Wildlife Management

Refuge staff actively manage the land to provide optimal wildlife habitats. Using pumps and water control structures, they manipulate water levels in refuge impoundments (pools) to produce plants with high food value for waterfowl. Cooperative farmers assist by growing wheat, corn, and soybeans. A portion of their crop is left in the field providing food for many types of wildlife. Refuge staff conduct prescribed burns in the marshes to preserve healthy marsh ecosystems and generate tender browse for snow geese. They also maintain nest structures to support breeding populations of wood ducks and osprey and administer a refuge deer hunt to prevent overpopulation.