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| ![](med | United States Department of the Interior         | !       |
| ia/imag |                                                  | [](medi |
| e1.png) | FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE                        | a/image |
| {width= |                                                  | 2.png){ |
| "1.0in" |                                                  | width=" |
| h       |                                                  | 0.83819 |
| eight=" |                                                  | 4444444 |
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|         | Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and    |         |
|         | Fish Refuge                                      |         |
|         |                                                  |         |
|         | 7071 Riverview Road                              |         |
|         |                                                  |         |
|         | Thomson, Illinois 61285                          |         |
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July 11, 2006

**Waterfowl Hunting Guidelines Proposed for 2006-07**

**Savanna District -- Mississippi River Pools 12, 13 & 14**

In accordance with the Upper Miss Refuge's Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan, the following waterfowl hunting guidelines are
proposed for the 2006-07 hunt season on the Savanna District,
Mississippi River Pools 12, 13 and 14. These proposed guidelines will
become final upon the anticipated late August approval of the Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan. This is only a summary fact sheet,
refer to the Refuge waterfowl hunting brochure (to be available in late
August) for specific regulations. These guidelines do not apply to the
Potter's Marsh Managed Waterfowl Hunt, Pool 13 in Illinois.

[1. NEW GUIDELINES: PHASE-OUT OF PERMANENT BLINDS AND OVERNIGHT
DECOYS.]{.underline}

a\. The use of permanent blinds and overnight decoys will be phased-out
on Savanna District beginning in the 2006-07 hunting season.

b\. The time table for phase-out is as follows: the last year for
permanent blinds and overnight decoys in Pool 12 is 2006-07; Pool 14 is
2007-08; Pool 13 is 2008-09. This phase-out sequence will allow the
greatest number of permanent blind holders (Pool 13) the longest amount
of time to find alternative hunting methods. During the phase-out year,
both permanent blinds and overnight decoys are allowed.

c\. During the phase-out year, all permanent blinds (Illinois and Iowa)
must be registered by placing a waterproof identification card inside
the blind identifying the hunter's name, address, and telephone number.
If blinds are not registered with this information prior to the opening
day of the waterfowl hunt season within each respective state, they will
be removed by Refuge staff.

d\. During the phase-out year, all permanent blind materials, including
materials located within a 100 yard radius of the blind, must be removed
from the Refuge within 30 days after the close of the waterfowl hunting
season. The cutting of wooden support poles or any other blind materials
(including boat hide) at the water line is not allowed, you must remove
all materials from the site to prevent a boating hazard.

e\. A Notice of Violation will be issued to the registered blind holder
if all permanent blind (and boat hide) materials located within a 100
yard radius of the blind are not removed from the Refuge within 30 days
after the close of the waterfowl hunting season during the phase-out
year.

[2. GUIDELINES THAT HAVE NOT CHANGED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.]{.underline}

a\. Tag Day (first Saturday in August) in Illinois will continue in each
pool during the phase-out year. Blinds cannot be constructed prior to
Tag Day which begins at 8:00AM on August 5, 2006. Blinds must be
completely built and camouflaged by September 1 or the tagged blind site
marker and all remaining blind materials must be removed. Blinds may
still be constructed after September 1, however, blind site markers and
left-over materials cannot be left in place after this

**-continued on back-**

date.

b\. In Iowa, you can construct a blind any time of year.

c\. In Illinois, a 200 yard distance is required between permanent
blinds, and between boat blinds and permanent blinds.

d\. Only biodegradable materials can be used in the construction of
blinds.

e\. The clearing of any vegetation within 50 yards radius of a blind
site is prohibited. Willow,

cattail, bulrush, lotus and/or arrowhead may be cut from Refuge lands
for camouflage. You cannot bring onto the Refuge (or cut from the
Refuge) any non-native plants, including phragmites (giant reed grass),
for use as camouflage material.

f\. The use or possession of alcohol while hunting is prohibited.

[3. GUIDELINES THAT WILL CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.]{.underline}

a\. The construction of permanent blinds using manmade materials and the
use of overnight decoys will be prohibited on the Savanna District
following the phase-out within each area.

b\. Methods of waterfowl hunting will be in accordance with State and
Refuge regulations.

c\. At the end of each day's hunt, you must remove all manmade blind
materials you brought onto the Refuge. You are allowed to leave only
seasonal blinds, made entirely of natural vegetation measuring less than
2 inches in stem diameter, and biodegradable twines. All such blinds are
considered public property and are open for use by any person on a
first-come basis.

d\. You are allowed to gather only willow, grasses, marsh vegetation,
and dead wood on the ground from the Refuge for blind-building
materials. These blind building materials cannot exceed a 2 inch stem
diameter. Cutting or removing any other vegetation from the Refuge is
prohibited.

e\. Constructing hunting blinds from rocks placed for shoreline
protection is prohibited.

f\. Within the Illinois portion of Savanna District, hunting parties
must maintain a 200 yard distance between each group.

g\. You may not place or leave decoys on the Refuge during the time from
½ hour after the close of legal shooting hours, until 1 hour before the
start of legal shooting hours.

h\. Hunting methods may include the use of boat blinds, scull boats,
portable blinds, shoreline hunting and jump shooting.

i\. You may not leave any personal property that is related to hunting,
including boat blinds, on the Refuge overnight.