Missisquoi 

National 

Wildlife Refuge

2007 Upland Game/

Big Game Hunting

Map, Regulations

and Permit

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

29 Tabor Road

Swanton, VT 05488-8159

802/868 4781

www.fws.gov/northeast/missisquoi/

Federal Relay Service 

for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1 800/877 8339 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD

http://www.fws.gov

June 2007

Open season will be as follows:

September 1 to December 31, 2007.

September 30, 2006 to March 11, 2007 and

September 29, 2007 to March 9, 2008.

September 29 to December 31, 2007.

Only deer may be hunted.

Hunters may not enter closed areas of

the refuge for any reason, except for the

recovery of legally harvested animals

with the consent of a refuge employee,

and in that case may not carry a

weapon.

Only shotguns, muzzleloaders, or

archery equipment may be used on open

areas east and north of Vermont Route

78. Rifles may not be used in these areas

at any time.

During the State-designated

muzzleloader season and Youth Deer

Hunting Weekend, hunters may hunt

the Long Marsh and Metcalfe Island

areas, in addition to other open areas. 

All hunters, during the State regular

firearms season, Youth Deer Hunting

Weekend, and muzzleloader deer hunt

must wear in a conspicuous manner on

head, chest and back a minimum of 400

square inches of solid-colored hunter

orange clothing or material. Permanent tree stands and ground

blinds are prohibited. Temporary

portable tree stands and ground blinds

are acceptable in accordance with state

regulations guiding their use on state

wildlife management areas. Written

notation from the refuge manager is

required on the big game permit prior

to leaving a temporary stand or blind

unattended. However, this does not

grant exclusive use of an area or site.

Open season will be as follows:

October 6 to October 28, and 

December 1 to December 9, 2007.

November 10 to November 25, 2007.

December 1 to December 9, 2007.

November 3 to 4, 2007

Gray Squirrel

Rabbits and Hare

Ruffed Grouse

Big Game

Archery Season

Regular Season

Muzzleloader

Season Youth Deer Hunt

Littering

Spotlighting - artificial light may not be

used to locate wildlife.

Baiting or hunting over bait, salt or any

attractant.

Target practice

Use or possession of alcoholic beverages

while hunting. 

Taking of wildlife or plants (including

cutting trees or brush) other than as

specified in this brochure.

Driving or screwing a nail, spike or

other metal object into a tree or to hunt

from any tree in which such an object

has been driven.

Searching for or removing any object of

antiquity including arrowheads, pottery

or other artifacts.

Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited

in hunting areas.

Prohibited

Activities

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
General 

Information

Hunting 

Regulations

Permits

Reporting

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge,

established in 1943, is located on the

eastern shore of Lake Champlain near

the Canadian border in Franklin County,

Vermont. Hunting and fishing is

permitted on portions of the refuge, in

accordance with State and Federal

seasons and regulations. Special

arrangements can be made to

accommodate persons with disabilities

by contacting the Refuge Manager.

To ensure your safety and enjoyment

while visiting Missisquoi, please take the

time to become familiar with the

following regulations.

Individuals utilizing the refuge are

subject to inspections of permits,

licenses, hunting equipment, game

bagged, boats, vehicles, and their

contents by federal or state officers.

The regulations below are contained in

the general regulations which govern

hunting on national wildlife refuges as

set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal

Regulations. 

Note: The hunting of moose, bear, and

turkey are not allowed on the refuge,

please see Vermont regulations for areas

open to these species.

All persons hunting upland or big game

on Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

must hold a valid state hunting license

in order to obtain a permit at refuge

headquarters prior to hunting. The

permit is issued on a calendar year

basis, January 1 through December 31,

for a $10 annual fee.

During the Youth Deer Hunting Weekend, youth hunters (16 years and

younger) may hunt at no charge, but

must obtain a big game permit prior to

hunting and must return completed

harvest information to refuge

headquarters by December 31. 

All hunters are required to submit an

annual report of the results of their hunt

by December 31 by completing the

report portion of their permit. Failure to

do so will result in denial of a permit for

the following year.

Mac‘s Bend Boat

Launching Area

Long

Marsh

Bay

Gander

Bay

Goose

Bay R i v r

Creek C C k D d C k T b Sh

Missisquoi

Bay Bridge

Maquam Bay C nt V m nt R d

Swanton R d R dHog Island

Old Refuge

Headquarters

Private

Private

Private

0 .25 .5 .75 1 Mile

Scale U

Private C k

Louie’s Landing

Boat Launching Area

Martindale

Point

had Is. Old R il d G

Private

78 QV m

Ve rmo n t Fi s h

and Wildlife

North

Safety Zone

78 d R d Mi i q i Cha al

Refuge Boundary

Refuge Headquarters

Primary Road

Unpaved Road

Railroad Track

Old Railroad Passage

Boat Launch

Upland Game & Deer

Hunting Area

Safety Zone (No Hunting)

Muzzleloader Season &

Youth Weekend Only

NOTE: All other refuge lands are closed to hunting.

LegendLake Champlain Metcalfe etcalfe

Island Metcalfe

New Refuge

Headquarters

Private

Private

Private

6/04

Unarmed hunters may scout areas that

will be open to hunting before a

particular season opens but in no case

before September 1. A hunting permit is

not required for scouting.

To protect waterfowl and other

migratory birds from potential lead

poisoning, nontoxic shot will be required

for the shotgun hunting of all species

except deer.

Dogs are allowed for hunting migratory

game birds, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe

hare, and ruffed grouse during

designated seasons only. Other dogs and

pets must be confined or on a leash.

No person, including but not limited to a

guide, guide service, outfitter, club, or

other organization shall provide

assistance, services, or equipment to any

other person for compensation on

National Wildlife Refuge lands unless

such person, guide, guide service,

outfitter, club or other organization has

obtained a Special Use Permit from the

Refuge Manager. Likewise, it is the

responsibility of the individual utilizing

the services of a guide, guide service,

etc. to verify that the guide, guide

service, etc. has obtained the required

permit. Failure to comply with this

provision subjects each hunter in the

party to a fine if convicted of this

violation.

Only ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit,

snowshoe hare and gray squirrels may

be hunted.

Hunters may not enter closed areas of

the refuge for any reason, except for the

recovery of legally harvested animals,

and in that case may not carry a

weapon.

Only shotguns, muzzleloaders, or

archery equipment may be used on open

areas east of the Missisquoi River and

on Shad Island. 

Hunting is not permitted from the end

of snowshoe hare and rabbit season

through September 1.

Scouting

Ammunition

Dogs/Other Pets

Guiding/Other

Commercial

Activities

Upland Game

Robert Savannah