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Hunting on National Wildlife RefugesHunting is one of our nation's most valued outdoor traditions. The Service's 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation found that more than 12.5 million Americans aged 16 and older (281,000 in California, 81,000 in Nevada) hunted in 2006. Several National Wildlife Refuges in California, Nevada and Oregon’s Klamath Basin offer opportunities for excellent hunting. In general, refuges open areas to fishing and seasonal hunting of migratory game birds (waterfowl) upland game or big game when compatible with sound wildlife management, and the purposes for which the refuge was established. National Wildlife Refuges in Region 8 open to hunting include: California Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge Three National Wildlife Refuges: Cibola NWR, Havasu NWR and Imperial NWR contain lands in both California and Arizona and are managed by the Service's Southwest Region. Hunters should check with the refuge for specific license requirements and other hunting regulations. NevadaAsh Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Sheldon NWR in Nevada is managed by the Service's Pacific Region. Hunters should check with the refuge for specific requirements and hunting regulations. OregonBear Valley National Wildlife Refuge In Oregon, Region 8 manages refuges in the Klamath Basin organized under the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Complex. Information on other National Wildlife Refuges in Oregon is available from the Service's Pacific Region. General Requirements for Hunting on RefugesThe following provisions apply to each person while engaged in public hunting on areas of the National Wildlife Refuge System: Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations Use of Non-Toxic Shot National Wildlife Refuges in California and Nevada require use of non-toxic shot (as described in 50 CFR20.21(j)) for hunting waterfowl, upland game birds and small game. While the Service encourages the use of non-lead ammunition for big game hunting there is no prohibition on lead in slugs/bullets for big game hunting on refuges that conduct big-game hunts. Refuges in Region 8 that allow big game hunting include: Clear Lake NWR (antelope), Sacramento River NWR (black-tail deer) and Desert NWR (bighorn sheep). Lead-Free Hunting in California More InformationState Hunting Regulations for California, Nevada, Oregon Your Guide to Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges (1.1mb .pdf) The Fish and Wildlife Service’s first comprehensive online guide to refuge hunting opportunities nationwide. Written to help hunters plan their next adventure, Your Guide to Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges is organized by state. It gives a brief description of each hunting program, indicates which species can be hunted, provides directions to refuges and includes special stories on subjects such as hunting safety and archery hunting. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hunting page contains information about regulatory processes, hunting data and other useful information. Federal regulations pertaining to migratory bird hunting and hunting on National Wildlife Refuges are contained in Title 50 U.S Code of Federal Regulations. Federal Duck Stamp ProgramFederal Duck Stamp Program Besides serving as a hunting license and a conservation tool, a current year’s Federal Duck Stamp also serves as an entrance pass for National Wildlife Refuges where admission is normally charged. Duck Stamps and the products that bear duck stamp images are also popular collector items. Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps to hunters, collectors and conservationists have raised more than $700 million that has been used to acquire more than 5.2 million acres of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Learn how proceeds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps help National Wildlife Refuges in California, Nevada and Oregon |