35136 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 111 / Thursday, June 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

50 CFR Part 32 

[Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0055; 

FXRS12610900000–223–FF09R20000] 

RIN 1018–BF66 

2022–2023 Station-Specific Hunting 

and Sport Fishing Regulations 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: Consistent with the steadfast 

commitment to access to our National 

Wildlife Refuges and continued efforts 

to provide hunting and fishing 

opportunities, we, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service), propose to 

open, for the first time, two National 

Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) that are 

currently closed to hunting and sport 

fishing. In addition, we propose to open 

or expand hunting or sport fishing at 17 

other NWRs and add pertinent stationspecific regulations for other NWRs that 

pertain to migratory game bird hunting, 

upland game hunting, big game hunting, 

or sport fishing for the 2022–2023 

season. We also propose to make 

changes to existing station-specific 

regulations in order to reduce the 

regulatory burden on the public, 

increase access for hunters and anglers 

on Service lands and waters, and 

comply with a Presidential mandate for 

plain language standards. Finally, the 

best available science, analyzed as part 

of this proposed rulemaking, indicates 

that lead ammunition and tackle may 

have negative impacts on both wildlife 

and human health, and that those 

impacts are more acute for some 

species. Therefore, while the Service 

continues to evaluate the future of lead 

use in hunting and fishing on Service 

lands and waters, this rulemaking 

provides a measured approach in not 

adding to the use of lead on refuge 

lands. The Service will seek input from 

partners in methods to address the use 

of lead and commits to a transparent 

process in doing so. 

DATES:

Written comments: We will accept 

comments received or postmarked on or 

before August 8, 2022. 

Information collection requirements: 

If you wish to comment on the 

information collection requirements in 

this proposed rule, please note that the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) is required to make a decision 

concerning the collection of information 

contained in this proposed rule between 

30 and 60 days after publication of this 

proposed rule in the Federal Register. 

Therefore, comments should be 

submitted to OMB by August 8, 2022. 

ADDRESSES:

Written comments: You may submit 

comments by one of the following 

methods: 

• Electronically: Go to the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal: https://

www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, 

type in FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0055, 

which is the docket number for this 

rulemaking. Then, click on the Search 

button. On the resulting screen, find the 

correct document and submit a 

comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment.’’ 

• By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail 

or hand delivery: Public Comments 

Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–NWRS– 

2022–0055, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB 

(JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 22041– 

3803. 

We will not accept email or faxes. We 

will post all comments on https://

www.regulations.gov. This generally 

means that we will post any personal 

information you provide us (see Request 

for Comments, below, for more 

information). 

Information collection requirements: 

Written comments and suggestions on 

the information collection requirements 

should be submitted by the date 

specified above in DATES to https://

www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 

Find this particular information 

collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 

Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or 

by using the search function. Please 

provide a copy of your comments to 

Service Information Collection 

Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, 

MS: PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 

22041–3803 (mail); or Info_Coll@fws.gov 

(email). Please reference OMB Control 

Number 1018–0140 in the subject line of 

your comments. 

Supporting documents: For 

information on a specific refuge’s or 

hatchery’s public use program and the 

conditions that apply to it, contact the 

respective regional office at the address 

or phone number given in Available 

Information for Specific Stations under 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate 

Harrigan, (703) 358–2440. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 

668dd–668ee), as amended 

(Administration Act), closes NWRs in 

all States except Alaska to all uses until 

opened. The Secretary of the Interior 

(Secretary) may open refuge areas to any 

use, including hunting and/or sport 

fishing, upon a determination that the 

use is compatible with the purposes of 

the refuge and National Wildlife Refuge 

System mission. The action also must be 

in accordance with provisions of all 

laws applicable to the areas, developed 

in coordination with the appropriate 

State fish and wildlife agency(ies), 

consistent with the principles of sound 

fish and wildlife management and 

administration, and otherwise in the 

public interest. These requirements 

ensure that we maintain the biological 

integrity, diversity, and environmental 

health of the Refuge System for the 

benefit of present and future generations 

of Americans. 

We annually review hunting and 

sport fishing programs to determine 

whether to include additional stations 

or whether individual station 

regulations governing existing programs 

need modifications. Changing 

environmental conditions, State and 

Federal regulations, and other factors 

affecting fish and wildlife populations 

and habitat may warrant modifications 

to station-specific regulations to ensure 

the continued compatibility of hunting 

and sport fishing programs and to 

ensure that these programs will not 

materially interfere with or detract from 

the fulfillment of station purposes or the 

Service’s mission. 

Provisions governing hunting and 

sport fishing on refuges are in title 50 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations at part 

32 (50 CFR part 32), and on hatcheries 

at part 71 (50 CFR part 71). We regulate 

hunting and sport fishing to: 

• Ensure compatibility with refuge 

and hatchery purpose(s); 

• Properly manage fish and wildlife 

resource(s); 

• Protect other values; 

• Ensure visitor safety; and 

• Provide opportunities for fish- and 

wildlife-dependent recreation. 

On many stations where we decide to 

allow hunting and sport fishing, our 

general policy of adopting regulations 

identical to State hunting and sport 

fishing regulations is adequate in 

meeting these objectives. On other 

stations, we must supplement State 

regulations with more-restrictive 

Federal regulations to ensure that we 

meet our management responsibilities, 

as outlined under Statutory Authority, 

below. We issue station-specific hunting 

and sport fishing regulations when we 

open wildlife refuges and fish 

hatcheries to migratory game bird 

hunting, upland game hunting, big game 

hunting, or sport fishing. These 

regulations may list the wildlife species 


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that you may hunt or fish; seasons; bag 

or creel (container for carrying fish) 

limits; methods of hunting or sport 

fishing; descriptions of areas open to 

hunting or sport fishing; and other 

provisions as appropriate. 

Statutory Authority 

The Administration Act, as amended 

by the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997 (Improvement 

Act; Pub. L. 105–57), governs the 

administration and public use of 

refuges, and the Refuge Recreation Act 

of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k–460k-4) 

(Recreation Act) governs the 

administration and public use of refuges 

and hatcheries. 

Amendments enacted by the 

Improvement Act were built upon the 

Administration Act in a manner that 

provides an ‘‘organic act’’ for the Refuge 

System, similar to organic acts that exist 

for other public Federal lands. The 

Improvement Act serves to ensure that 

we effectively manage the Refuge 

System as a national network of lands, 

waters, and interests for the protection 

and conservation of our Nation’s 

wildlife resources. The Administration 

Act states first and foremost that we 

focus our Refuge System mission on 

conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant 

resources and their habitats. The 

Improvement Act requires the Secretary, 

before allowing a new use of a refuge, 

or before expanding, renewing, or 

extending an existing use of a refuge, to 

determine that the use is compatible 

with the purpose for which the refuge 

was established and the mission of the 

Refuge System. The Improvement Act 

established as the policy of the United 

States that wildlife-dependent 

recreation, when compatible, is a 

legitimate and appropriate public use of 

the Refuge System, through which the 

American public can develop an 

appreciation for fish and wildlife. The 

Improvement Act established six 

wildlife-dependent recreational uses as 

the priority general public uses of the 

Refuge System. These uses are hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation and 

photography, and environmental 

education and interpretation. 

The Recreation Act authorizes the 

Secretary to administer areas within the 

Refuge System and Hatchery System for 

public recreation as an appropriate 

incidental or secondary use only to the 

extent that doing so is practicable and 

not inconsistent with the primary 

purpose(s) for which Congress and the 

Service established the areas. The 

Recreation Act requires that any 

recreational use of refuge or hatchery 

lands be compatible with the primary 

purpose(s) for which we established the 

refuge and not inconsistent with other 

previously authorized operations. 

The Administration Act and 

Recreation Act also authorize the 

Secretary to issue regulations to carry 

out the purposes of the Acts and 

regulate uses. 

We develop specific management 

plans for each refuge prior to opening it 

to hunting or sport fishing. In many 

cases, we develop station-specific 

regulations to ensure the compatibility 

of the programs with the purpose(s) for 

which we established the refuge or 

hatchery and the Refuge and Hatchery 

System mission. We ensure initial 

compliance with the Administration Act 

and the Recreation Act for hunting and 

sport fishing on newly acquired land 

through an interim determination of 

compatibility made at or near the time 

of acquisition. These regulations ensure 

that we make the determinations 

required by these acts prior to adding 

refuges to the lists of areas open to 

hunting and sport fishing in 50 CFR 

parts 32 and 71. We ensure continued 

compliance by the development of 

comprehensive conservation plans and 

step-down management plans, and by 

annual review of hunting and sport 

fishing programs and regulations. 

Proposed Amendments to Existing 

Regulations 

Updates to Hunting and Fishing 

Opportunities on NWRs 

This document proposes to codify in 

the Code of Federal Regulations all of 

the Service’s hunting and/or sport 

fishing regulations that we would 

update since the last time we published 

a rule amending these regulations (86 

FR 48822; August 31, 2021) and that are 

applicable at Refuge System units 

previously opened to hunting and/or 

sport fishing. We propose this to better 

inform the general public of the 

regulations at each station, to increase 

understanding and compliance with 

these regulations, and to make 

enforcement of these regulations more 

efficient. In addition to now finding 

these regulations in 50 CFR parts 32, 

visitors to our stations may find them 

reiterated in literature distributed by 

each station or posted on signs. 

TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES FOR 2022–2023 HUNTING/SPORT FISHING SEASON

Station State Migratory bird 

hunting 

Upland game 

hunting 

Big game 

hunting Sport fishing 

Baskett Slough NWR ...................... Oregon ........................................... E ..................... Closed ............ Closed ............ Closed. 

Blackwater NWR ............................ Maryland ........................................ E ..................... O ..................... E ..................... Already Open. 

Canaan Valley NWR ...................... West Virginia .................................. Already Open .. Already Open .. E ..................... Already Open. 

Chincoteague NWR ........................ Virginia ........................................... O ..................... O ..................... O/E ................. Already Open. 

Crab Orchard NWR ........................ Illinois ............................................. E ..................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open. 

Eastern Neck NWR ........................ Maryland ........................................ Closed ............. O ..................... E ..................... Already Open. 

Erie NWR ........................................ Pennsylvania .................................. O ..................... O ..................... O ..................... E. 

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR South Carolina ............................... Already Open .. Closed ............ E ..................... Already Open. 

Great Thicket NWR ........................ New York/Maine ............................. O ..................... O ..................... O ..................... Closed. 

James River NWR .......................... Virginia ........................................... O ..................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open. 

Patoka River NWR and Management Area.Indiana ........................................... E ..................... E ..................... E ..................... E. 

Patuxent Research Refuge ............ Maryland ........................................ E ..................... E ..................... E ..................... Already Open. 

Rachel Carson NWR ...................... Maine ............................................. Already Open .. C ..................... E ..................... Already Open. 

Rappahannock River Valley NWR Virginia ........................................... O ..................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open. 

San Diego NWR ............................. California ........................................ Closed ............ O ..................... O ..................... Closed. 

Shawangunk Grasslands NWR ...... New York ....................................... Closed ............ Closed ............ O/E ................. Closed. 

Trustom Pond NWR ....................... Rhode Island .................................. Already Open .. O ..................... O ..................... Already Open. 

Turnbull NWR ................................. Washington .................................... Already Open .. Closed ............ O ..................... Closed. 

Wallops Island NWR ...................... Virginia ........................................... O ..................... O ..................... O ..................... Closed. 

Key: 

N = New station opened (New Station). 


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O = New species and/or new activity on a station previously open to other activities (Opening). 

E = Station already open to activity adds new lands/waters, modifies areas open to hunting or fishing, extends season dates, adds a targeted 

hunt, modifies season dates, modifies hunting hours, etc. (Expansion). 

C = Station closing certain species or the activity on some or all acres (Closing). 

The changes for the 2022–2023 

hunting/fishing season noted in the 

table above are each based on a 

complete administrative record which, 

among other detailed documentation, 

also includes a hunt plan, a 

compatibility determination (for 

refuges), and the appropriate National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) analysis, all of 

which were the subject of a public 

review and comment process. These 

documents are available upon request. 

The Service remains concerned that 

lead is an important issue and will 

continue to appropriately evaluate and 

regulate lead ammunition and tackle on 

Service lands and waters. The best 

available science, analyzed as part of 

this proposed rulemaking, indicates that 

lead ammunition and tackle may have 

negative impacts on both wildlife and 

human health. Therefore, while the 

Service continues to evaluate the future 

of lead use in hunting and fishing on 

Service lands and waters, this 

rulemaking does not include any 

opportunities that would increase the 

use of lead on refuge lands. Patoka River 

NWR is proposing to require non-lead 

ammunition and tackle by fall 2026, and 

if adopted in the final rule, this refugespecific proposed regulation would take 

effect on September 1, 2026. Blackwater, 

Canaan Valley, Chincoteague, Eastern 

Neck, Erie, Great Thicket, Patuxent 

Research Refuge, Rachel Carson, and 

Wallops Island NWRs have analyzed the 

phase-out of lead ammunition and 

tackle by fall 2026 for their proposed 

hunting and fishing opportunities in 

their individual environmental 

assessments and hunting and fishing 

plans, and plan to propose the 

regulatory requirement for using nonlead ammunition in the 2026–2027 

annual rule. 

Fish Advisory 

For health reasons, anglers should 

review and follow State-issued 

consumption advisories before enjoying 

recreational sport fishing opportunities 

on Service-managed waters. You can 

find information about current fishconsumption advisories on the internet 

at https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech. 

Request for Comments 

You may submit comments and 

materials on this proposed rule by one 

of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We 

will not accept comments sent by email 

or fax or to an address not listed in 

ADDRESSES. We will not consider handdelivered comments that we do not 

receive, or mailed comments that are 

not postmarked, by the date specified in 

DATES. 

We will post your entire comment on 

https://www.regulations.gov. Before 

including personal identifying 

information in your comment, you 

should be aware that we may make your 

entire comment—including your 

personal identifying information— 

publicly available at any time. While 

you can ask us in your comment to 

withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. We will post all hardcopy 

comments on https://

www.regulations.gov. 

Required Determinations 

Clarity of This Proposed Rule 

Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 

and the Presidential Memorandum of 

June 1, 1998, require us to write all rules 

in plain language. This means that each 

rule we publish must: 

(a) Be logically organized; 

(b) Use the active voice to address 

readers directly; 

(c) Use clear language rather than 

jargon; 

(d) Be divided into short sections and 

sentences; and 

(e) Use lists and tables wherever 

possible. 

If you feel that we have not met these 

requirements, send us comments by one 

of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To 

better help us revise the rule, your 

comments should be as specific as 

possible. For example, you should tell 

us the numbers of the sections or 

paragraphs that are unclearly written, 

which sections or sentences are too 

long, the sections where you feel lists or 

tables would be useful, etc. 

Regulatory Planning and Review 

(Executive Orders 12866 and 13563) 

Executive Order 12866 provides that 

the Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant 

rules. OIRA has determined that this 

rulemaking is not significant. 

Executive Order (E.O.) 13563 

reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 

while calling for improvements in the 

nation’s regulatory system to promote 

predictability, to reduce uncertainty, 

and to use the best, most innovative, 

and least burdensome tools for 

achieving regulatory ends. The 

executive order directs agencies to 

consider regulatory approaches that 

reduce burdens and maintain flexibility 

and freedom of choice for the public 

where these approaches are relevant, 

feasible, and consistent with regulatory 

objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes 

further that regulations must be based 

on the best available science and that 

the rulemaking process must allow for 

public participation and an open 

exchange of ideas. We have developed 

this rule in a manner consistent with 

these requirements. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 

(as amended by the Small Business 

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 

[SBREFA] of 1996) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), 

whenever a Federal agency is required 

to publish a notice of rulemaking for 

any proposed or final rule, it must 

prepare and make available for public 

comment a regulatory flexibility 

analysis that describes the effect of the 

rule on small entities (i.e., small 

businesses, small organizations, and 

small government jurisdictions). 

However, no regulatory flexibility 

analysis is required if the head of an 

agency certifies that the rule will not 

have a significant economic impact on 

a substantial number of small entities. 

Thus, for a regulatory flexibility analysis 

to be required, impacts must exceed a 

threshold for ‘‘significant impact’’ and a 

threshold for a ‘‘substantial number of 

small entities.’’ See 5 U.S.C. 605(b). 

SBREFA amended the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act to require Federal 

agencies to provide a statement of the 

factual basis for certifying that a rule 

will not have a significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small 

entities. 

This proposed rule would open or 

expand hunting and sport fishing on 19 

NWRs. As a result, visitor use for 

wildlife-dependent recreation on these 

stations will change. If the stations 

establishing new programs were a pure 

addition to the current supply of those 

activities, it would mean an estimated 

maximum increase of 2,769 user days 

(one person per day participating in a 

recreational opportunity; see table 2). 

Because the participation trend is flat in 

these activities, this increase in supply 

will most likely be offset by other sites 

losing participants. Therefore, this is 

likely to be a substitute site for the 


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activity and not necessarily an increase 

in participation rates for the activity. 

TABLE 2—ESTIMATED MAXIMUM CHANGE IN RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN 2022–2023 

[2021 Dollars in thousands] 

Station Additional 

hunting days 

Additional 

fishing days 

Additional 

expenditures 

Baskett Slough NWR ................................................................................................................... 270 ........................ $9.5 

Blackwater NWR .......................................................................................................................... 100 ........................ 3.5 

Canaan Valley NWR .................................................................................................................... 25 ........................ 0.9 

Chincoteague NWR ..................................................................................................................... 75 ........................ 2.6 

Crab Orchard NWR ..................................................................................................................... 60 ........................ 2.1 

Eastern Neck NWR ..................................................................................................................... 15 ........................ 0.5 

Erie NWR ..................................................................................................................................... 25 30 2.0 

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR ............................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 0.0 

Great Thicket NWR ..................................................................................................................... 175 ........................ 6.2 

James River NWR ....................................................................................................................... 75 ........................ 2.6 

Patoka River NWR and Management Area ................................................................................ 17 3 0.6 

Patuxent Research Refuge ......................................................................................................... 100 ........................ 3.6 

Rachel Carson NWR ................................................................................................................... 10 ........................ 0.4 

Rappahannock River Valley NWR .............................................................................................. 100 ........................ 3.5 

San Diego NWR .......................................................................................................................... 1,002 ........................ 35.3 

Shawangunk Grasslands NWR ................................................................................................... 75 ........................ 2.6 

Trustom Pond NWR .................................................................................................................... 60 ........................ 2.1 

Turnbull NWR .............................................................................................................................. 560 ........................ 19.7 

Wallops Island NWR .................................................................................................................... 25 ........................ 0.9 

Total ...................................................................................................................................... 2,769 33 98.6 

To the extent visitors spend time and 

money in the area of the station that 

they would not have spent there 

anyway, they contribute new income to 

the regional economy and benefit local 

businesses. Due to the unavailability of 

site-specific expenditure data, we use 

the national estimates from the 2016 

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, 

and Wildlife Associated Recreation to 

identify expenditures for food and 

lodging, transportation, and other 

incidental expenses. Using the average 

expenditures for these categories with 

the maximum expected additional 

participation of the Refuge System 

yields approximately $99,000 in 

recreation-related expenditures (see 

table 2, above). By having ripple effects 

throughout the economy, these direct 

expenditures are only part of the 

economic impact of these recreational 

activities. Using a national impact 

multiplier for hunting activities (2.51) 

derived from the report ‘‘Hunting in 

America: An Economic Force for 

Conservation’’ and for fishing activities 

(2.51) derived from the report 

‘‘Sportfishing in America’’ yields a total 

maximum economic impact of 

approximately $248,000 (2021 dollars) 

(Southwick Associates, Inc., 2018). 

Using a local impact multiplier would 

yield more accurate and smaller results. 

However, we employed the national 

impact multiplier due to the difficulty 

in developing local multipliers for each 

specific region. 

Since we know that most of the 

fishing and hunting occurs within 100 

miles of a participant’s residence, then 

it is unlikely that most of this spending 

will be ‘‘new’’ money coming into a 

local economy; therefore, this spending 

will be offset with a decrease in some 

other sector of the local economy. The 

net gain to the local economies will be 

no more than $248,000 and likely less. 

Since 80 percent of the participants 

travel less than 100 miles to engage in 

hunting and fishing activities, their 

spending patterns will not add new 

money into the local economy and, 

therefore, the real impact will be on the 

order of about $50,000 annually. 

Small businesses within the retail 

trade industry (such as hotels, gas 

stations, taxidermy shops, bait-andtackle shops, and similar businesses) 

may be affected by some increased or 

decreased station visitation. A large 

percentage of these retail trade 

establishments in the local communities 

around NWRs qualify as small 

businesses (see table 3, below). We 

expect that the incremental recreational 

changes will be scattered, and so we do 

not expect that the rule will have a 

significant economic effect on a 

substantial number of small entities in 

any region or nationally. As noted 

previously, we expect at most $99,000 

to be spent in total in the refuges’ local 

economies. The maximum increase will 

be less than one-tenth of 1 percent for 

local retail trade spending (see table 3, 

below). Table 3 does not include entries 

for those NWRs for which we project no 

changes in recreation opportunities in 

2022–2023; see table 2, above. 

TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL STATION VISITATION FOR

2022–2023 

[Thousands, 2021 dollars] 

Station/county(ies) Retail trade in 1 2017 

Estimated 

maximum addition 

from new activities 

Addition as % of 

total 

Establishments in 1 2017 

Establishments 

with fewer than 

10 employees in 1 2017 

Baskett Slough: 

Polk, OR ......................................... $454,935 $10 <0.1 120 79 


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TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL STATION VISITATION FOR

2022–2023—Continued 

[Thousands, 2021 dollars] 

Station/county(ies) Retail trade in 1 2017 

Estimated 

maximum addition 

from new activities 

Addition as % of 

total 

Establishments in 1 2017 

Establishments 

with fewer than 

10 employees in 1 2017 

Blackwater: 

Wicomico, MD ................................. 1,983,533 2 <0.1 376 226 

Dorchester, MD ............................... 541,191 2 <0.1 100 74 

Canaan Valley: 

Grant, WV ....................................... 118,297 <1 <0.1 42 28 

Tucker, WV ..................................... 70,798 <1 <0.1 28 20 

Chincoteague: 

Accomack, VA ................................ 405,539 3 <0.1 159 122 

Crab Orchard: 

Williamson, IL ................................. 1,298,962 2 <0.1 259 168 

Eastern Neck: 

Kent, MD ......................................... 216,681 1 <0.1 87 57 

Erie: 

Crawford, PA .................................. 1,095,512 2 <0.1 293 197 

Great Thicket: 

Dutchess, NY .................................. 4,321,906 3 <0.1 1,084 784 

York, ME ......................................... 2,972,219 3 <0.1 871 640 

James River: 

Prince George, VA .......................... 317,610 1 <0.1 65 42 

Patoka River: 

Pike, IN ........................................... 70,298 <1 <0.1 32 23 

Gibson, IN ....................................... 554,605 <1 <0.1 116 76 

Patuxent Research Refuge: 

Arundel, MD .................................... 10,437,225 2 <0.1 1,984 1,216 

Prince George, MD ......................... 11,591,063 2 <0.1 2,361 1,482 

Rachel Carson: 

York, ME ......................................... 2,972,219 <1 <0.1 871 640 

Cumberland, ME ............................. 7,773,235 <1 <0.1 1,454 936 

Rappahannock River Valley: 

Essex, VA ....................................... 244,493 1 <0.1 65 48 

King George, VA ............................. 379,429 1 <0.1 64 42 

Westmoreland, VA .......................... 128,188 1 <0.1 44 31 

Richmond, VA ................................. 2,498,764 1 <0.1 795 578 

Caroline, VA .................................... 339,291 1 <0.1 63 48 

San Diego: 

San Diego, CA ................................ 51,587,171 35 <0.1 9,423 6,245 

Shawangunk Grasslands: 

Ulster, NY ....................................... 2,841,612 3 <0.1 747 546 

Trustom Pond: 

Washington, RI ............................... 2,314,122 2 <0.1 524 372 

Turnbull: 

Spokane, WA .................................. 8,674,550 20 <0.1 1,627 1,036 

Wallops Island: 

Accomack, VA ................................ 405,539 <1 <0.1 159 122 

1 U.S. Census Bureau. 

With the small change in overall 

spending anticipated from this proposed 

rule, it is unlikely that a substantial 

number of small entities will have more 

than a small impact from the spending 

change near the affected stations. 

Therefore, we certify that this rule, as 

proposed, will not have a significant 

economic effect on a substantial number 

of small entities as defined under the 

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 

et seq.). A regulatory flexibility analysis 

is not required. Accordingly, a small 

entity compliance guide is not required. 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act 

The proposed rule is not a major rule 

under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 

Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act. We anticipate no 

significant employment or small 

business effects. This proposed rule: 

a. Would not have an annual effect on 

the economy of $100 million or more. 

The minimal impact would be scattered 

across the country and would most 

likely not be significant in any local 

area. 

b. Would not cause a major increase 

in costs or prices for consumers; 

individual industries; Federal, State, or 

local government agencies; or 

geographic regions. This proposed rule 

would have only a slight effect on the 

costs of hunting opportunities for 

Americans. If the substitute sites are 

farther from the participants’ residences, 

then an increase in travel costs would 

occur. The Service does not have 

information to quantify this change in 

travel cost but assumes that, since most 

people travel less than 100 miles to 

hunt, the increased travel cost would be 

small. We do not expect this proposed 

rule to affect the supply or demand for 

hunting opportunities in the United 

States, and, therefore, it should not 


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affect prices for hunting equipment and 

supplies, or the retailers that sell 

equipment. 

c. Would not have significant adverse 

effects on competition, employment, 

investment, productivity, innovation, or 

the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to 

compete with foreign-based enterprises. 

This proposed rule represents only a 

small proportion of recreational 

spending at NWRs. Therefore, if 

adopted, this rule would have no 

measurable economic effect on the 

wildlife-dependent industry, which has 

annual sales of equipment and travel 

expenditures of $72 billion nationwide. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

Since this proposed rule would apply 

to public use of federally owned and 

managed refuges, it would not impose 

an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 

Tribal governments or the private sector 

of more than $100 million per year. The 

proposed rule would not have a 

significant or unique effect on State, 

local, or Tribal governments or the 

private sector. A statement containing 

the information required by the 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required. 

Takings (E.O. 12630) 

In accordance with E.O. 12630, this 

proposed rule would not have 

significant takings implications. This 

proposed rule would affect only visitors 

at NWRs, and would describe what they 

can do while they are on a Service 

station. 

Federalism (E.O. 13132) 

As discussed under Regulatory 

Planning and Review and Unfunded 

Mandates Reform Act, above, this 

proposed rule would not have sufficient 

federalism implications to warrant the 

preparation of a federalism summary 

impact statement under E.O. 13132. In 

preparing this proposed rule, we 

worked with State governments. 

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988) 

In accordance with E.O. 12988, the 

Department of the Interior has 

determined that this proposed rule 

would not unduly burden the judicial 

system and that it meets the 

requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 

of the Order. 

Energy Supply, Distribution or Use (E.O. 

13211) 

On May 18, 2001, the President issued 

E.O. 13211 on regulations that 

significantly affect energy supply, 

distribution, or use. E.O. 13211 requires 

agencies to prepare Statements of 

Energy Effects when undertaking certain 

actions. Because this proposed rule 

would add 2 NWRs to the list of refuges 

open to hunting and sport fishing and 

open or expand hunting or sport fishing 

at 17 other NWRs, it is not a significant 

regulatory action under E.O. 12866, and 

we do not expect it to significantly 

affect energy supplies, distribution, or 

use. Therefore, this action is not a 

significant energy action, and no 

Statement of Energy Effects is required. 

Consultation and Coordination With 

Indian Tribal Governments (E.O. 13175) 

In accordance with E.O. 13175, we 

have evaluated possible effects on 

federally recognized Indian Tribes and 

have determined that there are no 

effects. We coordinate recreational use 

on NWRs and national fish hatcheries 

(NFHs) with Tribal governments having 

adjoining or overlapping jurisdiction 

before we propose the regulations. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

This proposed rule contains existing 

information collections. All information 

collections require approval by the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). We 

may not conduct or sponsor and you are 

not required to respond to a collection 

of information unless it displays a 

currently valid OMB control number. 

The OMB has reviewed and approved 

the information collection requirements 

associated with hunting and sport 

fishing activities across the National 

Wildlife Refuge System and National 

Fish Hatchery System and assigned the 

following OMB control numbers: 

• 1018–0140, ‘‘Hunting and Sport 

Fishing Application Forms and Activity 

Reports for National Wildlife Refuges, 

50 CFR 25.41, 25.43, 25.51, 26.32, 26.33, 

27.42, 30.11, 31.15, 32.1 to 32.72’’ 

(Expires 12/31/2023), 

• 1018–0102, ‘‘National Wildlife 

Refuge Special Use Permit Applications 

and Reports, 50 CFR 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 

31, 32, & 36’’ (Expires 01/31/2024), 

• 1018–0135, ‘‘Electronic Federal 

Duck Stamp Program’’ (Expires 01/31/ 

2023), 

• 1018–0093, ‘‘Federal Fish and 

Wildlife Permit Applications and 

Reports—Management Authority; 50 

CFR 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23’’ (Expires 

08/31/2023), and 

• 1024–0252, ‘‘The Interagency 

Access Pass and Senior Pass 

Application Processes’’ (Expires 09/30/ 

2023). 

In accordance with the PRA and its 

implementing regulations at 5 CFR 

1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general 

public and other Federal agencies with 

an opportunity to comment on our 

proposal to revise OMB control number 

1018–0140. This helps us assess the 

impact of our information collection 

requirements and minimize the public’s 

reporting burden. It also helps the 

public understand our information 

collection requirements and provide the 

requested data in the desired format. 

As part of our continuing effort to 

reduce paperwork and respondent 

burdens, and in accordance with 5 CFR 

1320.8(d)(1), we invite the public and 

other Federal agencies to comment on 

any aspect of this proposed information 

collection, including: 

(1) Whether or not the collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether or not the 

information will have practical utility; 

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the 

burden for this collection of 

information, including the validity of 

the methodology and assumptions used; 

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, 

utility, and clarity of the information to 

be collected; and 

(4) Ways to minimize the burden of 

the collection of information on those 

who are to respond, including through 

the use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

e.g., permitting electronic submission of 

response. 

Comments that you submit in 

response to this proposed rulemaking 

are a matter of public record. Before 

including your address, phone number, 

email address, or other personal 

identifying information in your 

comment, you should be aware that 

your entire comment—including your 

personal identifying information—may 

be made publicly available at any time. 

While you can ask us in your comment 

to withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

The Service’s proposed rule (RIN 

1018–BF66) would open, for the first 

time, hunting and sport fishing on two 

NWRs and open or expand hunting and 

sport fishing at 17 other NWRs. The 

additional burden associated with these 

new or expanded hunting and sport 

fishing opportunities, as well as the 

revised information collections 

identified below, require OMB approval. 

Many refuges offer hunting and sport 

fishing activities without collecting any 

information. Those refuges that do 

collect hunter and angler information do 

so seasonally, usually once a year at the 

beginning of the hunting or sport fishing 

season. Some refuges may elect to 

collect the identical information via a 


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non-form format (letter, email, or 

through discussions in person or over 

the phone). Some refuges provide the 

form electronically over the internet. In 

some cases, because of high demand 

and limited resources, we often provide 

hunt opportunities by lottery, based on 

dates, locations, or type of hunt. 

The proposed changes to the existing 

information collections identified below 

require OMB approval: 

Hunting Applications/Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2439, Hunt Application— 

National Wildlife Refuge System) 

Form 3–2439 collects the following 

information from individuals seeking 

hunting experiences on the NWRs: 

• Lottery Application: Refuges who 

administer hunting via a lottery system 

will use Form 3–2439 as the lottery 

application. If the applicant is 

successful, the completed Form 3–2439 

also serves as their permit application, 

avoiding a duplication of burden on the 

public filling out two separate forms. 

• Date of application: We often have 

application deadlines, and this 

information helps staff determine the 

order in which we received the 

applications. It also ensures that the 

information is current. 

• Methods: Some refuges hold 

multiple types of hunts, i.e., archery, 

shotgun, primitive weapons, etc. We ask 

for this information to identify 

opportunity(ies) a hunter is applying 

for. 

• Species Permit Type: Some refuges 

allow only certain species, such as 

moose, elk, or bighorn sheep, to be 

hunted. We ask hunters to identify 

which species they are applying to hunt 

for. 

• Applicant information: We collect 

name, address, phone number(s), and 

email so we can contact the applicant/ 

permittee either during the application 

process, when the applicant is 

successful in a lottery drawing, or after 

receiving a permit. 

• Party Members: Some refuges allow 

the permit applicant to include 

additional hunters in their group. We 

collect the names of all additional 

hunters, when allowed by the refuge. 

• Parent/Guardian Contact 

Information: We collect name, 

relationship, address, phone number(s), 

and email for a parent/guardian of youth 

hunters. We ask for this information in 

the event of an emergency. 

• Date: We ask hunters for their 

preferences for hunt dates. 

• Hunt/Blind Location: We ask 

hunters for their preferences for hunt 

units, areas, or blinds. 

• Special hunts: Some refuges hold 

special hunts for youth, hunters who are 

disabled, or other underserved 

populations. We ask hunters to identify 

if they are applying for these special 

hunts. For youth hunts, we ask for the 

age of the hunter at the time of the hunt. 

• Signature and date: To confirm that 

the applicant (and parent/guardian, if a 

youth hunter) understands the terms 

and conditions of the permit. 

Proposed revisions to FWS Form 3– 

2439: 

With this submission, we propose to 

add an option for refuges to allow 

mobility impaired applicants to reserve 

specific hunting blinds upon providing 

proof of disability. The refuge will not 

retain the proof of disability. The 

documentation will be shredded upon 

approval of the blind reservation. 

Self-Clearing Check-in Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2405) 

FWS Form 3–2405 has three parts: 

• Self-Clearing Daily Check-in Permit. 

Each user completes this portion of the 

form (date of visit, name, and telephone 

numbers) and deposits it in the permit 

box prior to engaging in any activity on 

the refuge. 

• Self-Clearing Daily Visitor 

Registration Permit. Each user must 

complete the front side of the form 

(date, name, city, State, zip code, and 

purpose of visit) and carry this portion 

while on the refuge. At the completion 

of the visit, each user must complete the 

reverse side of the form (number of 

hours on refuge, harvest information 

(species and number), harvest method, 

angler information (species and 

number), and wildlife sighted (e.g., 

black bear and hog)) and deposit it in 

the permit box. 

• Self-Clearing Daily Vehicle Permit. 

The driver and each user traveling in 

the vehicle must complete this portion 

(date) and display in clear view in the 

vehicle while on the refuge. 

We use FWS Form 3–2405 to collect: 

• Information on the visitor (name, 

address, and contact information). We 

use this information to identify the 

visitor or driver/passenger of a vehicle 

while on the refuge. This is extremely 

valuable information should visitors 

become lost or injured. Law 

enforcement officers can easily check 

vehicles for these cards in order to 

determine a starting point for the search 

or to contact family members in the 

event of an abandoned vehicle. Having 

this information readily available is 

critical in a search and rescue situation. 

• Purpose of visit (hunting, sport 

fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 

photography, auto touring, birding, 

hiking, boating/canoeing, visitor center, 

special event, environmental education 

class, volunteering, other recreation). 

This information is critical in 

determining public use participation in 

wildlife management programs. This not 

only allows the refuge to manage its 

hunt and other visitor use programs, but 

also to increase and/or improve 

facilities for non-consumptive uses that 

are becoming more popular on refuges. 

Data collected will also help managers 

better allocate staff and resources to 

serve the public as well as develop 

annual performance measures. 

• Success of harvest by hunters/ 

anglers (number and type of harvest/ 

caught). This information is critical to 

wildlife management programs on 

refuges. Each refuge will customize the 

form by listing game species and 

incidental species available on the 

refuge, hunting methods allowed, and 

data needed for certain species (e.g., for 

deer, whether it is a buck or doe and the 

number of points; or for turkeys, the 

weight and beard and spur lengths). 

• Visitor observations of incidental 

species. This information will help 

managers develop annual performance 

measures and provides information to 

help develop resource management 

planning. 

• Photograph of animal harvested 

(specific refuges only). This requirement 

documents the sex of animal prior to the 

hunter being eligible to harvest the 

opposite sex (where allowed). 

• Date of visit and/or area visited. 

• Comments. We encourage visitors 

to comment on their experience. 

Proposed revisions to FWS Form 3– 

2405: 

With this submission, we propose the 

addition of a question asking hunters to 

provide the total number of hunt days 

on the refuge (at the conclusion of their 

hunting activities). Refuge management 

will use this information to monitor and 

evaluate hunt quality and resource 

impacts. 

We will propose to renew, without 

change, the remaining information 

collections identified below currently 

approved by OMB: 

Sport Fishing Application/Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2358, ‘‘Sport FishingShrimping-Crabbing-Frogging Permit 

Application’’) 

Form 3–2358 allows the applicant to 

choose multiple permit activities, and 

requests the applicant provide the State 

fishing license number. The form 

provides the refuge with more flexibility 

to insert refuge-specific requirements/ 

instructions, along with a permit 

number and dates valid for season 

issued. 

We collect the following information 

from individuals seeking sport fishing 

experiences: 


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• Date of application: We often have 

application deadlines, and this 

information helps staff determine the 

order in which we received the 

applications. It also ensures that the 

information is current. 

• State fishing license number: We 

ask for this information to verify the 

applicant is legally licensed by the State 

(where required). 

• Permit Type: On sport fishing 

permits, we ask what type of activity 

(crabbing, shrimping, frogging, etc.) is 

being applied for. 

• Applicant information: We collect 

name, address, phone number(s), and 

email so we can contact the applicant/ 

permittee either during the application 

process or after receiving a permit. 

• Signature and date: To confirm that 

the applicant (and parent/guardian, if a 

youth hunter) understands the terms 

and conditions of the permit. 

Harvest/Fishing Activity Reports 

We have one harvest/fishing activity 

report, FWS Form 3–2439, to be 

completed by hunters which addresses 

the species unique to the refuge being 

hunted. We ask users to report on their 

success after their experience so that we 

can evaluate hunt quality and resource 

impacts. 

We collect the following information 

on the harvest reports: 

• State-issued hunter identification 

(ID)/license number (Note: Refuges/ 

hatcheries that rely on the State agency 

to issue hunting permits are not 

required to collect the permittee’s 

personal identifying information (PII) on 

the harvest form. Those refuges/ 

hatcheries may opt to collect only the 

State ID number assigned to the hunter 

in order to match harvest data with their 

issued permit. Refuges/hatcheries will 

collect either hunter PII or State-issued 

ID number, but not both.). 

• Species observed. Data will be used 

by refuge/hatchery staff to document the 

presence of rare or unusual species (e.g., 

endangered or threatened species, or 

invasive species). 

• Permit number/type. Data will be 

used to link the harvest report to the 

issued permit. 

• Hunt Tag Number. Data will be 

used to link the harvest report to the 

species-specific hunt tag. 

• Number of youth (younger than 18) 

in party. Data will be used to better 

understand volume of youth hunting on 

a refuge/hatchery. Specific hunter 

names are not collected, just total 

number of youths in hunting party. 

• Harvested by. Data will be used to 

determine ratio of adults to youth 

hunters. Specific hunter names are not 

collected. 

Labeling/Marking Requirements 

As a condition of the permit, some 

refuges require permittees to label 

hunting and/or sport fishing gear used 

on the refuge. This equipment may 

include items such as the following: tree 

stands, blinds, or game cameras; 

hunting dogs (collars); flagging/trail 

markers; boats; and/or sport fishing 

equipment such as jugs, trotlines, and 

crawfish or crab traps. Refuges require 

the owner to label their equipment with 

their last name, the State-issued 

hunting/fishing license number, and/or 

hunting/fishing permit number. Refuges 

may also require equipment for youth 

hunters include ‘‘YOUTH’’ on the label. 

This minimal information is necessary 

in the event the refuge needs to contact 

the owner. 

Required Notifications 

On occasion, hunters may find their 

game has landed outside of established 

hunting boundaries. In this situation, 

hunters must notify an authorized 

refuge employee to obtain consent to 

retrieve the game from an area closed to 

hunting or entry only upon specific 

consent. Certain refuges also require 

hunters to notify the refuge manager 

when hunting specific species (e.g., 

black bear, bobcat, or eastern coyote) 

with trailing dogs. Refuges 

encompassing privately owned lands, 

referred to as ‘‘easement overlay 

refuges’’ or ‘‘limited-interest easement 

refuges,’’ may also require the hunter to 

obtain written or oral permission from 

the landowner prior to accessing the 

land. 

Due to the wide range of hunting and 

sport fishing opportunities offered on 

NWRs and NFHs, the refuges and fish 

hatcheries may customize the forms to 

remove any fields that are not pertinent 

to the recreational opportunities they 

offer. Refuges will not add any new 

fields to the forms, but the order of the 

fields may be reorganized. Refuges may 

also customize the forms with 

instructions and permit conditions 

specific to a particular unit for the 

hunting/sport fishing activity. Copies of 

the draft forms are available to the 

public by submitting a request to the 

Service Information Collection 

Clearance Officer using one of the 

methods identified above in ADDRESSES. 

Title of Collection: Hunting and 

Fishing Application Forms and Activity 

Reports for National Wildlife Refuges 

and National Fish Hatcheries, 50 CFR 

parts 32 and 71. 

OMB Control Number: 1018–0140. 

Form Number: FWS Forms 3–2358, 3– 

2405, 3–2439, and 3–2542. 

Type of Review: Revision of a 

currently approved collection. 

Respondents/Affected Public: 

Individuals and households. 

Respondent’s Obligation: Required to 

Obtain or Retain a Benefit. 

Frequency of Collection: On occasion. 

Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden 

Cost: $87,365 (application fees 

associated with hunting and sport 

fishing activities). 

Activity Annual number 

of responses 

Completion time 

per response 

(minutes) 

Total annual 

burden hours * 

Fish/Crab/Shrimp Application/Permit (Form 3–2358) ............................................................ 2,662 5 222 

Harvest Reports (Forms 3–2542) .......................................................................................... 591,577 15 147,894 

Hunt Application/Permit (Form 3–2439) ................................................................................ 361,359 10 60,227 

Labeling/Marking Requirements ............................................................................................ 2,341 10 390 

Required Notifications ............................................................................................................ 498 30 249 

Self-Clearing Check-In Permit (Form 3–2405) ...................................................................... 673,618 5 56,135 

Totals .............................................................................................................................. 1,632,055 .......................... 265,117 

* Rounded. 

The above burden estimates indicate 

an expected total of 1,632,055 responses 

and 265,117 burden hours across all of 

our forms. These totals reflect expected 

increases of 1,652 responses and 270 

burden hours relative to our previous 

information collection request. We 

expect minimal burden increases as a 

direct result of the increased number of 

hunting and fishing opportunities on 

Service stations under this proposed 

rule. 


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Send your comments and suggestions 

on this information collection by the 

date indicated under Information 

collection requirements in DATES to the 

Service Information Collection 

Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, 

MS: PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 

22041–3803 (mail); or Info_Coll@fws.gov 

(email). Please reference OMB Control 

Number 1018–0140 in the subject line of 

your comments. 

Endangered Species Act Section 7 

Consultation 

We comply with section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), when 

developing comprehensive conservation 

plans and step-down management 

plans—which would include hunting 

and/or fishing plans—for public use of 

refuges and hatcheries, and prior to 

implementing any new or revised public 

recreation program on a station as 

identified in 50 CFR 26.32. We 

complied with section 7 for each of the 

stations affected by this proposed 

rulemaking. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

We analyzed this proposed rule in 

accordance with the criteria of the 

National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), 43 CFR 

part 46, and 516 Departmental Manual 

(DM) 8. 

A categorical exclusion from NEPA 

documentation applies to publication of 

proposed amendments to stationspecific hunting and fishing regulations 

because they are technical and 

procedural in nature, and the 

environmental effects are too broad, 

speculative, or conjectural to lend 

themselves to meaningful analysis (43 

CFR 46.210 and 516 DM 8). Concerning 

the actions that are the subject of this 

proposed rulemaking, we have 

complied with NEPA at the project level 

when developing each proposal. This is 

consistent with the Department of the 

Interior instructions for compliance 

with NEPA where actions are covered 

sufficiently by an earlier environmental 

document (43 CFR 46.120). 

Prior to the addition of a refuge or 

hatchery to the list of areas open to 

hunting and fishing in 50 CFR parts 32 

and 71, we develop hunting and fishing 

plans for the affected stations. We 

incorporate these proposed station 

hunting and fishing activities in the 

station comprehensive conservation 

plan and/or other step-down 

management plans, pursuant to our 

refuge planning guidance in 602 Fish 

and Wildlife Service Manual (FW) 1, 3, 

and 4. We prepare these comprehensive 

conservation plans and step-down plans 

in compliance with section 102(2)(C) of 

NEPA, the Council on Environmental 

Quality’s regulations for implementing 

NEPA in 40 CFR parts 1500 through 

1508, and the Department of Interior’s 

NEPA regulations 43 CFR part 46. We 

invite the affected public to participate 

in the review, development, and 

implementation of these plans. Copies 

of all plans and NEPA compliance are 

available from the stations at the 

addresses provided below. 

Available Information for Specific 

Stations 

Individual refuge and hatchery 

headquarters have information about 

public use programs and conditions that 

apply to their specific programs and 

maps of their respective areas. To find 

out how to contact a specific refuge or 

hatchery, contact the appropriate 

Service office for the States listed below: 

Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and 

Washington. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal 

Complex, Suite 1692, 911 NE 11th 

Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4181; 

Telephone (503) 231–6203. 

Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and 

Texas. Regional Chief, National Wildlife 

Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, P.O. Box 1306, 500 Gold 

Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87103; 

Telephone (505) 248–6635. 

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and 

Wisconsin. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 5600 American Blvd. 

West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 

55437–1458; Telephone (612) 713–5476. 

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 

Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North 

Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 

Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge 

System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 

30345; Telephone (404) 679–7356. 

Connecticut, Delaware, District of 

Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West 

Virginia. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center 

Drive, Hadley, MA 01035–9589; 

Telephone (413) 253–8307. 

Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, 

North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and 

Wyoming. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 134 Union Blvd., 

Lakewood, CO 80228; Telephone (303) 

236–4377. 

Alaska. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., 

Anchorage, AK 99503; Telephone (907) 

786–3545. 

California and Nevada. Regional 

Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 

Cottage Way, Room W–2606, 

Sacramento, CA 95825; Telephone (916) 

767–9241. 

Primary Author 

Kate Harrigan, Division of Natural 

Resources and Conservation Planning, 

National Wildlife Refuge System, is the 

primary author of this rulemaking 

document. 

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 32 

Fishing, Hunting, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife, 

Wildlife refuges. 

Proposed Regulation Promulgation 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, we propose to amend title 50, 

chapter I, subchapter C of the Code of 

Federal Regulations as follows: 

PART 32—HUNTING AND FISHING 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 32 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 

664, 668dd–668ee, and 715i; Pub. L. 115–20, 

131 Stat. 86. 

■ 2. Amend § 32.7 by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(17) 

through (23) as paragraphs (e)(18) 

through (24) and adding a new 

paragraph (e)(17); 

■ b. Redesignating paragraphs (s)(2) 

through (7) as paragraphs (s)(3) through 

(8) and adding a new paragraph (s)(2); 

and 

■ d. Redesignating paragraphs (ff)(3) 

through (10) as paragraphs (ff)(4) 

through (11) and adding a new 

paragraph (ff)(3). 

The additions read as follows: 

§ 32.7 What refuge units are open to 

hunting and/or sport fishing? 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(17) San Diego National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

(s) * * * 

(2) Great Thicket National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

(ff) * * * 

(3) Great Thicket National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 3. Amend § 32.24 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (m)(1)(ix) and 

(m)(4)(i); 


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■ b. Redesignating paragraphs (q) 

through (w) as (r) through (x); 

■ c. Adding new paragraph (q); and 

■ d. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (t)(2)(ii) and (w)(2)(ii). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.24 California. 

* * * * * 

(m) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ix) We only allow access to the hunt 

area by foot and nonmotorized cart. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(i) We prohibit fishing from October 1 

to January 31. 

* * * * * 

(q) San Diego National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of quail, mourning and whitewinged dove, spotted and ringed turtle 

dove, Eurasian collared-dove, brush 

rabbit, cottontail rabbit, and jackrabbit 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) Archery hunting of quail is limited 

to September 1 to the closing date 

established by the California 

Department of Fish and Wildlife 

(CDFW). 

(ii) Hunting of brush rabbit and 

cottontail rabbit is limited to September 

1 to the closing date established by 

CDFW. 

(iii) Hunting of Eurasian collareddove and jackrabbit is limited to 

September 1 to the last day of February. 

(iv) We allow shotguns and archery 

only. Falconry is prohibited. 

(v) You may not possess more than 25 

shot shells while in the field. 

(vi) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting upland game. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of mule deer on designated 

areas of the refuge. 

(4) [Reserved] 

* * * * * 

(t) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (t)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(w) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (w)(1)(i) through (viii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 4. Amend § 32.29 by revising 

paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows: 

§ 32.29 Georgia. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

alligator hunting on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

condition: We only allow alligator 

hunting on dates outlined by the State 

of Georgia during the first two weekends 

(from legal sunset Friday through legal 

sunrise Monday) of the State alligator 

season. 

* * * * * 

■ 5. Amend § 32.33 by revising 

paragraph (c) to read as follows: 

§ 32.33 Indiana. 

* * * * * 

(c) Patoka River National Wildlife 

Refuge and Management Area—(1) 

Migratory game bird hunting. We allow 

hunting of duck, goose, merganser, coot, 

woodcock, dove, snipe, rail, and crow 

on designated areas of the refuge and 

the White River Wildlife Management 

Area subject to the following conditions: 

(i) You must remove all boats, decoys, 

blinds, and blind materials after each 

day’s hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of 

this chapter). 

(ii) We prohibit hunting and the 

discharge of a weapon within 150 yards 

(137 meters) of any dwelling or any 

building that may be occupied by 

people, pets, or livestock and within 50 

yards (45 meters) of all designated 

public use facilities, including, but not 

limited to, parking areas and established 

hiking trails listed in the refuge hunting 

and fishing brochure. 

(iii) You may only use or possess 

approved non-lead shot shells, 

ammunition, and tackle while in the 

field. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of bobwhite quail, pheasant, 

cottontail rabbit, squirrel (gray and fox), 

red and gray fox, coyote, opossum, 

striped skunk, and raccoon subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs for 

hunting, provided the dog is under the 

immediate control of the hunter at all 

times. 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) On the Columbia Mine Unit, you 

may only hunt white-tailed deer during 

the first week (7 days) of the following 

seasons, as governed by the State: 

archery, firearms, and muzzleloader. 

(iii) On the Columbia Mine Unit, you 

may leave portable tree stands overnight 

only when the unit is open to hunting 

and for a 2-day grace period before and 

after the special season. 

(iv) On the Columbia Mine Unit, if 

you use a rifle to hunt, you may use 

only rifles allowed by State regulations 

for hunting on public land. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing from legal sunrise 

to legal sunset. 

(ii) We allow fishing only with rod 

and reel, pole and line, bow and arrow, 

or crossbow. 

(iii) The minimum size limit for 

largemouth bass on Snakey Point Marsh 

and on the Columbia Mine Unit is 14 

inches (35.6 centimeters). 

(iv) 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). 

(v) You must remove boats at the end 

of each day’s fishing activity (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). 

(vi) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

■ 6. Amend § 32.38 by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraphs (b) 

through (g) as (c) through (h); 

■ b. Adding new paragraph (b); 

■ c. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (c)(2)(i), (c)(3)(i), (f)(2), 

(f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(iii), and (f)(3)(vi); 

■ d. Adding new paragraph (f)(3)(vii); 

and 

■ e. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(3)(i). 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.38 Maine. 

* * * * * 

(b) Great Thicket National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, sea 

duck, dark goose, light goose, 

woodcock, and coot on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) You must obtain and sign a refuge 

hunt information sheet and carry the 

information sheet at all times. 

(ii) We allow the use of dogs 

consistent with State regulations. 

(iii) We allow access for hunting from 

one hour before legal hunting hours 

until one hour after legal hunting hours. 

(iv) We allow take of migratory birds 

by falconry on the refuge during State 

seasons. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of grouse and the incidental 

take of fox and coyote while deer 

hunting on designated areas of the 


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refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iii) of 

this section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting of 

coyote. 

(iii) We allow take of grouse by 

falconry on the refuge during the State 

season. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of wild turkey and white-tailed 

deer, and the incidental take of fox and 

coyote while deer hunting, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iii) of 

this section apply. 

(ii) All species harvested on the refuge 

must be retrieved. 

(4) [Reserved] 

(c) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii) (except for 

hunters pursuing raccoon and coyote at 

night), (iii), and (iv) of this section 

apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of grouse, fox, and coyote on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow take of grouse by 

falconry on the refuge during State 

seasons. 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions as set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(iii) We allow turkey hunting during 

the fall season as designated by the 

State. Turkey hunting in the spring is a 

mentor-led hunt only. 

* * * * * 

(vi) We allow access for hunting from 

1 hour before legal hunting hours until 

1 hour after legal hunting hours. 

(vii) All species harvested on the 

refuge must be retrieved. 

* * * * * 

(g) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iv) (except 

for hunters pursing raccoon or coyote at 

night) of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 7. Amend § 32.39 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(i); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (a)(2); 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (a)(3)(i)(D), 

(a)(3)(iii), and (a)(3)(v)(A); 

■ d. Adding paragraphs (a)(4)(iii) and 

(b)(2); 

■ e. Revising paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(C) and 

(b)(3)(iii)(A); 

■ f. Adding paragraphs (b)(4)(iii) and 

(c)(3)(iii); and 

■ g. Revising paragraph (c)(4). 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.39 Maryland. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) You must obtain, and possess 

while hunting, a refuge waterfowl 

hunting permit (printed and signed 

copy of permit from Recreation.gov). 

* * * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

incidental take of coyote during the 

prescribed State season while deer 

hunting on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (v) apply. 

(ii) Coyote may only be taken with 

firearms and archery equipment allowed 

during the respective deer seasons. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of electronic 

predator calls. 

(iv) We require the use of non-lead 

ammunition. 

(3) * * * 

(i) * * * 

(D) We prohibit the use of rimfire or 

centerfire rifles and all handguns, 

except those that fire straight wall 

cartridges as defined by State law that 

are legal for deer hunting. 

* * * * * 

(iii) We allow turkey hunt permit 

holders (printed and signed copy of 

permit from Recreation.gov) to have an 

assistant, who must remain within sight 

and normal voice contact and abide by 

the rules set forth in the refuge’s turkey 

hunting brochure. 

* * * * * 

(v) * * * 

(A) We require disabled hunters to 

have an America the Beautiful Access 

pass (OMB Control 1024–0252) in their 

possession while hunting in disabled 

areas. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing tackle while fishing in refuge 

waters. 

(b) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

incidental take of coyote during the 

prescribed State season while deer 

hunting on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (iii) apply. 

(ii) Coyote may only be taken with 

firearms and archery equipment allowed 

during the respective deer seasons. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of electronic 

predator calls. 

(iv) We require the use of non-lead 

ammunition. 

(3) * * * 

(i) * * * 

(C) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

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. 

* * * * * 

(iii) * * * 

(A) We require disabled hunters to 

have an America the Beautiful Access 

pass (OMB Control 1024–0252) in their 

possession while hunting in disabled 

areas. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing tackle while fishing from 

designated shoreline areas on refuge. 

(c) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit shooting a projectile 

from a firearm, muzzleloader, bow, or 

crossbow from, down, or across any 

road that is traveled by vehicular traffic. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following condition: We 

prohibit the use or possession of lead 

fishing tackle. 

* * * * * 

■ 8. Amend § 32.45 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (b)(2) and 

(v)(1); and 

■ b. Adding new paragraph (v)(3)(v). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.45 Montana. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

the hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed 

grouse, gray partridge, coyote, skunk, 

red fox, raccoon, hare, rabbit, and tree 


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squirrel on designated areas of the 

district. 

* * * * * 

(v) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following condition: We allow the 

use of dogs while hunting migratory 

birds. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(v) We prohibit hunting bear with 

dogs. 

* * * * * 

■ 9. Amend § 32.51 by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraphs (c) 

through (j) as (d) through (k); 

■ b. Adding new paragraph (c); and 

■ c. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (d)(2)(i), (d)(3)(ii), 

(e)(1)(ii)(B) through (D), (e)(2)(i), 

(e)(2)(iv), (e)(3)(i), (e)(3)(iii), (h)(3) 

introductory text, (h)(3)(ii), (j)(2)(i), and 

(j)(3)(i). 

The addition and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.51 New York. 

* * * * * 

(c) Great Thicket National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1)–(2) [Reserved] 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of wild turkey, white-tailed 

deer, and black bear on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters must obtain a refuge 

hunting permit (FWS Form 3–2439, 

Hunt Application—National Wildlife 

Refuge System). We require hunters to 

possess a signed refuge hunting permit 

at all times while scouting and hunting 

on the refuge. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of dogs. 

(iii) Hunters may access the refuge 2 

hours before legal sunrise and must 

leave no later than 2 hours after legal 

sunset. 

(iv) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten deer 

into moving in the direction of any 

person(s) who is part of the organized or 

planned hunt and known to be waiting 

for the deer. 

(v) We only allow archery hunting. 

(4) [Reserved] 

(d) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) * * * 

(B) We allow hunting only on 

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 

during the established refuge season set 

within the State western zone season, 

and during New York State’s established 

special hunts, which can occur any day 

of the week as set by the State. Veteran 

and active military hunters may be 

accompanied by a qualified non-hunting 

companion (qualified companions must 

be of legal hunting age and possess a 

valid hunting license, Federal Migratory 

Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp 

(as known as ‘‘Federal Duck Stamp’’), 

and Harvest Information Program (HIP) 

number). 

(C) All hunters with reservations and 

their hunting companions must checkin at the Route 89 Hunter Check Station 

area at least 1 hour before legal shooting 

time or forfeit their reservation. Hunters 

may not enter the refuge/Hunter Check 

Station area earlier than 2 hours before 

legal sunrise. 

(D) We allow motorless boats to hunt 

waterfowl. We limit hunters to one boat 

per reservation and one motor vehicle in 

the hunt area per reservation. 

* * * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(iv) We require the use of approved 

non-lead shot for upland game hunting 

(see § 32.2(k)). 

(3) * * * 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(iii) We allow white-tailed deer and 

turkey hunters to access the refuge from 

2 hours before legal sunrise until 2 

hours after legal sunset. 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of black bear, wild turkey, and 

white-tailed deer on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

(ii) You may hunt black bear, wild 

turkey, and deer using archery 

equipment only. 

* * * * * 

(j) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (ii), and (j)(2)(ii) 

of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 10. Amend § 32.56 by revising 

paragraph (b)(1)(v) to read as follows: 

§ 32.56 Oregon. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(v) We require youth waterfowl 

hunters to check in and out at the 

Hunter Check Station (refuge office), 

which is open from 11⁄2 hours before 

legal hunting hours to 8 a.m. and from 

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We prohibit hunting 

after 12 p.m. (noon) for this hunt. 

* * * * * 

■ 11. Amend § 32.57 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 32.57 Pennsylvania. 

* * * * * 

(b) Erie National Wildlife Refuge—(1) 

Migratory game bird hunting. We allow 

hunting of mourning dove, woodcock, 

rail, Wilson’s snipe, Canada goose, 

duck, coot, mute swan, and crow on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow hunting and scouting 

activities on the refuge from September 

1 through the end of February. We also 

allow scouting the 7 days prior to the 

start of each season. 

(ii) We allow use of nonmotorized 

boats only for waterfowl hunting in 

permitted areas. 

(iii) We prohibit field possession of 

migratory game birds in areas of the 

refuge closed to migratory game bird 

hunting. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs 

consistent with State regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of ruffed grouse, squirrel, 

rabbit, woodchuck, pheasant, quail, 

raccoon, fox, coyote, skunk, weasel, 

porcupine, and opossum on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We allow woodchuck hunting on 

the refuge from September 1 through the 

end of February. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of raptors to 

take small game. 

(iii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section 

applies. 

(iv) We prohibit night hunting. 

Hunters may access the refuge 2 hours 

before sunrise and must leave no later 

than 2 hours after sunset. 


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(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer, bear, turkey, and feral 

hog on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow hunting of feral hogs on 

the refuge from September 1 through the 

end of February. 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section 

applies. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow nonmotorized watercraft 

use in Area 5. Watercraft must remain 

in the area from the dike to 3,000 feet 

(900 meters) upstream. 

(ii) We prohibit the taking of turtle or 

frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

(iii) We prohibit the collection or 

release of baitfish. Possession of live 

baitfish is prohibited on the Seneca 

Division. 

(iv) We prohibit the taking or 

possession of shellfish on the refuge. 

(v) We prohibit the use of lead fishing 

tackle on the refuge. 

(vi) We allow fishing from 1⁄2 hour 

before sunrise until 1⁄2 hour after legal 

sunset. 

* * * * * 

■ 12. Amend § 32.58 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (d)(3)(iii); and 

■ b. Adding paragraphs (e)(2) and (3). 

The revision and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.58 Rhode Island. 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iii) We only allow portable or 

temporary stands and blinds that must 

be removed from the refuge on the last 

day of the refuge-authorized deer hunt 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit 

permanent tree stands. Stands and 

blinds must be marked with the hunter’s 

State hunting license number. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote and fox on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(3)(i) applies. 

(ii) We only allow the incidental take 

of coyote and fox during the refuge deer 

hunting season with weapons 

authorized for that hunt. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We require every hunter to possess 

and carry a personally signed refuge 

hunt permit (FWS Form 3–2439, Hunt 

Application—National Wildlife Refuge 

System). 

(ii) We only allow portable or 

temporary stands and blinds that must 

be removed from the refuge on the last 

day of the permitted hunting session 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit 

permanent tree stands. Stands and 

blinds must be marked with the hunter’s 

State hunting license number. 

(iii) We only allow the use of archery 

equipment. 

* * * * * 

■ 13. Amend § 32.59 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (c)(3)(iii); 

■ b. Removing paragraph (c)(3)(x); and 

■ c. Redesignating paragraphs (c)(3)(xi) 

through (xiv) as (c)(3)(x) through (xiii). 

The revision reads as follows: 

§ 32.59 South Carolina. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iii) Except for the special quota 

permit hunts, we allow only archery or 

muzzleloader hunting for deer. We only 

allow muzzleloading rifles using a 

single projectile on the muzzleloader 

hunts. We prohibit buckshot. During 

special quota permit hunts, we allow 

use of centerfire rifles or shotguns. We 

only allow shotguns for turkey hunts. 

* * * * * 

■ 14. Amend § 32.63 by revising 

paragraphs (b)(2) introductory text and 

(b)(2)(i) to read as follows: 

§ 32.63 Utah. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(2)Upland game hunting.We allow 

hunting of chukar, desertcottontail 

rabbit, and mountaincottontail rabbit on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We close to hunting on the last day 

of the State waterfowl season. 

* * * * * 

■ 15. Amend § 32.64 by adding 

paragraph (a)(1)(viii)(C) to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.64 Vermont. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(viii) * * * 

(C) We limit hunting to Saturdays, 

Sundays, and Wednesdays throughout 

the waterfowl hunting season for duck. 

* * * * * 

■ 16. Amend § 32.65 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a)(4)(ii), 

(a)(4)(iii), (b), (c), and (f)(1)(ii); 

■ b. Adding new paragraphs (f)(1)(vi) 

and (h)(1); 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (h)(3)(ii), 

(h)(3)(iv), (j)(2), and (j)(3)(v); 

■ d. Adding paragraph (m)(1); 

■ e. Revising paragraph (m)(3); 

■ f. Adding paragraphs (n)(1) and (2); 

and 

■ g. Revising paragraph (n)(3). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.65 Virginia. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(4) * * * 

(ii) You may surf fish, crab, and clam 

south of the refuge’s beach access ramp. 

We allow night surf fishing by permit 

(FWS Form 3–2358) in this area on 

dates and at times designated on the 

permit. 

(iii) For sport fishing in D Pool: 

(A) We only allow fishing from the 

docks or banks in D Pool. We prohibit 

boats, canoes, and kayaks on D Pool. 

(B) You must catch and release all 

freshwater game fish. The daily creel 

limit for D Pool for other species is a 

maximum combination of any 10 

nongame fish. 

(C) Parking for non-ambulatory 

anglers is available adjacent to the dock 

at D Pool. All other anglers must enter 

the area by foot or bicycle. 

(b) Chincoteague National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of 

waterfowl, coot, snipe, gallinule, dove, 

woodcock, crow, and rail on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) Hunters must obtain and possess a 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting on the refuge. 

(ii) Hunters may only access hunting 

areas by boat. We allow hunters to 

access the refuge from 2 hours before 

legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal 

sunset. 

(iii) We allow hunting during State 

seasons from September 16 to March 14. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs while 

hunting consistent with State 

regulations. 

(v) We prohibit the use of permanent 

blinds and pit blinds. You must remove 

portable blinds and decoys at the end of 

each day’s hunt. 

(vi) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead shot while hunting any 

migratory game species. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of raccoon, opossum, fox, and 

coyote on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. All occupants of a vehicle or 

hunt party must possess a signed refuge 

hunt brochure and be actively engaged 

in hunting unless aiding a disabled 

person who possesses a valid State 

disabled hunting license. 


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(ii) Hunters must sign in at the hunter 

check station prior to hunting and sign 

out prior to exiting the refuge. 

(iii) We prohibit the hunting of 

upland game at night. Hunters may 

access the refuge from 2 hours before 

legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal 

sunset. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of dogs while 

hunting upland game. 

(v) We prohibit firearms in designated 

archery-only areas. 

(vi) You may not hunt, discharge a 

firearm, or nock an arrow or crossbow 

bolt within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of any 

building, road, or trail. 

(vii) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead ammunition while hunting 

upland game species. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, sika, and 

wild turkey on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (ii), (v), and (vi) of 

this section apply. 

(ii) Hunters may access the refuge 

from 2 hours before legal sunrise until 

2 hours after legal sunset. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. 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. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs while hunting white-tailed deer 

and sika. 

(v) We allow the use of portable tree 

stands, but you must remove them at the 

end of each day’s hunt. 

(vi) We allow limited hunting of wild 

turkey during designated State spring 

and fall seasons only when in the 

possession of a valid refuge turkey quota 

hunt permit. 

(vii) We prohibit the use or possession 

of lead ammunition while hunting wild 

turkey. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, crabbing, and clamming from 

the shoreline of the refuge in designated 

areas subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) You must attend minnow traps, 

crab traps, crab pots, and handlines at 

all times. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of seine nets 

and pneumatic (compressed air or 

otherwise) bait launchers. 

(iii) The State regulates certain 

species of finfish, shellfish, and 

crustacean (crab) using size or 

possession limits. You may not alter 

these species, to include cleaning or 

filleting, in such a way that we cannot 

determine its species or total length. 

(iv) In order to fish after the refuge 

closes for the day, anglers must obtain 

an overnight fishing pass (name/ 

address/phone) issued by the National 

Park Service. Anglers can obtain a pass 

in person at the National Park Service 

Tom’s Cove Visitor Center. 

(v) We allow the possession or use of 

only three surf fishing poles per 

licensed angler, and those poles must be 

attended at all times. This includes 

persons age 65 or older who are licenseexempt in Virginia. 

(c) Eastern Shore of Virginia National 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of 

waterfowl, rail, snipe, gallinule, coot, 

woodcock, dove, and crow on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow holders of a signed refuge 

hunt brochure (signed brochure) to 

access areas of the refuge typically 

closed to the non-hunting public. All 

occupants of a vehicle or hunt party 

must possess a signed brochure and be 

actively engaged in hunting. We allow 

an exception for those persons aiding a 

disabled person who possesses a valid 

State-issued Commonwealth of Virginia 

Disabled Resident Lifetime License or 

Commonwealth of Virginia Resident 

Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime License. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours prior to legal 

sunrise and must exit the refuge no later 

than 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs 

consistent with State and Northampton 

County regulations on designated areas 

of the refuge. 

(iv) We allow hunting on the refuge 

only from September 1 until February 

28. Hunting will follow State seasons 

during that period. 

(v) You may not hunt, discharge a 

firearm, or nock an arrow or crossbow 

bolt outside of designated hunt areas or 

within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a 

building, road or improved trail. 

(vi) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead ammunition while hunting. 

(vii) We prohibit the use of permanent 

blinds and pit blinds. You must remove 

portable blinds and decoys at the end of 

each day’s hunt. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit, squirrel, quail, 

raccoon, opossum, fox, and coyote on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (vi) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit the hunting of upland 

game at night. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) through 

(vi) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow turkey hunting during 

the spring season only for a mentor-led 

hunt. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. 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. 

(iv) We allow the use of portable tree 

stands. We require removal of the stands 

after each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) Anglers may access the refuge to 

fish from designated shore areas 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal 

sunset. 

(ii) Anglers may access State waters 

via the Wise Point Boat Ramp on the 

refuge from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) We allow holders of a signed 

refuge hunt brochure (signed brochure) 

to access areas of the refuge typically 

closed to the non-hunting public. All 

occupants of a vehicle, boat, or hunt 

party must possess a signed brochure 

and be actively engaged in hunting. We 

allow an exception for those persons 

aiding a disabled person who possesses 

a valid State-issued Commonwealth of 

Virginia Disabled Resident Lifetime 

License or Commonwealth of Virginia 

Resident Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime 

License. 

* * * * * 

(vi) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead ammunition while hunting. 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of waterfowl on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow waterfowl hunting only 

during the mentor-led hunts. 

(ii) We allow the use of retrieval dogs 

consistent with State regulations. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(ii) We require spring turkey hunters 

to obtain a refuge hunting permit (FWS 

Form 3–2439) through a lottery 

administered by a designated thirdparty vendor. 

* * * * * 


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(iv) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead ammunition when hunting 

spring wild turkey. 

* * * * * 

(j) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote and fox on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We only allow the incidental take 

of coyote and fox during the refuge deer 

hunting season. 

(ii) We require the use of non-lead 

ammunition when hunting coyote and 

fox. 

(3) * * * 

(v) We require the use of non-lead 

ammunition when hunting wild turkey. 

* * * * * 

(m) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of waterfowl on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) Hunters may only hunt waterfowl 

during designated days and times. The 

refuge provides dates for the waterfowl 

hunting season in the annual refuge 

hunt brochure. 

(ii) In designated areas, we require 

hunters to possess and carry a refuge 

hunting permit (FWS Form 3–2439) 

obtained from a designated third-party 

vendor. 

(iii) We allow the use of retrieval dogs 

consistent with State regulations. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (m)(1)(ii) and (m)(2)(i) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead ammunition when hunting 

spring wild turkey. 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1 hour prior to the start of 

legal shooting time and must exit the 

refuge no later than 1 hour after the end 

of legal shooting time. 

(iv) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. 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. 

* * * * * 

(n) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of waterfowl, rail, coot, 

snipe, gallinule, dove, woodcock, and 

crow on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) You must obtain and possess a 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting on the refuge. 

(ii) You may access the refuge from 2 

hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours 

after legal sunset. 

(iii) We allow hunting during State 

seasons from September 16 to March 14. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs while 

hunting consistent with State 

regulations. 

(v) We prohibit the use of permanent 

blinds and pit blinds. You must remove 

portable blinds and decoys at the end of 

each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(vi) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead shot while hunting any 

migratory game species. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of raccoon, opossum, fox, 

coyote, rabbit, and squirrel on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth in 

paragraphs (n)(1)(i) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit the hunting of upland 

game at night. You may access the 

refuge from 2 hours before legal sunrise 

until 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs while hunting upland game. 

(iv) You may not hunt, discharge a 

firearm, or nock an arrow or crossbow 

bolt within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of any 

building, road, or trail. 

(v) We prohibit the use or possession 

of lead ammunition while hunting 

upland game species. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (n)(1)(i) and (n)(2)(iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

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. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs while hunting white-tailed deer 

and wild turkey. 

(iv) We allow the use of portable tree 

stands, but you must remove them at the 

end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(v) We allow limited hunting of 

turkey during designated State spring 

and fall seasons only when in the 

possession of a valid refuge turkey quota 

hunt permit. 

(vi) We prohibit the use or possession 

of lead ammunition for hunting wild 

turkey. 

* * * * * 

■ 17. Amend § 32.66 by revising 

paragraph (l)(3) to read as follows: 

§ 32.66 Washington. 

* * * * * 

(l) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of elk and turkey on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) Elk hunters must obtain a letter 

from the refuge manager assigning them 

a hunt unit. 

(ii) Elk hunters may access the refuge 

no earlier than 2 hours before State legal 

shooting time and must leave no later 

than 5 hours after the end of State legal 

hunting hours. 

(iii) Elk hunters not using approved 

nontoxic ammunition (see § 32.2(k)) 

must remove or bury the visceral 

remains of harvested animals. 

(iv) We allow turkey hunting during 

the fall season only. 

(v) We prohibit the possession or use 

of toxic shot by hunters using shotguns 

(see § 32.2(k)) when hunting turkey. 

(vi) For turkey hunting, the condition 

set forth at paragraph (l)(1)(iv) of this 

section applies. 

* * * * * 

■ 18. Amend § 32.67 by revising 

paragraphs (a)(1)(v), (a)(2), and (a)(3) to 

read as follows: 

§ 32.67 West Virginia. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(v) We allow dog training and 

scouting 7 days prior to legal hunting 

seasons. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

the hunting of ruffed grouse, squirrel, 

cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, red 

fox, gray fox, bobcat, woodchuck, 

coyote, opossum, skunk, and raccoon on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (v) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) You may hunt coyote, raccoon, 

and fox at night, but you must obtain a 

Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3–1383– 

G) at the refuge headquarters before 

hunting. 

(iii) We allow hunting in Unit 2 with 

the following equipment: Rifle, archery 

(including crossbow), shotgun, or 

muzzleloader. If a rifle is used in Unit 

2, it must be from an elevated stand. We 

prohibit stalking game with a rifle. 

(iv) We prohibit the hunting of upland 

game species from March 1 through 

August 31. 


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(v) We allow the use of dogs for 

hunting of raccoon, cottontail rabbit, 

and snowshoe hare consistent with 

State regulations. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow the 

hunting of white-tailed deer, black bear, 

bobcat, and turkey on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), and (v) and 

(a)(2)(iii) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow the use of dogs for 

hunting black bear during the firearm 

season. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. 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. 

(iv) Hunters are required to harvest an 

antlerless deer prior to harvesting a 

buck. 

(v) You must label portable tree 

stands with your last name and State 

license number. You may erect your 

stand(s) on the first day of the hunting 

season. You must remove your stand(s) 

by the last day of the hunting season 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

■ 19. Amend § 32.68 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a)(3), (b)(3)(i) 

through (iii), (b)(4), (d)(2)(ii), (d)(2)(viii), 

(d)(3)(i), and (d)(3)(iv); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (d)(4)(iii); 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(3), 

and (e)(4); 

■ d. Adding paragraphs (g)(1)(iii) 

through (v); 

■ e. Revising paragraphs (g)(2)(i), (g)(3), 

(g)(4), (j)(1), and (j)(3); and 

■ f. Adding paragraph (j)(4)(iii). 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.68 Wisconsin. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) You must remove all boats, decoys, 

game cameras, blinds, blind materials, 

stands, platforms, and other personal 

equipment brought onto the refuge at 

the end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). We prohibit hunting 

from any stand left up overnight. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours before legal 

shooting hours and must exit the refuge 

no later than 2 hours after legal shooting 

hours end. 

(iii) Any ground blind used during 

any gun deer season must display at 

least 144 square inches (929 square 

centimeters) of solid, blaze-orange or 

fluorescent pink material visible from 

all directions. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) You must remove all boats, decoys, 

game cameras, blinds, blind materials, 

stands, platforms, and other personal 

equipment brought onto the refuge at 

the end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). We prohibit hunting 

from any stand left up overnight. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours before legal 

shooting hours and must exit the refuge 

no later than 2 hours after legal shooting 

hours end. 

(iii) Any ground blind used during 

any gun deer season must display at 

least 144 square inches (929 square 

centimeters) of solid, blaze-orange or 

fluorescent pink material visible from 

all directions. 

* * * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We only allow fishing from the 

shoreline; we prohibit fishing from 

docks, piers, and other structures. 

(ii) We prohibit the taking of any 

mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, or 

turtle species by any method on the 

refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting of 

upland game from 30 minutes after legal 

sunset until 30 minutes before legal 

sunrise the following day. 

* * * * * 

(viii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours before legal 

shooting hours and must exit the refuge 

no later than 2 hours after legal shooting 

hours. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) You must remove all boats, decoys, 

game cameras, blinds, blind materials, 

stands, platforms, and other personal 

equipment brought onto the refuge at 

the end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). We prohibit hunting 

from any stand left up overnight. 

* * * * * 

(iv) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (d)(2)(viii) applies. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the taking of any 

mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, or 

turtle species by any method on the 

refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of migratory game birds 

throughout the district, except that we 

prohibit hunting on the Blue Wing 

Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) in 

Ozaukee County and on the Wilcox 

WPA in Waushara County, subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of hunting dogs, 

provided the dog is under the 

immediate control of the hunter at all 

times. 

(ii) You must remove all boats, 

decoys, game cameras, blinds, blind 

materials, stands, platforms, and other 

personal equipment brought onto the 

refuge at the end of each day’s hunt (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit 

hunting from any stand left up 

overnight. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of big game throughout the 

district, except that we prohibit hunting 

on the Blue Wing WPA in Ozaukee 

County and on the Wilcox WPA in 

Waushara County, subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) Any ground blind used during any 

gun deer season must display at least 

144 square inches (929 square 

centimeters) of solid, blaze-orange or 

fluorescent pink material visible from 

all directions. 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section 

applies. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on WPAs throughout the district 

subject to the following conditions. 

(i) We prohibit the use of motorized 

boats while fishing. 

(ii) We prohibit the taking of any 

mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, or 

turtle species by any method on the 

refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

(g) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the use of motorized 

boats while hunting and fishing. 

(iv) During the State-approved 

hunting season, we allow the use of 

hunting dogs, provided the dog is under 

the immediate control of the hunter at 

all times. 

(v) You must remove all boats, 

decoys, game cameras, blinds, blind 

materials, stands, platforms, and other 

personal equipment brought onto the 

refuge at the end of each day’s hunt (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit 

hunting from any stand left up 

overnight. 

(2) * * * 


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(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iv) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of big game on designated areas 

throughout the district subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit hunting on designated 

portions of the St. Croix Prairie WPA 

and the Prairie Flats–South WPA in St. 

Croix County. 

(ii) Any ground blind used during any 

gun deer season must display at least 

144 square inches (929 square 

centimeters) of solid-blaze-orange or 

fluorescent pink material visible from 

all directions. 

(iii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(iii) through (v) of this 

section apply. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on WPAs throughout the district 

subject to the following conditions. 

(i) We prohibit the taking of any 

mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, or 

turtle species by any method on the 

refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(j) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of waterfowl on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) You must remove all boats, decoys, 

game cameras, blinds, blind materials, 

stands, platforms, and other personal 

equipment brought onto the refuge at 

the end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). We prohibit hunting 

from any stand left up overnight. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours before legal 

shooting hours and must exit the refuge 

no later than 2 hours after legal shooting 

hours end. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of motorized 

boats while hunting and fishing. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow archery deer hunting to 

take place on refuge lands owned by the 

Service that constitute tracts greater 

than 20 acres (8 hectares). 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(4) * * * 

(iii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (j)(1)(iii) applies. 

* * * * * 

Shannon A. Estenoz, 

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 

Parks. 

[FR Doc. 2022–12463 Filed 6–8–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 


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