Stories

Ten Great Waterfowl Refuge Hunts

See More Stories 5/4/2010 by David Hart

Did you know these refuge facts?

It might seem like the ultimate contradiction: hunting on national wildlife refuges, those very places set aside to give wildlife a rest when they need it the most. But refuges serve a dual purpose, one that includes the human element. In many cases, hunting serves not just as a tool to control wildlife populations like deer, but as a recreational opportunity when it doesn’t harm overall wildlife populations.

Besides, hunters actually paid for those refuges through the purchase of a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, better known as a duck stamp. Since they were first sold in 1934, federal duck stamps have raised about $700 million and helped purchase 5.2 million acres of habitat under the refuge system. In fact, revenue from duck stamps is the primary funding source for refuge purchases and maintenance.

Early-season waterfowlers can catch the start of the fall migration on refuges throughout the northern h

alf of the United States as birds from Canada start to filter across the border. Some are open to the public with no restrictions, meaning hunters are free to come and go as they please, while others are only open through a drawing or lottery system. Like any new hunting area, it can take a few trips to learn the ropes, but when you figure out the system and the best places on the refuge, you can have a memorable season. There are about 300 refuges open to some sort of hunting, including dozens of federal refuges open to waterfowling throughout the northern United States. Here’s a look at ten great places to throw out a decoy spread.

Tule Lakes NWR, California

One in a series of refuges on the California/Oregon border, Tule Lakes offers great opportunities for Canada and specklebelly geese, said Curt Wilson, a regular visitor to this refuge. Mallards and wigeons also are abundant, and hunters might encounter gadwalls, pintails and a few divers. On most days, hunters have to stop at 1 p.m., but toward the end of the season, some days are open to hunting all day.

“Those afternoon hunts can be very good,” noted Wilson.

Tule Lakes NWR consists of about 40,000 acres, with 17,000 acres in crops that provide excellent dry-field hunts. The rest of the refuge consists of shallow impoundments, deeper pools where boats are required, and grasslands. The refuge also allows pheasant hunting.

Contact: Tule Lakes NWR Website or (530) 667-2231

McKinney NWR, Connecticut

Formerly known as Salt Meadow NWR, the Stewart B. McKinney NWR consists of ten tracts of tidal salt marsh totaling about 1,000 acres between New Haven and Hartford. Only one 165-acre unit, Great Meadows, is open to hunting, but opportunities can be good for such species as black ducks, mallards and brants, prized birds available only on the East and West coasts. Refuge manager Rick Potvin said hunts are limited to three days per week, and hunters must have a free permit. He said there is no limit to the number of hunters allowed each day, but crowding is rarely an issue.

Access to the hunting area is by foot or boat, but Potvin said those who use a boat tend to have better success. Contact: (860) 399-2513.

Article Pages

 1 2 3 4 5