ammunition.
6. We allow the use of .22 caliber or less rimfire rifles or shotguns to hunt upland game.
7. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
8. We require hunters participating in special dog seasons for rabbit to wear a minimum of an unbroken, hunter-orange cap. All other hunters and archers (while on the ground), except waterfowl hunters, also must wear an unbroken, hunter-orange cap during the special dog seasons for rabbit.
1. Conditions A1 through A11, and A13 through A16, A20, A24 through A28, B6, and B7 apply.
2. We allow archery hunting in designated units subject to refuge-specific dates and harvest restrictions (see refuge hunting brochure for details).
3. We allow only portable deer stands (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). Deer stands must have the owner's name, address, and phone number clearly printed on the stand. Hunters may erect stands 2 days before hunting season; however, they must place stands in a nonhunting position at the conclusion of each hunt and remove them on the last day of the State archery deer season.
4. We prohibit hunters to drive deer or to use pursuit dogs. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail wounded deer or hogs.
1. Conditions A1, A5, A6, A10, A11, A13 through A15, A19, A20, and A26 apply.
2. We only allow bank fishing in Coulee Des Grues along Little California Road.
3. We only allow fishing with pole and line.
4. We prohibit leaving parking areas to fish until legal sunrise.
5. We allow fishing and crawfishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
6. We allow recreational crawfishing subject to refuge-specific dates and terms (see refuge hunting brochure for details).
7. We require anglers to take crawfish using pyramid nets with webbing made of cotton or nylon. We prohibit wire traps.
8. You may harvest 100 lbs. (45 kg) of crawfish per permit per day.
9. We prohibit sale of crawfish taken from the refuge.
10. We prohibit glass containers on the refuge.
11. You must remove all crawfishing gear (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from refuge property after each day's visit.
12. We prohibit possession of cleaned or processed fish on the refuge.
13. We prohibit the harvest of frog, turtle, snake, or mollusk (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit launching boats with trailers, put or placed, in Coulee des Grues from refuge property.
1. We require every individual hunter to possess and carry a signed refuge hunting permit.
2. We only allow hunting on designated areas of the refuge. These areas include the marshes south of the Intracoastal Waterway and the area east of the Lacassine Bayou excluding Unit B (lottery hunt area west of Streeter Road), Unit F, and the headquarters area along Streeter Road (see refuge map).
3. We allow hunting Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the State teal and duck seasons (western zone). We close the refuge to hunting during the “goose only” waterfowl season. State daily and season harvest limits apply.
4. We prohibit entering the hunting area earlier than 4 a.m., and shooting hours end at 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
5. We only allow firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) legal for waterfowl hunting in the refuge hunting area.
6. We prohibit all boat motors, including trolling motors, in refuge marshes. We prohibit air-thrust boats and ATVs on the refuge (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
7. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of refuge canals; waterways; public roads; buildings; aboveground oil, gas, or electrical transmission facilities; or designated public facilities. Hunting parties must remain a distance of no less than 150 yards (135 m) away from another hunter.
8. All hunters born on or after September 1, 1969, must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. For waterfowl hunts, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
9. You must remove all hunting-related equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) immediately following each day's hunt.
10. Limited permit waterfowl hunting consists of youth (age 17 and younger) and senior (age 55 and older) lottery hunts. We provide hunt dates and application information to the public through the media early each fall. We notify successful applicants prior to the applicable hunt season. The permitted youth and/or senior must be present in the blind for his/her guest to hunt. We allow only successful applicants and their guests within Unit B.
11. We prohibit overnight camping on the refuge.
12. We prohibit possession of alcohol in the hunt areas during the hunting season.
1. Conditions A1, A6, A8 (each adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter during big game hunts), A9, A11, and A12 apply.
2. We only allow archery hunting for white-tailed deer from October 1 through October 31.
3. We prohibit entrance to the hunting area earlier than 4 a.m. Hunters must leave no later than 1 hour after legal sunset.
4. We prohibit hunting in the headquarters area along Nature Road and along the Lacassine Pool Wildlife Drive (see refuge map).
5. We allow boats of all motor types and of 25 hp or less in Lacassine Pool.
6. We prohibit boats in Lacassine Pool and Unit D from October 16 through March 14. We prohibit boats in Units A and C.
7. We allow only foot access to the Unit F area.
8. We prohibit firearms while deer hunting or scouting.
9. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed on any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. Conditions A11, C7, and C8 apply.
2. We allow fishing March 15 through October 15.
3. You may enter the refuge 1 hour before legal sunrise, and you must leave 1 hour after legal sunset.
4. We prohibit fishing in the headquarters display pond.
5. We prohibit bank fishing from the Lacassine Pool Wildlife Drive.
6. We prohibit air-thrust boats, ATVs, and Jet Skis on the refuge (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
7. We prohibit dragging or driving of boats over levees.
8. You must only launch trailered boats at the cement ramps at the public boat launches in Lacassine Pool.
9. We only allow boats powered by paddling or trolling motors in the Unit D impoundment within Lacassine Pool.
10. We prohibit motors in the refuge marshes outside of Lacassine Pool.
11. We only allow fishing with rod and reel or pole and line on refuge waters.
12. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We require hunters and anglers age 16 and older to purchase and carry a signed refuge special recreational activity permit.
2. Hunters must check-in and check out subject to refuge-specific terms (see refuge hunting brochure for details).
3. The refuge opens at 4 a.m. and closes 1 hour after legal sunset.
4. Youth hunters under age 18 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters during waterfowl hunts.
5. You must use designated parking areas to participate in any refuge public use activity.
6. We prohibit camping or parking overnight on the refuge.
7. We prohibit marking of trails with nonbiodegradable flagging tape.
8. We allow use of ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) from the first Saturday in September until the last day of refuge turkey season. We define ATV as an off-road vehicle with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 lbs. (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width-48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25×12 with a maximum 1 inch (2.5 cm) lug height and a maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi (3.15 kg) as indicated on the tire by the manufacturer.
9. We prohibit horses or mules.
10. We prohibit hunting or shooting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, ATV trail, hiking trail, building, residence, designated public facility, or active oil well site, production facility, or equipment.
11. We prohibit transport of loaded weapons on an ATV (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter). For muzzleloaders, we define loaded as cap on primer.
12. We prohibit blocking of gates or trails (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter) with vehicles or ATVs.
13. We prohibit all other hunting during refuge lottery primitive firearms deer hunts.
14. We allow incidental take of raccoon, feral hog, beaver, nutria, and coyote while migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting, and big game hunting with weapons legal for that hunt.
15. We allow motors up to 25 hp in Possum Bayou (north of Boat Ramp), Palmetto Bayou, Duck Lake, Westcut Lake, Pt. Basse, and Nicholas Lake.
16. We allow electric-powered or nonmotorized boats in Dooms Lake, Lake Long, and Possum Bayou (south of Boat Ramp).
17. We only allow waterfowl (duck, goose, coot) hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until 12 p.m. (noon) during the Statewide duck season.
18. We only allow the use of shotguns while waterfowl hunting.
19. You must remove all decoys, portable blinds, and boats (see § 27.93 of this chapter) daily.
20. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
21. We will allow incidental take of mourning dove while migratory bird hunting on days open to waterfowl hunting.
22. Persons using the refuge are subject to inspections of permits, licenses, hunting equipment, bag limits, boats, and vehicles by law enforcement officers.
23. We prohibit trapping.
24. We prohibit handguns for hunting (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
25. We prohibit vehicles having wheels with a wheel-tire combination having a radius of 17 inches (42.5 cm) or more from the center of the hub (measured horizontal to ground).
26. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging or club membership.
1. Conditions A1 through A16, A19, and A22 through A26 apply.
2. We allow squirrel and rabbit hunting in Hunt Unit 2B subject to refuge-specific dates and terms (see refuge hunting brochure for details).
3. We only allow squirrel and rabbit dogs after the close of the State deer rifle season. We allow no more than two dogs per hunting party.
4. Dog owners must place their name and phone number on the collars of all their dogs.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (
6. We allow the use of .22 caliber or less rimfire rifles or shotguns to hunt upland game.
7. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
8. We require hunters participating in special dog seasons for rabbit and squirrel to wear a minimum of an unbroken hunter-orange cap. All other hunters and archers (while on the ground), except waterfowl hunters, also must wear an unbroken hunter-orange cap during the special dog seasons for rabbit and squirrel.
1. Conditions A1 through A3, A5 through A16, A19, A22 through A26, B7, and B8 apply.
2. We only allow portable deer stands (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). We require hunters to permanently attach their name, address, and phone number to the deer stand. Hunters may erect stands 2 days before hunting season; however, they must place stands in a nonhunting position at the conclusion of each hunt and remove them on the last day of the State archery deer season.
3. We allow archery hunting in Units 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B subject to refuge-specific date and harvest restrictions (see refuge hunting brochure for dates).
4. We allow youth to hunt deer in the closed area during the lottery youth deer season. These gun hunts are subject to the refuge-specific dates, terms, and selection process (see refuge hunting brochure for details). Youth selected in prior years' hunts may not apply.
5. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game or using pursuit dogs.
6. We allow archery equipment only during designated seasons.
7. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail wounded deer.
8. We allow electric-powered or nonmotorized boats in Lake Ophelia from November 1 through December 15 (see refuge hunting brochure for details).
9. You may kill one deer of either sex per day during the refuge archery season. Deer killed on the refuge count towards the State bag limit.
10. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
11. Youth hunters under age 18 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise only one youth hunter during big game hunts.
12. There will be lottery deer primitive firearm hunts subject to refuge-specific dates, terms, and selection process (see refuge hunting brochure for details). Applicants may not apply for more than one hunt. There is a $5 nonrefundable application fee per person for each hunt application.
13. We prohibit driving or screwing nails, spikes, or other metal objects into trees or hunting from any tree in which such an object has been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
14. We only allow turkey hunting during the first 14 days of the State season until 12 p.m. (noon).
15. We allow the use and possession of lead shot for turkey hunting (see § 32.2(k)).
16. We prohibit the possession of saws, saw blades, or machetes.
1. Conditions A1, A5 through A9, A19 (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and A22 through A25 apply.
2. We allow sport fishing in Duck Lake, Westcut Lake, Possum Bayou, Lake Long, and the immediate vicinity of the Lake St. Agnes drainage culverts on the Red River.
3. We prohibit the use of gear or equipment other than hook and line to catch bait fish.
4. We allow fishing from March 1 through October 15 from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
5. You must attend yo-yos (within sight) at all times.
6. We prohibit possession of largemouth bass less than 14 inches long (35 cm) and black and white crappie less than 10 inches long (25 cm).
7. We prohibit cleaned or processed fish on the refuge.
8. We allow use of ATVs on the Duck Lake ATV trail from March 15 through October 15.
9. We prohibit the harvest of frog, turtle, snake, or mollusk (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit crawfishing.
1. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 12 p.m. (noon). Hunters may only enter the refuge after 4 a.m.
2. Prior to hunting, we must assign a refuge blind and issue a refuge lottery waterfowl permit to any person entering, using, or occupying the refuge for hunting migratory game birds. You may only hunt from your assigned blind.
3. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter under age 16 must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise no more than two refuge-permitted youth hunters. We require all adult supervisors and hunters of migratory waterfowl to possess and carry a State Hunter Safety Course Certificate.
4. All hunters must check-in and check out at a refuge self-clearing check station. Each hunter must list their name and certificate number on the self-clearing check station form and deposit the form at a refuge self-clearing check station prior to hunting. Hunters must report all game taken on the refuge when checking out by using the self-clearing check station form.
5. Only one adult may occupy a blind with up to two youths during a designated Lottery Youth Waterfowl Hunt. We allow no more than three hunters to hunt from a blind at one time during any waterfowl hunt.
6. We prohibit firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) other than those used to take migratory game birds in boats or in the possession of migratory game bird hunters.
7. We prohibit air-thrust boats or marsh buggies on the refuge. We restrict motorized boat use to existing canals, ditches, trenasses, and ponds.
1. We open the refuge to hunting of deer and hog during the State archery season, except prior to 12 p.m. (noon) on Wednesdays and Saturdays during State waterfowl seasons, when we close areas north of the Intracoastal Waterway to hunting of big game.
2. Hunters may only enter the refuge after 4 a.m. and must exit by 1 hour after legal sunset.
3. You may take big game with archery equipment and in accordance with State law. From October 1 through October 15, State bucks-only regulations are in effect. From October 16 through February 15 you may take only one deer of either sex per day and hunters may possess only one deer. The State season limits on deer apply. There is no daily or possession limit on feral hogs.
4. All hunters must possess and carry proof of completion of the International Bowhunters' Education Program when hunting.
5. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals or other feed, or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
6. Conditions A3 (except that an adult may supervise only one youth), A4, and A7 apply.
1. We only allow recreational fishing. We prohibit commercial fishing on the refuge.
2. We prohibit the use of unattended nets, traps, or lines (trot, jog, bush, etc.).
3. We allow fishing in the refuge year-round.
4. The refuge is open from legal sunrise until legal sunset unless specifically stated otherwise.
5. Condition A7 applies.
6. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit.
2. We allow waterfowl and woodcock hunting on all refuge lands except the areas within the Headquarters Focus Area in Bossier Parish and north of Interstate 49 within the Spanish Lake Focus Area in Natchitoches Parish.
3. We only allow dove hunting during the first 3 days of the State season on all refuge lands except the areas within the Headquarters Focus Area in Bossier Parish and north of Interstate 49 within the Spanish Lake Focus Area in Natchitoches Parish.
4. We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) during the State season.
5. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 3 a.m.
6. We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any public road, refuge road, trail or ATV trail, residence, building, aboveground oil or gas or electrical transmission facilities, or designated public facility.
7. We prohibit leaving boats, blinds, and decoys unattended.
8. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
9. Youth hunters age 15 and under must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult can supervise no more than two youth hunters.
10. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that any other individual(s) pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for services rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
1. Conditions A1, A7, and A8 apply.
2. We allow hunting on all refuge lands except the areas within the Headquarters Focus Area in Bossier Parish and north of Interstate 49 within the Spanish Lakes Focus Area in Natchitoches Parish.
3. We prohibit the possession of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) larger than .22 caliber rimfire, shotgun slugs, and buckshot.
4. We allow hunting of raccoon and opossum during the daylight hours of rabbit and squirrel season. We allow night hunting during December and January, and you may use dogs for night hunting. We prohibit selling of raccoon and opossum taken on the refuge for human consumption.
5. We allow use of dogs to hunt squirrel and rabbit after the last refuge Gun Deer Hunt.
6. If you want to use horses and mules to hunt raccoon and opossum at night, you must first obtain a special permit at the refuge office.
7. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 3 a.m. and no later than 2 hours after legal shooting hours.
8. Youth hunters age 15 and under must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult can supervise no more than one youth hunter.
1. Conditions A1, A7, A8, and B7 apply.
2. We only allow archery hunting.
3. We allow deer hunting on all refuge lands except the areas within the Headquarters Focus Area in Bossier Parish and north of Interstate 49 within the Spanish Lake Focus Area in Natchitoches Parish.
4. The daily bag limit is one deer of either sex. The State season limit applies.
5. Archery hunters must possess and carry proof of completion of the International Bowhunters' Education Program.
6. We prohibit leaving deer stands, blinds, and other equipment unattended.
7. We prohibit hunters placing stands or hunting from stands on pine trees with white pa
9. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt minerals, or other feed or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
8. Youth hunters age 15 and under must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult can supervise no more than one youth hunter.
9. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt minerals, or other feed or any nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
1. We prohibit leaving boats and other personal property on the refuge unattended.
2. We prohibit boat launching with motors greater than 50 hp on all refuge waters.
3. You must tend trotlines daily. You must attach ends of trotlines by a length of cotton line that extends into the water.
4. We prohibit commercial fishing. Recreational fishing using commercial gear (slat traps, etc.) requires a special refuge permit (that you must possess and carry) available at the refuge office.
5. We prohibit the taking of alligator snapping turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We require all hunters to possess and carry a signed refuge permit.
2. We allow waterfowl hunting only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the State teal season and during the regular State waterfowl season for the west zone.
3. We allow hunters to enter the refuge and launch boats only after 3 a.m. Shooting hours end at 12 p.m. (noon) each day.
4. All hunters born on or after September 1, 1969, must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course and possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. For waterfowl hunts, one adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
5. You may access the hunt areas via the boat launches at the West Cove Public Use Area, by vehicle on Vastar Road, and at designated turnouts within the refuge public hunt area along State Highway 27 (see § 27.31 of this chapter), unless otherwise posted. We prohibit refuge entrance through adjacent private property or using the refuge to access private property or leases.
6. We allow launching of boats on trailers only at West Cove Public Use Area. We allow hand launching of small boats along Vastar Road (no trailers permitted).
7. We prohibit dragging boats across the levee.
8. We allow operation of outboard motors only in designated refuge canals and Old North Bayou. We allow trolling motors within the refuge marshes.
9. We prohibit air-thrust boats and personal motorized watercraft (e.g., Jet Skis) unless otherwise posted.
10. You must use only portable blinds and those made of native vegetation. You must remove portable blinds, decoys, spent shells, and all other personal equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) each day.
11. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of refuge canals, waterways, public roads, buildings, above-ground oil, gas or electrical transmission facilities, or designated public facilities. Hunting parties must maintain a distance of no less than 150 yards (135 m) away from another hunter.
12. Each hunter must complete a Hunter Information Card at a self-clearing check station after each hunt and before leaving the refuge.
13. We prohibit any person or group from acting as guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity in which any other individual(s) pay or promise to pay directly or indirectly for service rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
14. We allow dogs to only locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds.
15. We prohibit all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
1. Bank and wharf access for fishing are available year-round at the Public Use Areas along State Highway 27. You may only access the refuge by boat during the March 15 to October 15 open period.
2. We allow use of rod and reel, pole and line, or jug and line. We prohibit the use or possession of any other type of fishing gear, including limb lines, gill nets, or trot lines. We limit jug and line to 10 per boat, and you must attend them at all times. You must mark all jugs with the attendant's fishing license number and remove them (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge daily.
3. You must only launch boats with motors at the designated boat ramps at the Hog Island Gully and West Cove Public Use Areas.
4. We allow only nonmotorized boats in the 1A and 1B management units.
5. We only allow operation of outboard motors in designated refuge canals, Old North Bayou, and Management Unit 3 (40 hp maximum in Unit 3). We allow trolling motors within the refuge marshes.
6. Conditions A7, A9, A13 (fishing guide), and A15 apply.
7. We allow anglers to enter the refuge by boat from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset in order to access fishing areas. We prohibit fishing activities, however, before legal sunrise and after legal sunset.
8. Crabbing: We allow recreational crabbing in designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
i. You must take crabs only with cotton hand lines or drop nets up to 24 inches (60 cm) outside diameter. We prohibit use of floats on crab lines.
ii. You must remove all hand lines, drop nets, and bait (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge upon leaving.
iii. We allow a daily limit on crabs of 5 dozen (60) per vehicle or boat.
9. Cast Netting: We allow cast netting in designated areas of the refuge only during the Louisiana Inland Shrimp Season subject to the following conditions:
i. We allow cast netting only from 12 p.m. (noon) to legal sunset.
ii. We only allow recreational cast netting for shrimp. You must immediately return all fish, crabs, or other incidental take (by catch) to the water before continuing to cast net.
iii. We allow a daily shrimp limit of 5 gallons (19 L) of heads-on shrimp per day, per vehicle, or per boat.
iv. Shrimp must remain in your actual custody while on the refuge.
v. You may cast net only from the bank and wharves at Hog Island Gully and Blue Crab Public Use Areas and 1A-1B Public Use Areas or at sites along Hwy. 27 that provide
vi. We prohibit cast netting at or around the Northline and West Cove Public Use Area or on or around any boat launch.
vii. You may cast net from a boat throughout the refuge except where posted and signed as closed.
viii. We prohibit reserving a place or saving a space for yourself or others by any means to include placing unattended equipment in designated cast-netting areas.
ix. We prohibit swimming and/or wading in the refuge canals or wading in the canals and waterways.
10. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. We allow hunting of duck and coot on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until 12 p.m. (noon) during the State season. We prohibit migratory bird hunting during refuge gun hunts for deer.
2. We allow hunting of woodcock on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations.
3. We allow refuge hunters to enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., and they must leave no later than 2 hours after legal sunset unless they are participating in the refuge raccoon hunt.
4. In areas posted “Area Closed” or “No Waterfowl Hunting Zone,” we prohibit hunting of migratory birds at any time. The Public Use Regulations brochure will be available at the refuge headquarters in July.
5. We allow shotguns equipped with a single-piece magazine plug that allows the gun to hold no more than two shells in the magazine and one in the chamber. We prohibit target practicing or shooting to unload modern firearms on the refuge at any time. Shotgun hunters must possess only an approved nontoxic shot when hunting migratory birds (see § 32.2(k)). We require hunters to unload and encase all guns transported in automobiles and boats or on all-terrain vehicles (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter). We allow firearms on the refuge only during the refuge hunting season.
6. We prohibit permanent or pit blinds on the refuge. You must remove all blind materials and decoys following each day's hunt.
7. We allow nonmotorized boats, electric motors, and boats with motors 10 hp or less in refuge lakes, streams, and bayous. We require that boat passengers wear personal floatation devices when using a boat to access the refuge. Hunters must equip all motorized boats with navigation lights and use them according to State regulations. We prohibit boat storage on the refuge. Hunters must remove boats daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
8. We require all waterfowl hunters to report their game immediately after each hunt at the check station nearest to the point of take.
9. We prohibit baiting or the possession of bait while on the refuge at any time (see § 32.2(h)).
10. We allow all-terrain vehicle (ATV) travel on designated trails for access typically from September 15 to the last day of the refuge squirrel season. We open designated trails from 4 a.m. to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset unless otherwise specified. We define an ATV as an off-road vehicle (not legal for highway use) with factory specifications not to exceed the following: Weight 750 pounds (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25 × 12 with a 1 inch (2.5 cm) lug height and maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi. We require an affixed refuge ATV permit that hunters may obtain from the refuge headquarters, typically in July. Hunters using the refuge physically challenged all-terrain trails must possess the State's Physically Challenged Program Hunter Permit. Additional physically challenged access information will be available at the refuge headquarters.
11. While visiting the refuge, we prohibit: spotlighting (see § 27.73 of this chapter), littering (see § 27.94 of this chapter), fires (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter), trapping, man-drives for game, possession of alcoholic beverages in hunting areas (see §§ 32.2(j) and 27.81 of this chapter), possession of open alcoholic beverage containers, flagging, engineers tape, paint, unleashed pets (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter), and parking/blocking trail and gate entrances (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter). We also prohibit hunting or shooting within 150 feet (45 m) of a designated public road, maintained road, trail, fire breaks, dwellings, and above-ground oil and gas production facilities. We define a maintained road or trail as one which has been mowed, disked, or plowed.
12. We require a Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Access Permit for all migratory bird hunts. You may find the permit on the front of the Public Use Regulations brochure.
13. We prohibit field dressing of game within 150 feet (45 m) of parking areas, maintained roads, and trails.
14. We require a refuge access permit for all migratory bird hunts. You may find permits on the front of the Public Use Regulations brochure.
15. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate
1. We allow raccoon hunting beginning January 1 and typically ending the first week in February. We allow raccoon hunters to hunt from legal sunset to legal sunrise with the aid of dogs, horses, mules, and use of lights. We only allow such use of lights on the refuge at the point of kill. We prohibit all other use of lights for hunting on the refuge. Hunt dates will be available at refuge headquarters in July. We prohibit ATVs during the raccoon hunt.
2. We allow squirrel and rabbit hunting with and without dogs. We will allow hunting without dogs from the beginning of the State season and typically ending the day before the refuge deer primitive firearms hunt. We do not require you to wear hunter orange during the squirrel and rabbit hunt without dogs. Squirrel and rabbit hunting with or without dogs will begin the day after the refuge deer primitive firearms hunt and will end the last day of the refuge squirrel season, which typically ends on February 15.
3. We close squirrel and rabbit hunting during the following gun hunts for deer: refugewide youth hunt, primitive firearms hunt, and modern firearms hunt.
4. We allow hunters to enter the refuge after 4 a.m., and they must depart no later than 2 hours after legal sunset unless they are participating in the refuge raccoon hunt.
5. In areas posted “Area Closed,” we prohibit upland game hunting at any time.
6. We allow .22 caliber rimfire weapons and shotguns equipped with a single-piece magazine plug that allows the gun to hold no more than two shells in the magazine and one in the chamber. We prohibit target practicing or shooting to unload modern firearms on the refuge at any time. Shotgun hunters must possess only an approved nontoxic shot when hunting upland game (see § 32.2(k)). We require hunters to unload and encase all guns transported in automobiles and boats or on all-terrain vehicles (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter). We define loaded as shells in gun or caps on muzzleloader. We allow firearms on the refuge only during the refuge hunting season.
7. We require all upland game hunters to report their game immediately after each hunt at the check station nearest to the point of take.
8. Conditions A7, A10, A11, and A13 apply.
9. We prohibit any hunter from using climbing spikes or to hunt from a tree that contains screw-in steps, nails, screw-in umbrellas, or any metal objects that could damage trees (see § 32.2(i)).
10. We require a Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Access Permit for all upland game hunts. Hunters will find permits on the front of the Public Use Regulations brochure.
1. Deer archery season will begin the first Saturday in November and will conclude on the last day of the State archery season (typically January 31). We prohibit archery hunting during the following refuge-wide deer hunts: youth gun hunt and modern firearms hunts. We prohibit possession of pods, drug-tipped arrows, or other chemical substances.
2. The deer primitive firearms season will last 3 days and occur on a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in January. We will allow in-line primitive firearms and magnified scopes.
3. We will conduct two 2-day quota, modern-firearms hunts for deer typically in the month of December. Hunt dates and permit application procedures will be available at refuge headquarters in July. We restrict hunters using a primitive firearm during this hunt to areas where we allow modern firearms.
4. We will conduct guided quota youth deer hunts and guided quota deer hunts for the physically challenged in the Greenlea Bend area typically in December and January. Hunt dates and permit application procedures will be available at the refuge headquarters in July.
5. We will conduct a refuge-wide youth deer hunt during the Statewide youth hunt weekend typically in November. Hunt dates will be available at refuge headquarters in July. Each participating youth must be ages 8 to 15, must possess proof of completion of an approved Hunter Safety Course, and must be accompanied at all times by an adult age 21 or older. Each hunting adult can supervise only one youth.
6. Hunters may take only one deer (one buck or one doe) per day during refuge deer hunts except during guided youth and physically challenged hunts where the limit will be one antlerless and one antlered deer per day.
7. We allow turkey hunting the first 16 days of the State turkey season. We will conduct a youth turkey hunt the Saturday and Sunday before the regular State turkey season. Hunters may harvest two bearded turkeys per season. We allow the use and possession of lead shot while turkey hunting on the refuge. We allow use of nonmotorized bicycles on designated all-terrain vehicle trails. Although you may hunt turkey without displaying a solid-hunter-orange cap or
8. We allow refuge hunters to enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., and they must depart no later than 2 hours after legal sunset unless they are participating in the refuge raccoon hunt.
9. In areas posted “Area Closed,” we prohibit big game hunting at any time. We close “Closed Areas” (designated on the Public Use Regulations brochure map) to all hunts. We prohibit shooting into or across any closed area with a gun or archery equipment.
10. We allow shotguns that are equipped with a single-piece magazine plug that allows the gun to hold no more than two shells in the magazine and one in the chamber. We allow shotgun hunters to use rifled slugs only when hunting deer. We prohibit hunters using or possessing buckshot while on the refuge. We prohibit target practicing or shooting to unload modern firearms on the refuge at any time. We require hunters to unload and encase all guns transported in automobiles and boats or on all-terrain vehicles (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter). We define loaded as shells in gun or caps on muzzleloader. We allow firearms on the refuge only during the refuge hunting season.
11. We allow primitive firearms hunters to discharge their primitive firearms at the end of each hunt safely into the ground at least 150 feet (135 m) from any designated public road, maintained road, trail, fire break, dwelling, or above-ground oil and gas production facility. We define a maintained road or trail as one that has been mowed, disked, or plowed, or one that is free of trees.
12. We allow all-terrain vehicle travel on designated trails for access typically from September 15 to the last day of the refuge squirrel season. Designated trails are open from 4 a.m. to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset unless otherwise specified. We define an ATV as an off-road vehicle (not legal for highway use) with factory specifications not to exceed the following: weight 750 pounds (338 kg), length 85 inches (213 cm), and width 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25x12 with a 1-inch (2.5-cm) lug height and maximum allowable tire pressure of 7psi. We require an affixed refuge all-terrain vehicle permit that hunters may obtain from the refuge headquarters typically in July. Hunters using the refuge physically challenged all-terrain trails must possess the State's Physically Challenged Program Hunter Permit. Additional physically challenged access information will be available at the refuge headquarters.
13. We allow nonmotorized boats, electric motors, and boats with motors 10 horsepower or less in refuge lakes, streams, and bayous. We require that boat passengers wear personal flotation devices when using a boat to access the refuge. Hunters must equip all motorized boats with navigation lights and utilize them according to State regulations. We prohibit storage of boats on the refuge. Hunters must remove them daily.
14. We prohibit deer hunters leaving deer stands unattended before the opening day of the refuge archery season. They must remove stands by the end of the last day of the refuge archery season. Hunters must clearly mark stands left unattended on the refuge with the name and address of the stand owner. Hunters must remove portable stands from trees daily and place freestanding stands in a nonhunting position when unattended.
15. We require deer hunters using primitive firearms or modern firearms to display a solid- hunter-orange cap on their head and a solid-hunter-orange vest over their outermost garment covering their chest and back. Hunters must display the solid-hunter-orange items the entire time while in the field.
16. We require primitive firearms and modern firearms hunters using ground blinds to display outside of the blind 400 square inches (2,600 cm
17. We require all deer and turkey hunters to report their game immediately after each hunt at the check station nearest to the point of take.
18. We prohibit baiting or the possession of bait while on the refuge at any time (see § 32.2(h)). We prohibit possession of chemical baits or attractants used as bait.
19. We prohibit any hunter to use climbing spikes or hunt from a tree that contains screw-in steps, nails, screw-in umbrellas, or any metal objects that could damage trees or to possess any such items (see § 32.2(i)).
20. While visiting the refuge, we prohibit: spotlighting (see § 27.73 of this chapter), littering (see § 27.94 of this chapter), fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter), trapping, man-drives for game, possession of alcoholic beverages in hunting areas, possession of open alcoholic beverages (see §§ 32.2(j) and 27.81 of this chapter), flagging, engineer's tape, paint, unleashed pets (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter), parking/blocking trail and gate entrances (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter). We also prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of a designated public road, maintained road, trail, fire break, dwelling, and above-ground oil and gas production facility. We define a maintained road or trail as one that has been mowed, disked, or plowed.
21. We require a Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Access Permit for all big game hunts. Hunters may find the permit on the front of the Public Use Regulations brochure.
22. We prohibit field dressing of game within 150 feet (45 m) of parking areas, maintained roads, and trails.
1. We allow anglers to enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., and they must depart no later than 2 hours after legal sunset.
2. On areas open to fishing, State creel limits and regulations apply.
3. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
4. We allow anglers to operate nonmotorized boats, electric motors, and boats with motors 10 horsepower or less in refuge lakes, streams, and bayous. We require that boat passengers wear personal flotation devices when using a boat under power to access the refuge. Anglers must equip all motorized boats with navigation lights and use them according to State regulations. We prohibit boat storage on the refuge, and anglers must remove boats daily.
5. We allow all-terrain vehicle (ATV) travel on designated trails for access typically from September 15 to the last day of the refuge squirrel season. Designated trails are open from 4 a.m. to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset unless otherwise specified. The only exception is the Mower Woods all-terrain trail, which is open year-round with the same time restrictions as the seasonal all-terrain trails. We define an ATV as an off-road vehicle (not legal for highway use) with factory specifications not to exceed the following: Weight 750 pounds (337.5 kg), length 85 inches (212.5 cm), and width of 48 inches (120 cm). We restrict ATV tires to those no larger than 25 × 12 with a 1-inch (2.5-cm) lug height and maximum allowable tire pressure of 7 psi. We require an affixed refuge ATV permit that anglers may obtain from the refuge headquarters typically in July. Anglers using the refuge physically challenged all-terrain trails must possess the State's Physically Challenged Program Hunter Permit. Additional physically challenged access information will be available at the refuge headquarters.
6. While visiting the refuge, we prohibit: Spotlighting; littering; fires; possession of alcoholic beverages; flagging, engineer's tape, or paint; and parking/blocking trail and gate entrances (see §§ 27.31(h), 27.94, 27.95(a) of this chapter, and 32.2(j)).
7. We prohibit fish cleaning with 150 feet (45 m) of parking areas, maintained roads, and trails.
1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit.
2. We allow waterfowl hunting on the west side of the Ouachita River north of RCW Road. We allow waterfowl hunting on the east side of the Ouachita River outside the Mollicy levee and south of the crude oil pipeline which runs through Township 22N range 4E sections 2, 3, 4 within the levee.
3. We allow woodcock hunting west of the Ouachita River. We allow woodcock hunting on the east side of the Ouachita River outside the Mollicy levee and south of the crude oil pipeline which runs through Township 22N range 4E sections 2, 3, 4 within the levee.
4. We allow dove hunting during the first 3 days of the State season east of the Ouachita River outside the Mollicy levee and south of the crude oil pipeline which runs through Township 22N range 4E sections 2, 3, 4 within the levee.
5. We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) during the State season.
6. We will hold a limited youth waterfowl lottery hunt during the State Youth Waterfowl Hunt. Application instructions are available at the refuge office.
7. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m.
8. We prohibit hunting within 100 feet (30 m) of the maintained rights of ways of roads, from or across ATV trails, and from above-ground oil, gas, or electrical transmission facilities.
9. We prohibit leaving boats, blinds, and decoys unattended.
10. We allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve when hunting for migratory game birds. We prohibit the use of dogs for hog hunting.
11. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
12. We prohibit any person or group to act as a hunting guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity that pay other individual(s), pays or promises to pay directly or indirectly for service rendered to any other person or persons hunting on the refuge, regardless of whether such payment is for guiding, outfitting, lodging, or club membership.
1. Conditions A1, A8, A9, A11, and A12 (to hunt upland game) apply.
2. We allow hunting west of the Ouachita River. We allow hunting on the east side of the Ouachita River outside the Mollicy levee and south of the crude oil pipeline which runs through Township 22N range 4E sections 2,3,4 within the levee.
3. We prohibit possession of firearms larger than .22 caliber rimfire, shotgun slugs, and buckshot.
4. We allow hunting of raccoon and opossum during the daylight hours (legal sunrise to legal sunset) of rabbit and squirrel season. We allow night hunting (legal sunset to legal sunrise) during December and January, and we allow use of dogs for night hunting. We prohibit the selling of raccoon and opossum taken on the refuge for human consumption.
5. We allow the use of dogs to hunt squirrel and rabbit after the last refuge Gun Deer Hunt.
6. To use horses and mules to hunt raccoon and opossum at night, hunters must first obtain a special permit at the refuge office.
7. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must exit no later than 2 hours after legal shooting hours.
8. We allow hunting of beaver and coyote during all open refuge hunts with weapons legal for the ongoing hunt.
1. Conditions A1, A8, A9, A12 (to hunt big game), and B7 apply.
2. We allow general gun deer hunting on the following days: the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday of November; the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday following Thanksgiving Day; and the second Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving Day. We allow archery deer hunting during the entire State season.
3. We allow deer and feral hog hunting west of the Ouachita River. We allow deer hunting on the east side of the Ouachita River outside the Mollicy levee and south of the crude oil pipeline which runs through Township 22N range 4E sections 2, 3, 4 within the levee.
4. The daily bag limit is one either-sex deer. The State season limit applies.
5. Archery hunters must possess and carry proof of completion of the International Bowhunters' Education Program.
6. We prohibit leaving deer stands, blinds, and other equipment unattended.
7. Deer hunters must wear hunter orange as per State deer hunting regulations on Wildlife Management Areas.
8. We prohibit hunters placing stands or hunting from stands on pine trees with white-painted bands/rings.
9. Youth hunters under age 16 must successfully complete a State-approved hunter education course. While hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of completion. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
10. We will hold a limited lottery youth turkey hunt on the Saturday of the State youth turkey hunt weekend.
11. We prohibit possession or distribution of bait or hunting with the aid of bait, including any grain, salt, minerals, or other feed or nonnaturally occurring attractant on the refuge (see § 32.2(h)).
12. We allow hunting of hog during all open refuge hunts with weapons legal for the ongoing hunt.
1. We allow sport fishing year-round except within the Mollicy levee. We allow fishing in the Wigeon Ponds and Reservoir March 1 through October 15, from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 30 minutes after legal sunset.
2. We prohibit outboard motors in the Wigeon Ponds. We prohibit boat launching with motors greater than 50 hp in the Reservoir.
3. We prohibit leaving boats and other personal property on the refuge unattended.
4. You must tend trotlines daily. You must attach ends of trotlines by a length of cotton line that extends into the water.
5. We prohibit commercial fishing. Recreational fishing using commercial gear (slat traps, etc.) requires a special refuge permit (that you must possess and carry) available at the refuge office.
6. We prohibit the taking of turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
The following refuge units have been opened to hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. Hunters must wear two articles of hunter-orange clothing or material. One article must be a solid-colored-hunter-orange hat; the other must cover a major portion of the torso, such as a jacket, vest, coat, or poncho, and must be a minimum of 50 percent hunter orange in color (e.g., orange camouflage), except when hunting waterfowl from a boat or blind or with waterfowl decoys.
2. We will provide permanent refuge blinds at various locations on the refuge that are available for public use by reservation. Hunters may make reservations for particular blinds up to 1 year in advance, for a maximum of 7 days, running Monday through Sunday during the hunting season. Hunters may make reservations for additional weeks up to 7 days in advance, on a space-available basis. We allow no other permanent blinds. Hunters must remove temporary blinds, boats, and decoys from the refuge following each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. You may use trained dogs to assist in hunting and retrieval of harvested birds. Hunting with locating, pointing, and retrieving dogs on the refuge will be subject to the following conditions:
i. We prohibit dog training.
ii. We allow a maximum of two dogs per hunter.
iii. Hunters must pick up all dogs the same day they release them.
4. We open the refuge to hunting during the hours stipulated under the State's hunting regulations but no longer than from
5. We prohibit night hunting. Hunters will unload all firearms outside of legal hunting hours.
6. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs or OHRVs) on refuge land.
1. We prohibit night hunting.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot when hunting with a shotgun (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We open the refuge to hunting during the hours stipulated under State hunting regulations, but no longer than from
4. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs or OHRVs) on refuge land.
5. Each hunter must wear two articles of hunter-orange clothing or material. One article must be a solid-colored hunter-orange hat; the other must cover a major portion of the torso, such as a jacket, vest, coat, or poncho and must be a minimum of 50 percent hunter orange in color (e.g., orange camouflage) except when hunting wild turkey. There is no hunter-orange requirement for wild turkey hunters.
6. We allow hunting of snowshoe hare, ring-necked pheasant, and ruffed grouse with trained dogs during State hunting seasons. Hunting with locating, pointing, and retrieving dogs on the refuge will be subject to the following conditions:
i. We prohibit dog training.
ii. We allow a maximum of two dogs per hunter.
iii. You must pick up all dogs the same day you release them (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
1. We open the refuge to hunting during the hours stipulated under State hunting regulations but no longer than from
2. We allow bear and coyote hunting with dogs during State hunting seasons. Hunting with trailing (locating) dogs on the refuge is subject to the following conditions:
i. Hunters must equip all dogs used to hunt bear or coyote with working radio-telemetry collars and hunters must be in possession of a working radio-telemetry receiver that can detect and track the frequencies of all collars used.
ii. We prohibit training during or outside of dog season for bear or coyote.
iii. We allow a maximum of four dogs per hunter.
iv. You must pick up all dogs the same day you release them (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
3. We allow prehunt scouting of the refuge; however, we prohibit dogs and firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) during prehunt scouting.
4. Each hunter must wear two articles of hunter-orange clothing or material. One article must be a solid-colored hunter-orange hat; the other must cover a major portion of the torso, such as a jacket, vest, coat, or poncho and must be a minimum of 50 percent hunter orange in color (
5. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs or OHRVs) (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
6. We allow temporary tree stands and blinds, but hunters must remove them by the end of the season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
1. We require every hunter to possess and carry a personally signed refuge hunting permit. Permits and regulations are available from the refuge in person during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed on holidays) or by contacting the Project Leader at (207) 454-7161 or by mail (Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, 103 Headquarters Road, Baring, Maine 04694).
2. You must annually complete a Hunter Information Card and submit it by mail or in person at the refuge headquarters no later than 2 weeks after the close of the hunting season in March. If you do not comply with this requirement, we may suspend your future hunting privileges on Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
3. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 2 hours before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 1 hour past legal shooting hours.
4. You may hunt American woodcock and Wilson's snipe on the Edmunds Division and that part of the Baring Division that lies west of State Route 191.
5. You may hunt waterfowl (duck and goose) in that part of the Edmunds Division that lies north of Hobart Stream and west of U.S. Route 1, and in those areas east of U.S. Route 1, and refuge lands that lie south of South Trail; and in that portion of the Baring Division that lies west of State Route 191.
6. We prohibit hunting waterfowl in the Nat Smith Field and Marsh or Bills Hill Field or Ponds on the Edmunds Division.
7. We prohibit construction or use of any permanent blind.
8. You may only use portable or temporary blinds.
9. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
10. You must remove portable or temporary blinds and decoys from the refuge following each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
11. We prohibit use of motorized or mechanized vehicles and equipment in designated Wilderness Areas. This includes all vehicles and items such as winches, pulleys, and wheeled game carriers. You must remove animals harvested within the Wilderness Areas by hand without the aid of mechanical equipment of any type.
12. During the firearms deer and moose seasons, you must wear in a conspicuous manner on head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
1. Conditions A1, A2, A9, A11, and A12 apply.
2. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 2 hours before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 1 hour past legal shooting hours, except for hunters pursuing raccoons at night.
3. We prohibit hunting of upland game species listed in the introductory text of this paragraph B. on refuge lands between April 1 and September 30.
4. You must register with the refuge office prior to hunting raccoon or red fox with trailing dogs.
1. Conditions A1, A2, A11, and A12 apply.
2. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 2 hours before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 1 hour past legal shooting hours, except for hunters pursuing eastern coyotes at night.
3. We allow bear hunting from October 1 to the end of the State Prescribed Season.
4. We allow eastern coyote hunting from October 1 to March 31.
5. If you harvest a bear, deer, moose, or coyote on the refuge, you must notify the refuge office in person or by phone within 24 hours and make the animal available for inspection by refuge personnel.
6. We prohibit construction or use of permanent tree stands, blinds, or ladders.
7. You must use only portable tree stands, blinds, and ladders.
8. You must clearly label any tree stand, blind, or ladder left on the refuge overnight with your name, address, phone number, and hunting license number.
9. You must remove all tree stands, blinds, and ladders from the refuge on the last day of the muzzleloader deer season (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
10. You may hunt black bear, eastern coyote, and white-tailed deer during the State archery and firearms deer seasons on that
11. You may hunt black bear, bobcat, eastern coyote, moose, and white-tailed deer on the Edmunds Division and that part of the Baring Division that lies west of State Route 191.
12. We prohibit use of firearms to hunt bear and coyote during the archery deer season on that part of the Baring Division that lies east of Route 191. We prohibit the use of firearms, other than a muzzleloader, to hunt bear and coyote during the deer muzzleloader season on that part of the Baring Division that lies east of Route 191.
13. You must register with the refuge office prior to hunting black bear, bobcat, or eastern coyote with trailing dogs.
14. We prohibit hunting in the following areas:
i. The South Magurrewock Area: The boundary of this area begins at the intersection of the Charlotte Road and U.S. Route 1; it follows the Charlotte Road in a southerly direction to a point just south of the fishing pier and observation blind, where it turns in an easterly direction, crossing the East Branch of the Magurrewock Stream, and proceeds in a northerly direction along the upland edge of the Upper and Middle Magurrewock Marshes to U.S. Route 1 where it follows Route 1 in a southerly direction to the point of origin.
ii. The North Magurrewock Area: The boundary of this area begins where the northern exterior boundary of the refuge and Route 1 intersect; it follows the boundary line in a westerly direction to the railroad grade where it follows the main railroad grade and refuge boundary in a southwest direction to the upland edge of the Lower Barn Meadow Marsh; then it follows the upland edge of the marsh in a southerly direction to U.S. Route 1 where it follows Route 1 to the point of origin.
iii. The posted safety zone around the Refuge Headquarters Complex: The boundary of this area starts where the southerly edge of the Horse Pasture Field intersects with the Charlotte Road. The boundary follows the southern edge of the Horse Pasture Field, across the abandoned Maine Central Railroad grade, where it intersects with the North Fireline Road. It follows the North Fireline Road to a point near the northwest corner of the Lane Construction Tract. The line then proceeds along a cleared and marked trail in a northwesterly direction to the Barn Meadow Road. It proceeds south along the Barn Meadow Road to the intersection with the South Fireline Road, where it follows the South Fireline Road to the Headquarters Road. It follows the Headquarters Road in a southerly direction to the Two Mile Meadow Road. It follows the westerly side of the Two Mile Meadow Road to the intersection with the Mile Bridge Road. It then follows Mile Bridge Road to the intersection with the Lunn Road, then along the Lunn Road leaving the road in an easterly direction at the site of the old crossing, across the abandoned Maine Central Railroad grade to the Charlotte Road (directly across from the Moosehorn Ridge Road gate). The line follows the Charlotte Road in a northerly direction to the point of origin.
iv. The Southern Gravel Pit: The boundary of this area starts at a point where Cranberry Brook crosses the Charlotte Road and proceeds south along the Charlotte Road to the Baring/Charlotte Town Line, east along the Town Line to a point where it intersects the railroad grade where it turns in a northerly direction, and follows the railroad grade to Cranberry Brook, following Cranberry Brook in a westerly direction to the point of origin.
1. We prohibit motorized boats on Bearce and Conic Lakes.
2. We only allow fishing from
3. We allow fishing in the following areas on the Baring Division of the refuge:
i. Bearce Lake, Conic Lake, James Pond, Ledge Pond, and Vose Pond;
ii. Clark Brook and the West Branch of the Magurrewock Stream from the outlet of the Howard Mill Flowage water control structure to the handicapped-accessible fishing pier located off the Charlotte Road; and
iii. Barn Meadow Brook, Cranberry Brook, Mahar Brook, and Moosehorn Stream.
4. We allow fishing in the following areas on the Edmunds Division of the refuge: Hobart Lake, Hobart Stream, Cranberry Brook, Crane Meadow Brook, Crane Mill Stream, and Crane Mill Flowage.
5. We prohibit fishing on the stretch of Moosehorn Stream on the Baring Division that lies west of the Charlotte Road and east of the Mile Bridge Road between March 31 and July 14.
6. We prohibit trapping of bait fish on the refuge.
1. We prohibit erection of permanent waterfowl blinds.
2. You must remove all temporary blinds, concealment materials, boats, and decoys (see § 27.93 of this chapter) each day.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We allow only pointing and flushing dogs.
3. We prohibit the hunting of crows.
4. You may hunt coyotes from November 1 to March 31.
1. We prohibit dogs.
2. We only allow black bear hunting during the firearm season for white-tailed deer.
3. You must remove all tree stands by the last day of the white-tailed deer hunting season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. We normally close the refuge to all visitors from legal sunset to legal sunrise. However, during hunting season, we allow hunters to enter the refuge
1. Prior to entering designated refuge hunting areas, you must obtain a refuge hunting permit, pay a recreation fee, and sign and carry the permit at all times.
2. You may only take sea duck when the State sea duck season coincides with the regular duck season.
3. You may take waterfowl by falconry during State seasons.
4. We open Designated Youth Hunting Areas to hunters age 17 and under who possess and carry a refuge hunting permit. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. The accompanying adult must possess and carry a refuge hunting permit and may also hunt.
5. You may use seasonal blinds with a Special Use Permit. A permitted seasonal blind is available to permitted hunters on a first-come, first-served basis. The permit holder for the blind is responsible for the removal of the blind at the end of the season and compliance with all conditions of the Special Use Permit. You must remove temporary blinds, decoys, and boats from the refuge each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. We open the refuge to hunting during the hours stipulated by State regulations. We close the refuge to night hunting.
7. We close the Moody, Little River, Biddeford Pool, and Goosefare Brook divisions of the refuge to all migratory bird hunting.
1. Conditions A1 and A6 apply.
2. You may take pheasant and grouse by falconry during State seasons.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while on the refuge.
4. We close the Moody, Little River, and Biddeford Pool divisions of the refuge to all upland game hunting.
1. Conditions A1, A4, and A6 apply.
2. We allow hunting of deer with shotgun and archery only. We prohibit rifles and muzzleloading firearms.
3. We allow portable tree stands and ladders only (see § 32.2(i) of this chapter).
4. We close the Moody and Biddeford Pool divisions of the refuge to white-tailed deer hunting.
5. We allow archery on only those areas of the Little River division open to hunting.
6. We allow hunting of fox and coyote with archery or shotgun only during daylight hours of the State firearm deer season.
7. You must report any deer harvested to the refuge office within 48 hours.
1. At the Brave Boat Harbor division on the north side (York) of the stream crossing under Route 103, beginning at Route 103 then downstream to the first railroad trestle.
2. At the Moody division on the north side of the Ogunquit River and downstream of Route 1, beginning at the refuge boundary then downstream a distance of 500 feet (150 m).
3. At the Moody division on the east side of Stevens Brook and downstream of Bourne Avenue, beginning at Bourne Avenue then downstream to where the refuge ends near Ocean Avenue.
4. At the Lower Wells division on the west side of the Webhannet River downstream of
5. At the Upper Wells division on the south side of the Merriland River downstream of Skinner Mill Road, beginning at the refuge boundary and then east along the oxbow to the woods.
6. At the Mousam River division on the north side of the Mousam River downstream of Route 9, beginning at the refuge boundary and then east to a point opposite Great Hill Road. Access is from the Bridle Path along the first tidal creek.
7. At the Goosefare Brook division on the south side of Goosefare Brook where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
8. At the Spurwink River division on the west side (Scarborough) of the Spurwink River upstream of Route 77, beginning at Route 77 and then upstream approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) to a point near the fork in the river.
9. You may launch boats from car top from legal sunrise to legal sunset at Brave Boat Harbor division on Chauncey Creek at the intersection of Cutts Island Road and Sea Point Road.
10. We allow car-top launching from legal sunrise to legal sunset at Spurwink River division on the upstream side of Route 77 at the old road crossing.
11. We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
12. We prohibit lead jigs and sinkers.
13. Anglers must attend their lines at all times.
14. We prohibit collection of bait on the refuge.
1. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We allow eastern coyote hunting from October 1 to March 31.
3. We allow hunters to enter the refuge
1. During firearms big game seasons, you must wear in a conspicuous manner on head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
2. We allow hunters to enter the refuge
3. We allow bear hunting from October 1 to the end of the State prescribed season. We prohibit use of bait during the hunting of bears.
D.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We require refuge permits for all hunters regardless of age. We require that hunters possess a valid State hunting license, any required stamps, and a photo identification. Permits are nontransferable.
2. All refuge hunters must abide by the terms and conditions of the refuge permit.
B.
1. We require refuge permits for all hunters regardless of age. We require that permits must be in the hunter's possession along with a valid Maryland State hunting license, any required stamps, and a photo identification. Permits are nontransferable.
2. We require that hunters obtain deer hunt permits only through the mail, by mailing an application and administration fee to the refuge after applications are available in July. To obtain an application and regulations leaflet (including designated areas and
3. We allow archery hunters to obtain a permit; permits are available at the Visitor Center, after the first week of September until the end of the archery season.
4. We allow walk-in youth hunters to obtain a permit at the check station on the day of the hunt.
5. A licensed or exempt-from-licensed unarmed adult, age 21 or older, must accompany youth hunters (at least age 12 but less than age 16) at all times in the field.
6. We require a physician to certify “wheelchair-bound” permanently disabled hunters; and an assistant, who must not use a firearm, must accompany these hunters. We require the permanently disabled certification to accompany the hunters' permit application.
7. We only allow participants possessing authorized permits to enter the hunt areas.
8. Beginning at 5 a.m., we require check-in for the youth hunts, muzzleloader hunts, and shotgun hunts.
9. At the refuge check station on the day of the kill for all firearm hunts, we require hunters to properly tag and present for examination all deer killed.
10. We require hunters to seek refuge employee assistance to retrieve deer from closed areas.
11. We do not require check-in or check out at the refuge for the archery hunt, but we require hunters to register harvested deer at one of the State check stations designated by the refuge.
12. We only allow weapons that meet State regulations (bows and arrows for archery, shotguns with slugs and/or No. 1 buckshot or larger for youth hunts and shotgun hunts, and muzzleloading rifles and muzzleloading shotguns only for muzzleloader hunts). We prohibit handguns and breech-loading rifles.
13. We only allow access to hunt areas on designated roads and parking areas indicated on hunt maps in the regulations leaflet (obtained with application by mail or at the Visitor Center) (see § 27.31 of this chapter). The only other access we allow is walk-in or bicycles. We prohibit access by boats or ATVs.
14. We only allow scouting on designated days listed in the regulations for permitted hunters.
15. We do not require check-in or check out for scouting.
16. We prohibit firearms or other weapons on the refuge when scouting.
17. We require adult hunters, age 21 or older, to accompany permitted youth hunters while scouting.
18. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
19. We require the use of a tree stand that elevates the hunter a minimum of 8 feet (240 cm) above the ground for hunting Area B2 (except disabled hunters). We allow temporary, removable, ladder, fixed, and climbing-type tree stands that do not damage trees in all other areas (see §§ 32.2(i)).
20. We prohibit screw-in steps, spikes, or other objects that may damage trees.
21. We prohibit hunting from a permanently constructed tree stand.
22. We allow hunters to preinstall tree stands during the scouting days for use during selected hunts and to leave the tree stands in the hunting area at the hunter's discretion. We require hunters to remove all stands the last day of the refuge hunting season (we are not responsible for damage, theft, or other hunter occupancy) (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
23. We prohibit dogs in hunt areas.
24. We prohibit hunting from or shooting across a roadway where we allow vehicle traffic.
25. We prohibit driving deer during youth hunts.
26. We prohibit commercialized guiding.
1. We only allow fishing and crabbing from April 1 through September 30 during daylight hours.
2. We restrict fishing and crabbing to boats and the Key Wallace roadway across the Little Blackwater River.
3. We require a valid State sport fishing license. We do not require a refuge permit.
4. We require anglers to attend all fish and crab lines.
5. We prohibit boat launching from refuge lands except for canoes/kayaks at the canoe/kayak ramp located near the Blackwater River Bridge on Route 335. A public launching ramp is available at Shorter's Wharf.
6. We prohibit the use of air boats on refuge waters.
1. We require hunters to carry a signed refuge hunt permit when scouting on the designated scouting days and when hunting. Hunters must turn in their hunt permit at
2. We only allow use of bow and arrows, shotguns, and muzzleloaders for deer hunting and shotguns for turkey hunting.
3. We prohibit possession of a loaded weapon (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) on or within 50 feet (15 m) of any graveled, dirt, or paved refuge road or any designated parking area.
4. We require a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
5. You must wear a hunter-orange cap or hat when moving to or from your blind or stand when turkey hunting.
6. Each youth hunter (age 15 or under) must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 18 or older. Children must be at least age 10 to hunt on the refuge.
7. We only allow parking in designated parking areas.
8. We prohibit hunting in the No Hunting Zones; however, you may walk through these areas with an unloaded weapon (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) (no shells in the chamber or magazine cap off of the muzzleloader).
9. For deer hunting, the legal shooting hours are from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
10. For turkey hunting, the legal shooting hours are from
11. We prohibit entry to the refuge by boats during refuge hunts.
12. We only allow persons possessing a refuge hunt permit to be on the refuge during hunting days.
13. We prohibit the use of ATVs during refuge hunts (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
14. We allow the use of marking tape, reflective pins, or other removable materials to mark trails to and from stands. You must remove the marking material (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of your hunt day. We prohibit paint or any other permanent marker to mark trails.
1. We allow fishing and crabbing from Eastern Neck Island bridge.
2. We only allow fishing and crabbing from April 1—September 30 during daylight hours at the Ingleside Recreation Area.
3. We only allow fishing from the Boxes Point and Duck Inn Trails during daylight hours.
4. We allow fishing and crabbing from boardwalk located adjacent to the Eastern Neck Island bridge.
1. We require a hunting permit. We issue permits through our Cooperating Association Meade Natural Heritage Association (MNHA) at the refuge Hunting Control Station (HCS). MNHA charges a fee for each permit. Contact refuge headquarters for more information.
2. We publish the Refuge Hunting Regulations, which includes the daily and yearly bag limits and hunting dates, in late summer. We provide you with a copy of the regulations with your fee permit, and we require you to know the specific hunt seasons and regulations.
3. We require hunters, age 17 or younger, to have a parent or guardian cosign to receive a hunting permit.
4. We require hunters, age 17 or younger, to be accompanied in the field by an adult possessing a refuge hunting permit, age 21 or older.
5. You must check-in and out at the HCS and exchange your hunting permit for a daily hunting pass and a vehicle pass every time you enter or exit the refuge. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and other breaks if you leave your designated hunting area.
6. You must use designated and maintained roads for vehicular traffic.
7. You must park within the selected area specified and not block traffic or gates (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
8. We restrict you to the selected area and activity until you check out at the HCS.
9. We prohibit hunting on or across any road (paved, gravel, opened, and/or closed), within 50 yards (45 m) of a road (paved, gravel, dirt, opened and/or closed), within 150 yards (135 m) of any building or shed, and within 25 yards (22.5 m) from any designated “No Hunting” or “Safety Zone” areas, except:
i. You may hunt from the road, 50 yards (135 m) beyond the gate at Blue Heron Pond;
ii. You may hunt from the road, 50 yards (135 m) beyond the barricade at Wood Duck Pond;
iii. You may hunt from any refuge permanent photo/hunt blind.
iv. You may hunt from the roadside, at designated areas, if you possess a Maryland State “Hunt from a Vehicle Permit.”
10. You must wear, in a visible manner and at all times, a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
11. We allow the taking of only Canada goose during the early and late resident Canada goose seasons.
12. We prohibit hunting of goose, duck, and dove during the early deer muzzleloader seasons that occur in October and all deer firearms seasons including the Junior Deer Hunt.
13. We require waterfowl hunters to use retrieving dogs while hunting duck and goose within 50 yards (45 m) of the following impounded waters: Bailey Bridge Marsh, Blue Heron Pond, Lake Allen, New Marsh, and Wood Duck Pond.
14. We require dogs to be under the immediate control of their owner at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). Law enforcement officers may seize or dispatch dogs running loose or unattended (see § 28.43 of this chapter).
1. Conditions A1 through A10 apply.
2. Hunters may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We prohibit hunting of upland game during the deer muzzleloader and firearms seasons, including the Junior Deer Hunt.
4. You must wear, in a visible manner and at all times, a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
5. We allow the use of a bow and arrow for turkey hunting.
6. We require turkey hunters to use #4, #5, or #6 nontoxic shot or vertical bows.
7. We select turkey hunters by a computerized lottery for youth, disabled, mobility impaired, and general public hunts. We require documentation for disabled and mobility-impaired hunters.
8. We require turkey hunters to show proof they have attended a turkey clinic sponsored by the National Turkey Federation.
9. We require turkey hunters to pattern their weapons prior to hunting. Contact refuge headquarters for more information.
1. Conditions A1 through A10 apply.
2. Prior to issuing a hunting permit, we require you to pass a yearly proficiency test with each weapon used.
3. We only allow the use of a shotgun, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow according to Refuge Hunting Regulations.
i. We require muzzleloaders to be .40 caliber or larger with not less than 60 grains of black powder or a black powder equivalent.
ii. We prohibit the discharging of weapons after legal shooting hours, including the unloading of muzzleloaders.
4. We require (when transporting or storing) longbows and recurve bows to be unstrung; and compound and crossbows must be locked in such a way to render them inoperable and/or cased, with no arrows nocked.
5. We prohibit possession or use of buckshot.
6. You must wear, in a visible manner and at all times, a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
7. All bucks harvested must have a 15-inch (37.5-cm) minimum outside antler spread.
8. All deer harvested will have a jaw extracted at the HCS before leaving the refuge.
9. We allow the use of portable tree stands equipped with a full-body safety harness. You must wear the full-body safety harness while in the tree stand. The stand must be at least 10 feet (3 m) off the ground. You must remove tree stands from the refuge. You must use tree stands when hunting South and Central Tracts. We will make limited accommodations for disabled hunters for Central Tract lottery hunts.
10. We prohibit the use of dogs to hunt or track wounded deer.
11. If you wish to track wounded deer, beyond 1
12. We prohibit deer drives or anyone taking part in any deer drive. We define a “deer drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person or persons who are part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer. We also prohibit organized deer drives without a standing hunter.
13. North Tract: We allow shotgun, muzzleloader, and bow hunting in accordance with the following regulations: Conditions C1 through C13 apply.
14. Central Tract:
i. Headquarters/MR Lottery Hunt: We only allow shotgun and bow hunting in accordance with the following regulations:
a. Conditions C1, C2, and C4 through C13 apply.
b. We select Central Tract shotgun and bow hunters by a computerized lottery. We will assign you a specific hunting location.
ii. Schafer Farm Hunt: We only allow bow hunting in accordance with the following regulations: Conditions C1, C2, and C4 through C13 apply.
15. South Tract: We allow shotgun, muzzleloader, and bow hunting in accordance with the following regulations:
i. Conditions C1 through C13 apply.
ii. You must access South Tract hunting areas A, B, and C off Springfield Road through the Old Beltsville Airport; and South Tract hunting area D from MD Rt. 197 through Gate #4. You must park in designated parking areas.
iii. We prohibit driving or parking along the entrance and exit roads, to and from the National Wildlife Visitor Center, and parking in the visitor center parking lot when checked in to hunt any area.
1. We require all anglers, age 16 and older, to obtain a free refuge fishing permit as well as a Maryland State fishing license, which must be carried with them at all times while fishing. Organized groups may request a group permit. The group leader must carry a copy of the permit and stay with the group at all times while fishing.
2. We publish the Refuge Fishing Regulations, which includes the daily and yearly creel limits and fishing dates, in early January. We provide a copy of the regulations with your free refuge fishing permit, and we require you to know the specific fishing regulations.
3. Anglers must carry a copy of the refuge fishing permit and their Maryland State fishing license in the field.
4. Anglers must display a copy of the refuge fishing permit in the vehicle windshield.
5. We require anglers, age 17 or younger, to have a parent or guardian cosign to receive a fishing permit.
6. We require anglers, age 17 or younger, to be accompanied in the field by an adult possessing a fishing permit, age 21 or older, and they must maintain visual contact with each other within a 50-yard (45-m) distance.
7. We prohibit the use or possession of lead sinkers.
8. We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages (see § 27.81 of this chapter and § 32.2(j)).
9. Anglers may take three youths, age 15 or younger, to fish under their permit and in their presence and control.
10. We allow the use of earthworms as the only source of live bait. We prohibit bloodworms, fish, or other animals or parts of animals to be used as bait.
11. We prohibit harvesting bait on the refuge.
12. Anglers must attend all fishing lines.
13. Anglers may take the following species: chain pickerel, catfish, golden shiner, eel, and sunfish (includes bluegill, black crappie, warmouth, and pumpkinseed). Maryland State daily harvest limits apply unless otherwise noted.
14. We require all bluegill taken to be 6 inches (15 cm) or larger.
15. We allow take of one chain pickerel per day.
16. Anglers must release all bass that are caught.
17. We prohibit fishing from all bridges except the downstream side of Bailey Bridge.
18. North Tract: We allow sport fishing in accordance with the following regulations:
i. Conditions D1 through D17 apply.
ii. We allow sport fishing at Lake Allen, Blue Heron Pond, Rieve's Pond, New Marsh, Cattail Pond, Bailey Bridge (downstream side) and Little Patuxent River (downstream only from Bailey's Bridge).
iii. We require a free North Tract refuge access permit that anglers must carry and possess at all times and must return to the North Tract Visitor Contact Station (VCS) at the end of each visit. If you are age 17 or younger, you must have a parent or guardian countersign to receive an access permit.
iv. Anglers may fish year-round at Lake Allen, Blue Heron Pond, Rieve's Pond, New Marsh, Cattail Pond, Bailey Bridge (downstream side) and the Little Patuxent River (downstream only from Bailey Bridge) except Monday through Saturday from September 1 through January 31 during the hunting season. We also reserve the right to close Lake Allen at any time.
v. We allow wading, for fishing purposes only, downstream from Bailey Bridge on the Little Patuxent River. We prohibit wading in all other bodies of water.
vi. We prohibit the use of any type of watercraft.
19. South Tract: We allow sport fishing in accordance with the following regulations:
i. Conditions D1 through D16 apply.
ii. Anglers must park their vehicles in the parking lot located behind Refuge Gate #8 off MD Rt. 197. Anglers may not access Cash Lake from the National Wildlife Visitor Center (NWVC).
iii. We allow sport fishing at the pier and designated shorelines at Cash Lake. See Refuge Fishing Regulations for areas opened to fishing. We post other areas with “No fishing beyond this point” signs.
iv. Anglers may fish from mid-June until mid-October, as posted.
v. We allow fishing between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. June through August and between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. September and October.
vi. Anglers may use watercraft for fishing in accordance with the Maryland State boating laws subject to the additional following conditions:
a. You may use car-top boats 14 feet (4.2 m) or less, and canoes.
b. You may only use electric motors, 4 HP or less.
c. We prohibit sailboats, kayaks, and inflatable boats.
d. Maryland State law requires personal flotation devices (PFDs).
vii. We prohibit boat trailers except by individuals possessing a refuge handicapped permit.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We allow woodcock hunting within the portions of the refuge located north of Hudson Road, except those areas north of Hudson Road that are designated as “archery only” hunting on the current refuge hunting map. These archery only hunting areas north of Hudson Road are those portions of the refuge that are external to Patrol Road from its southerly intersection with White Pond Road, northwesterly and then easterly, to its intersection with Old Marlborough Road.
2. We require refuge permits.
3. You must possess and carry all applicable hunting licenses, permits, stamps, and a photographic identification while hunting on the refuge.
4. We prohibit use of motorized vehicles on the refuge. The refuge will provide designated parking areas for hunters. Consult the refuge manager for further details.
5. During any season when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
6. We prohibit the use of electronic calls during any hunting season.
7. We prohibit trimming or cutting of branches larger than the diameter of a quarter (see § 27.61 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit the marking any tree or other refuge feature with flagging, paint, reflective material, or any other substance (see § 27.61 of this chapter).
9. You may scout hunting areas on the refuge once you have obtained a refuge permit. Scouting may begin no earlier than 1 month from the opening day of the hunting season. We prohibit the use of dogs during scouting.
10. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 1
11. For seasons wherein State regulations allow use of dogs, we allow no more than two dogs per hunting party. We prohibit the training of dogs on the refuge.
1. We allow shotgun hunting for ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, and gray squirrel within those portions of the refuge located north of Hudson Road, except those areas north of Hudson Road designated as “archery only” hunting on the current refuge hunting map. These archery only hunting areas north of Hudson Road are those portions of the refuge that are external to Patrol Road from its southerly intersection with White Pond Road, northwesterly and then easterly, to its intersection with Old Marlborough Road.
2. Conditions A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, and A11 apply.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
4. We prohibit construction or use of any permanent structure while hunting on the refuge. You must remove all temporary blinds each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. During seasons when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters, including archers and small game hunters, to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
1. We allow shotgun and muzzleloader hunting of white-tailed deer, as well as shotgun hunting of turkey, within the portions of the refuge located north of Hudson Road, except those areas north of Hudson Road that are designated as “archery only” hunting on the current refuge hunting map. These archery only hunting areas north of Hudson Road are those portions of the refuge that are external to Patrol Road from its southerly intersection with White Pond Road, northwesterly and then easterly, to its intersection with Old Marlborough Road.
2. We allow archery deer and archery turkey hunting within all portions of the refuge during the hunting seasons for these species.
3. We require refuge permits. We limit the numbers of deer and turkey hunters allowed to hunt on the refuge. If the number of applications to hunt these species received is greater than the number of permits available, we will issue permits by random selection.
4. Conditions A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, A9, and A10 apply.
5. During seasons when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters, including archers, to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
6. You may use decoys to hunt turkey.
7. We prohibit driving deer by any means on the refuge.
8. We prohibit construction or use of permanent structures while hunting. We prohibit driving a nail, spike, screw, or other metal object into any tree or hunting from any tree into which a nail, spike, screw, or other object has been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
9. You may use temporary tree stands while engaged in hunting deer during the applicable archery, shotgun, or muzzleloader deer seasons. You must remove all stands or any blinds by legal sunset each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). We require all tree stands to have the name and address of the owner clearly printed on the stand.
10. We prohibit possession of buckshot while hunting during any season on the refuge.
1. We allow fishing from nonmotorized canoes and car-top boats, as well as from designated locations on the banks of Puffer Pond. We prohibit the use of trailers to launch or retrieve canoes or boats on the refuge.
2. We allow catch and release fishing only.
3. We prohibit the use of live bait.
4. We prohibit lead sinkers.
5. We prohibit taking of frogs or turtles on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
6. You may fish on Puffer Pond from
7. We prohibit night fishing or ice fishing on the refuge.
8. We prohibit open fires anywhere on the refuge.
9. The refuge will provide designated parking areas for anglers. Consult the refuge manager for further details.
1. We require refuge permits. We limit the numbers of waterfowl hunters allowed to hunt on the refuge. If the number of applications received to hunt waterfowl is greater than the number of permits available, we will issue permits by random selection.
2. We will provide waterfowl hunters maps showing the portions of the refuge designated as open.
3. You must possess and carry all applicable hunting licenses, permits, stamps, and a photographic identification while hunting on the refuge.
4. We prohibit construction or use of any permanent structure while hunting on the refuge. You must remove all temporary blinds by legal sunset each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit use of motorized vehicles on the refuge.
6. Except while hunting waterfowl from a blind or from a boat, you must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
7. We prohibit the use of electronic calls during any hunting season.
8. We prohibit trimming or cutting of branches larger than the diameter of a quarter (see § 27.61 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit the marking any tree or other refuge feature with flagging, paint, reflective material or any other substance (see § 27.61 of this chapter).
10. You may scout hunting areas on the refuge once you have obtained a refuge permit. Scouting may begin no earlier than 1 month from the opening day of the hunting season. We prohibit the use of dogs during scouting.
11. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 1
12. We allow no more than two dogs per hunting party. We prohibit the training of dogs on the refuge.
1. We allow archery hunting of whitetail deer within the portions of the Concord Unit of the refuge that are located north of Massachusetts Route 225. We also allow archery hunting of whitetail deer within the portions of the Sudbury Unit of the refuge that are located north of Stonebridge Road in Wayland, Massachusetts and south of Lincoln Road/Sherman's Bridge Road on the Sudbury and Wayland Town Line.
2. We prohibit the use of firearms for hunting deer on the refuge. However, you may archery hunt in the portions of the refuge that are open for deer hunting during the archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader seasons established by the State.
3. We require refuge permits. We limit the numbers of deer hunters allowed to hunt on the refuge. If the number of applications received to hunt deer on the refuge is greater than the number of permits available, we will issue permits by random selection.
4. Conditions A3, A5, A7, A8, A9, A10, and A11 apply.
5. During seasons when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters, including archers, to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
6. We prohibit the use of decoys to hunt deer on the refuge.
7. We prohibit driving deer by any means on the refuge.
8. We prohibit construction or use of permanent structures while hunting. We prohibit driving nails, spikes, screws, or other metal object into any tree or hunting from any tree in which a nail, spike, screw, or other object has been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
9. You may use temporary tree stands while engaged in hunting deer. You must remove all stands or any blinds by legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). We require all tree stands to have the name and address of the owner clearly printed on the stand.
1. We allow fishing on the portions of the Monomoy Islands that we do not post as closed to public use from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. We allow surf fishing from the Morris Island shore 24 hours a day.
1. We close the western refuge shoreline and beach area to surf fishing during the period of April 15 through July 31 annually, and you may not operate a vehicle on the west-facing beach and shoreline (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We only allow surf fishing on the northeast-facing shoreline during this period of time.
2. We may close the northeast-facing shoreline and beach if piping plover nesting is occurring in this portion of the refuge.
3. We require a permit for the use of over-the-sand, surf-fishing vehicles.
4. If we do not otherwise close an area because of these conditions, we allow fishing 24 hours a day.
1. We allow waterfowl and common snipe hunting within the portions of the refuge located south of Massachusetts Route 2 and west of the B&M railroad tracks.
2. We allow woodcock hunting within the portions of the refuge south of Massachusetts Route 2 and west of the B&M railroad tracks; north of Massachusetts Route 2 and south of Hospital Road; as well as within the portions of the refuge along the westerly side of the Nashua River located north of the commuter rail tracks in Shirley, Massachusetts.
3. We require refuge permits. We limit the numbers of waterfowl hunters allowed to hunt on the refuge. If the number of applications received to hunt waterfowl is greater than the number of permits available, we will issue permits by random selection.
4. You must possess and carry all applicable hunting licenses, permits, stamps, and a photographic identification while hunting on the refuge.
5. We prohibit construction or use of any permanent structure while hunting on the refuge. You must remove all temporary
6. We prohibit use of motorized vehicles on the refuge.
7. With the exception of waterfowl hunters hunting within a blind or from a boat, during any season when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
8. We prohibit the use of electronic calls during any hunting season.
9. We prohibit trimming or cutting of branches larger than the diameter of a quarter (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit the marking any tree or other refuge feature with flagging, paint, reflective material, or any other substance (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
11. You may scout hunting areas on the refuge once you have obtained a refuge permit. Scouting may begin no earlier than 1 month from the opening day of the hunting season. We prohibit the use of dogs during scouting.
12. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 1
13. For seasons wherein State regulations allow use of dogs, we allow no more than two dogs per hunting party. We prohibit the training of dogs on the refuge.
1. We allow shotgun hunting of ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, and gray squirrels within the areas of the refuge located south of Massachusetts Route 2 and west of the B&M railroad tracks; north of Massachusetts Route 2 and south of Hospital Road; and, within the portions of the refuge along the westerly side of the Nashua River located north of the commuter rail tracks in Shirley, Massachusetts, subject to the following conditions:
2. We require refuge permits.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
4. Conditions A4, A5, A6, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, and A13 apply.
5. With the exception of waterfowl hunters hunting within a blind or from a boat, during seasons when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters, including archers and small game hunters, to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
1. We allow shotgun, archery, and muzzleloader hunting of white-tailed deer, as well as shotgun and archery hunting of turkey, within the portions of the refuge located south of Massachusetts Route 2 and west of the B&M railroad tracks.
2. We allow archery deer and archery turkey hunting within the portions of the refuge located south of Massachusetts Route 2 and east of the B&M railroad tracks, as well as within the portions of the refuge along the easterly side of the Nashua River located north of the commuter rail tracks in Ayer, Massachusetts.
3. We allow archery deer hunting as well as shotgun and archery turkey hunting within the portions of the refuge located north of Massachusetts Route 2 and south of Hospital Road; and, within the portions of the refuge along the westerly side of the Nashua River located north of the commuter rail tracks in Shirley, MA.
4. We require refuge permits. We limit the numbers of deer and turkey hunters allowed to hunt on the refuge. If the number of applications received to hunt these species is greater than the number of permits available, we will issue permits by random selection.
5. Conditions A4, A6, A8, A9, A10, A11, and A12 apply.
6. With the exception of waterfowl hunters hunting within a blind or from a boat, during seasons when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun or muzzleloader, we require all hunters, including archers, to wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
7. Hunters may only use decoys to hunt turkey.
8. We prohibit driving deer by any means on the refuge.
9. We prohibit construction or use of permanent structures while hunting. You may not drive nails, spikes, screws or other metal object into any tree or hunt from any tree in which a nail, spike, screw or other object has been driven (see § 32.2(i)).
10. You may use temporary tree stands while engaged in hunting deer during the applicable archery, shotgun, or muzzleloader deer seasons. You must remove all stands or any blinds by legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). We require all tree stands to have the name and address of the owner clearly printed on the stand.
11. We prohibit possession of buckshot while hunting during any season on the refuge.
1. Hunters may not use or possess more than 25 shells per day.
2. Hunters using Area B must set out a minimum of six waterfowl decoys and hunt within 50 yards of these decoys.
1. We require that all hunters have a valid State hunting license, applicable deer tags, and firearms identification card (FID) or license to carry (LTC). The FID and LTC only apply to Massachusetts residents. All hunters regardless of age must possess and carry a refuge permit. This is a quota hunt, and we will randomly select a limited number of hunters from those that apply. You may apply by mail from September 1 until October 1.
2. If selected from the random drawing, you must attend a refuge-specific hunter orientation session prior to the hunt.
3. We only allow shotguns (slugs only) and shoulder-fired muzzleloaders (single projectile only) for our deer hunt.
4. You must check-in and out at the refuge entrance gatehouse.
5. We prohibit alcoholic beverages (See § 32.2(j)).
6. We prohibit hunting from the North Pool or Stage Island Observation towers.
7. We prohibit loaded firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) on or within 150 feet (45 m) of the refuge road.
8. You must bring all deer to the refuge deer check station located at our subheadquarters 2.5 miles (4 km) south of the refuge entrance gate. This site is an official State check station.
9. We will only allow permitted refuge hunters or those individuals hunting at Sandy Point State Reservation at the southern end of Plum Island access to the refuge or Sandy Point on the day(s) of the deer hunt.
10. We prohibit vehicular travel (emergency excepted) on refuge roads from
11. Parking regulations are subject to change and will be determined based on the number of permitted hunters and available hunt areas. We will provide this information in detail to all permitted hunters attending the required hunter-orientation session.
1. We allow saltwater fishing on the ocean beach and the surrounding waters of the Broad Sound.
2. A permit is required for night fishing and for the use of over-the-sand surf-fishing vehicles.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We allow hunting of snowshoe hare on Unit B during the entire State season.
2. We only allow hunting of snowshoe hare on Unit A from December 1 through March 31.
1. We do not allow the use of fishing weights or lures containing lead.
2. We allow ice fishing from January 1 through the end of February from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We do not allow ice shanties, houses, or shelters on F Pool.
4. When ice fishing, we do not allow snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles. We prohibit all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles on the refuge.
5. We allow fishing on designated refuge pools, and the Creighton, Driggs, and Manistique Rivers from May 15 through September 30 from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
6. We prohibit boats and flotation devices on the refuge pools.
7. We prohibit motorized boats on the Creighton and Driggs Rivers.
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
2. We allow goose hunting on designated cropland fields until 12 p.m. (noon) with a required checkout time of 1 p.m.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotgun shells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 10 or less.
4. We require hunters to stay within 50 feet (15 m) of posted site.
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
2. Hunters must wear in a visible manner on head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm
3. We require that you must display a minimum of 100 square inches (650 cm
4. During muzzleloader hunts we require only guns capable of firing one round before reloading.
5. We allow hunters with a State medical permit to use crossbows.
1. We allow fishing by boat in navigable waterways but not within any managed refuge units.
2. We allow bank fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset only at designated sites along the Spaulding Drain and the Tittabawassee and Cass Rivers.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We allow a youth hunt only (age 16 and under). Youth hunters age 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
2. We prohibit vehicles and hunters from entering the refuge before 5:30 a.m. They must leave the refuge each day as soon as possible after legal hunting hours.
3. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
4. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
5. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the refuge, each day of hunting (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
7. We prohibit the use of snowmobiles and ATVs.
8. We prohibit camping.
1. We allow hunting from the opening of the State's deer firearms season to the close of the regular State's ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse seasons.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
3. We prohibit hunting in the closed areas around the administrative buildings.
4. Conditions A2 through A8 apply.
1. We are currently closed to moose hunting until the population recovers.
2. Conditions A1, A3, A4, A5, A7, and A8 apply.
3. We allow scouting the day before the youth deer hunt and the deer firearms hunt.
4. We open archery hunting at the start of the State's deer firearms season and close according to the State's archery deer season.
5. We allow muzzleloader deer hunting following the State's muzzleloader season.
6. Hunters may use portable stands. We prohibit construction or use of permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders.
7. You must remove all stands and personal property from the refuge by legal sunset of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit hunters from occupying illegally set up or constructed ground and tree stands (see condition C2).
9. We allow the use of wheeled, nonmotorized conveyance devices (e.g., bikes, retrieval carts) except in Wilderness Areas.
10. We prohibit vehicles and hunters from entering the refuge during the youth deer hunt until after 6 a.m.
1. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We allow the use of hunting dogs for upland game bird hunting only, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
3. We prohibit the use of dogs for hunting furbearers.
4. You may only hunt fox, raccoon, and striped skunk from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset from September 1 through the last day of February.
5. We allow nonmotorized boats and boats using electric motors only in the Minnesota River channel. We prohibit boats on all other refuge waters.
6. We prohibit camping.
1. We allow the use of temporary stands, blinds, platforms, or ladders. Hunters may construct blinds using manmade materials only. We prohibit hunters bringing plants or their parts onto the refuge.
2. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
3. You must remove all stands, temporary blinds, platforms, ladders, materials brought onto the refuge, and other personal property from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Turkey hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
5. Conditions B5 and B6 apply.
1. Conditions B5 and B6 apply.
2. You must remove all ice fishing structures, devices, and personal property from the refuge following each day's fishing activity (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We allow only bank fishing on all refuge pools and open marshes.
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds.
3. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the WPA each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. We prohibit camping.
1. Hunters may use portable stands. Hunters may not construct or use permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders.
2. You must remove all stands and personal property from the WPAs each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit hunters occupying ground and tree stands that are illegally set up or constructed.
4. Condition A5 applies.
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. You must remove all ice fishing shelters and all other personal property from the WPAs each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Condition A5 applies.
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the WPAs each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season.
5. We prohibit camping.
1. Hunters may use portable stands. Hunters may not construct or use permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders.
2. You must remove all stands and personal property from the WPAs each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit hunters occupying ground and tree stands that are illegally set up or constructed.
4. Condition A5 applies.
1. You must remove all ice fishing shelters and all other personal property from the WPAs each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
2. Condition A5 applies.
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. You must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see § 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the WPAs at the end of each day.
3. During the State-approved hunting season, we allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit hunters occupying ground and tree stands that are illegally set up or constructed.
6. We prohibit camping.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders.
2. You must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds from the area at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Condition A6 applies.
1. Conditions A1 and A6 apply.
2. You must remove all ice fishing structures, devices, and personal property (see § 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the area following each day of fishing.
1. We prohibit all types of watercraft.
2. We restrict vehicles to designated parking lots (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
1. Only those hunters selected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to hunt prairie chicken may hunt sharp-tailed grouse.
2. Condition A2 applies.
1. You must remove all stands from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
2. Condition A2 applies.
1. We only allow waterfowl hunting during the State's Youth Waterfowl Day.
2. Youth waterfowl hunters must be age 15 and under.
3. We will only allow waterfowl hunting in refuge tracts within Audubon and Riceville Townships.
4. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
5. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds.
6. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (except for blinds made entirely of marsh vegetation) brought onto the refuge, following that day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
7. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season.
8. We prohibit entry to hunting areas earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting hours.
1. We only allow hunting during the State's muzzleloader season with muzzleloaders.
2. Hunters may use portable stands. We prohibit construction or use of permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders.
3. Hunters must remove all stands and personal property from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Condition A8 applies.
1. You must remove boats, decoys, and other personal property following each day's hunt.
2. You must remove portable or temporary blinds and any material brought onto the area for blind construction following each day's hunt.
3. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. We prohibit camping.
1. We do not allow construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or platforms.
2. You must remove all temporary blinds, stands, or platforms following each day's hunt.
3. Condition A5 applies.
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. You must remove all ice fishing structures, devices, and personal property (see § 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the area at the end of the day.
3. Condition A5 applies.
1. We require permit for special hunts.
2. We prohibit the use of motorized boats. We allow nonmotorized boats in areas open to waterfowl hunting during the waterfowl hunting seasons.
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds.
4. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the refuge each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season.
6. We prohibit entry to hunting areas earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting hours, and all hunters must exit within 2 hours after the close of the legal shooting hours.
7. We prohibit camping.
1. Hunters may only use shotguns and bows and arrows in designated areas.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. We allow the use of .22 caliber rimfire rifles on designated areas of the refuge.
4. Conditions A5 and A7 apply.
1. Permits may be required.
2. The construction or use of permanent blinds or platforms is not permitted.
3. All portable stands must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
4. Hunters may not use or possess single shot projectiles (shotgun slugs, or bullets) on the Soberg Waterfowl Production Area.
5. We prohibit the possession of centerfire rifles or handguns on the refuge.
6. We allow the use of shotguns and muzzleloaders on designated areas.
7. Conditions A6 and A7 apply.
1. Only bank fishing is permitted.
2. Ice fishing is permitted when ice conditions are safe.
3. Ice fishing shelters must be removed from the refuge following each day's fishing activity.
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. We prohibit the construct or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds.
3. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the WPAs each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. We prohibit camping.
1. Hunters may use portable stands. Hunters may not construct or use permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders.
2. Hunters may not possess single shot projectiles (shotgun slugs or bullets) on the Soberg Waterfowl Production Area.
3. You must remove all stands and personal property from the WPAs at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit hunters occupying ground and tree stands that are illegally set up or constructed.
5. Condition A5 applies.
1. Conditions A1 and A5 apply.
2. You must remove all ice fishing shelters and all other personal property from the WPAs each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
2. You must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day.
3. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. We prohibit camping.
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders.
2. You must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds from the area at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Condition A4 applies.
1. Conditions A1 and A4 apply.
2. You must remove all ice fishing structures, devices, and personal property (see § 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the WPA at the end of each day's fishing.
1. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
2. Hunters may construct temporary blinds using manmade materials only (see § 27.92 of this chapter). We prohibit hunters from bringing plants or their parts onto the refuge.
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, scaffolds, and ladders.
4. We prohibit hunters from leaving boats, decoys, or other personal property unattended at any time (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, portable or temporary blinds, materials brought onto the refuge, and other personal property at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. We prohibit the use of motorized watercraft.
8. We prohibit camping.
1. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.3(k)).
2. We allow the use of dogs for upland game bird hunting only, provided that the dogs remain under the immediate control of the hunter at all times, during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
3. We prohibit the use of dogs for hunting furbearers.
4. We close the refuge to all hunting from March 1 through August 31.
5. We allow hunting for coyote, striped skunk, raccoon, and fox from
6. Conditions A7 and A8 apply.
1. We allow the use of temporary stands, blinds, platforms, or ladders (see § 27.92 of this chapter). Hunters may construct blinds using manmade materials only. We prohibit hunters from bringing plants or their parts onto the refuge.
2. Conditions A3, A5, A7, and A8 apply.
3. Turkey hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
2. We require that the visible portion of at least one article of clothing worn above the waist be blaze orange.
3. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. We prohibit camping.
1. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting upland game species.
2. We require that the visible portion of at least one article of clothing worn above the waist be blaze orange.
3. Conditions A3 and A4 apply.
1. The construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms or ladders is not permitted.
2. All stands must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
3. Permits are required for firearms hunting.
4. Hunting of deer on the Rice Lake Unit is by firearm and archery; hunting on the Sandstone Unit is by archery only.
5. Condition A4 applies.
1. Fishing from non-motorized boats or boats powered by electric motors is permitted only in designated areas.
2. Ice fishing is permitted on Mandy Lake when ice conditions are safe.
3. Ice fishing shelters must be removed from the refuge following each day's fishing activity.
4. Condition A4 applies.
1. Permits are required to hunt white-tailed deer in the Special Permit Area of the refuge.
2. Hunting in the Special Permit Area is permitted with firearms only.
3. Hunters may not construct or use permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders. Hunters may use portable stands, but must remove them from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
4. Hunters who harvest deer in the Special Permit Area must take their deer to the refuge check station.
5. We prohibit camping.
1. We only allow fishing from designated fishing piers.
2. We allow fishing from May 1 to November 1.
3. We allow parking at designated parking lots only (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
4. Condition C5 applies.
1. Field possession of migratory game birds is not permitted on refuge areas closed to migratory game bird hunting.
2. Only nonmotorized boats are permitted, and they must be launched at designated access sites.
3. Boats, decoys and blinds must be removed from the refuge following each day's hunt except for blinds made entirely of marsh vegetation.
4. We prohibit entry to hunting areas earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting hours.
5. We prohibit hunting during the State Special Goose Hunt (the early September and late December Canada goose hunting seasons).
6. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times, during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. We prohibit camping.
1. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting for all upland game species.
2. We prohibit field possession of upland game species on areas closed to upland game hunting.
3. Conditions A6 and A7 apply.
1. The construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms or ladders is not permitted.
2. All stands must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
3. You must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
4. We prohibit the possession of firearms or archery equipment on areas closed to white-tailed deer hunting.
5. We prohibit deer pushes or deer drives in the areas closed to deer hunting.
6. Conditions A4 and A7 apply.
1. Fishing is permitted on the St. Francis River only.
2. Nonmotorized boats are permitted only on designated areas of St. Francis River and must be launched from designated access points.
1. Hunting by tribal members is in accordance with White Earth Reservation regulations on those portions of the Reservation that are a part of the refuge.
2. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the refuge each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times, during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. We prohibit camping.
1. Hunting by tribal members is in accordance with White Earth Reservation regulations on those parts of the Reservation that are part of the refuge.
2. You may only hunt red fox, raccoon, and striped skunk from
3. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting for all upland game species.
4. We require hunters to wear at least one article of blaze orange clothing visible above the waist.
5. Conditions A3 and A4 apply.
1. Hunting by tribal members is in accordance with White Earth Reservation regulations on those parts of the Reservation that are part of the refuge.
2. The construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms or ladders is not permitted.
3. All stands must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
4. Condition A4 applies.
1. We allow fishing in North Tamarac Lake, Wauboose Lake, and Two Island Lake all year in accordance with State and/or White Earth Reservation regulations.
2. We allow fishing in Blackbird Lake and Lost Lake from the first day of the State walleye season through Labor Day under State and/or White Earth Reservation regulations.
3. We only allow bank fishing in an area 50 yards (45 m) on either side of the Ottertail River Bridges on County Roads #26 and #126 during State seasons.
4. We allow fishing in Pine Lake from December 1 until March 31.
5. You must remove all ice fishing shelters and all other personal property from the refuge each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
6. Condition A4 applies.
1. You must possess a hunting license valid in the State in which you are hunting and be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal regulations and requirements (see § 32.2). You cannot reserve hunting areas, except at Potter's Marsh Managed Hunt Area, Pool 13, near Thomson, Illinois, in accordance with procedures established by the refuge manager.
2. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry—Sanctuary,” we prohibit migratory bird hunting at all times and all public entry except as specified. These areas are named and located as follows:
i. Pool Slough, Pool 9, Minnesota/Iowa, 1,126 acres.
ii. Bertom Island, Pool 11, Wisconsin, 31 acres.
iii. Guttenberg Ponds, Pool 11, Iowa, 252 acres.
iv. Spring Lake, Pool 13, Illinois, 3,697 acres.
3. In areas posted and shown on maps as “Area Closed” and “Area Closed—No Motors,” we prohibit migratory bird
i. Big Lake, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 2,210 acres.
ii. Weaver Bottoms/Lost Island, Pool 5, Minnesota/Wisconsin, 3,508 acres.
iii. Polander Lake, Pool 5A, Minnesota/Wisconsin, 1,873 acres.
iv. Lake Onalaska, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 7,366 acres (voluntary avoidance on 3,365 acres until mid-November).
v. Wisconsin Islands, Pool 8, Minnesota/Wisconsin, 6,538 acres.
vi. Harpers Slough, Pool 9, Iowa/Wisconsin, 5,209 acres.
vii. Wisconsin River Delta, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 1,414 acres (closed November 1 to end of duck season).
viii. 12-Mile Island, Pool 11, Iowa, 1,139 acres.
ix. Bertom-McCartney, Pool 11, Wisconsin, 2,384 acres (no voluntary avoidance provision).
x. Pleasant Creek, Pool 13, Iowa, 2,191 acres.
xi. Elk River, Pool 13, Iowa, 1,248 acres.
The “Area(s) Closed—No Motors” are named and located as follows:
xii. Peterson Lake, Pool 4, Wisconsin 572 acres.
xiii. Rieck's Lake, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 499 acres.
xiv. Spring Lake, Pool 5, Wisconsin, 254 acres.
xv. Sturgeon Slough, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 340 acres.
xvi. 12-Mile Island, Pool 10, Iowa, 540 acres.
xvii. John Deere Marsh, Pool 11, Iowa, 439 acres.
xviii. Kehough Slough, Pool 12, Illinois, 333 acres.
xiv. Beaver Island, Pool 14, Iowa, 864 acres.
4. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Hunting Zone” or “No Hunting or Trapping Zone,” we prohibit migratory bird hunting at all times. These areas are named and located as follows:
i. Buffalo River, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 219 acres.
ii. Fountain City Bay, Pool 5A, Wisconsin, 24 acres.
iii. Upper Halfway Creek Marsh, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 143 acres.
iv. Mathy Tract (Brice Prairie), Pool 7, Wisconsin, 75 acres.
v. Hunter's Point, Pool 8, Wisconsin, 82 acres.
vi. Goose Island, Pool 8, Wisconsin, 984 acres (also no motors and voluntary avoidance as in condition A3).
vii. Sturgeon Slough, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 66 acres.
viii. Goetz Island Trail, Pool 11, Iowa, 31 acres.
ix. Crooked Slough Backwater, Pool 13, Illinois, 2,453 acres.
x. Crooked Slough Proper, Pool 13, Illinois, 270 acres.
xi. Frog Pond, Pool 13, Illinois, 64 acres.
xii. Ingersoll Learning Center, Pool 13, Illinois, 41 acres.
5. We prohibit hunting of migratory birds within 50 yards (45 m) of the Great River Trail at Thomson Prairie, within 150 yards (135 m) of the Great River Trail at Mesquaki Lake, and within 400 yards (360 m) of the Potter's Marsh Managed Hunt area, all in or near Pool 13, Illinois.
6. You must immediately make a reasonable attempt to retrieve downed waterfowl unless the bird lies in plain sight of you, is clearly dead, and there is no risk of the bird drifting off due to wind or current. You may retrieve dead or wounded game from areas posted “Area Closed,” “No Hunting Zone,” and “No Hunting or Trapping Zone” provided you do not attempt to chase birds from the area. You may not use a motor to aid in the retrieval of game in areas posted “Area Closed—No Motors.” You may not retrieve birds or other game from areas posted “No Entry—Sanctuary.”
7. You may not engage in open-water waterfowl hunting in Pool 11, approximate river miles 586-592, Grant County, Wisconsin as marked with signs and as shown on refuge maps. Open-water hunting regulations and definitions that apply for Wisconsin outside of Grant County will apply in this area.
8. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
9. We allow the use of dogs for hunting in accordance with State regulations. When dogs are not actively engaged in authorized hunting activities, the following conditions apply:
i. We prohibit dogs disturbing or endangering wildlife or people while on the refuge.
ii. All dogs while on the refuge must be under the control of their owners/handlers at all times or on a leash.
iii. We prohibit allowing dogs to roam.
iv. All dogs must be on a leash when on hiking trails, or other areas so posted.
v. We allow working a dog in refuge waters by tossing a retrieval dummy or other object for out-and-back exercise.
vi. Owners/handlers of dogs are responsible for disposal of dog droppings on refuge public use concentration areas such as trails, sandbars, and boat landings.
vii. We prohibit field trials and commercial/professional dog training.
10. We prohibit the construction of permanent hunting blinds (see § 27.92 of this chapter). You may use natural material for seasonal blinds, with restrictions. You may gather grasses and marsh vegetation from the refuge for blind-building materials; however, Phragmites (giant cane) may not be cut or brought onto the refuge. You may not gather, bring onto the refuge, or use for blind building tree(s) or other plant parts, including dead wood on the ground, greater than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. We prohibit constructing hunting blinds from rocks placed for shoreline protection (rip rap). You may leave only seasonal blinds made entirely of natural vegetation and biodegradable twines on the refuge. We consider all such blinds public property and open to use by any person on a first-come-first-served basis. You may use manmade material for temporary blinds, with restrictions. You may not use lumber, pipe, posts, or timbers greater than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. At the end of each day's hunt, you must remove all manmade blind materials, including boat blinds. Any blinds containing manmade materials left on the refuge are subject to immediate removal and disposal. Manmade materials include, but are not limited to, wooden pallets, metal fence posts, wire, nails, staples, netting, or tarps (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
11. We will phase out the construction and use of permanent hunting blinds for waterfowl hunting within the Savanna District of the refuge. We will no longer allow permanent blinds on the refuge in Pool 12 beginning with the 2007-2008 waterfowl hunting season, Pool 14 after the 2007-2008 season, and Pool 13 after the 2008-2009 season. The following regulations apply for phase out of permanent hunting blinds:
i. All permanent blinds must have the current name, address, and telephone number of the blind owner, posted no smaller than 3″ x 5″ (7.5 cm x 12.5 cm) inside the blind.
ii. The blind's owner must remove from the refuge all blind materials, including old blind materials located within 100 yards (90 m) of the blind, within 30 days of the end of the waterfowl hunting season.
iii. After the phase-out year of permanent blinds in each pool, refuge hunting blind regulations in Condition A10 will apply, except that we require a 200-yard (180-m) spacing distance between hunting parties on the Illinois portions of the refuge in Pools 12, 13, and 14.
12. You may set up hunting equipment the day of the hunt but must remove it at the end of each day. You may place and leave hunting equipment and decoys on the refuge only from 1 hour before the start of legal shooting hours until
13. We prohibit the cutting, removing, or damaging of any tree or other vegetation except as allowed for blinds in Condition A10 or by written permit. You may not clear vegetation for shooting lanes or limb trees for trees stands (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
14. We prohibit camping during waterfowl hunting seasons within areas
15. We prohibit the building or use of warming fires while hunting (see § 27.95 of this chapter). We only allow campfires in conjunction with camping, day-use activities on beaches, or on the ice while ice fishing using only dead wood on the ground, or materials brought onto the refuge such as charcoal or firewood. You must remove any unused firewood brought onto the refuge upon departure due to threat of invasive insects.
16. We prohibit all vehicle use on or across refuge lands at any time except on designated routes of travel or on the ice over navigable waters accessed from boat landings. We prohibit parking beyond vehicle control barriers or on grass or other vegetation. You may not park or operate vehicles in a manner that obstructs or impedes any road, trail, fire lane, boat ramp, access gate, or other facility or in a manner that creates a safety hazard or endangers any person, property, or environmental feature. We may impound any vehicle left parked in violation at the owner's expense (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
17. We require that you keep all refuge lands clean during your period of use or occupancy. At all times you must keep all refuse, trash, and litter contained in bags or other suitable containers and not left scattered on the ground or in the water. You must remove all personal property, refuse, trash, and litter immediately upon vacating a site. We consider animal carcasses and spent shells to be litter (see § 27.94 of this chapter).
1. Condition A1 applies.
2. We prohibit the carrying, possessing, or discharging of firearms (including dog training pistols and dummy launchers), air guns, or any other weapons on the refuge, unless you are a licensed hunter or trapper engaged in authorized activities during established seasons, in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations. We prohibit target practice on the refuge (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).
3. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry—Sanctuary,” we prohibit entry and upland game hunting at all times. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry—Sanctuary October 1 to end of state duck hunting season,” we allow upland game hunting beginning the day after the respective State duck hunting season until upland game season closure or March 15, whichever comes first, except we allow spring turkey hunting during State seasons. We describe these areas more fully in Condition A2.
4. In areas posted and shown on maps as “Area Closed” and “Area Closed—No Motors,” we allow upland game hunting beginning the day after the respective State duck hunting season until upland game season closure or March 15, whichever comes first, except we allow spring turkey hunting during State seasons. We ask that you practice voluntary avoidance of these areas by any means or for any purpose from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season. In areas also marked “Area Closed—No Motors,” we prohibit the use of motors on watercraft from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season. We describe these areas more fully in Condition A3.
5. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Hunting Zone” or “No Hunting or Trapping Zone,” we prohibit upland game hunting at all times. You must unload and encase firearms in these areas. We describe these areas more fully in Condition A4.
6. We prohibit hunting of upland game within 50 yards (45 m) of the Great River Trail at Thomson Prairie, within 150 yards (135 m) of the Great River Trail at Mesquaki Lake, and within 400 yards (360 m) of the Potter's Marsh Managed Hunt area, all in or near Pool 13, Illinois.
7. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
8. We prohibit the shining of a light to locate any animal on the refuge except at the point of kill for species specified in respective State night or artificial light hunting regulations (see § 27.73 of this chapter). You may use lights to find your way. We prohibit the distribution of bait or feed, the hunting over bait or feed, and the use or possession of any drug on any arrow for bow hunting (see § 32.2(g) and (h)). You must comply with all other hunt method regulations of the respective State on the refuge.
9. Conditions A6, A9, A10, and A12 through A17 apply.
1. Conditions A1 and B2 apply.
2. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry—Sanctuary,” we prohibit entry and big game hunting at all times. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry—Sanctuary October 1 to end of state duck hunting season,” we allow big game hunting beginning the day after the respective State duck hunting season until big game season closure or March 15, whichever comes first. We describe these areas more fully in Condition A2.
3. In areas posted and shown on maps as “Area Closed” and “Area Closed—No Motors” we allow big game hunting beginning the day after the respective State duck hunting season until big game season closure or March 15, whichever comes first. We ask that you practice voluntary avoidance of these areas by any means or for any purpose from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season. In areas also marked “Area Closed—No Motors,” we prohibit the use of motors on watercraft from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season. These areas are described more fully in Condition A3.
4. In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Hunting Zone” or “No Hunting or Trapping Zone,” we prohibit big game hunting at all times. You must unload and encase firearms in these areas. We describe these areas more fully in Condition A4.
5. We prohibit hunting of big game within 50 yards (45 m) of the Great River Trail at Thomson Prairie, within 150 yards (135 m) of the Great River Trail at Mesquaki Lake, and within 400 yards (360 m) of the Potter's Marsh Managed Hunt area, all in or near Pool 13, Illinois.
6. Conditions A6, A9, A10, A12 through A17, and B7 apply.
1. In the Bertrom Island “No Entry—Sanctuary” area, Pool 11, Wisconsin we prohibit entry and fishing at all times.
2. In the Spring Lake “Area Closed” area, Pool 13, Illinois, we prohibit fishing from October 1 until the day after the close of the State duck hunting season.
3. In areas posted and shown on maps as “Area Closed” and “Area Closed—No Motors,” we allow fishing; however, we ask that you practice voluntary avoidance of these areas by any means or for any purpose from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season. In areas also marked “Area Closed—No Motors,” we prohibit the use of motors on watercraft from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season. We describe these areas more fully in Condition A3.
4. On Mertes Slough, Pool 6, Wisconsin, we allow only hand-powered boats or boats with electric motors.
5. For the purpose of determining length limits, slot limits, and daily creel limits, the impounded areas of Spring Lake, Duckfoot Marsh, and Pleasant Creek in Pool 13, Illinois, are part of the Mississippi River site-specific State regulations.
6. Conditions A10, and A13 through A17 apply.
1. We prohibit hunting on the Worthington Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) in Nobles County, or designated portions of the Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood County.
2. We prohibit the use of motorized boats.
3. You must remove all personal property, which includes boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the WPAs at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved hunting season (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. We prohibit camping.
1. We prohibit hunting on the Worthington WPA in Nobles County, Headquarters WPA in Jackson County, and designated portions of the Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood County.
2. We allow the use of portable stands. Hunters may not construct or use permanent blinds, permanent platforms, or permanent ladders.
3. You must remove all stands and personal property from the WPAs at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit hunters occupying ground and tree stands that are illegally set up or constructed.
1. Conditions A2 and A5 apply.
2. You must remove all ice fishing shelters and other personal property from the WPAs each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Refer to § 32.37 Louisiana for regulations.
1. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. All hunters must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge hunting permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations, and hunters must carry a State license and a signed Federal and State duck stamp on their person while hunting on the refuge. Hunters born after January 1, 1972, also must carry a Hunter Education Safety Course card or certificate. You may obtain permits at North Mississippi Refuges Complex Headquarters, 2776 Sunset Drive, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, or at the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge Office, Box 831, Highway 446,
2. All users may enter the refuge 2 hours before legal sunrise and must exit the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours.
3. We only allow hunting of migratory game birds on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from
4. Each hunter must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at each refuge information station and follow the printed instructions on the card. Hunters must place the card in plain view on the dashboard of their vehicle so the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card and deposit it at one of the hunter information stations. Include all game harvested, and if there is none, report “0.”
5. We may close certain areas of the refuge for sanctuary or administrative purposes. We will mark such areas with “No Hunting” or “Area Closed” signs.
6. We prohibit handguns of all kinds.
7. Waterfowl hunters may leave boats meeting all State registration requirements on refuge water bodies throughout the waterfowl season. You must remove boats (see § 27.93 of this chapter) within 72 hours after the season closes.
8. We restrict motor vehicle use to roads designated as vehicle access roads on the refuge map (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit blocking access to any road or trail entering the refuge (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
9. All hunters or persons on the refuge for any reason during any open refuge hunting season must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
10. We only allow dogs on the refuge when specifically authorized for hunting. We encourage the use of dogs to retrieve dead or wounded waterfowl. Dogs must remain in the immediate control of their handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
11. You must remove decoys, blinds, other personal property, and litter (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the hunting area following each morning's hunt. We prohibit cutting or removing trees and other vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, tacks, or other types of markers.
12. We prohibit ATVs (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter), horses, and mules on the refuge.
1. Conditions A1, A4, A5, A8, and A12 apply.
2. We restrict all public use to the period beginning 2 hours before legal sunrise and ending 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours. We establish special provisions for raccoon hunting; contact the refuge office for details.
3. You may only possess shotguns with approved nontoxic shotgun shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rifles. We prohibit all handguns.
4. All hunters or persons on the refuge for any reason during any open refuge hunting season must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of visible, unbroken, fluorescent orange-colored material above the waistline.
5. We only allow dogs on the refuge after the general Gun Deer Hunt. Dogs must remain in the immediate control of their handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. We prohibit cutting or removing trees and other vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, tacks, or other types of markers.
1. Conditions A1, A4, A5, A6, A8, and A12 apply.
2. We restrict all public use to 2 hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours.
3. All hunters or persons on the refuge for any reason during any open refuge hunting season must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
4. We prohibit dogs for any big game hunt.
5. We prohibit use or possession of any drug or device for employing such drug for hunting (see § 32.2(g)).
6. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
7. We prohibit hunting or shooting across any open, fallow, or planted field from ground level or on or across any public road, public highway, railroad, or their right-of-way during all general gun and primitive weapon hunts.
8. You may erect portable deer stands (see § 32.2i)) 2 weeks prior to the opening of archery season on the refuge, and you must remove them by January 31 (see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit cutting or removing trees and other vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, tacks, or other types of markers.
1. All anglers must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge fishing permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations.
2. We close the refuge to fishing from October 1 through February 28.
3. We prohibit possession of any weapon (see § 27.42 of this chapter) while fishing on the refuge.
4. We prohibit possession or use of jugs, seines, nets, hand-grab baskets, slat traps/baskets, or any other similar devices and commercial fishing of any kind.
5. We allow trotlines, yo-yos, limb lines, crawfish traps, or any other similar devices for recreational use only. You must tag or mark these devices with your full name, full residence address including zip code, written with waterproof ink, legibly inscribed or legibly stamped on the tag. You must attend these devices a minimum of once a day. If you do not attend these devices (see § 27.93 of this chapter), you must remove them from the refuge.
6. We prohibit snagging or attempting to snag fish.
7. We allow crawfishing.
8. We only allow the taking of frog by Special Use Permit.
1. All persons fishing who are 16 years of age and older must carry a State license on the refuge. You must have a signed refuge fishing permit in your possession when fishing on the refuge. You may obtain permits at North Mississippi Refuges Complex Headquarters, 2776 Sunset Drive, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, or at the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge Office, Box 381, Highway 446, Boyle, Mississippi 38730, or by mail from the above addresses.
2. We close the refuge to fishing from October 1 through February 28.
3. We allow fishing in bar pits along the Corps of Engineers levee only.
4. We prohibit possession of any weapon while fishing on the refuge. This does not include fishing knives unless they are longer than 3 inches (7.5 cm).
5. We prohibit possession or use of jugs, seines, nets, hand-grab baskets, slat traps/baskets, or any other similar devices and commercial fishing of any kind.
6. We allow trotlines, yo-yos, limb lines, crawfish traps, or any other similar devices for recreational use only, and you must tag or mark them with waterproof ink, legibly inscribed or legibly stamped on the tag with your full name and full residence address, including zip code. You must attend these devices a minimum of once daily. If you are not going to attend these devices, you must remove them from the refuge.
7. We prohibit snagging or attempting to snag fish.
8. We allow crawfishing.
9. We allow taking of frogs by Special Use Permit only.
1. We allow hunting from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon) on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Hunters may enter the refuge 2 hours before legal sunrise. Hunters must remove all decoys, blind material (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 1 p.m. each day.
2. You must only use portable or temporary blinds.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while hunting waterfowl in the field.
4. The refuge is a day-use area only with the exception of legal hunting activities.
5. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles on all refuge hunts.
6. We prohibit target practice on refuge property.
7. We prohibit mules and horses on refuge hunts.
8. We allow retrievers for waterfowl hunting. We require all dogs to wear a collar displaying the owner's name, address, and telephone number.
9. You must unload and case or dismantle firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) before transporting them in a vehicle or boat within the boundaries of the refuge or along rights-of-way for public or private land within the refuge.
10. Each hunter must possess and carry a current, signed copy of the refuge hunting permit while participating in refuge hunts.
11. Youth hunters under age 16 must possess and carry a State-approved hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth
12. We prohibit the use of airboats, mudboats, motorized pirogues, and air-cooled propulsion engines on the refuge.
1. Conditions A4 through A7 and A10 through A12 apply.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)). All shotgun ammunition must meet legal shot-size requirements. We only allow .22 caliber rimfire.
3. We prohibit the possession of dogs for squirrel hunting.
1. Conditions A4 through A7 and A9 through A12 apply.
2. We only allow hunting with bow and arrow. We prohibit the use of poisonous arrows (see § 32.2(g)). We prohibit firearms.
3. We prohibit the use or construction of any permanent tree stand. We allow portable and climbing stands, but you must remove them from the tree when not in use or they will be subject to confiscation (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit hunting by organized deer drives of two or more hunters. We define “drive” as the act of chasing, pursuing, disturbing, or otherwise directing deer so as to make the animals more susceptible to harvest.
5. We prohibit hunting with the aid of bait (see § 32.2(h)).
6. We prohibit the use of dogs to hunt deer and feral hog.
1. We are open for hunting during the State season except during the muzzleloader deer hunt.
2. There is no early teal season.
3. We allow hunting from
4. Hunters must remove all decoys, blind material (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 1 p.m. each day.
5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Hunters age 16 and older must possess and carry a valid signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that he or she understands and will comply with all regulations. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
6. Each day before hunting, all hunters must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at the hunter information stations (see refuge brochure map) and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display this card in plain view on the dashboard of your vehicle while hunting or fishing so that the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card and deposit it at one of the refuge information stations.
7. Failure to display the User Information Card will result in the loss of the hunter's refuge annual Public Use Permit.
8. We prohibit hunting or entry into areas designated as “CLOSED” (see refuge brochure map).
9. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages.
10. We prohibit possession of plastic flagging tape.
11. We prohibit handguns.
12. You must unload and case guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in/on vehicles, ATVs, and boats under power.
13. You must park vehicles in such a manner as to not obstruct roads, gates, turnrows, or firelanes (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
14. Valid permit holders may take the following furbearers in season incidental to other refuge hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, bobcat, and nutria.
15. We allow ATVs only on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) (see refuge brochure map).
16. We open for dove hunting the first and second State season. Contact the refuge headquarters for specific dates and open areas.
17. You may only take dove with shotguns shooting approved nontoxic shot.
18. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while in the field.
1. Conditions A1 and A5 through A15 apply.
2. We only allow shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rimfire rifles for taking small game (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums).
3. We only allow dogs for rabbit and quail hunting typically during the last 2 weeks in February. Hunt dates are available at the
4. During the rabbit-with-dog and quail hunts, any person hunting or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of unbroken flourescent-orange material visible above the waistline as an outer garment.
5. Beginning the first day after the deer muzzleloader hunt, we restrict hunting to the designated waterfowl hunting area (see refuge brochure map).
6. We prohibit horses and mules.
1. Hunts and hunt dates are available at the refuge headquarters in July, and we post them in the refuge brochure.
2. We only allow ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) beginning the second Saturday in September through February 28 (see refuge brochure map).
3. Beginning the first day after the muzzleloader hunt, we restrict hunting to the designated waterfowl hunting area (see refuge brochure map).
4. Conditions A5 through A7, A15, and B6 apply.
5. During all gun and muzzleloader deer hunts: all participants must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of unbroken flourescent-orange material visible above the waistline as an outer garment while hunting and enroute to and from hunting areas; we prohibit hunting from tripods and other free-standing platforms in fields and tree plantations (during muzzleloader deer hunt); and we prohibit all other public use on the refuge.
6. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
7. We prohibit hunting from or shooting across open fields from ground level.
8. We only allow crossbows in accordance with State law.
9. You must unload guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while standing beside, in, or walking across any portion of a field, tree plantation, road, pipeline, or powerline right-of-way. We define “a loaded gun” as shells in the gun or percussion caps on muzzleloaders.
10. Stands adjacent to fields and tree plantations must be a minimum of 10 feet (300 cm) above ground.
11. We prohibit attaching stands to any power or utility pole.
12. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
13. You must remove stands in the January/February closed area by the last day of the muzzleloader hunt.
14. You must field-dress deer.
15. We designate check station dates and requirements in the refuge brochure.
1. We close all refuge waters during the muzzleloader deer hunt.
2. We allow fishing in the borrow ponds along the north levee (see refuge brochure map) throughout the year except during the muzzleloader Gun Deer Hunt.
3. We open all other refuge waters March 1 through November 15.
4. We prohibit trot lines, limb lines, jugs, seines, and traps.
5. We prohibit fishing from bridges.
6. We allow frogging during the State bullfrog season.
7. We only allow ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) (see refuge brochure map) September 15 through February 28.
8. Condition A15 applies.
1. We are open for hunting during the State season.
2. We allow shotguns only with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rimfire rifles for taking small game (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums).
3. We allow dogs only for rabbit hunting February 1 through 28.
4. During the rabbit-with-dog and quail hunts, any person hunting or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Each hunter age 16 and older must possess and carry a valid signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that he or she understands and will comply with all regulations. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
6. Each day before hunting, all hunters must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at the hunter information stations (see refuge brochure map) and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display this card in plain view on the dashboard of your vehicle while hunting or fishing so that the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card
7. Failure to display the User Information Card will result in the loss of the hunter's refuge annual Public Use Permit.
8. We prohibit the possession of alcoholic beverages (see § 32.2(j)).
9. We prohibit the possession of plastic flagging tape.
10. We prohibit handguns.
11. You must unload and case guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in/on vehicles and boats under power.
12. You must park vehicles in such a manner as to not obstruct roads, gates, turnrows, or firelanes (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
13. Valid permit holders may take the following furbearers in season incidental to other refuge hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, bobcat, and nutria.
14. We prohibit horses and mules.
1. Conditions B5 through B12 and B14 apply.
2. Hunts and hunt dates are available at the refuge headquarters in July, and we post them in the refuge brochure.
3. We allow archery hunting October 1 through January 31.
4. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
5. We allow crossbows only in accordance with State law.
6. We prohibit attaching stands to any power or utility pole.
7. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We allow hunting during the open State season.
2. There is no early teal season.
3. Beginning the opening day of duck season, we restrict hunting to the designated waterfowl hunt area only (see refuge brochure map).
4. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older.
5. During the refuge youth hunts, scheduled the first 2 weekends in January, both youth and accompanying adult may hunt. Only one adult may accompany each youth hunter.
6. We allow hunting from
7. Hunters must remove all decoys, blind material (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 1 p.m. each day.
8. If you are a hunter age 16 or older, you must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations.
9. Each day before hunting, each hunter must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at the hunter information stations (see refuge brochure map) and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display this card on the dashboard of your vehicle while hunting or fishing so that the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card and deposit it at one of the refuge information stations.
10. Failure to display the User Information Card will result in the loss of the hunter's refuge annual Public Use Permit.
11. We prohibit hunting or entry into areas designated as “CLOSED” (see refuge brochure map).
12. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages.
13. We prohibit possession of plastic flagging tape.
14. We prohibit handguns.
15. You must unload and case guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in/on vehicles and boats under power.
16. We prohibit parking vehicles in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates, turnrows, or firelanes (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
17. Valid permit holders may take the following furbearers in season incidental to other refuge hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, bobcat, and nutria.
18. Beginning the day before duck season opens and ending the last day of duck season, we will close refuge waters to all public use from 1 p.m. until 12 a.m. (midnight).
1. Conditions A4 and A18 apply.
2. We only allow shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) or .22 caliber rimfire rifles for taking small game (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums).
3. We only allow dogs for rabbit hunting typically the last 2 weeks in February. Hunt dates are available at the refuge headquarters and printed in the refuge brochure. We restrict hunting to the waterfowl hunting area (see refuge brochure map).
4. During the rabbit-with-dog hunt, any person hunting or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square
5. We prohibit horses and mules.
1. We only allow archery hunting October 1 through January 31.
2. State bag limits apply.
3. Beginning the first day of duck season, we restrict hunting to the designated waterfowl hunt area only (see refuge brochure map).
4. Conditions A7 through A9, A18, and B5 apply.
5. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
6. We only allow crossbows in accordance with State law.
7. We prohibit attaching stands to any power or utility pole.
8. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We allow fishing in all refuge waters throughout the year, except in the waterfowl sanctuary, which we close from the first day of duck season through March 15 (see refuge brochure map).
2. We prohibit trot lines, limb lines, jugs, seines, and traps.
3. We allow frogging during the State bullfrog season.
4. Condition A18 applies.
1. We open for hunting during the State season, except we close during the muzzleloader deer hunt.
2. There is no early teal season.
3. We allow hunting from
4. Hunters must remove all decoys, blind material (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 1 p.m. each day.
5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. If you are a hunter age 16 or older you must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations.
6. Each day before hunting, all hunters must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at each refuge information station (see refuge brochure map) and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display this card in plain view on the dashboard of your vehicle while hunting or fishing so the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card and deposit it at one of the refuge information stations.
7. Failure to display the User Information Card will result in the loss of the hunter's refuge annual Public Use Permit.
8. We prohibit hunting or entry into areas designated as “CLOSED” (see refuge brochure map).
9. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages.
10. We prohibit plastic flagging tape.
11. We prohibit handguns at all times.
12. You must unload and case guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in/on vehicles, ATVs, and boats under power.
13. We prohibit parking of vehicles in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates, turnrows, or firelanes (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
14. We allow take by valid permit holders of the following in-season furbearers, incidental to other refuge hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, bobcat, and nutria.
15. We allow ATVs only on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) (see refuge brochure map).
16. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)).
1. Conditions A1 and A5 (and we allow only one adult per youth hunter), and A6 through A15 apply.
2. We only allow shotguns shooting approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rimfire rifles for taking small game (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums).
3. We only allow dogs for rabbit and quail hunting typically during the last 2 weeks in February. Hunt dates are available at the refuge headquarters and printed in the refuge brochure. We restrict hunting to the waterfowl hunting area (see refuge brochure map).
4. During the rabbit and quail-with-dog hunt, any person hunting or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of unbroken flourescent-orange material visible above the waistline as an outer garment.
5. Beginning the first day after the deer muzzleloader hunt, we restrict hunting to
6. We prohibit horses and mules.
1. Hunt information and dates are available both at the refuge headquarters in July and posted in the refuge brochure.
2. We only allow ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) beginning the second Saturday in September through February 28 (see refuge brochure map).
3. Beginning the first day after the muzzleloader hunt, we restrict hunting to north of Providence Road and the area west and south of Spring Branch (see refuge brochure map).
4. During all gun and muzzleloader deer hunts, all participants must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
5. Conditions A5 through A7, A14, A15, and B6 apply.
6. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
7. We prohibit hunting from or shooting across open fields from ground level.
8. We only allow crossbows in accordance with State law.
9. We define a loaded gun as shells in the gun or percussion caps on muzzleloaders.
10. You must unload guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while standing beside, in, or walking across any portion of a field, tree plantation, road, pipeline, or powerline right-of-way.
11. During the muzzleloader deer hunt, we prohibit hunting from tripods and other free-standing platforms in fields and tree plantations.
12. Stands adjacent to fields and tree plantations must be a minimum of 10 feet (3 m) above ground.
13. We prohibit attaching stands to any power or utility pole.
14. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
15. You must remove stands in the January/February closed area by the last day of the muzzleloader hunt.
16. Hunters must field-dress their deer.
17. We designate check station dates and requirements in the refuge hunt brochure.
1. We close all refuge waters during the muzzleloader deer hunt.
2. We only allow fishing in refuge waters north of Providence Road throughout the year except during the muzzleloader deer hunt.
3. We open all other refuge waters March 1 through November 15.
4. We prohibit trot lines, limb lines, jugs, seines, and traps.
5. We prohibit fishing from bridges.
6. We allow frogging during the State bullfrog season.
7. We only allow ATVs on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) (see refuge brochure map) September 15 through February 28.
8. We will post separate fishing regulations for Providence Ponds on Morgan Brake at the Morgan Brake office.
9. Condition A14 applies.
1. We require permits for waterfowl hunting, and only two companions may accompany each permit holder.
2. There is no early teal season.
3. We allow waterfowl hunting from
4. Hunters must remove all decoys, blind material, and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 12 p.m. (noon) each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older.
6. Each day all waterfowl hunters must check in and out at the refuge's duck check station.
7. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages (see § 32.2(j)).
8. We prohibit handguns.
9. Waterfowl hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
10. We prohibit leaving boats overnight on the refuge (see § 29.93 of this chapter).
11. During the deer firearm hunts, any person hunting woodcock or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
1. We prohibit upland game hunting within the designated areas for waterfowl hunting when this hunt is taking place.
2. We only allow shotguns with approved nontoxic shot for hunting upland game in greentree reservoirs 1, 2, and 4.
3. We only allow shotguns with a shot size no larger than No. 2 and rifles no larger than a standard .22 caliber for taking upland game (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums).
4. We allow dogs for rabbit and squirrel hunting only beginning on the first day after the last refuge deer hunt.
5. We allow the use of dogs for raccoon and opossum hunting between the hours of legal sunset and legal sunrise.
6. During the deer firearm hunts, any person hunting upland game or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,200 cm
7. Conditions A5, A7, A8, and A10 apply.
8. We prohibit horses and mules.
9. We prohibit hunting or entry into areas designated as being “closed” (see refuge brochure map).
10. We require hunters to obtain a refuge hunt permit brochure. This permit must be signed by them and in their possession at all times while hunting on the refuge.
11. Valid permit holders may take the following animals in season incidental to other upland game hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: Coyote, beaver, nutria, and feral hog.
1. Conditions A5, A7, A8, A10, B8, and B9 apply.
2. Hunts and hunt dates are available at refuge headquarters in July, and we identify them in the refuge brochure.
3. We require a fee permit for all refuge deer hunts. Hunters must sign this permit and have it in their possession at all times while hunting.
4. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
5. You may place portable stands on the refuge from September 1 through January 15 and must remove them by January 15.
6. Valid deer permit holders may also take feral hogs and coyotes while deer hunting.
7. We do not require turkey hunters to use nontoxic shot in greentree reservoirs 1, 2, and 4.
8. We prohibit big game hunting in the area designated for waterfowl hunting when this hunt is taking place.
1. The sport fishing, boating, and bow fishing seasons extend from March 1 through October 31, except for the Noxubee River and borrow pit areas along Highway 25 that are open year-round.
2. We prohibit anglers leaving boats overnight on the refuge (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Anglers must keep boat travel at idle speed, and they must not create a wake when moving.
4. We prohibit limb lines, snag lines, and hand grappling in Ross Branch, Bluff, and Loakfoma Lakes.
5. Anglers must tag pole and set hooks with their name and address when using them in rivers, creeks, and other water bodies. Anglers must remove these devices when not in use.
6. Trotlining:
i. Anglers must label each end of the trotline floats with the owner's name and address.
ii. We limit trotlines to one line per person, and we allow no more than two trotlines per boat.
iii. Anglers must tend all trotlines every 24 hours and remove them when not in use.
7. Jug fishing:
i. Anglers must label each jug with their name and address.
ii. Anglers must attend all jugs every 24 hours and remove them when not in use.
8. We require a Special Use Permit for night time bow fishing.
1. We allow hunting during the open State season except we close during all Limited Permit Hunts.
2. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Both youth and accompanying adult may hunt. Only one adult may accompany each youth hunter.
3. There is no early teal season.
4. We allow hunting from
5. Hunters must remove all decoys, blind material (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 1 p.m. each day.
6. Each hunter age 16 and older must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that they understand and will comply with all regulations.
7. Each day before hunting, all hunters must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at the hunter information stations (see refuge brochure map) and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display this card in plain view on the dashboard of your vehicle while hunting or fishing so that the personal information is
8. Failure to display the User Information Card will result in the loss of the hunter's refuge annual Public Use Permit.
9. You may obtain hunt dates both at the refuge headquarters in July and posted in the refuge brochure.
10. We prohibit hunting or entry into areas designated as “CLOSED” (see refuge brochure map).
11. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages.
12. We prohibit plastic flagging tape.
13. We prohibit handguns at all times.
14. You must unload and case guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in/on vehicles, ATVs, and boats under power.
15. We prohibit parking of vehicles in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates, turnrows, or firelanes (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
16. We allow take by valid permit holders of the following furbearers in season, incidental to other refuge hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: Raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, bobcat, and nutria.
17. We allow ATVs, beginning on the third Saturday in September through February 28, only on designated trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) (see refuge brochure map).
1. We allow hunting during the open State season except we close during only limited refuge gun and muzzleloader deer hunts. You may obtain information on the hunts and hunt dates both at the refuge headquarters in July and in the refuge brochure.
2. Conditions A2 (squirrel hunting), A6 through A8, and A10 through A17 apply.
3. We only allow shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rimfire rifles for taking small game (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums). We prohibit possession of toxic shot, buckshot, and slugs.
4. We only allow dogs for rabbit hunting typically the last 2 weeks in February. You may obtain hunt dates both at the refuge headquarters and printed in the refuge brochure (see refuge brochure map for open areas).
5. During the rabbit-with-dog and quail hunts, any person hunting or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
6. Beginning the first day after the last Limited Deer Gun Hunt, we restrict hunting to the designated waterfowl hunting area (see refuge brochure map).
7. We prohibit horses.
1. Conditions A7, A8, A9, A17, B6, and B7 apply.
2. We may require a Limited Hunt Permit for spring turkey hunting, regular gun deer, and muzzleloader deer hunting. We issue the Limited Hunt Permit by random computer drawing. If we draw your name, there is a fee for each permit. Limited Hunt Permits are not transferable and are nonrefundable. Contact the refuge headquarters for specific requirements. The regular gun deer and muzzleloader deer hunts require a Limited Hunt Permit that we assign by random computer drawing. If we draw your name, there is a fee for each permit. Limited Hunt Permits are not transferable and nonrefundable. Contact the refuge headquarters for specific requirements, hunt, and application dates.
3. We may designate dates for youth (ages 12 to 15) turkey hunting. Contact the refuge headquarters or see the refuge brochure for youth hunt dates. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older (one youth per adult).
4. During spring turkey season we only allow ATVs on Southern Natural Gas pipeline, from Cotton's access to Tupelo Brake Duck Club boundary (see refuge brochure map).
5. You must immediately tag all harvested turkeys prior to moving them.
6. We only allow shotguns shooting approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and archery while turkey hunting.
7. You must immediately tag all game harvested prior to moving it during limited hunts; we provide the tags.
8. We designate check station dates and requirements in the refuge hunt brochure.
9. If you are a hunter age 16 or older, you must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit or Limited Hunt Permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations.
10. During all gun or muzzleloader deer hunts, all participants must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
11. We prohibit all other public use on the refuge during all gun and muzzleloader deer hunts.
12. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
13. We prohibit hunting from or shooting across open fields from ground level.
14. During all Limited Permit Hunts, each hunter must possess and carry only their own current permit and/or tags.
15. We only allow crossbows in accordance with State law.
16. We define a loaded gun as shells in the gun or percussion caps on muzzleloaders.
17. You must unload guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while standing beside, in, or walking across any portion of a field, tree plantation, road, pipeline, or powerline right-of-way.
18. During muzzleloader, rifle, and youth Gun Deer Hunts, we prohibit hunting from tripods and other free-standing platforms in fields and tree plantations.
19. Stands adjacent to fields and tree plantations must be a minimum of 10 feet (3 m) above ground.
20. We prohibit attaching stands to any power or utility pole.
21. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
22. You must remove stands in the January/February closed area by the last day of the muzzleloader hunt.
23. You must field-dress deer.
1. We close all refuge waters during limited deer gun and muzzleloader hunts.
2. We open waters between the East and West levee, the Landside Ditch, and the portion of Panther Creek adjacent to the West Levee year-round except during limited Gun Deer Hunts.
3. We open all other refuge waters March 1 through November 15.
4. We prohibit trot lines, limb lines, jugs, seines, and traps.
5. We allow frogging during the State bullfrog season.
6. We allow ATVs for fishing access on designated gravel roads when we close such roads to vehicular traffic.
1. We allow hunting in Butler Lake, Salt Lake, and Gilliard Lake from
2. If you are a hunter age 16 or older you must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations.
3. We will close waterfowl hunting in Butler Lake and Salt Lake after the Natchez River gauge reaches 28 feet (8.4 m) or higher.
4. We will close waterfowl hunting in Gilliard Lake when the Natchez River gauge reaches 32 feet (9.6 m) or higher.
5. We restrict access to Butler Lake waterfowl hunting only to Butler Lake Road.
6. Hunters must remove decoys, blind material (see § 27.93 of this chapter), and harvested waterfowl from the area no later than 1 p.m. each day.
7. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
8. You must use portable blinds.
9. All users must obtain a daily use reporting card and place it in plain view on the dashboard of their vehicle so that the personal information is readable. Users must return cards to a refuge kiosk upon departure from the refuge.
10. Hunters may enter the refuge 2 hours before legal sunrise and must exit the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours.
11. All persons in all underway boats must wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices.
12. You must hand-launch boats except at designated boat ramps, where you may trailer-launch them.
13. We only open ATV trails (see § 27.31 of this chapter) to ATV traffic during scheduled hunts and scouting periods.
14. Hunters must be age 16 or older to operate an ATV on the refuge.
15. We allow use of retrievers.
16. State bag limits apply.
17. We prohibit hunting on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
18. We prohibit the following acts: possession of alcohol; entering the refuge from private property; hunters entering from public waterways; overnight parking; parking or hunting within 150 feet (45 m) of any petroleum facility or equipment, or refuge residences and buildings; parking by hunters in refuge headquarters parking lot; and possession of hand guns on the refuge.
1. We only allow shotguns, .22 caliber long rifles, and muzzleloading rifles under .38 caliber shooting patched round balls, except for raccoon hunting (see 4iv below). We prohibit the possession of .22 caliber magnum rifles, slugs, buckshot, or rifle ammunition larger than .22 rimfire.
2. You must wear a hunter-orange hat and upper garment when hunting in open fields or reforested areas.
3. We prohibit use of motorized boats after the Natchez River gauge reaches 28 feet (8.4 m) or higher.
4. We only allow raccoon hunting during the month of February from legal sunset to legal sunrise with the following conditions:
i. We require dogs.
ii. We prohibit hunting along/from Carthage-Linwood Road.
iii. We prohibit the use of boats and ATVs.
iv. You may only use .22 caliber rimfire rifles (no magnums).
5. You may take beaver, nutria, coyote, and bobcat incidental to the hunt.
6. Conditions A2, A7 through A14, and A16 through A18 apply.
7. We prohibit the following acts: target practice; marking trails with tape, paper, paint, or any other artificial means; and riding horses or mules.
1. We only allow still hunting.
2. You may only take one deer per day: We allow residents to take one deer of either sex per day; however, we prohibit nonresidents from harvesting antlerless deer.
3. We require hunters to wear a hunter-orange hat and upper garment at all times during all muzzleloader hunts and during the youth gun hunt.
4. During late muzzleloader (after December 25) hunts, the following specific conditions apply: You may only take bucks with a minimum of 14-inch (35 cm) inside antler spread.
5. During traditional primitive weapon season, the following specific conditions apply:
i. You must only use flintlock and sidelock percussion muzzleloaders with iron sights and patched-round balls.
ii. We prohibit in-line muzzleloaders, electronic sights, scopes, fiber optic sights, and conical bullets.
iii. You must use recurve and long bows without sights.
6. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older.
7. We must receive all applications for the limited youth lottery draw turkey hunt by February 28 of each year.
8. Youth (ages 10 to15) gun deer and waterfowl hunts will coincide with designated State youth hunts each year. Youth deer hunters may use any weapon deemed legal by the State except for buckshot, which we prohibit.
9. We prohibit insertion of metal objects into trees or hunting from trees that contain inserted metal objects (see § 32.2(i)).
10. We prohibit the use or possession of climbing spurs.
11. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day. You must remove all stands, blinds, and tripods (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge before February 7 of each year.
12. You may only take feral hog with bow and arrow and muzzleloading rifles during and incidental to archery and primitive weapon deer seasons.
13. You must check all deer harvested on the refuge at one of the three self-clearing, mandatory deer check stations.
14. You must immediately field-dress all deer upon harvest.
15. State season bag limits apply.
16. Conditions A2, A7 through A14, A17, A18, B3, B5, and B7 apply.
1. We require a public use permit for all anglers between the ages of 16 and 65.
2. We prohibit the use of ATVs (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
3. On the Sibley Unit, we prohibit boats north of the Ring Levee, except you may hand-launch boats in Swamp Lake during nonflood conditions.
4. An adult age 21 or older must supervise youth age 15 and under who may fish in the Kids Pond. We prohibit adults from fishing in this pond.
5. We allow bow fishing. Bow anglers must abide by State law.
6. We allow nighttime bow fishing on the refuge but only through a Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
7. We prohibit the following acts: Possession of alcohol; entering the refuge from private property; overnight parking; target practice; riding horses or mules; possession or use of commercial fishing or trotline equipment, including limb lines, nets, traps, yo-yos, or jugs; and possession of any firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).
8. Conditions A9, A11, and A12 apply.
1. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Hunters born after January 1, 1972, also must carry a Hunter Education Safety Course card or certificate. All hunters must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Hunting Permit certifying that he or she understands and will comply with all regulations. You may obtain permits at North Mississippi Refuges Complex Headquarters, 2776 Sunset Drive, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, or at the Dahomey
2. We restrict all public use to the period beginning 2 hours before legal sunrise and ending 2 hours after legal sunset except during the raccoon hunt. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours.
3. We only allow hunting of migratory game birds on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from
4. We prohibit public hunting north of Mississippi Highway 8.
5. Each hunter must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at each refuge information station and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display the card in plain view on the dashboard of your vehicle so that the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card and deposit it at one of the refuge information stations. Include all game harvested, and if you harvest no game, report “0.”
6. We may close certain areas of the refuge for sanctuary or administrative purposes. We will mark such areas with “No Hunting” or “Area Closed” signs.
7. We prohibit all handguns.
8. Waterfowl hunters may leave boats meeting all State registration requirements on refuge water bodies throughout the waterfowl season. You must remove boats (see § 27.93 of this chapter) within 72 hours after the season closes.
9. We restrict motor vehicle use to roads designated as vehicle access roads on the refuge map (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit blocking access to any road or trail entering the refuge (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
10. All hunters or persons on the refuge for any reason during any open refuge hunting season must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
11. We only allow dogs on the refuge when specifically authorized for hunting. We encourage the use of dogs to retrieve dead or wounded waterfowl. Dogs must remain in the immediate control of their handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
12. You must remove decoys, blinds, other personal property, and litter (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the hunting area following each morning's hunt. We prohibit cutting or removing trees and other vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, tacks, or other types of markers.
13. We prohibit ATVs (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter), horses, and mules on the refuge.
1. Conditions A1, A4, A5, A6, A9, and A13 apply.
2. We restrict all public use to the period beginning 2 hours before legal sunrise and ending 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours. We establish special provisions for raccoon hunting; contact the refuge office for details.
3. We only allow shotguns with approved nontoxic shotgun shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rifles. We prohibit all handguns.
4. All hunters or persons on the refuge for any reason during any open refuge hunting season must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
5. We only allow dogs on the refuge after the general Gun Deer Hunt. Dogs must remain in the immediate control of their handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. We prohibit the cutting or removal of trees and other vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, tacks, or other types of markers.
C.
1. Conditions A1, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, and A13 apply.
2. We restrict all public use to 2 hours before legal sunrise and to 2 hours after legal sunset. We prohibit entering or remaining on the refuge before or after hours.
3. All hunters or persons on the refuge for any reason during any open refuge hunting season must wear a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm
4. We prohibit dogs for any big game hunt.
5. We prohibit use or possession of any drug or device for employing such drug for hunting (see § 32.2(g)).
6. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
7. We prohibit hunting or shooting across any open, fallow, or planted field from ground level or on or across any public road, public highway, railroad, or their rights-of-way during all general gun and primitive weapon hunts.
8. You may erect portable deer stands 2 weeks prior to the opening of archery season on the refuge, and you must remove them (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by January 31. We prohibit the cutting or removal of trees and other vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of flagging, paint, blazes, tacks, or other types of markers.
D.
1. All anglers must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge fishing permit certifying that you understand and will comply with all regulations. You may obtain permits at North Mississippi Refuges Complex Headquarters, 2776 Sunset Drive, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, or at the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge Office, Box 381, Highway 446, Boyle, Mississippi 38730, or by mail to the above addresses.
2. We close the refuge to fishing from October 1 through February 28.
3. We only allow bank or boat sport fishing south of Mississippi Highway 8.
4. We prohibit possession of any weapon (see § 27.42 of this chapter) while fishing on the refuge.
5. We prohibit possession or use of jugs, seines, nets, hand-grab baskets, slat traps/baskets, or any other similar devices and commercial fishing of any kind.
6. We only allow trotlines, yo-yos, limb lines, crawfish traps, or any other similar devices for recreational use. You must tag or mark them with the angler's full name and full residence address, including zip code written with waterproof ink, legibly inscribed or legibly stamped on the tag; and attend the devices a minimum of once daily. When not attended, you must remove these devices (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge.
7. We prohibit snagging or attempting to snag fish.
8. We allow crawfishing.
9. We only allow take of frog by Special Use Permit.
1. If you are a hunter age 16 or older, you must possess and carry a valid, signed refuge Public Use Permit that certifies that you understand and will comply with all regulations.
2. Each day before hunting, all hunters must obtain a daily User Information Card (pink) available at each refuge information station (see refuge brochure map) and follow the printed instructions on the card. You must display this card in plain view on the dashboard of your vehicle while hunting or fishing so that the personal information is readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you must complete the reverse side of the card and deposit it at one of the refuge information stations. Failure to display the User Information Card may result in the loss of the hunter's refuge annual Public Use Permit.
3. We only allow hunting of snow goose by Special Use Permit. Contact the refuge office for details.
4. Hunt dates are available at the refuge headquarters in July and posted in the refuge brochure.
5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a hunter safety course card or certificate. Each youth hunter must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. We only allow one adult per youth hunter.
6. We prohibit hunting or entry into areas designated as “CLOSED” (see refuge brochure map).
7. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages.
8. We prohibit possession of plastic flagging tape.
9. We prohibit handguns at all times.
10. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(k)).
11. You must unload and case guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) transported in/on vehicles, ATVs, and boats under power.
12. We prohibit parking of vehicles in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates, turnrows, or firelanes (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
13. We allow valid permit holders to take the following furbearers in season, incidental to other refuge hunts with legal firearms used for that hunt: raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, bobcat, and nutria.
1. Conditions A1, A2, A3, A5 through10, and A12 through A14 apply.
2. We only allow shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) and .22 caliber rimfire rifles (we prohibit .22 caliber magnums).
3. During the rabbit-with-dog hunt, any person hunting or accompanying another person hunting must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
4. We prohibit horses and mules.
5. We allow hunting for rabbit on the Herron Tract, Brown Tract (east of the Sunflower River), Middleton-Miller-Zepponi Tracts, and Carter Tract. Contact refuge headquarters for hunt dates, maps, and additional information.
1. Conditions A2, A3, A5, B4, and B5 (we allow archery except on the Carter Tract) apply.
2. If you are a hunter age 16 or older, you must possess and carry a valid refuge annual Public Use Permit or Limited Hunt Permit that certifies that you understand and will comply with all regulations. Permits are not transferable and are nonrefundable.
3. The youth regular gun deer, muzzleloader deer, and senior citizen Gun Deer Hunts require a Limited Hunt Permit assigned by random computer drawing. If we draw your name, there is a fee for each permit. Contact the refuge headquarters for specific requirements, hunt, and application dates.
4. During all gun or muzzleloader deer hunts, all participants must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm
5. We prohibit all other public use during all gun and muzzleloader deer hunts.
6. We prohibit organized drives for deer.
7. We prohibit hunting from or shooting across open fields from ground level.
8. During all Limited Permit Hunts, each hunter shall possess and carry only their own current permit and/or tags.
9. We only allow crossbows in accordance with State law.
10. We define a loaded gun as shells in the gun or percussion caps on muzzleloaders.
11. You must unload guns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) while standing beside, in, or walking across any portion of a field, tree plantation, road, pipeline, or powerline right-of-way.
12. We prohibit hunting from tripods and other free-standing platforms during muzzleloader, rifle, and youth Gun Deer Hunts in fields and tree plantations.
13. Stands adjacent to fields and tree plantations must be a minimum of 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. We prohibit attaching stands to any power or utility pole. You must dismantle blinds and tripods, and you must remove stands from the tree each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
14. You must field dress and check all deer at refuge headquarters.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. You must remove all your blinds, boats, and decoys (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge each day except for blinds made entirely of marsh vegetation.
2. We prohibit cutting of woody vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter) on the refuge for blinds.
1. We prohibit use of tree spikes to assist in climbing trees for the purpose of hunting on the refuge (see § 32.2(i)).
2. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders at any time.
3. We prohibit hunting over or placing on the refuge any salt or other mineral blocks (see § 32.2(h)).
4. We only allow portable tree stands from September 15 through January 31. You must place your full name and address on your stands.
5. You must unload or dismantle and case all firearms while transporting them in a motor vehicle (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter).
6. We restrict deer hunters on the Boone's Crossing Unit to archery methods only except for hunters on Johnson Island where State-allowed methods of take are in effect.
1. We only allow hunting during the State-designated Managed Deer Hunt.
2. We require hunters to check-in and out of the refuge each day.
3. We prohibit shooting at deer that are on any portion of the main perimeter levee.
4. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
5. Hunters must remove all boats, blinds, blind materials, stands, platforms, scaffolds, and other hunting equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
6. We close the area south of Bryants Creek to deer hunting.
7. We require hunters to check in all harvested deer with refuge personnel prior to leaving the refuge.
8. You must park all vehicles in designated parking areas (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. We only allow fishing from a boat. We prohibit bank fishing.
3. Anglers must remove all boats and fishing equipment at the end of each day's fishing activity (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
1. We open Long Island and Fox Island Divisions for upland game hunting only from
2. We close Fox Island Division to all upland game hunting from October 16 through December 31.
1. We prohibit construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove all portable hunting stands, blinds, and equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. On the Fox Island Division, we allow deer hunting only during the “Antlerless-Only” portion of the State firearms deer season.
4. On the Delair Division, we allow muzzleloader deer hunting only subject to the following conditions:
i. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
ii. We require hunters to check in and out of the refuge each day.
iii. We require hunters to record all harvested deer with refuge staff before removing them from the refuge.
iv. Shooting hours end at 3:00 p.m. each day.
v. Hunters must park all vehicles only in designated parking areas (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
5. We allow turkey hunting only on the Fox Island Division during the State spring seasons, including youth season. We do not open to fall turkey hunting.
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle and frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
2. On the Fox Island Division, we allow bank fishing only along any portion of the Fox River from January 1 through October 15.
1. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dogs are under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
2. We allow hunting from
3. We prohibit the use of paint, flagging, reflectors, tacks, or other manmade materials to mark trails or hunting locations (see § 27.61 of this chapter).
4. You must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see § 27.92 of this chapter).
1. The Public Hunting Area and the road leading to the Public Hunting Area from the Hunter Sign-In Station are open 1
2. We require that all hunters register at the Hunter Sign-In/Sign Out Stations and record the number of hours hunted and squirrels harvested.
3. We prohibit hunting of all other species.
4. We prohibit the use of dogs for squirrel hunting.
5. We allow squirrel hunting from the State opening day through September 30.
6. We only allow shotguns and .22 caliber rimfire rifles.
7. We require that all squirrel hunters wear a hat and also a shirt, vest, or coat of hunter orange so that the color is plainly visible from all sides during the overlapping portion of the squirrel and archery deer and turkey seasons. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this requirement.
8. Condition A3 applies.
1. Conditions A3 and B1 apply.
2. We require that all hunters register at the Hunter Sign-In/Sign Out Stations and record the number of hours hunted and number of deer or turkey harvested.
3. We allow archery hunting for deer and turkey during the fall season. We prohibit the use or possession of firearms during these seasons.
4. You must remove all boats brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
5. We require that all archery deer and turkey hunters must wear a hat and also a shirt, vest, or coat of hunter orange so that the color is plainly visible from all sides during the overlapping portion of the squirrel and archery deer and turkey seasons. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this requirement.
6. We allow spring turkey hunting. We allow only shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
7. We prohibit the use of salt or mineral blocks.
8. We allow portable tree stands only from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after the State archery deer season. You must clearly mark all stands with the owner's name, address, and phone number.
9. We allow only one tree stand per deer hunter.
1. We prohibit fishing in all areas between Ditch 2 and Ditch 6 (including Ditches 3, 4, and 5) plus the moist soil units, and Monopoly Marsh from October 1 through March 1.
2. We only allow fishing in May Pond and Fox Pond with rod and reel or pole and line. Anglers may only take bass greater than 12 inches (30 cm) in length from May Pond.
3. We prohibit the use or possession of gasoline-powered boat motors. We allow the use of electric trolling motors, except that we prohibit all motors within the Wilderness Area.
4. Anglers must remove watercraft (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day's fishing activity.
5. Anglers may take nongame fish by nets and seines for personal use only from March 1 through September 30.
6. Anglers must attend trammel and gill nets at all times and plainly label them with the owner's name, address, and phone number.
7. We only allow the use of trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, and jug lines from 1 hour before legal sunrise until 1 hour after legal sunset. Anglers must remove all fishing lines (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day's fishing. Anglers must mark each line with their name, address, and phone number.
8. We allow the take of common snapping turtle and soft-shelled turtle only using pole and line. We require all anglers immediately release all alligator snapping turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
1. Hunters must remain within direct sight of the guide in the hunt boundary at all times.
2. We allow the guide and hunters into the hunt boundary up to 2 hours prior to legal shooting time.
3. Hunting will stop at 12 p.m. (noon), and hunters must be out of the fields by 2 p.m.
4. We allow hunting dogs, portable blinds, and decoys at the discretion of the guide.
5. We prohibit pit blinds.
6. Hunting dogs must be under the immediate control of their handlers at all times (see § 26.21 of this chapter).
7. We prohibit retrieving crippled geese outside of the hunt boundary, including adjacent private land. This includes retrieval by hunting dogs.
8. We prohibit vehicles beyond the established parking area located adjacent to State Highway 118 (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
9. We prohibit ATV use on the refuge.
10. Both the guide and hunters are responsible for ensuring that all trash, including spent shotgun shells are removed from the hunt area each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
11. Violations of these rules may result in the revocation of the guide's Special Use Permit as deemed appropriate by the refuge manager.
1. Permits are required.
2. Only historic weapon hunting is permitted.
3. Hunters are required to check in and out of the refuge.
4. Stands must be removed from the refuge each day.
5. Hunting is permitted only during the special hunt season established by the State for the refuge.
1. Permits are required.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. Permits are required.
2. Only historic weapon hunting is permitted.
1. Fishing is permitted from March 1 through October 15 during daylight hours only.
2. Only nonmotorized boats are permitted on refuge waters with the exception that the use of motors of 10 horsepower or less is permitted on Silver Lake.
Refer to § 32.32 Illinois for regulations.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
1. We prohibit access to refuge hunting areas from other than authorized refuge parking areas. We prohibit hunting on or within 25 yards (22.5 m) of dikes or roads except the marked portion of the dike between Marsh Units 5 and 6. Hunters must have a means of bird retrieval, using a boat, boots, or a trained dog, while hunting on this dike (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
2. We allow hunting with the opening of waterfowl season and close November 30.
3. Hunters with a documented mobility disability may reserve an accessible blind in advance by contacting a refuge officer or calling the refuge office.
4. We only allow nonmotorized boats on refuge waters.
5. We allow hunting from temporary portable blinds or blinds made from natural vegetation.
6. We prohibit the retrieval of downed game from areas closed to hunting.
7. You must unload and case all firearms (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) when outside of the refuge hunt area on the refuge.
1. Conditions A2, A6, and A7 apply.
2. We prohibit access to refuge hunting areas from other than authorized refuge parking areas.
3. We prohibit hunting on or within 25 yards (22.5 m) of dikes or roads except the marked portion of the dike between Marsh Units 5 and 6.
1. We prohibit the use of motorboats.
2. You must remove boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any materials brought onto the area for blind construction at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We prohibit the use of horses for any purposes.
1. Condition A1 applies.
2. You must remove boats, fishing equipment, and other personal property at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We only allow nonmotorized boats on refuge waters.
2. You must remove all boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any materials brought onto the refuge for blind construction by legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. A portion of the land within the refuge boundary is private land (inholding); persons wishing to hunt the private land must gain permission from the landowner.
1. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
2. Fox and coyote hunters may only use centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, or shotguns with approved nontoxic shot.
3. Condition A3 applies.
1. We allow hunters to leave portable tree stands, portable blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms on the refuge from August 15 to December 15.
2. You must visibly mark portable tree stands, portable blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms with your automated licensing system (ALS) number.
3. You must remove any other personal property brought onto the area at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Condition A3 applies.
1. You must check-in and check out of the refuge daily. Before hunting, each hunter must record the date, their name, and the time checking into the refuge on a register inside the Hunter Registration Kiosk at refuge headquarters. After hunting, each hunter must record hunting data (hours hunted waterfowl and/or upland game and the number of birds harvested) before departing the refuge.
2. We prohibit air-thrust boats or boats with motors greater than 25 hp.
3. You must remove all boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any materials brought onto the refuge for blind construction by legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. Condition A1 applies.
2. You must possess and carry a refuge Special Use Permit to hunt fox and coyotes.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
4. Fox and coyote hunters may only use centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, or shotguns with approved nontoxic shot.
5. We require game bird hunters to wear at least one article of blaze-orange clothing visible above the waist.
1. We prohibit use of motorboats.
2. You must remove boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any materials brought onto the area for blind construction at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We allow portable tree stands, portable blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms to be left on WPAs from August 15 to December 15.
2. You must label portable tree stands, portable blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms with your automated licensing system (ALS) number. The label must be legible from the ground.
3. You must remove any other personal property brought onto the area at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We allow the use of only archery, muzzleloader (as defined by State regulations), or shotgun on the McNeil Slough WPA.
1. We prohibit use of motorboats.
2. You must remove boats, fishing equipment, and other personal property at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. Coyote hunting allowed from the first day of antelope rifle season through March 1 annually.
1. We allow the use of portable blinds and stands. You may install stands and blinds no sooner than August 1, and you must remove them by December 15 of each year. We limit each hunter to three stands or blinds. The hunter must have their name, address, phone number, and automated licensing system number (ALS) visibly marked on the stand.
2. We allow hunting of elk on designated areas of the refuge. You must possess and carry a refuge permit to hunt elk on the refuge.
1. All tree stands must be visibly marked and identified with the hunter's name, address, phone number, and ALS number. Hunters must remove all tree stands no later than December 15 of each year.
2. We prohibit permanent stands, ladders, steps, screw-in spikes, nails, screws, and wire (see § 32.2(i)).
1. Most of the land within the refuge boundary is private land (inholding); persons wishing to access the private land must gain permission from the landowner.
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
1. We prohibit air-thrust boats and boats with motors greater than 25 hp.
2. You must remove all boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any materials brought onto the refuge for blind construction by legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. A portion of the land within the refuge boundary is private land (inholding); persons wishing to hunt the private land must gain permission from the landowner.
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
2. Fox and coyote hunters may use only centerfire rifles, rim-fire rifles, or shotguns with approved nontoxic shot.
3. We prohibit the shooting or taking of prairie dogs.
4. Condition A3 applies.
1. We allow hunters to leave portable tree stands, portable blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms on the refuge from August 15 to December 15.
2. You must visibly mark portable tree stands, portable blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms with your automated licensing system (ALS) number.
3. You must remove any other personal property brought onto the area at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Condition A3 applies.
1. Most of the land within the refuge boundary is private land (inholding); persons wishing to hunt the private land must gain permission from the landowner.
1. Hunting Access: Hunters must enter and exit the hunt area through the access parking lot. Hunters must park at this access point and at the numbered parking space corresponding to a blind. Hunters must walk to the blind along mowed trails designated in the hunting leaflet. We open the access parking lot at 3:30 a.m. to hunters who intend to immediately hunt on the refuge. We prohibit wildlife observation, scouting, and loitering at the access point.
2. Hunting Hours: We will close the Waterfowl Hunting Area to waterfowl hunting on Mondays and Thursdays. We open the hunting area, defined by the refuge boundary fence, 2 hours before and require departure 2 hours after legal waterfowl hunting hours, as defined by the State.
3. Registration: Each hunter must record the date, his or her name, Automated License System number, date of birth, and the time checking into the hunt area at the appropriate register before hunting; must set the appropriate blind selector before and after hunting; and must record hunting data (hours hunted, the number of shots fired, and birds harvested) at the appropriate register before departing the hunting area.
4. Blind selection is on a first-come, first-served basis with the exception of the opening weekend of waterfowl season. We will distribute blind permits for the opening weekend by a public drawing. We will announce the drawing time and place in local newspapers.
5. We prohibit attempting to “reserve” a blind for use later in the day by depositing a vehicle or other equipment on the refuge. A hunter must be physically present in the hunting area in order to use a blind.
6. We prohibit blocking access to refuge gates (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
7. Hunters with a documented mobility disability may reserve an accessible blind in advance by contacting a refuge officer.
8. No more than four hunters or individuals may use a blind at one time.
9. You may only possess approved nontoxic shotshells (see § 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or less.
10. You must conduct all hunting from within the hunting blind.
11. All hunters must have a visible means of retrieving waterfowl such as a float tube, waders, or a dog capable of retrieving.
12. We prohibit falconry hunting.
13. We prohibit boats, fishing gear, and fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter).
14. We require dogs be on a leash at the hunter access point and when walking to and from the hunt area/blind (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
15. We require hunters to unload shotguns (see § 27.42(b) of this chapter) at the hunter access point and when walking to and from the hunt area/blind.
16. Hunting Blind #8 has a minimum requirement of six decoys.
17. Hunting blinds require the use of a minimum of six decoys with the exception of blinds #1, 2, 7, 14, and 15.
18. We will allow the use of a removable personal blind within the immediate mowed area around field blind #13.
1. Hunting Access: Hunters must enter and exit the hunt areas through designated archery hunting access points. We open access points to hunters intending to immediately hunt on the refuge. We prohibit wildlife observation, scouting, and loitering at access points and parking areas.
2. We will allow archery hunting in the Waterfowl Hunt Area in September except during the youth waterfowl hunt weekend. We will allow archery hunting on Mondays and Thursdays in the Waterfowl Hunting Area during waterfowl hunting season.
3. Registration: Each hunter must record the date, his or her name, Automated License System number, and date of birth at the appropriate register before hunting and must record hunting data (hours hunted, the number of arrows released, and deer harvested) at the appropriate register before departing the hunting area.
4. Tree Stands and Blinds: We allow each hunter the use of a maximum of two portable tree stands or blinds. Hunters must register each stand/blind with the refuge headquarters. We prohibit hunters leaving each stand/blind unattended for more than 72 hours.
5. We prohibit preseason entry or scouting.
6. Hunters may not enter or retrieve deer from closed areas of the refuge without the consent of a refuge officer.
7. We prohibit boats, fishing gear, fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter), and firearms.
8. Hunters with a documented mobility disability may access designated locations in the hunting area to hunt from ground blinds. To access these areas, hunters must contact the refuge manager in advance to obtain a Special Use Permit.
9. We prohibit the use of any mechanized vehicle to enter or exit the hunt area; this includes bicycles.
1. We do not allow hunting in areas posted as “Closed to Hunting” around the refuge headquarters, maintenance buildings, and quarters.
2. We prohibit guiding and outfitting.
3. We allow use of riding or pack stock on access routes designated through the refuge to access off-refuge lands as designated in the public use leaflet.
4. You may not use dogs for hunting of any species.
5. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while on the refuge.
6. We prohibit overnight camping.
7. We prohibit retrieval of game through areas closed to hunting without prior consent by the refuge manager.
8. We allow only portable or temporary blinds and tree stands.
9. We allow parking in designated areas only.
1. We do not allow hunting in areas posted as “Closed to Hunting” around the refuge headquarters, maintenance buildings, and quarters.
2. We prohibit guiding and outfitting.
3. We allow use of riding or pack stock on access routes designated through the refuge to access off-refuge lands as designated in the public use leaflet.
4. You may not use dogs for hunting of any species.
5. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while on the refuge.
6. We prohibit overnight camping.
7. We prohibit open fires.
8. We prohibit retrieval of game through areas closed to hunting without prior consent by the refuge manager.
9. We allow only portable or temporary blinds and tree stands.
10. We allow parking in designated areas only.
11. The first week of the archery and the first week of general elk and deer hunting season are open to youth-only (ages 12 and 13 only) hunting.
1. We prohibit the use of motorboats.
2. You must remove boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any materials brought onto the area for blind construction at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We prohibit the use of horses for any purpose.
1. We allow hunters to leave portable tree stands and freestanding elevated platforms on Waterfowl Production Areas from August 25 through February 15.
2. You must label portable tree stands and freestanding elevated platforms with your name and address such that it is legible from the ground.
3. Condition B2 applies.
4. You must remove portable ground blinds and any other personal property at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
1. We prohibit motorboats except on the Flathead and Smith Lake WPAs in Flathead County.
2. Hunters must operate motorboats at no-wake speeds on Flathead and Smith Lake WPAs in Flathead County.
3. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, portable blinds, boat blinds and other personal property at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Dogs must be on a leash from April 1 to August 31. Dogs must be under the owner's immediate control at all other times. We prohibit free-roaming pets year-round on any portion of the WPAs.
5. We prohibit overnight camping and/or open fires (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter).
6. Hunters must contruct blinds, other than portable blinds, of native materials only. Hunters must label all nonportable blinds with their name, address, and phone number. Construction and labeling of these blinds does not constitute exclusive use of the blind. Hunters must remove these blinds within 7 days of the close of the migratory game bird hunting season.
1. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)).
2. We prohibit the use of horses for any purpose.
C.
1. We allow portable tree stands and/or portable ground blinds; however, they must be removed daily. We prohibit construction and/or use of tree stands or portable ground blinds from dimensional lumber.
2. Conditions A5 and B2 apply.
3. We prohibit ATV and/or snowmobile use.
D.
1. Anglers must remove all motorboats, boat trailers, vehicles, fishing equipment, and other personal property from the WPAs at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
2. We prohibit the use of motorboats except on Flathead and Smith Lake WPAs in Flathead County.
3. Anglers must operate motorboats at no-wake speeds on Flathead and Smith Lake WPAs in Flathead County.
4. We strictly prohibit harassing or hazing of migratory game birds with a motorboat.
1. We prohibit motorboats except on the Flathead and Smith Lake WPAs in Flathead County.
2. Hunters must operate motorboats at no-wake speeds on Flathead and Smith Lake WPAs in Flathead County.
3. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, portable blinds, boat blinds and other personal property at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Dogs must be on a leash from April 1 to August 31. Dogs must be under the owner's immediate control at all other times. We prohibit free-roaming pets year-round on any portion of the WPAs.
5. We prohibit overnight camping and/or open fires (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter).
6. Hunters must contruct blinds, other than portable blinds, of native materials only. Hunters must label all nonportable blinds with their name, address, and phone number. Construction and labelin