2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 660-856-3323 |
Waterfowl Hunting
Waterfowl hunting on the refuge is permitted only from designated blind or field sites on the area unless otherwise specified. Sites are assigned through a morning drawing, held approximately two hours before shooting time. A daily drawing is used to fairly allocate waterfowl hunting opportunities.
When you arrive in the morning at hunting headquarters, sign the daily sign-up sheet or indicate at the check-in window if you are a reservation holder. Reservations may be obtained on-line 
from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Each hunter must fill out a waterfowl hunting tag (green card). Take the completed green card, along with your license and stamps necessary to hunt waterfowl, and give them to the person at the check-in window. Only one person from each hunting party will be allowed to participate in the site selection process.
All licenses, stamps, etc. will be returned when drawing for sites is complete. The lower portion of the waterfowl hunting tag (green card) must be filled out and deposited at the check-in station at the end of the day's hunt.
Do not split your party in an attempt to draw twice, because no names can be added to a party after a number is drawn.
Hunt Program Facts and Regulations
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After you have drawn your blind or field to hunt, the route will be marked on the map to assist you in finding it. Park only at your assigned parking lot. Enter and leave the area by your assigned routes only. Shooting hours are posted at the hunting headquarters. Do not drive to blinds or into farm fields.
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Geese are the only legal game.
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There is no fee for this hunting program.
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Hunt from assigned blinds only, unless designated as a field hunting area. Refilling or changing blinds is not permitted. Any unclaimed blinds/sites will be available until 1:00 p.m. (10/28/06 to 02/28/07)
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You may pursue and shoot crippled geese, but do not shoot at birds overhead while you are out of your assigned blind/site. Do not cross into the refuge area.
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Possession or use of shotgun shells loaded with other than steel shot or an approved substitute is prohibited while hunting waterfowl.
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Each hunter must keep his or her birds (bag) separated from those of other hunters at all times.
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Transport only your own legal bag. It is illegal to transport a live or crippled migratory bird without the proper federal permit.
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No more than four people may hunt in an assigned blind or designated field site.
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A few Refuge blinds/fields will be open to snow goose hunting only from 10/28/06 - 11/23/06; and during the special Conservation Order from 02/01/07 - 02/28/07. This is a self check-in program. Hunters may not check-in prior to 5:00 a.m. daily. Please practice good sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
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No decoy rental is available at refuge headquarters.
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At the end of a day's hunt, promptly pick up trash, decoys, etc., drop off the lower portion of the waterfowl hunting tag (green card) at hunting headquarters, and exit the area.
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About half of the 11 available goose blinds may require boots because of wet conditions.
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The possession or use of alcoholic beverages while checked in for hunting on Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited.
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Blind A-7 is reserved for use by disabled hunters and their helper(s). Access to this blind is via an elevated walkway from the parking lot to the blind. To reserve this blind, please contact the refuge staff after October 1st.
For further information, contact the refuge hunting headquarters or the refuge visitor center office.
