§32.42. Minnesota.
50 C.F.R. § 32.42
The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow youth waterfowl hunting on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, cameras, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We close the refuge from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
We allow the use of motorless boats for hunting.
We only allow waterfowl hunting during the State's youth waterfowl season.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (v) of this section apply.
We only allow hunting from the opening of the State's deer firearms season to the close of the State's ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse seasons, respectively.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and moose on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (iv), and (v) of this section apply.
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to motorized public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
We only allow archery hunting from the start of the State's deer firearms season, and close as governed by the State's archery deer season.
You must remove all boats, decoys, cameras, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We allow only portable tree stands; portable, elevated hunting platforms not attached to trees; and portable ground blinds that can be hand-carried into the hunting area.
You may place your tree stand(s), elevated platform(s), and/or ground blind(s) on the refuge only during your designated licensed season. You must remove these stands/blinds by the end of your designated licensed season (see § 27.93 of this chapter). Unoccupied stands/blinds may be used by anyone.
We allow only two stands/blinds per hunter on the refuge. You must clearly label the stands/blinds with your State hunting license number.
We prohibit the use of nails, wire, screws, or bolts to attach a stand to a tree.
We prohibit hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter.
[Reserved]
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We prohibit the hunting of migratory game birds. We allow the unarmed retrieval of waterfowl, legally taken outside the refuge, up to 100 yards (90 meters) inside the refuge boundary.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ring-necked pheasant, Hungarian partridge, cottontail and jack rabbit, raccoon, striped skunk, gray and fox squirrel, red and gray fox, and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
For wild turkey hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) while in the field.
We allow the use of dogs for upland game bird hunting only, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
You may only hunt fox and raccoon from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset from the beginning of the State season through the last day of February.
You may only hunt striped skunk from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset from September 1 through the last day of February.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and (iv) of this section apply.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We allow only bank fishing on all refuge pools and open marshes.
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
Big Stone Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds throughout the district subject to the following conditions:
We allow the use of dogs for hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the district at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the district subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer throughout the district subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply.
Sport fishing. We allow fishing throughout the district subject to the following condition: The condition set forth at paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow the hunting of goose, duck, merganser, coot, woodcock, common moorhen, mourning dove, Sora/Virginia rail, crow, and common snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We require a signed hunt brochure. You must carry this signed brochure when hunting on the refuge.
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We prohibit entry onto the refuge earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting time, and we require hunters to leave the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal shooting time.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse; ring-necked pheasant; red, gray, and fox squirrel; cottontail rabbit; jackrabbit; snowshoe hare; red and gray fox; raccoon; badger; bobcat; coyote; striped skunk; opossum; long and short tailed weasel; and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) through (v) of this section apply.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
We allow the use of dogs when hunting, except when hunting furbearers, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (d)(1)(i), (iii), and (iv) of this section apply.
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
We prohibit the possession of hunting firearms or archery equipment on areas closed to deer hunting.
[Reserved]
Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Headquarters waterfowl production area (WPA) in Becker County, the Hitterdal WPA in Clay County, and the McIntosh WPA in Polk County. The following conditions apply:
We allow the use of dogs for hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the district at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Headquarters WPA in Becker County, the Hitterdal WPA in Clay County, and the McIntosh WPA in Polk County. The following conditions apply:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Headquarters WPA in Becker County, the Hitterdal WPA in Clay County, and the McIntosh WPA in Polk County. The following conditions apply:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply.
Hunters may use portable stands.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing throughout the district subject to the following condition: The condition set forth at paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
Fergus Falls Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Townsend, Mavis, and Gilmore waterfowl production areas (WPAs) and the building and administrative area of Knollwood WPA in Otter Tail County, and on the Larson WPA in Douglas County. The following conditions apply:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the district at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Townsend, Mavis, and Gilmore WPAs and in designated portions of Knollwood WPA in Otter Tail County, and on the Larson WPA in Douglas County. The following conditions apply:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
You may use and possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Townsend, Mavis, and Gilmore WPAs and the building and administrative area of Knollwood WPA in Otter Tail County, and on the Larson WPA in Douglas County. The following condition applies: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Townsend, Mavis, and Gilmore WPAs and the building and administrative area of Knollwood WPA in Otter Tail County, and on the Larson WPA in Douglas County. The following condition applies: The condition set forth at paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, woodcock, snipe, rail, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We allow nonmotorized boats in areas open to migratory bird hunting during the migratory bird hunting seasons.
We prohibit hunting during the Spring Light Goose Conservation Order.
We allow hunting during special State-administered youth seasons.
We allow the use of wheeled, nonmotorized conveyance devices (e.g., bikes, game carts).
We prohibit entry onto the refuge earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting time, and we require hunters to leave the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal shooting time.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of prairie chicken, sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, gray (Hungarian) partridge, ruffed grouse, rabbit (cottontail and jack), snowshoe hare, squirrel (fox and gray), and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) and (vi) through (viii) of this section apply.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (g)(1)(ii) through (iii) and (vi) through (viii) of this section apply.
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
[Reserved]
Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We only allow youth waterfowl hunting on the State's youth waterfowl day.
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We prohibit entry to hunting areas earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting hours.
[Reserved]
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We only allow hunting during the State's muzzleloader season with muzzleloaders.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this section apply.
[Reserved]
Litchfield Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds throughout the district, except we prohibit hunting on that part of the Phare Lake waterfowl production area (WPA) in Renville County that lies within the Phare Lake State Game Refuge. The following conditions apply:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the district at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the district, except we prohibit hunting on that part of the Phare Lake WPA in Renville County. The following conditions apply:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
You may use and possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting throughout the district, except we prohibit hunting on that part of the Phare Lake WPA in Renville County that lies within the Phare Lake State Game Refuge. The following condition applies: The conditions set forth at paragraph (i)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing throughout the district subject to the following condition: The condition set forth at paragraph (i)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow the hunting of goose, duck, merganser, moorhen, coot, rail, woodcock, common snipe, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We require a special use permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G) for refuge-specific special hunts and refuge-specific population management hunts.
We prohibit the discharge of a weapon on, from, across, or within 100 feet (30 meters) of any service road, parking area, or designated hiking trail.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We prohibit entry into the refuge earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting time.
We allow the use of dogs while hunting migratory birds, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
We prohibit hunting during the State spring goose hunt.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, gray partridge, ring-necked pheasant, American crow, squirrel (gray, fox, and red), snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, raccoon, fox (red and gray), striped skunk, coyote, opossum, and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (v) of this section apply.
We prohibit single projectile ammunition for hunting upland game and furbearers, except that we allow hunters to use small-caliber rimfire rifles and handguns (.22 caliber and smaller) on designated areas of the refuge.
We prohibit the use of dogs for hunting furbearers. We allow the use of dogs while hunting upland game birds.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
You may only hunt fox, opossum, and raccoon from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset, from the beginning of the State season through the last day of February, on designated areas of the refuge.
You may only hunt coyotes and skunks from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset, from September 1 through the last day of February, on designated areas of the refuge.
You may only hunt crows during the State-designated crow seasons, which occur between September 1 and the last day of February, on designated areas of the refuge.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (v) of this section apply.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge during daylight hours subject to the following conditions:
The condition set forth at paragraph (j)(1)(iv) of this section applies.
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds throughout the district subject to the following conditions:
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the district at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the district subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (k)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
We prohibit the possession of single projectile ammunition for hunting on the Soberg waterfowl production area (WPA).
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting throughout the district subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (k)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
We prohibit firearms deer hunting on Soberg WPA.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing throughout the district subject to the following conditions: The condition set forth at paragraph (k)(1)(ii) of this section applies.
Morris Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the designated portions of the Edward-Long Lake waterfowl production area (WPA) in Stevens County. The following conditions apply:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders, including those made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
All boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property (see 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the WPA, must be removed at the end of each day.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of upland game, except that we prohibit hunting on the designated portions of the Edward-Long Lake WPA in Stevens County. The following conditions apply:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (l)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
You may use and possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of deer throughout the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the designated portions of the Edward-Long Lake WPA in Stevens County. The following condition applies: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (l)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply.
Sport fishing. We allow fishing throughout the district, except that we prohibit fishing on the designated portions of the Edward-Long WPA in Stevens County. The following condition applies: The condition set forth at paragraph (l)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, merganser, moorhen, coot, rail (Virginia and sora only), woodcock, common snipe, mourning dove, and sandhill crane subject to the following conditions:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We allow hunting on the unit located within the Hiawatha Game Refuge in Pipestone County, as governed by applicable State regulations.
We allow hunting on the Spieker tract in Clay County, as governed by applicable State regulations.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, Hungarian partridge, prairie chicken, spruce grouse, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, rabbit (cottontail and jack), snowshoe hare, squirrel (fox and gray), raccoon, opossum, fox (red and gray), badger, coyote, bobcat, striped skunk, and crow on designated areas subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (m)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this section apply.
We prohibit the use of dogs for hunting furbearers. For all other upland game, we allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of deer, elk, and black bear on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (m)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this section apply.
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
The condition set forth at paragraph (m)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of woodcock and common snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, gray and fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and snowshoe hare on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (n)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We require a State-issued permit for firearms hunting.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (n)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply.
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We only allow fishing from nonmotorized boats or boats powered by electric motors in designated areas.
The condition set forth at paragraph (n)(1)(iii) of this section applies.
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
Rydell National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, woodcock, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We only allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot during the special State-administered youth waterfowl season.
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
We allow nonmotorized boats in areas open to migratory bird hunting during the special State-administered youth waterfowl season.
We prohibit hunting during the Spring Light Goose Conservation Order.
We allow the use of wheeled, nonmotorized conveyance devices (e.g., bikes, game carts).
We prohibit entry onto the refuge earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting time, and we require hunters to leave the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal shooting time.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ring-necked pheasant, gray (Hungarian) partridge, ruffed grouse, prairie grouse, rabbit (cottontail and jack), snowshoe hare, squirrel (fox and gray), and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (o)(1)(ii), (iii), (vi), and (vii) of this section apply.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
We prohibit the use of centerfire, rimfire, or muzzleloading rifles, and handguns.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit shooting at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation.
We require a State-issued permit to hunt white-tailed deer in the Special Permit Area of the refuge.
Archery is the only legal weapon for hunting deer, with the exception of during the special State-administered mentored youth hunt and disabled hunt.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
We allow fishing from May 1 through November 1.
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, merganser, coot, Sora/Virginia rail, woodcock, snipe, common moorhen/gallinule, mourning dove, and American crow on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We prohibit entry onto the refuge earlier than 2 hours before legal shooting time, and we require hunters to leave the refuge no later than 2 hours after legal shooting time.
You may only hunt American crow from September 1 through the end of February within the migratory bird hunting area. We prohibit hunting from March 1 through August 31.
We allow only nonmotorized boats, and they must be launched at designated access sites.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, gray and fox squirrel, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (p)(1)(i) through (v) of this section apply.
We allow spring turkey hunting for youth hunters and persons with disabilities, and fall turkey hunting for all hunters, on designated areas of the refuge.
You may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) in the field while hunting turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (p)(1)(ii) through (vi) of this section apply.
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
From March 1 through August 31 (the refuge wildlife sanctuary period), we allow fishing only from nonmotorized boats on the designated canoe route and on banks within 100 yards (91.44 meters) both upstream and downstream of designated access points.
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow the hunting of goose, duck, coot, woodcock, snipe, rail (Virginia and Sora), mourning dove, and American crow on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
Hunting by tribal members is governed by White Earth Reservation regulations on those portions of the Reservation that are a part of the refuge.
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
You may hunt American crow from September 1 through the end of February within all migratory bird hunting areas, and from March 1 through the end of season in areas open to migratory bird hunting south of County Highway 26.
Hunters must dismantle hunting blinds, platforms, and ladders made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey; bobcat; ruffed grouse; red, gray, and fox squirrel; cottontail rabbit; jackrabbit; snowshoe hare; red fox; raccoon; and striped skunk on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
You may only hunt fox and raccoon from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset from the beginning of the State season through the last day of February within all upland game hunting areas, and from March 1 through the end of the season in areas open to upland game hunting south of County Highway 26.
You may only hunt striped skunk from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until legal sunset from September 1 through the last day of February.
During the fall season, you may hunt wild turkey as governed by State and Tribal seasons and regulations throughout the refuge. During the spring seasons, you may only hunt wild turkey south of County Highway 26, minus the areas east of County Highway 29, north of Pine Lake, and west of Chippewa Water Control Structure Road.
You may possess only approved nontoxic shells (see 32.2(k)) when hunting wild turkey.
We allow the use of dogs when hunting, except when hunting furbearers, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (q)(1)(ii), (iii), and (v) of this section apply.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet (9 meters) of a road edge open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (q)(1)(i), (ii), and (v) of this section apply.
Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We allow fishing in North Tamarac Lake, Wauboose Lake, and Two Island Lake year-round as governed by State and/or White Earth Reservation regulations.
We allow fishing in Blackbird Lake and Lost Lake from the first day of the State walleye season through Labor Day as governed by State and/or White Earth Reservation regulations.
We allow fishing in Pine Lake from December 1 until March 31.
We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, or mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
The condition set forth at paragraph (q)(1)(ii) of this section applies.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit migratory bird hunting from March 16 through August 31 each year.
You cannot reserve hunting areas, except at Potter's Marsh Managed Hunt Area, Pool 13, near Thomson, Illinois.
In areas posted and shown on maps as “Closed to All Access,” we prohibit public entry, to include hunting and fishing, at all times. This area is named and located as follows: Crooked Slough Backwater, Pool 13, Illinois, 2,453 acres.
In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry— Sanctuary,” we prohibit hunting at all times and all public entry except as specified. These areas are named and located as follows:
Pool Slough, Pool 9, Minnesota/Iowa, 1,126 acres.
Bertom Island, Pool 11, Wisconsin, 31 acres.
Guttenberg Ponds, Pool 11, Iowa, 252 acres.
Spring Lake, Pool 13, Illinois, 3,697 acres.
In areas posted and shown on maps as “Area Closed” and “Area Closed— No Motors,” we prohibit migratory bird hunting at all times. 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 “no motors,” we prohibit the use of motors on watercraft from October 15 to the end of the respective State duck season.
The areas posted and marked on maps as “Area Closed” are named and located as follows— (1) Big Lake, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 2,210 acres.
(2) Weaver Bottoms/Lost Island, Pool 5, Minnesota/Wisconsin, 3,508 acres.
(3) Polander Lake, Pool 5A, Minnesota/Wisconsin, 1,873 acres.
(4) Lake Onalaska, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 7,366 acres (voluntary avoidance on 3,365 acres until mid-November).
(5) Wisconsin Islands, Pool 8, Minnesota/Wisconsin, 6,538 acres.
(6) Harpers Slough, Pool 9, Iowa/Wisconsin, 5,209 acres.
(7) Wisconsin River Delta, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 1,414 acres (closed November 1 to end of duck season).
(8) 12-Mile Island, Pool 11, Iowa, 1,139 acres.
(9) Bertom-McCartney, Pool 11, Wisconsin, 2,384 acres (no voluntary avoidance provision).
(10) Pleasant Creek, Pool 13, Iowa, 2,191 acres.
(11) Elk River, Pool 13, Iowa, 1,248 acres.
The areas posted and marked on maps as “Area Closed— No Motors” are named and located as follows:
(1) Peterson Lake, Pool 4, Wisconsin 572 acres.
(2) Rieck's Lake, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 499 acres.
(3) Spring Lake, Pool 5, Wisconsin, 254 acres.
(4) Sturgeon Slough, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 340 acres.
(5) 12-Mile Island, Pool 10, Iowa, 540 acres.
(6) John Deere Marsh, Pool 11, Iowa, 439 acres.
(7) Kehough Slough, Pool 12, Illinois, 333 acres.
(8) Beaver Island, Pool 14, Iowa, 864 acres.
In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Hunting Zone” or “No Hunting or Trapping Zone,” we prohibit hunting at all times. These areas are named and located as follows:
Buffalo River, Pool 4, Wisconsin, 219 acres.
Fountain City Bay, Pool 5A, Wisconsin, 24 acres.
Upper Halfway Creek Marsh, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 143 acres.
Brice Prairie Tract, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 186 acres.
Hunter's Point, Pool 8, Wisconsin, 82 acres.
Goose Island, Pool 8, Wisconsin, 984 acres (also no motors and voluntary avoidance).
Sturgeon Slough, Pool 10, Wisconsin, 66 acres.
Goetz Island Trail, Pool 11, Iowa, 31 acres.
Crooked Slough Proper, Pool 13, Illinois, 270 acres.
Frog Pond, Pool 13, Illinois, 64 acres.
Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, Pool 13, Illinois, 41 acres.
Amann Tract, Pool 7, Wisconsin, 0.21 acre.
Lost Mound Unit Office and River Road, Pool 13, Illinois, 175 acres.
In the area posted and shown on maps as “Mesquaki Lake No Hunting Zone,” Pool 13, Illinois, we prohibit hunting migratory birds from April 1 through September 30.
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 also apply in this area.
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
We allow working a dog in refuge waters by tossing a retrieval dummy or other object for out-and-back exercise.
You may use natural material for temporary blinds, with restrictions. You may hunt from a boat blind or pop-up blind, or you may construct a temporary blind of natural materials. You may gather grasses and marsh vegetation (e.g., willow, cattail, bulrush, lotus, and/or arrowhead) from the refuge for blind-building materials. However, you may not gather, bring onto the refuge, or use for blind building any tree(s) or other plant parts, including dead wood on the ground, greater than 2 inches (5 centimeters (cm)) in diameter.
We require a 200-yard (182.9-meter) spacing distance between hunting parties on the Illinois portions of the refuge in Pools 12, 13, and 14.
You may set up hunting equipment the day of the hunt, but you must remove it at the end of each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter). You may place and leave hunting equipment and decoys on the refuge only from 1 hour before the start of legal shooting hours until 1/2 hour after the close of legal shooting hours.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of upland game on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit upland game hunting from March 16 through August 31 each year, except for spring wild turkey hunting and squirrel hunting on the Illinois portion of the refuge.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (r)(1)(ii) through (iv), (vi), (ix), (xi), and (xiii) of this section apply
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. 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.
In the area posted and shown on maps as “Mesquaki Lake No Hunting Zone,” Pool 13, Illinois, we prohibit hunting upland game from April 1 to September 30.
For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see § 32.2(k)) while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of big game on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
We prohibit big game hunting from March 16 through August 31 each year.
In areas closed to public access on the Lost Mound Unit of Savanna District, Illinois, we allow firearm deer hunts as established by the refuge manager.
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (r)(1)(ii) through (iv), (vi), (ix), (xi), and (xiii) and (r)(2)(v) of this section apply.
In areas posted and shown on maps as “No Entry— Sanctuary” 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 at paragraph (r)(1)(iv) of this section.
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. 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.
In the area posted and shown on maps as “Mesquaki Lake No Hunting Zone,” Pool 13, Illinois, we prohibit big game hunting from April 1 to September 30.
On refuge-managed lands in Illinois, we prohibit organized drives for deer. 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(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.
Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
The conditions set forth at paragraphs (r)(1)(iii) and (xi) of this section apply.
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.
Commercial fishing in Spring Lake, Pool 13, Illinois, requires a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-C) issued by the refuge or district manager (see § 31.13 of this chapter).
Windom Wetland Management District—
Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Worthington waterfowl production area (WPA) in Nobles County and on designated portions of the Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood County. The following conditions apply:
You must remove all boats, decoys, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal property brought onto the district at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of upland game on designated areas of the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Worthington WPA in Nobles County and on designated portions of the Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood County. The following condition applies: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (s)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply.
Big game hunting. We allow hunting of big game on designated areas of the district, except that we prohibit hunting on the Worthington WPA in Nobles County and on designated portions of the Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood County. The following conditions apply:
We allow the use of portable stands.
The condition set forth at paragraph (s)(1)(i) of this section applies.
Sport fishing. We allow fishing throughout the district subject to the following condition: The condition set forth at paragraph (s)(1)(i) of this section applies.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54119, Aug. 31, 2020; 86 FR 48868, Aug. 31, 2021; 89 FR 88166, Nov. 7, 2024]
Source
Source: 84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, unless otherwise noted.
Authority
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd-668ee, and 715i; Pub. L. 115-20, 131 Stat. 86.
Source
Source: 58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, unless otherwise noted.
Amendments
[84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54119, Aug. 31, 2020; 86 FR 48868, Aug. 31, 2021; 89 FR 88166, Nov. 7, 2024]