51940 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

50 CFR Part 32 

[Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2017–0005; 

FXRS12650900000–178–FF09R26000] 

RIN 1018–BB75 

2017–2018 Refuge-Specific Hunting 

and Sport Fishing Regulations 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, increase the hunting 

activities available at nine refuges, open 

one refuge to sport fishing for the first 

time, and add pertinent refuge-specific 

regulations for other NWRs that pertain 

to migratory game bird hunting, upland 

game hunting, big game hunting, and 

sport fishing for the 2017–2018 season. 

DATES: This rule is effective November 

8, 2017. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Katherine Harrigan, (703) 358–2440. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966 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 refuge hunting 

and sport fishing programs to determine 

whether to include additional refuges or 

whether individual refuge 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 

refuge-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 refuge purposes or the 

Refuge System’s mission. 

Provisions governing hunting and 

sport fishing on refuges are in title 50 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations in part 

32 (50 CFR part 32). We regulate 

hunting and sport fishing on refuges to: 

• Ensure compatibility with refuge 

purpose(s); 

• Properly manage fish and wildlife 

resource(s); 

• Protect other refuge values; 

• Ensure refuge visitor safety; and 

• Provide opportunities for quality 

fish- and wildlife-dependent recreation. 

On many refuges 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 

refuges, we must supplement State 

regulations with more-restrictive 

Federal regulations to ensure that we 

meet our management responsibilities, 

as outlined in the Statutory Authority 

section, below. We issue refuge-specific 

hunting and sport fishing regulations 

when we open wildlife refuges to 

migratory game bird hunting, upland 

game hunting, big game hunting, or 

sport fishing. These regulations may list 

the wildlife species 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. 

You may find previously issued refugespecific regulations for hunting and 

sport fishing in 50 CFR part 32. In this 

rulemaking, we are also standardizing 

and clarifying the language of existing 

regulations. 

Statutory Authority 

The National Wildlife Refuge System 

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

668dd–668ee, as amended by the 

National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997 [Improvement 

Act]) (Administration Act), and the 

Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 

U.S.C. 460k–460k–4) (Recreation Act) 

govern the administration and public 

use of refuges. 

Amendments enacted by the 

Improvement Act 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 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 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 refuge-specific 

regulations to ensure the compatibility 

of the programs with the purpose(s) for 

which we established the refuge and the 

Refuge System mission. We ensure 

initial compliance with the 

Administration Act and the Recreation 

Act for hunting and sport fishing on 

newly acquired refuges 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 part 32. 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. 


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Summary of Comments and Responses 

On August 10, 2017, we published a 

proposed rule (82 FR 37398) to increase 

the hunting activities available at nine 

refuges and open one refuge to fishing 

for the first time, and add pertinent 

refuge-specific regulations for other 

refuges that pertain to migratory game 

bird hunting, upland game hunting, big 

game hunting, and sport fishing for the 

2017–2018 season. We accepted public 

comments on the proposed rule for 30 

days, ending September 11, 2017. By 

that date, we received 106 comments. Of 

those, two comments concerned only 

National Monuments, which are not the 

subject of our proposed rule. Therefore, 

we do not consider them below. We 

discuss the other 104 comments we 

received below by topic. 

Comment (1): Many commenters 

expressed general opposition to any 

hunting or fishing in the National 

Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). In 

many cases, commenters stated that 

hunting was antithetical to the purposes 

of a ‘‘refuge,’’ which, in their opinion, 

should serve as an inviolate sanctuary 

for all wildlife. Thirteen of these 

comments specifically opposed hunting 

at Baskett Slough National Wildlife 

Refuge, one commenter opposed 

hunting at Horicon National Wildlife 

Refuge, one commenter opposed 

hunting at Savannah River National 

Wildlife Refuge, one commenter 

opposed hunting at all refuges within 

the State of Alabama, and one 

commenter opposed sport fishing at 

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge. 

Our Response: The Administration 

Act, as amended, stipulates that hunting 

(along with fishing, wildlife observation 

and photography, and environmental 

education and interpretation), if found 

to be compatible, is a legitimate and 

priority general public use of a refuge 

and should be facilitated. The Service 

has adopted policies and regulations 

implementing the requirements of the 

Administration Act that refuge 

managers comply with when 

considering hunting and fishing 

programs. 

We allow hunting of resident wildlife 

on NWRs only if such activity has been 

determined compatible with the 

established purpose(s) of the refuge and 

the mission of the Refuge System as 

required by the Administration Act. 

Hunting of resident wildlife on NWRs 

generally occurs consistent with State 

regulations, including seasons and bag 

limits. Refuge-specific hunting 

regulations can be more restrictive (but 

not more liberal) than State regulations 

and often are more restrictive in order 

to help meet specific refuge objectives. 

These objectives include resident 

wildlife population and habitat 

objectives, minimizing disturbance 

impacts to wildlife, maintaining highquality opportunities for hunting and 

other wildlife-dependent recreation, 

eliminating or minimizing conflicts 

with other public uses and/or refuge 

management activities, and protecting 

public safety. 

Each refuge manager makes a decision 

regarding hunting on that particular 

refuge only after rigorous examination 

of the available information. Developing 

or referencing a comprehensive 

conservation plan (CCP), a 15-year plan 

for the refuge, is generally the first step 

a refuge manager takes. Our policy for 

managing units of the Refuge System is 

that we will manage all refuges in 

accordance with an approved CCP, 

which, when implemented, will achieve 

refuge purposes; help fulfill the Refuge 

System mission; maintain and, where 

appropriate, restore the ecological 

integrity of each refuge and the Refuge 

System; help achieve the goals of the 

National Wilderness Preservation 

System; and meet other mandates. The 

CCP will guide management decisions 

and set forth goals, objectives, and 

strategies to accomplish these ends. The 

next step for refuge managers is 

developing or referencing step-down 

plans, of which a hunting plan would be 

one. Part of the process for opening a 

refuge to hunting after completing the 

step-down plan would be appropriate 

compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), such as conducting 

an environmental assessment 

accompanied by the appropriate 

decision documentation (record of 

decision, finding of no significant 

impact, or environmental action 

memorandum or statement). The rest of 

the elements in the opening package are 

an evaluation of section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

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

of letters requesting State and/or tribal 

involvement, and draft refuge-specific 

regulatory language. We make available 

the CCP, hunt plan, and NEPA 

documents and request public 

comments on them, as well as on any 

proposed rule, before we allow hunting 

on a refuge. 

In sum, this illustrates that the 

decision to allow hunting on an NWR is 

not a quick or simple process. It is full 

of deliberation and discussion, 

including review of all available data to 

determine the relative health of a 

population before we allow it to be 

hunted. 

The word ‘‘refuge’’ includes the idea 

of providing a haven of safety for 

wildlife, and as such, hunting might 

seem an inconsistent use of the NWRS. 

But again, the Administration Act 

stipulates that hunting, if found 

compatible, is a legitimate and priority 

general public use of a refuge. 

Furthermore, we manage refuges to 

support healthy wildlife populations 

that in many cases produce harvestable 

surpluses that are a renewable resource. 

As practiced on refuges, hunting and 

fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife 

populations. It is important to note that 

taking certain individuals through 

hunting does not necessarily reduce a 

population overall, as hunting can 

simply replace other types of mortality. 

In some cases, however, we use hunting 

as a management tool with the explicit 

goal of reducing a population; this is 

often the case with exotic and/or 

invasive species that threaten ecosystem 

stability. Therefore, facilitating hunting 

opportunities is an important aspect of 

the Service’s roles and responsibilities 

as outlined in the legislation 

establishing the NWRS, and the Service 

will continue to facilitate these 

opportunities where compatible with 

the purpose of the specific refuge and 

the mission of the NWRS. 

Note that not all refuges are inviolate 

sanctuaries. If we acquired a refuge as 

an inviolate sanctuary, we may open up 

to 40 percent of that refuge’s area for 

hunting of migratory game birds (16 

U.S.C. 668dd(d)(1)(A)). However, if we 

acquired a refuge without the 

stipulation that it be an inviolate 

sanctuary, we may open 100 percent of 

the refuge’s area for hunting. 

The Fish and Wildlife Improvement 

Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–616, 92 Stat. 

3114) amended section 6 of the 

Administration Act to provide for the 

opening of all or any portion of an 

inviolate sanctuary to the taking of 

migratory birds if taking is determined 

to be beneficial to the species. Such 

opening of more than 40 percent of the 

refuge to hunting is determined by 

species. This amendment refers to 

inviolate sanctuaries created in the past 

or to be created in the future. It has no 

application to areas acquired for other 

management purposes. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (2): Many commenters 

expressed support for hunting and 

fishing expansions on NWRs. Thirtynine of these commenters specifically 

supported youth waterfowl hunting at 

Baskett Slough National Wildlife 

Refuge. Two commenters supported the 

new opportunities for hunting and 

fishing, and stated that hunting and 

fishing should be open on all public 

lands. Two commenters expressed 


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support for the openings and 

expansions described in the proposed 

rule, but felt that the Service has not 

opened enough refuges to hunting or 

increased hunting at enough refuges. 

According to the commenters, more 

than 40 percent of the more than 566 

NWRs still prohibit hunting; with the 

clear directives from the Executive and 

Legislative branches of the Federal 

Government to increase hunting 

activities, the Service must open refuges 

to hunting at a faster pace. The 

commenters also strongly recommended 

that the Service engage in discussions 

with State wildlife managers and with 

representatives of the hunting 

community, to facilitate and expedite 

these openings and make certain that 

these and all NWRs become or remain 

open to hunting. 

Our Response: As noted in our 

response to Comment (1), the 

Administration Act, as amended, 

establishes that the Refuge System was 

created to conserve fish, wildlife, plants, 

and their habitats and that the Service 

should facilitate opportunities for 

Americans to participate in compatible 

wildlife-dependent recreation, 

including hunting and fishing, on 

Refuge System lands and waters. 

Therefore, the Service will continue to 

facilitate hunting and fishing 

opportunities where doing so is 

compatible with the purpose of the 

specific refuge and the mission of the 

NWRS. 

The Service continues to open and 

expand hunting opportunities across the 

NWRS, as evidenced by this final rule; 

however, as detailed in our response to 

Comment (1), above, the decision to 

allow hunting on a refuge is not a quick 

or simple process. Once the Service 

determines that a hunt can be carried 

out in a manner compatible with 

individual refuge purposes and the 

mission of the NWRS, we work 

expeditiously to open it. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (3): Many commenters 

stated that the majority of Americans do 

not hunt and were of the opinion that 

allowing hunting would impede ‘‘nonconsumptive’’ uses of refuges, including 

photography and wildlife viewing. 

Our Response: Congress, through the 

Administration Act, as amended, 

envisioned that hunting, fishing, 

wildlife observation and photography, 

and environmental education and 

interpretation would all be treated as 

priority public uses of the NWRS. 

Therefore, the Service facilitates all of 

these uses on refuges, as long as they are 

found compatible with the purposes of 

the specific refuge and the mission of 

the NWRS. For this rulemaking, we 

analyzed impacts of the proposed 

changes to hunting programs at each 

refuge through the NEPA process, which 

included analyzing impacts to other 

wildlife-dependent uses. The 10 refuges 

in this rulemaking completed 

environmental assessments (EAs). We 

also provided opportunities for the 

public to comment on the proposed 

hunt opening and expansions when we 

developed the CCP, hunt plan, and 

compatibility determination, and 

through the NEPA process. When 

looking at the 10 EAs completed for this 

specific rulemaking, collectively with 

the refuges that already allow for 

hunting, the Service has determined 

that there are no significant impacts to 

other wildlife-dependent recreation 

opportunities. 

The refuges in this rulemaking use a 

variety of techniques to reduce user 

conflict, such as specific hunt seasons, 

limited hunting hours, restricting which 

parts of the refuge are open to hunting, 

and restricting the number of hunters. 

Refuge managers also use public 

outreach tools, such as signs and 

brochures, to make users aware of 

hunting and their options for 

minimizing conflict. Most refuges have 

refuge-specific regulations to improve 

the quality of the hunting experience as 

well as provide for quality wildlifedependent experiences for other users. 

The Service is aware of several studies 

showing a correlation between 

increased hunting and decreased 

wildlife sightings, which underscores 

the importance of using the 

aforementioned techniques, particularly 

time and space zoning of hunting, to 

ensure a quality experience for all 

refuge visitors. More information on 

how a specific refuge facilitates various 

wildlife-dependent recreation 

opportunities can be found in the 

refuge’s CCP, hunt plan, and/or refugespecific EA or environmental impact 

statement (EIS). The public may contact 

the specific refuge for any of these 

materials. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (4): A few commenters were 

of the opinion that hunting can disrupt 

the natural balance of the ecosystem 

that people enjoy, can impact the safety 

of other refuge users, and can deter 

people from going to visit areas even at 

times when there are not people actively 

hunting wildlife. 

Our Response: We do not allow 

hunting on a refuge if it is found 

incompatible with that individual 

refuge’s purposes or with the mission of 

the NWRS. In addition, the Service’s 

Biological Integrity, Diversity, and 

Environmental Health (BIDEH) policy 

(601 Fish and Wildlife Service Manual 

(FW) 3) guides decision-making with 

respect to management of activities on 

refuges, including hunting. Service 

biologists and wildlife professionals, in 

consultation with the State, determine 

the optimal number of each game 

animal that should reside in an 

ecosystem and then establish hunt 

parameters (e.g., bag limits, sex ratios) 

based on those analyses. We carefully 

consider how a proposed hunt fits with 

individual refuge goals, objectives, and 

strategies before allowing the hunt. 

None of the known, estimated, or 

projected harvests of migratory game 

birds, upland game, or big game species 

in this rulemaking is expected to have 

significant adverse direct, indirect, or 

cumulative impacts to hunted 

populations, non-hunted wildlife, 

endangered or threatened species, plant 

or habitat resources, wildlife-dependent 

recreation, prescribed fire, air, soil, 

water, cultural resources, refuge 

facilities, solitude, or socio-economics. 

Further, we address the relationship 

between hunting and wildlife sightings 

in our response to Comment (3). We did 

not make any changes to the rule as a 

result of this comment. 

Comment (5): One commenter 

requested that we increase nonmotorized access at Bear River 

Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah, and 

eliminate motorized boat access to some 

units of the refuge. 

Our Response: Non-motorized access 

at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is 

a result of the CCP process. As part of 

the CCP process, we invited the public 

to comment during the scoping period, 

as well as on the final draft plan. We 

received no comments regarding an 

increase in non-motorized access during 

this process. We appreciate the 

feedback, but we cannot accommodate 

these requests in this final rule; adding 

additional non-motorized access would 

require us to update our plan, 

compatibility determination, and NEPA 

documentation and allow for additional 

public comment. Therefore, we made no 

changes to this rule as a result of these 

comments. However, we may consider 

making these changes in the future after 

conducting the required above 

described actions. 

Comment (6): One commenter 

expressed interest in opening fishing at 

the Morgan Lake unit of Baskett Slough 

NWR. 

Our Response: The hunt plan for 

Baskett Slough is a result of the CCP 

process. As part of the CCP process, we 

invited the public to comment during 

the scoping period, as well as on the 

final draft plan. We received no 


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comments regarding fishing at Morgan 

Lake during this process. We appreciate 

the feedback, but we cannot 

accommodate these requests in this final 

rule; adding fishing would require us to 

update our plan, compatibility 

determination, and NEPA 

documentation and allow for additional 

public comment. Therefore, we made no 

changes to this rule as a result of these 

comments. However, we may consider 

making these changes in the future after 

conducting the required above 

described actions. 

Comment (7): Two commenters 

expressed interest in expanding 

waterfowl hunting to adults in addition 

to youth at Baskett Slough NWR. One of 

these commenters suggested wheelchair 

accessible hunting opportunities. 

Our Response: The hunt plan limiting 

opportunities only for youths at Baskett 

Slough is a result of the CCP process. As 

part of the CCP process, we invited the 

public to comment during the scoping 

period, as well as on the final draft plan. 

The small size of the refuge and number 

of permits issued for the youth hunt 

allow the refuge to maintain a safe 

hunter density to provide an 

uncrowded, high-quality experience. 

Expanding adult waterfowl hunting 

opportunities would require us to 

update our hunt plan, compatibility 

determination, and NEPA 

documentation and allow for additional 

public comment. Wheelchair 

accessibility is outside the scope of this 

regulatory process, and would be 

considered within the refuge’s facilities 

plan. Therefore, we made no changes to 

this rule as a result of these comments. 

However, we may consider making 

these changes in the future after 

conducting the required above 

described actions. 

Comment (8): One commenter 

expressed concern regarding the 

regulatory change at Stillwater National 

Wildlife Refuge to close Swan Check 

Lake to non-motorized boating for 4 

months of the year and stated that this 

regulatory change was proposed without 

public involvement. The commenter 

also stated that opening Willow Lake to 

non-motorized access must be examined 

through the NEPA process. 

Our Response: We reverse our 

decision for now to close Swan Check 

Lake to non-motorized boating for 4 

months to minimize the burden on the 

public, and we will revise the regulatory 

language to keep the unit open yearround in accordance with the CCP. The 

opening of Willow Lake to nonmotorized access was previously 

analyzed in compliance with NEPA as 

part of the CCP process. Public 

comment was also sought during this 

process. We are updating the regulatory 

language for Stillwater National Wildlife 

Refuge in this rule to reflect these 

changes. 

Comment (9): Three commenters 

expressed concern over allowing lead 

ammunition to be used on refuges; some 

requested that the Service ban lead 

ammunition for all hunting. 

Our Response: The Service is 

concerned about the impacts of spent 

lead ammunition on scavengers, 

especially bald eagles and ravens. Lead 

shot for waterfowl hunting has been 

illegal on refuges since 1998. We 

continue to look at options and ways to 

reduce the indirect impacts of toxic 

shot. Generally, we are and have been 

phasing out the use of lead shot by 

upland and big game hunters on refuge 

lands. 

The Service continues to research this 

issue and engage with States and other 

partners to promote the use of non-lead 

ammunition. The Administration Act, 

as amended, directs the Service to make 

refuge regulations as consistent with 

State regulations as practicable. We 

share a strong partnership with the 

States in managing wildlife, and, 

therefore, we are proceeding with the 

phase-out of toxic ammunition in a 

coordinated manner with each 

respective State wildlife agency. We 

note for State of California, lead 

ammunition is already banned under 

State law and is therefore banned on all 

refuges in California. 

We made no changes to the rule as a 

result of these comments. 

Changes From the Proposed Rule 

As discussed above, under Summary 

of Comments and Responses, based on 

comments we received on the proposed 

rule, we made changes to the regulatory 

text in this final rule from what we 

proposed for Stillwater NWR (in 

Nevada). Specifically, for Stillwater 

NWR, we revised the regulations to keep 

non-motorized access on Swan Check 

Lake open year-round. 

In addition, we are adding to this final 

rule changes not included in our 

proposed rule. Specifically, we are 

adding regulations for upland and big 

game hunting for Kankakee National 

Wildlife Refuge to 50 CFR 32.32 

(Illinois). We are also making changes to 

refuge-specific regulations for, Rocky 

Mountain Arsenal in Colorado, and 

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge 

and Benton Lake Wetland Management 

District in Montana. Over all, these 

changes were deemed minor and not 

controversial. 

Effective Date 

We are making this rule effective 

upon publication in the Federal 

Register (see DATES, above). We have 

determined that any further delay in 

implementing these refuge-specific 

hunting and sport fishing regulations 

would not be in the public interest, in 

that a delay would hinder the effective 

planning and administration of the 

hunting and fishing programs. We 

provided a 30-day public comment 

period for the August 10, 2017, 

proposed rule (82 FR 37398). This rule 

does not impact the public generally in 

terms of requiring lead time for 

compliance. Rather, it relieves 

restrictions in that it allows activities on 

refuges that we would otherwise 

prohibit. Therefore, we find good cause 

under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make this 

rule effective upon publication. 

Amendments to Existing Regulations 

This document adopts in the Code of 

Federal Regulations all of the Service’s 

hunting and/or sport fishing regulations 

that we are updating since the last time 

we published a rule amending these 

regulations (81 FR 68874; October 4, 

2016) and that are applicable at Refuge 

System units previously opened to 

hunting and/or sport fishing. We are 

taking this action to better inform the 

general public of the regulations at each 

refuge, 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 

part 32, visitors to our refuges may find 

them reiterated in literature distributed 

by each refuge or posted on signs. 

TABLE 1—CHANGES FOR 2017–2018 HUNTING/FISHING SEASON

Refuge/region (*) State Migratory bird 

hunting 

Upland game 

hunting 

Big game 

hunting Sport fishing 

Baskett Slough (1) ........................ Oregon ........................................ C ...................... Closed .............. Closed .............. Closed. 

Des Lacs (6) ................................. North Dakota .............................. Closed .............. Already Open ... C/D ................... Closed. 

Fox River (3) ................................. Wisconsin ................................... Closed .............. Closed .............. C ...................... Closed. 


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TABLE 1—CHANGES FOR 2017–2018 HUNTING/FISHING SEASON—Continued 

Refuge/region (*) State Migratory bird 

hunting 

Upland game 

hunting 

Big game 

hunting Sport fishing 

Horicon (3) .................................... Wisconsin ................................... D ...................... C/D ................... C ...................... Already Open. 

Minnesota Valley (3) ..................... Minnesota ................................... C ...................... C ...................... C ...................... Already Open. 

Patoka River (3) ............................ Indiana ........................................ C ...................... C ...................... C ...................... C. 

Savannah River (4) ....................... Georgia and South Carolina ...... C/D ................... C/D ................... C/D ................... Already Open. 

Sequoyah (2) ................................ Oklahoma ................................... Already Open ... C ...................... C ...................... Already Open. 

Siletz Bay (1) ................................ Oregon ........................................ Already Open ... Closed .............. Closed .............. B. 

Upper Souris (6) ........................... North Dakota .............................. Closed .............. C/D ................... C/D ................... Already Open. 

* Number in ( ) refers to the Region as defined in the preamble to this rule under Available Information for Specific Refuges. 

Key: 

A = New refuge opened. 

B = New activity on a refuge previously open to other activities. 

C = Refuge already open to activity, but added new lands/waters or modified areas open to hunting or fishing. 

D = Refuge already open to activity but added new species to hunt. 

The changes for the 2017–18 hunting/ 

fishing season noted in the chart above 

are each based on a complete 

administrative record which, among 

other detailed documentation, also 

includes a hunt plan, a compatibility 

determination, 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. 

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: http://www.epa.gov/fish-tech. 

Plain Language Mandate 

In this rule, we revise some 

regulations for individual refuge units to 

comply with a Presidential mandate to 

use plain language in regulations; these 

particular revisions do not modify the 

substance of the previous regulations. 

These types of changes include using 

‘‘you’’ to refer to the reader and ‘‘we’’ 

to refer to the Refuge System, using the 

word ‘‘allow’’ instead of ‘‘permit’’ when 

we do not require the use of a permit for 

an activity, and using active voice (e.g., 

‘‘We restrict entry into the refuge’’ vs. 

‘‘Entry into the refuge is restricted’’). 

Executive Order 13771—Reducing 

Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 

Costs 

This rule is not an Executive Order 

(E.O.) 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 3, 

2017) regulatory action because this rule 

is not significant under E.O. 12866. 

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 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 rule adds one NWR to the list of 

refuges open to sport fishing, and 

increases hunting or fishing activities on 

nine additional refuges. As a result, 

visitor use for wildlife-dependent 

recreation on these NWRs will change. 

If the refuges establishing new programs 

were a pure addition to the current 

supply of those activities, it would 

mean an estimated increase of 914 user 

days (one person per day participating 

in a recreational opportunity, Table 2). 

Because the participation trend is flat in 

these activities since 1991, 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 activity and not 

necessarily an increase in participation 

rates for the activity. 


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TABLE 2—ESTIMATED CHANGE IN RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN 2017/2018 

[Dollars in thousands] 

Refuge Additional 

days 

Additional 

expenditures 

Baskett Slough ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 $0.1 

Des Lacs .................................................................................................................................................................. 50 2.0 

Fox River ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 0.2 

Horicon ..................................................................................................................................................................... 187 7.4 

Minnesota Valley ..................................................................................................................................................... 0 0.0 

Patoka River ............................................................................................................................................................ 0 0.0 

Savannah River ....................................................................................................................................................... 315 12.4 

Sequoyah ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 0.2 

Siletz Bay ................................................................................................................................................................. 150 6.3 

Upper Souris ............................................................................................................................................................ 200 7.9 

Total .................................................................................................................................................................. 914 36.4 

To the extent visitors spend time and 

money in the area of the refuge 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 2011 

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 $36,400 in 

recreation-related expenditures (Table 

2). 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 (2.27) derived from the report 

‘‘Hunting in America: An Economic 

Force for Conservation’’ and for fishing 

activities (2.40) derived from the report 

‘‘Sportfishing in America’’ yields a total 

economic impact of approximately 

$83,500 (2016 dollars) (Southwick 

Associates, Inc., 2012). 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 

would be ‘‘new’’ money coming into a 

local economy; therefore, this spending 

would be offset with a decrease in some 

other sector of the local economy. The 

net gain to the local economies would 

be no more than $83,500, and most 

likely considerably less. Since 80 

percent of the participants travel less 

than 100 miles to engage in hunting and 

fishing activities, their spending 

patterns would not add new money into 

the local economy and, therefore, the 

real impact would be on the order of 

about $16,700 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 refuge visitation. A large 

percentage of these retail trade 

establishments in the local communities 

around NWRs qualify as small 

businesses (Table 3). 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 approximately $36,400 to be 

spent in total in the refuges’ local 

economies. The maximum increase at 

most would be less than one-hundredth 

of 1 percent for local retail trade 

spending (Table 3). 

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

2017/2018 

[Thousands, 2016 dollars] 

Refuge/county(ies) Retail trade 

in 2012 

Estimated 

maximum 

addition from 

new activities 

Addition as % 

of total 

Establishments 

in 2012 

Establ. with 

<10 emp in 

2012 

Baskett Slough: 

Polk, OR ..................................................................... $377,029 $0.1 <0.01 125 89 

Des Lacs: 

Burke, ND ................................................................... 1,988,596 1.0 <0.01 293 169 

Ward, ND .................................................................... 40,290 1.0 <0.01 10 6 

Fox River: 

Marquette, WI ............................................................. 74,141 0.2 <0.01 35 27 

Horicon: 

Dodge, WI ................................................................... 870,743 3.7 <0.01 234 159 

Fond du Lac, WI ......................................................... 1,465,969 3.7 <0.01 354 225 

Minnesota Valley: 

Carver, MN ................................................................. 948,923 ........................ ........................ 209 132 

Dakota, MN ................................................................. 6,779,786 ........................ ........................ 1,132 689 

Hennepin, MN ............................................................. 25,012,109 ........................ ........................ 4,209 2,657 

Le Sueur, MN ............................................................. 220,214 ........................ ........................ 84 58 

Scott, MN .................................................................... 1,397,711 ........................ ........................ 323 215 


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

2017/2018—Continued 

[Thousands, 2016 dollars] 

Refuge/county(ies) Retail trade 

in 2012 

Estimated 

maximum 

addition from 

new activities 

Addition as % 

of total 

Establishments 

in 2012 

Establ. with 

<10 emp in 

2012 

Sibley, MN .................................................................. 79,291 ........................ ........................ 54 39 

Patoka River: 

Gibson, IN ................................................................... 582,859 ........................ ........................ 120 84 

Pike, IN ....................................................................... 75,823 ........................ ........................ 31 23 

Savannah River: 

Chatham, GA .............................................................. 4,449,471 6.2 <0.01 1,198 851 

Effingham, GA ............................................................ 374,811 6.2 <0.01 108 79 

Jasper, SC .................................................................. 600,879 6.2 <0.01 104 80 

Sequoyah: 

Haskell, OK ................................................................. 149,403 0.1 <0.01 33 22 

Muskogee, OK ............................................................ 970,020 0.1 <0.01 258 178 

Sequoyah, OK ............................................................ 405,258 0.1 <0.01 116 86 

Siletz Bay: 

Lincoln, OR ................................................................. 607,106 6.3 <0.01 241 310 

Upper Souris: 

Renville, ND ................................................................ 84,795 3.9 <0.01 12 10 

Ward, ND .................................................................... 1,988,596 3.9 <0.01 293 169 

With the small change in overall 

spending anticipated from this 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 refuges. Therefore, we 

certify that this rule 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 

This 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 rule: 

a. Will not have an annual effect on 

the economy of $100 million or more. 

The minimal impact will be scattered 

across the country and will most likely 

not be significant in any local area. 

b. Will not cause a major increase in 

costs or prices for consumers; 

individual industries; Federal, State, or 

local government agencies; or 

geographic regions. This rule will 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 will 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 will be small. We 

do not expect this rule to affect the 

supply or demand for hunting 

opportunities in the United States, and, 

therefore, it should not affect prices for 

hunting equipment and supplies, or the 

retailers that sell equipment. 

c. Will 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 rule represents only a small 

proportion of recreational spending at 

NWRs. Therefore, this rule will 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 rule will apply to public 

use of federally owned and managed 

refuges, it will not impose an unfunded 

mandate on State, local, or Tribal 

governments or the private sector of 

more than $100 million per year. The 

rule will 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 

rule will not have significant takings 

implications. This rule will affect only 

visitors at NWRs and describe what they 

can do while they are on a refuge. 

Federalism (E.O. 13132) 

As discussed in Regulatory Planning 

and Review and Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act, above, this rule will not 

have sufficient federalism implications 

to warrant the preparation of a 

federalism summary impact statement 

under E.O. 13132. In preparing this 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 rule will not 

unduly burden the judicial system and 

that it meets the requirements of 

sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. 

The rule will clarify established 

regulations and result in better 

understanding of the regulations by 

refuge visitors. 

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, and use. E.O. 13211 

requires agencies to prepare Statements 

of Energy Effects when undertaking 

certain actions. Because this rule will 

add one NWR to the list of refuges open 

to sport fishing and increase hunting or 

fishing activities on nine 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. 


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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 with Tribal governments 

having adjoining or overlapping 

jurisdiction before we propose the 

regulations. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

This rule does not contain any new 

collection of information that requires 

approval by the Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) under the PRA of 

1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). OMB has 

approved the information collection 

requirements associated with 

regulations implementing refugespecific hunting and sport fishing 

regulations and has assigned OMB 

control numbers 1018–0102 (expires 

August 31, 2020), 1018–0140 (expires 

May 31, 2018), and 1018–0153 (expires 

December 31, 2018). An agency may not 

conduct or sponsor and a person is not 

required to respond to a collection of 

information, unless it displays a 

currently valid OMB control number. 

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 prior to implementing any 

new or revised public recreation 

program on a refuge as identified in 50 

CFR 26.32. We have completed section 

7 consultation on each of the affected 

refuges. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

We analyzed this 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 

amendments to refuge-specific 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 

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 to the 

list of areas open to hunting and fishing 

in 50 CFR part 32, we develop hunting 

and fishing plans for the affected 

refuges. We incorporate these proposed 

refuge hunting and fishing activities in 

the refuge 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, and the Council on 

Environmental Quality’s regulations for 

implementing NEPA in 40 CFR parts 

1500 through 1508. 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 refuges at the 

addresses provided below. 

Available Information for Specific 

Refuges 

Individual refuge 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, contact the 

appropriate Regional office listed below: 

Region 1—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) 231–6214. 

Region 2—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) 248–6937. 

Region 3—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) 713–5360. 

Region 4—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) 679–7166. 

Region 5—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. 

Region 6—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) 236–8145. 

Region 7—Alaska. Regional Chief, 

National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. 

Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503; 

Telephone (907) 786–3545. 

Region 8—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) 

414–6464. 

Primary Author 

Katherine 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. 

Regulation Promulgation 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, we 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. 

§ 32.7 [Amended] 

■ 2. Amend § 32.7 by 

■ a. Adding in alphabetical order an 

entry for ‘‘ ‘‘Kankakee National Wildlife 

Refuge’’ in the State of Illinois; and 

■ b. Adding in alphabetical order an 

entry for ‘‘Loess Bluffs National Wildlife 

Refuge’’ and removing the entry for 

‘‘Squaw Creek National Wildlife 

Refuge’’ in the State of Missouri. 

■ 3. Amend § 32.23 in the entry for Dale 

Bumpers White River National Wildlife 

Refuge by: 

■ a. Removing the second, duplicate 

appearance of paragraph A.16; 


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■ b. Adding paragraph A.17; 

■ c. Revising paragraphs A.18 through 

A.20, C.2 through C.5, C.8, and C.18; 

■ d. Adding paragraphs C.20 and C.21; 

and 

■ e. Revising paragraph D.1. 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.23 Arkansas. 

* * * * * 

Dale Bumpers White River National 

Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

* * * * * 

17. We prohibit the use of decoys that 

contain moving parts or electrical 

components, except that you may use 

manually operated ’jerk strings’ to 

simulate decoy movement. 

18. You may not utilize a guide, guide 

service, outfitter, club, organization, or 

any other person who provides 

equipment, services, or assistance on 

the refuge for compensation. 

19. We prohibit commercial guiding 

for the take of wildlife or fish. 

20. We allow camping only in 

designated sites and areas identified in 

the refuge user brochure/permit (signed 

brochure), and we restrict camping to 

individuals involved in wildlifedependent activities. We limit camping 

on the refuge to no more than 14 days 

during any 30 consecutive-day period. 

Campers must occupy camps daily. We 

prohibit all disturbances, including use 

of generators, after 10 p.m. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

* * * * * 

2. Archery deer seasons on the North 

Unit are from the beginning of October 

until the end of January except during 

quota muzzleloader and quota gun deer 

hunts, when the archery season is 

closed. We provide annual season dates 

and bag limits in the refuge user 

brochure/permit (signed brochure). 

3. Archery deer seasons on the South 

Unit are from the beginning of October 

until the end of December except during 

quota muzzleloader and quota gun deer 

hunts, when the archery season is 

closed. We provide annual season dates 

and bag limits in the refuge user 

brochure/permit (signed brochure). 

4. Muzzleloader season for deer will 

begin in October and will continue for 

a period of up to 3 days of quota 

hunting and 4 days of non-quota 

hunting in the North Unit. We provide 

annual season dates and bag limits in 

the refuge user brochure/permit (signed 

brochure). 

5. The gun deer hunt will begin in 

November and will continue for a 

period of 3 days of quota hunting in the 

North and South Units, and 4 days of 

non-quota hunting in the North Unit. 

We provide annual season dates, bag 

limits, and areas in the refuge user 

brochure/permit. 

* * * * * 

8. If you harvest deer or turkey on the 

refuge, you must immediately record the 

zone number (Zone 145 for the South 

Unit or Zone 146 for the North Unit) on 

your hunting license and later check 

deer and/or turkey through the State 

checking system. Outlying tracts use the 

same zone number as the surrounding 

State zone. 

* * * * * 

18. We close the Kansas Lake Area to 

all entry on December 1 and reopen it 

on March 1. 

* * * * * 

20. We prohibit the possession and/or 

use of toxic shot by hunters using 

shotguns (see § 32.2(k) of this chapter) 

when hunting. 

21. Feral hog regulations are found in 

the refuge brochure/permit (signed 

brochure). 

D. * * * 

1. Conditions A1, A9, A10, A11, A15, 

and A21 through A25 apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 4. Amend § 32.24 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph A.3 under the 

entry Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; 

■ b. Revising paragraph A.3 under the 

entry Delevan National Wildlife Refuge; 

■ c. Revising paragraph A.3 under the 

entry Sacramento National Wildlife 

Refuge; and 

■ d. Revising paragraph C.3 under the 

entry Sacramento River National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.24 California. 

* * * * * 

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

3. Junior hunters age 15 or younger 

must be accompanied by, and remain 

within sight and normal voice contact 

of, an adult (age 18 or older) at all times 

while hunting. 

* * * * * 

Delevan National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

3. Junior hunters age 15 or younger 

must be accompanied by, and remain 

within sight and normal voice contact 

of, an adult (age 18 or older) at all times 

while hunting. 

* * * * * 

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

3. Junior hunters age 15 or younger 

must be accompanied by, and remain 

within sight and normal voice contact 

of, an adult (age 18 or older) at all times 

while hunting. 

* * * * * 

Sacramento River National Wildlife 

Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

3. We prohibit using dogs while 

hunting feral hogs and black-tailed deer. 

* * * * * 

■ 5. Amend § 32.25 by revising 

paragraph D under the entry Rocky 

Mountain Arsenal to read as follows: 

§ 32.25 Colorado. 

* * * * * 

Rocky Mountain Arsenal 

* * * * * 

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing at 

designated times and on designated 

areas of the refuge in accordance with 

State regulations and subject to the 

following conditions: 

1. We allow fishing from the third 

Saturday in April to the second Sunday 

in October. 

2. We allow fishing on Tuesday, 

Saturday, and Sunday from legal sunrise 

to sunset. 

3. You must possess a signed refuge 

fishing permit (signed refuge fishing 

brochure), when fishing, for all anglers 

age 16 and older. Refuge brochures are 

available at the refuge visitor center, 

fishing fee stations, and on the refuge’s 

Web site (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ 

rocky_mountain_arsenal/). 

4. You must stop and pay the daily 

fishing recreation fee for each licensed 

angler age 16 and older. Payments are 

made at self-serving fishing fee stations, 

and you must display a receipt of 

payment or an annual pass while 

fishing. 

5. We allow bank fishing only at Lake 

Mary and Lake Ladora. 

6. We allow wade fishing only in Lake 

Ladora after Memorial Day. 

7. We only allow the use of one rod 

and reel or pole and line with one hook 

per line. 

8. We only allow barbless hooks. 

9. We only allow artificial lures and 

flies on Lake Ladora. We allow artificial 

lures and flies and artificial bait, cut 

bait, and food products only on Lake 

Mary. 

10. We prohibit the use of live bait on 

all refuge waters. 

11. We only allow catch and release 

fishing. 

12. We prohibit the possession and 

consumption of alcoholic beverages 

while fishing. 


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■ 6. Amend § 32.27 by revising the entry 

for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

to read as follows: 

§ 32.27 Delaware. 

* * * * * 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow the hunting of waterfowl, coot, 

mourning dove, snipe, and woodcock 

on designated areas of the refuge during 

designated seasons in accordance with 

State regulations and subject to the 

following conditions: 

1. General Hunting Regulations. 

i. Anyone age 16 or older, regardless 

of license status, must obtain a 

migratory bird hunting permit 

(Migratory Bird Hunt Application, FWS 

Form 3–2357) to hunt or enter hunt 

areas, except non-hunting assistants 

assisting disabled hunters in the 

disabled area. You must print and 

validate your permit (name/address/ 

phone) with your signature, in ink, and 

retain it on your person while hunting 

or scouting. 

ii. You must abide by the terms and 

conditions outlined in the refuge hunt 

brochure (see § 32.2(e) of this chapter). 

Brochures contain information on 

seasons, bag limits, methods of hunting, 

maps depicting areas open to hunting, 

hunt unit reservation procedures, and 

the terms and conditions under which 

we issue hunting permits. They are 

available at the visitor center, at the 

administration office, and on the 

refuge’s Web site (see § 32.2(f) of this 

chapter). 

iii. You, and those who accompany 

you who are age 16 or older, must 

possess and carry the following at all 

times while on refuge property: A valid 

Delaware hunting license or document 

exhibiting your License Exempt Number 

(LEN), all required State and Federal 

stamps, a valid form of governmentissued photo identification, a signed 

refuge hunt brochure appropriate for the 

hunt in question, and a printed valid 

hunting permit. We will not accept 

photocopies or electronic copies of 

these documents. 

iv. Youths age 15 or younger must be 

accompanied by a supervisor age 18 or 

older who possesses all documents 

required in A.1.iii, including nonhunting assistants. All supervisors may 

only be accompanied by one youth. 

Youths must possess and carry a signed 

refuge waterfowl hunt brochure and an 

LEN or license in accordance with State 

law. The youth must remain within 

sight and normal voice contact of the 

supervisor at all times while hunting on 

the refuge. 

v. Other than using motor vehicles on 

designated roads, you may only access 

the refuge by foot, except as authorized 

by the refuge manager. 

vi. You may use trained dogs to assist 

in retrieval of harvested game. 

vii. You must notify and receive 

permission from a Service law 

enforcement officer, refuge manager, or 

designee if you need to retrieve game 

from a closed refuge area or a hunting 

area for which you do not possess a 

valid permit (see § 26.21(a) of this 

chapter). 

viii. You must park in designated 

areas. We prohibit parking in front of 

any gate. Parked vehicles may not 

impede any road traffic (see § 27.31(h) 

of this chapter). 

ix. You may enter the refuge up to 2 

hours before legal morning shooting 

time. You must stop hunting by 3 p.m. 

and leave the hunting area or unit by 4 

p.m., except when snow goose hunting, 

in the designated snow goose area, 

during the snow goose conservation 

order season. 

x. You must complete and return a 

Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form 

3–2361), available at the refuge 

administration office or on the refuge’s 

Web site, within 15 days of the close of 

the season. 

xi. We prohibit the use of natural 

vegetation for camouflaging blind 

material (see § 27.51(a) of this chapter). 

xii. We prohibit entry to designated 

safety zones as identified by polygons 

on the refuge map. 

xiii. You may access the Lottery 

Waterfowl hunt area by boat. The 

maximum horsepower allowed for boat 

motors is 30 horsepower (HP). You must 

abide by the slow, no-wake zones on 

designated portions of refuge waterways 

as depicted in maps or within the 

brochure. 

xiv. We allow the use of nonmotorized boats within the Walk-in 

Hunt Area. Boats may be transported to 

refuge waters by hand or by the use of 

a cart. 

2. General and Disabled Waterfowl 

Draw Hunt Areas. 

i. You must obtain a Daily General or 

Disabled Waterfowl Draw Area Permit 

(signed brochure), which reserves your 

hunt unit/area/site in advance for a 

specific date using an online system. 

Only hunters age 16 or older may 

reserve a hunt unit. 

ii. You must print and validate your 

Daily Waterfowl Draw Area Permit 

(signed brochure) with your signature in 

ink. 

iii. You must hunt from your boat or, 

if applicable, provided blind. You must 

hunt within 75 feet (22.9 meters) of your 

designated site. 

iv. We allow you to have up to two 

additional hunters accompany you on 

your reserved site. 

v. Disabled Waterfowl Draw Area. 

a. All disabled hunters must possess 

and carry a State of Delaware Certified 

Hunter with Disabilities Card while 

hunting in disabled areas. We will not 

accept photocopies or electronic copies 

of these forms. 

b. Disabled hunters may have a nonhunting assistant who is age 18 or older. 

The assistant must remain within sight 

and normal voice contact; must not be 

engaged in hunting; and must possess a 

valid refuge hunt brochure signed in ink 

and a valid government-issued photo 

identification. Any assistant engaged in 

hunting must possess and carry all 

documents as specified in A.1.iii. 

c. We do not allow assistants to enter 

a designated disabled hunting area 

unless they are accompanied by a 

certified disabled hunter. 

d. We do not require assistants to 

maintain sight and normal voice contact 

while retrieving game. 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit, quail, pheasant, and 

red fox on designated areas of the refuge 

in accordance with State regulations 

and subject to the following conditions: 

1. A.1.i. through A.1.viii. and A.1.xii. 

apply. 

2. We prohibit shooting a projectile 

from a firearm, muzzleloader, bow, or 

crossbow from, down, or across any 

refuge road. A refuge road is any road 

that is traveled by vehicular traffic. 

3. You must make a reasonable effort 

to retrieve all wounded or killed game 

and include it in your daily bag limit. 

We prohibit leaving entrails or other 

waste within 50 feet (15.2 meters) of any 

road, parking area, trail, or refuge 

structure on the refuge. 

4. You must use daylight florescent 

orange in accordance with State 

regulations (see § 32.2(d) of this 

chapter). 

5. You may enter the refuge no earlier 

than 1 hour before legal morning 

shooting time and you must exit the 

refuge by 1 hour after legal sunset. 

6. We prohibit the use of centerfire 

and rimfire rifles. 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey 

on designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. General Hunt Regulations. 

i. Conditions A.1.i. through A.1.v., 

A.1.vii., A.1.viii., A.1.xii., B2, and B3 

apply. 

ii. We prohibit organized deer drives. 

iii. We allow the use of temporary tree 

stands and blinds for hunting. All 

stands and blinds left on refuge property 


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unoccupied must be tagged in plain 

sight with your permit number and the 

years that are printed on your permit. 

You must remove all stands and blinds 

by legal sunset of a date established 

annually by the refuge manager. We are 

not responsible for damage, theft, or use 

of the stand by other hunters. 

iv. You may use marking devices, 

including flagging or tape, but you must 

remove them by legal sunset on a date 

established annually by the refuge 

manager. You may not use paint or any 

other permanent marker to mark trails. 

v. You must use daylight florescent 

orange in accordance with State 

regulations during all designated 

firearm and muzzleloader deer hunts 

(see § 32.2(d) of this chapter). 

2. General and Disabled Deer Draw 

Hunt Areas. 

i. Youth hunters must obtain a 

hunting permit before applying for a 

General and Disabled Deer Draw Area 

Permit (signed brochure). Hunters age 

15 or younger must obtain a hunting 

permit; however, A.1.iv. still applies. 

ii. You must obtain a Daily General or 

Disabled Deer Draw Area Permit (signed 

brochure), which reserves your hunt 

unit/area/site in advance for a specific 

date using an online system. 

iii. You must print and sign your 

Daily Deer Draw Area Permit (signed 

brochure) in ink. 

3. For designated disabled hunt areas, 

A.2.v. applies. 

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing 

and crabbing on designated areas of the 

refuge in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

1. Conditions A.1.i. through A.1.iv. 

apply for those age 17 and older. 

2. All youth age 16 or younger must 

be accompanied by a licensed angler age 

18 or older who possesses all 

documents required in D.1.i. 

3. The refuge is open from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal 

sunset. 

4. Other than using motor vehicles on 

designated roads, you may only access 

the refuge by foot, except as authorized 

by the refuge manager. 

5. We allow fishing and crabbing from 

boats and from designated areas of the 

refuge, on designated days, during 

designated times, routes of travel, 

waterways, and launch sites. 

i. You must remove boats from the 

water by legal sunset. 

ii. When on Turkle and Fleetwood 

Ponds, you may only propel boats 

manually or with electric motors. 

iii. We allow a maximum of 30 

horsepower (HP) outboard or motor. 

iv. You must abide by the slow, nowake zones on designated portions of 

refuge waterways as depicted in maps or 

within the brochure. 

6. Fishing tackle and crabbing gear: 

i. You must use hook-and-line tackle 

when fishing for finfish. 

ii. You may use only hand lines, crab 

dip nets, hoop crab nets, and/or 

manually operated crab traps 

(collapsible traps) in any combination 

for crabbing. 

iii. You must attend to your crabbing 

and fishing lines or gear at all times. 

■ 7. Amend § 32.28 by: 

■ a. Under the entry Lake Woodruff 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs C.1, C.2, C.8, 

and C.16; 

■ ii. Adding paragraphs C.17 and C.18; 

■ iii. Removing paragraph D.5; and 

■ iv. Redesignating paragraph D.6 as 

D.5; 

■ b. Under the entry Lower Suwanee 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs A.9, A.12, and 

A.14; and 

■ ii. Adding paragraph D.4; and 

■ c. Under the entry Merritt Island 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs A.3 through 

A.6; 

■ ii. Adding paragraphs A.10 and A.11; 

■ iii. Revising paragraphs A.14, A.16, 

C.8, C.15, C.16, C.24, and D.3; 

■ iv. Removing paragraph D.9; 

■ v. Redesignating paragraphs D.10 

through D.14 as D.9 through D.13, 

respectively; 

■ vi. Removing paragraph D.15; 

■ vii. Redesignating paragraphs D.16 

and D.17 as D.14 and D.15, respectively; 

■ viii. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraph D. 14; and 

■ ix. Removing paragraph D.18. 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.28 Florida. 

* * * * * 

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife 

Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

1. You must have a valid signed Lake 

Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge Big 

Game Permit (signed brochure). The 

permits (signed brochure) are free and 

nontransferable, and anyone on refuge 

land engaged in hunting must sign and 

carry the permit at all times. 

2. You must obtain a State-issued 

Lake Woodruff Quota Hunt Permit 

(Quota Permit), which can be purchased 

through Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission (FWC). You 

must have on your person all applicable 

Florida hunting licenses and permits. 

State requirements for hunter safety 

apply. 

* * * * * 

8. Hunting areas on the refuge are 

seasonally closed to all public use 

except to permitted hunters during the 

season, and are marked on refuge maps. 

The refuge is closed between legal 

sunset and legal sunrise, except 

permitted hunters may access the refuge 

2 hours prior to legal sunrise each 

hunting day. All hunters must leave the 

refuge within 2 hours of legal sunset. 

* * * * * 

16. Archery hunters must wear a vest 

or jacket containing back and front 

panels of at least 500 square inches 

(3,226 square centimeters) of solidfluorescent-orange color when moving 

to and from their vehicle, to their deer 

stand or their hunting spot, and while 

tracking or dragging out deer. 

17. We prohibit using dogs for 

tracking unless authorized by a Federal 

wildlife officer. Dogs must remain on a 

leash and be equipped with a GPS 

tracking device. 

18. It is unlawful to drive nails, 

spikes, or other metal objects into any 

tree, or to hunt from any tree in which 

a metal object has been driven (see 

§ 32.2(i) of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

Lower Suwanee National Wildlife 

Refuge 

A. * * * 

9. In addition to State huntereducation requirements, an adult 

(parent or guardian) age 21 or older 

must supervise and must remain within 

sight of and in normal voice contact of 

the youth hunter age 15 or younger. 

Parents or adult guardians are 

responsible for ensuring that hunters 

age 15 and younger do not engage in 

conduct that would constitute a 

violation of refuge regulations. An adult 

may not supervise more than two 

youths. 

* * * * * 

12. We prohibit marking any tree, or 

other refuge feature, with flagging, litter, 

paint, tacks, spider eyes, or blaze. 

* * * * * 

14. You may leave a temporary tree 

stand on refuge property starting 1 week 

before archery season, but you must 

remove it by the last day of hog season. 

All tree stands left on the refuge within 

the hunt season must display the 

hunter’s name and hunting license 

number legibly written on or attached to 

the stand. We may seize and dispose of 

any tree stands not in compliance, 

according to Federal regulations. You 

may also use a temporary tree stand 

during small game season, but you must 

remove it by the last day of small game 

season. 

* * * * * 


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D. * * * 

4. We prohibit the use or possession 

of alcohol while fishing. 

* * * * * 

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

3. You must carry (or hunt within 30 

yards of a hunter who possesses) a valid 

State-issued Merritt Island Waterfowl 

Quota Permit (Waterfowl Quota Permit), 

which can be purchased through the 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 

Commission (FWC) while hunting in 

areas 1 or 4 from the beginning of the 

regular waterfowl season through the 

end of January. The Waterfowl Quota 

Permit can be used for a single party 

consisting of the permit holder and up 

to three guests. The permit holder must 

be present. 

4. During the State’s waterfowl 

season, we allow hunting on 

Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and 

the following Federal holidays: 

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New 

Year’s Day. 

5. We allow hunting in four 

designated areas of the refuge as 

delineated in the refuge hunting 

regulations map. We prohibit hunters 

entering the normal or expanded 

restricted areas of the Kennedy Space 

Center (KSC). Merritt Island National 

Wildlife Refuge and KSC maintain the 

right to close any portion of the refuge 

for any length of time. In that case, we 

will not refund or reissue any permits. 

6. We allow hunting of waterfowl on 

refuge-established hunt days from 1⁄2

hour before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. 

(noon). Hunters must remove all 

equipment and check out at the refuge 

check station prior to 1 p.m. daily. 

* * * * * 

10. We prohibit accessing a hunt area 

from Black Point Wildlife Drive, 

Playalinda Beach Road (Beach Road), 

and Scrub Ridge Trail. We prohibit 

launching a boat and leaving vehicles 

parked for hunting purposes on Black 

Point Wildlife Drive, Playalinda Beach 

Road (Beach Road), or Scrub Ridge 

Trail. 

11. We prohibit construction of 

permanent blinds or digging into dikes 

(see § 27.92 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

14. You must leave the refuge by 1 

p.m. Prior to that, you must stop at 

posted refuge waterfowl check stations 

and report statistical hunt information 

on the Migratory Bird Hunt Report 

(FWS Form 3–2361) to refuge personnel. 

* * * * * 

16. You may use gasoline or diesel 

motors only inside the impoundment 

perimeter ditch. Outside the perimeter 

ditch, vessels must be propelled by 

paddling, push pole, or electric trolling 

motor. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

8. You are prohibited from entering 

the normal or expanded restricted areas 

of KSC. Merritt Island National Wildlife 

Refuge and KSC maintain the right to 

close any portion of the refuge for any 

length of time. In that case, we will not 

refund or reissue any permits. 

* * * * * 

15. We allow legally permitted 

hunters to scout within their permitted 

zones up to 7 days prior to their 

permitted hunts. You must carry your 

valid Quota Hunt Permit identifying the 

permitted hunt zone while scouting. 

You may not possess hunting weapons 

while scouting. 

16. We allow parking for scouting 

and/or hunting only along State Road 

(SR) 3, but not within the hunt areas or 

on any road marked as ‘‘Area Closed.’’ 

* * * * * 

24. The bag limit and antler 

requirements for white-tailed deer on 

the refuge will follow State regulations 

but will not exceed two deer per hunt. 

We define antlered and antlerless deer 

according to State regulations. 

* * * * * 

D. * * * 

3. You may launch boats for night 

fishing and boating activities only from 

Bair’s Cove, Beacon 42, and Biolab boat 

ramps. 

* * * * * 

14. When inside the impoundment 

perimeter ditch, you may use gasoline 

or diesel motors. Outside the perimeter 

ditch, vessels must be propelled by 

paddling, push pole, or electric trolling 

motor. 

* * * * * 

■ 8. Amend § 32.29 by revising 

paragraphs A, B, and C under the entry 

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge to 

read as follows: 

§ 32.29 Georgia. 

* * * * * 

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow hunting of waterfowl and 

mourning dove on designated areas of 

the refuge in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

1. All hunters age 16 and older must 

possess and carry a signed refuge hunt 

permit (name/address/phone) and a 

State license. We charge a fee for all 

hunt permits. 

2. To participate in the youth 

waterfowl hunt, youth hunters must 

submit the Waterfowl Lottery 

Application (FWS Form 3–2355). You 

must pay an application fee to enter the 

hunt drawing. 

3. We allow temporary blinds only. 

You must remove decoys and other 

personal property from the refuge daily 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

4. We allow shotguns for all migratory 

game bird hunting, but only with 

nontoxic shot size #2 or smaller. 

5. Youth hunters, defined as those age 

15 and younger, must remain within 

sight and normal voice contact of an 

adult age 21 or older; the adult must 

possess a valid hunting license for the 

State in which they are hunting. One 

adult may supervise no more than two 

youth hunters. 

6. You may take feral hog and coyote 

during all refuge hunts (migratory bird, 

upland, and big game) with weapons 

authorized and legal for those hunts. 

7. You may use retrieving dogs. Dogs 

must remain under direct and constant 

control of the hunter. 

8. You must comply with all 

provisions of State and local law when 

possessing, transporting, or carrying 

firearms on national wildlife refuges. 

You may only use (discharge) firearms 

in accordance with refuge regulations 

(see § 27.42 of this chapter and specific 

refuge regulations in part 32.) 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel and rabbit on 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. Conditions A1, A6, and A8 apply. 

2. For squirrel hunting, we allow 

rimfire rifles, rimfire pistols, or 

shotguns with nontoxic shot size #2 

shot or smaller. We recommend but do 

not require solid copper or other 

nontoxic rimfire bullets. For rabbit 

hunting, we allow shotguns, but only 

with nontoxic shot size #2 or smaller. 

3. You may not hunt on or within 100 

yards (90 meters) of public roads, refuge 

facilities, roads and trails, and railroad 

rights-of-way, or in closed areas. 

4. You may not use dogs for upland 

game hunting. 

5. During the period when upland 

game hunting coincides with the refuge 

gun hunt for deer and hogs, you must 

wear an outer garment containing a 

minimum of 500 square inches (3,226 

square centimeters) of hunter-orange 

material above the waistline. 

6. Youth hunters, defined as those age 

15 and younger, must remain within 

sight and normal voice contact of an 

adult age 21 or older; the adult must 

possess a valid hunting license for the 

State in which they are hunting. One 

adult may supervise no more than one 

youth hunter. 


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C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, 

feral hog, and coyote on designated 

areas of the refuge in accordance with 

State regulations and subject to the 

following conditions: 

1. Conditions A1, A6, A8, B3, and B6 

apply. 

2. To participate in the gun hunt for 

wheelchair-dependent hunters, hunters 

must submit the Quota Deer Hunt 

Application (FWS Form 3–2354). To 

participate in the Youth Turkey Hunt & 

Learn Weekend, youth hunters must 

submit the Big/Upland Game Hunt 

Application (FWS Form 3–2356). You 

must pay an application fee to enter 

these hunt drawings. 

3. To participate in the youth-only 

deer or turkey hunts, youth hunters 

must request a free hunt permit from the 

refuge headquarters. 

4. You may only use bows, in 

accordance with State regulations, for 

deer, hog, and coyote hunting during 

the archery hunt for these species. 

5. You may only use shotguns (20 

gauge or larger, slugs only), center-fire 

rifles, center-fire pistols, muzzleloaders, 

and bows, in accordance with State 

regulations, for deer, hog, and coyote 

hunting during the firearm hunts for 

these species. 

6. You must remove hunt stands 

following each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

7. Hunters may take as many as five 

deer (no more than two antlered). There 

is no bag limit on feral hog or coyote. 

8. Turkey hunters may harvest only 

three gobblers (male turkey). 

9. We allow only shotguns with 

nontoxic #2 shot or smaller, and bows, 

in accordance with State regulations, for 

turkey hunting. We prohibit the use of 

slugs or buckshot for turkey hunting. 

10. We prohibit the use of trail or 

game cameras. We also prohibit the use 

of trail marking tacks, bright eyes, 

reflectors, reflecting tape, and any other 

markers, including biodegradable 

markers such as toilet paper and paper 

tape. 

11. We prohibit the use of dogs for big 

game hunting. 

* * * * * 

■ 9. Amend § 32.32 by adding in 

alphabetical order an entry for Kankakee 

National Wildlife Refuge to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.32 Illinois. 

* * * * * 

Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. 

[Reserved]. 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of wild turkey on the Kolar 

Savanna Unit in accordance with State 

seasons and regulations, and subject to 

the following condition: For hunting, 

you may possess only approved 

nontoxic shot shells while in the field, 

including shot shells used for hunting 

wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)). 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on the 

Kolar Savanna Unit in accordance with 

State seasons and regulations. 

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]. 

* * * * * 

■ 10. Amend § 32.37 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph A.19 under the 

entry Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife 

Refuge; 

■ b. Revising paragraphs A.14, C.3, C.5, 

and C.7 under the entry Bayou Teche 

National Wildlife Refuge; 

■ c. Under the entry Big Branch Marsh 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs A.15, C.5, C.6, 

D.5, and D.6; and 

■ ii. Adding paragraph D.8; 

■ d. Under the entry Bogue Chitto 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs A.6, A.7, A.10, 

A.11, B.4, C.3, and C.8; 

■ ii. Adding paragraphs C.11 and C.12; 

and 

■ iii. Revising paragraph D.3; 

■ e. Revising paragraphs B.2, B.7, and 

C.5 under the entry Catahoula National 

Wildlife Refuge; 

■ f. Revising paragraph A.16 under the 

entry Delta National Wildlife Refuge; 

and 

■ g. Revising paragraph A.12 under the 

entry Mandalay National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.37 Louisiana. 

* * * * * 

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife 

Refuge 

A. * * * 

19. We prohibit the use of any type of 

material used as flagging or trail 

markers, except reflective tacks. 

* * * * * 

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

14. We prohibit the use of any type of 

material used as flagging or trail 

markers, except reflective tacks. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

3. We allow hunting in the 

Centerville, Garden City, Bayou Sale, 

North Bend East, and North Bend West 

Units. We do not allow hunting within 

500 feet (152.4 meters) of the Garden 

City parking area and boardwalk. The 

Bayou Sale Unit is not open for big 

game firearm hunts. 

* * * * * 

5. You may take feral hogs only as 

incidental take while participating in 

the refuge deer archery hunt. 

* * * * * 

7. During deer gun seasons, all 

hunters, except waterfowl hunters, must 

wear and display 400 square inches 

(2,580.6 square centimeters) of 

unbroken hunter-orange or blaze pink as 

the outermost layer of clothing on the 

chest and back and a hunter-orange or 

blaze pink cap. Deer hunters hunting 

from concealed ground blinds must 

display a minimum of 400 square inches 

(2,580.6 square centimeters) of hunterorange or blaze pink above or around 

their blinds; this must be visible from 

360 degrees. 

* * * * * 

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife 

Refuge 

A. * * * 

15. We prohibit all-terrain vehicles 

(ATVs) and utility-terrain vehicles 

(UTVs). 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

5. You may erect temporary deer 

stands 2 days prior to the start of deer 

archery season. You must remove all 

deer stands within 2 days after the 

archery deer season closes. You may 

place only one deer stand on the refuge. 

Deer stands must have the owner’s 

name, address, and phone number 

clearly printed on the stand. Hunting 

stands are not allowed on trees painted 

with white bands. You must place 

stands in a non-hunting position when 

not in use (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

6. You may take hogs only as 

incidental take while participating in 

the refuge deer archery hunt. 

* * * * * 

D. * * * 

5. We prohibit all commercial 

finfishing and shellfishing, including 

guiding, outfitting, lodging, club 

membership, or participating in a paid 

guided fishing trip (see § 27.97 of this 

chapter). 

6. Conditions A6, A8, A9, and A14 

through A17 apply. 

* * * * * 

8. You must attend to any fishing, 

crabbing, and crawfishing equipment at 

all times. 

* * * * * 

Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

6. An adult at least age 21 must 

supervise youth hunters during all 


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hunts. State regulations define youth 

hunter age and hunter-education 

requirements. One adult may supervise 

two youths during small game hunts 

and migratory bird hunts but may 

supervise only one youth during big 

game hunts. Youths must remain within 

normal voice contact of the adult who 

is supervising them. Parents or adult 

guardians are responsible for ensuring 

that youth hunters do not engage in 

conduct that would constitute a 

violation of refuge regulations. 

7. We prohibit hunting within 150 

feet (45.7 meters) from the centerline of 

any public road, refuge road, designated 

or maintained trail, building, residence, 

designated camping area, or designated 

public facility, or from or across 

aboveground oil, gas, or electric 

facilities. We prohibit hunting in refugedesignated closed areas, which we post 

on the refuge and identify in the refuge 

hunt permits. 

* * * * * 

10. You may not act as a hunting 

guide, outfitter, or in any other capacity 

whereby another individual(s) pays or 

promises to pay directly or indirectly for 

services rendered. You may not provide 

payment to any other person or persons 

for hunting on the refuge, regardless of 

whether the payment is for guiding, 

outfitting, lodging, or club membership 

(see § 27.97 of this chapter). 

11. We prohibit horses, trail cameras, 

all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and utilityterrain vehicles (UTVs), except UTVs 

are allowed on designated physically 

challenged hunt trails for big game. We 

provide specific size and tire pressure 

restrictions for UTVs in the refuge hunt 

permit (signed brochure). 

* * * * * 

B. * * * 

4. All hunters in Louisiana (including 

archery hunters and small game 

hunters), except waterfowl hunters, 

must wear and display not less than 400 

square inches (2,580.6 square 

centimeters) of unbroken hunter-orange 

or blaze pink as the outermost layer of 

clothing on the chest and back and a 

hunter-orange cap during deer gun 

seasons. While walking to and from 

elevated stands, all deer hunters must 

display a minimum of 400 square inches 

(2,580.6 square centimeters) of hunterorange or blaze pink or a hunter-orange 

or blaze pink hat. All hunters in 

Mississippi must wear at least 500 

square inches (3,226 square centimeters) 

of hunter-orange or blaze pink; this 

replaces the 400 square inches (2,580.6 

square centimeters) required in 

Louisiana. During the dog season for 

squirrels and rabbits, all hunters, except 

waterfowl hunters, must wear a hunterorange or blaze pink hat. Deer hunters 

hunting from concealed blinds must 

display at least 400 square inches 

(2,580.6 square centimeters) of hunterorange or blaze pink above or around 

their blinds; this must be visible from 

360 degrees. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

3. We allow archery deer hunting 

during the open State deer archery 

season. You may take deer of either sex 

in accordance with State regulations. 

The State season limits apply. 

* * * * * 

8. You may take hog as incidental 

game while participating in the refuge 

archery, primitive weapon, and general 

gun deer hunts and where otherwise 

specified. We list specific dates for the 

special hog hunts in February in the 

refuge hunt permit (signed brochure). 

During the special hog hunt in February, 

you must use trained hog-hunting dogs 

to aid in the take of hog. During the 

special hog hunt, you may take hog from 

1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise until 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset. You may possess 

only approved nontoxic shot or pistol or 

rifle ammunition not larger than .22 

caliber rimfire to take the hog after it has 

been caught by dogs. Condition A8 

applies during special hog hunts in 

February. 

* * * * * 

11. We prohibit using shot larger than 

BB lead or T steel while hunting during 

turkey season. 

12. We allow physically challenged 

big game hunters exclusive use of 

designated physically challenged hunt 

trails with limited use of UTVs in 

accordance with specific size and 

weight specifications. Specific hunt 

trails will be designated on the refuge 

hunt permit. Physically challenged 

hunters must pre-register hunting dates 

and specific location at the refuge office. 

An assistant may accompany the 

physically challenged hunter, but the 

assistant may not hunt. 

D. * * * 

3. We close the fishing ponds at the 

Pearl River Turnaround to fishing from 

April through the first full week of June 

and to boating during the months of 

April, May, June, and July. 

* * * * * 

Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

B. * * * 

2. At the Headquarters Unit, we only 

allow squirrel and rabbit hunting. We 

set seasons annually. 

* * * * * 

7. You may use shotguns for hunting 

but only with nontoxic shot and rifles 

.22 caliber rimfire or smaller. We 

prohibit possession of toxic shot when 

hunting. 

C. * * * 

5. We allow hunting of deer with 

primitive firearms during the first 

segment of the State season for area 1, 

weekdays only (Monday through 

Friday) and 2 days in December with 

these dates set annually. We allow 

either-sex, deer gun hunting for the 

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 

immediately following Thanksgiving 

Day and for 2 days in December with 

these dates to be set annually. 

* * * * * 

Delta National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

16. We prohibit the use of any type of 

material used as flagging or trail 

markers, except reflective tacks. 

* * * * * 

Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

12. We prohibit the use of any type of 

material used as flagging or trail 

markers, except reflective tacks. 

* * * * * 

■ 11. Amend § 32.39 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs A, C, D.2, and 

D.3 under the entry Blackwater National 

Wildlife Refuge; and 

■ b. Revising paragraph C and D.4 under 

the entry Eastern Neck National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.39 Maryland. 

* * * * * 

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose and duck on 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. You must obtain a refuge waterfowl 

hunting permit (signed brochure) by 

signing the corresponding season’s 

refuge waterfowl hunting brochure in 

ink. You must abide by the terms and 

conditions outlined in the brochure (see 

§ 32.2(e) of this chapter). Refuge 

waterfowl hunting brochures contain 

seasons, bag limits, methods of hunting, 

maps depicting areas open to hunting, 

hunt unit reservation procedures, and 

the terms and conditions under which 

we issue hunting permits. They are 

available at the refuge visitor center, 

administration office, and on the 

refuge’s Web site. 

2. You must reserve your hunt unit in 

advance for a specific date using the call 

reservation system. You must be age 18 

or older to reserve a hunt unit. 


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3. Up to three additional hunters may 

accompany you on your reserved unit. 

4. You and those who accompany you 

must possess on your person a valid 

Maryland hunting license and all 

required stamps, a valid form of 

government-issued photo identification, 

and a printed valid hunting permit 

(signed brochure) at all times while on 

refuge property. We will not accept 

photocopies or electronic copies of 

these forms. 

5. We prohibit the use of natural 

vegetation for camouflaging blind 

material. 

6. Other than using motor vehicles on 

designated roads, you may only access 

the refuge by foot, except as authorized 

by the refuge manager. 

7. You may use trained dogs to assist 

in the retrieval of harvested birds. 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow the 

hunting of white-tailed and sika deer 

and turkey on designated areas of the 

refuge in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

1. General Hunt Regulations. 

i. Condition A6 applies. 

ii. You must obtain a deer or turkey 

hunting permit (Big/Upland Game Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2356 or 

Quota Deer Hunt Application, FWS 

Form 3–2354). Hunting brochures, 

hunting application procedures, 

seasons, bag limits, methods of hunting, 

maps depicting areas open to hunting, 

and the terms and conditions under 

which we issue hunting permits are 

available at the refuge visitor center, 

administration office, and on the 

refuge’s Web site. 

iii. You must possess on your person 

at all times while on refuge property: A 

valid Maryland hunting license and all 

required stamps, a valid form of 

government-issued photo identification, 

and a printed valid hunting permit (Big/ 

Upland Game Hunt Application, FWS 

Form 3–2356 or Quota Deer Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2354) issued 

by the refuge. We will not accept 

photocopies or electronic copies of 

these forms. 

iv. You may not hunt from a 

permanently constructed tree stand or 

blind. 

v. We prohibit organized deer drives, 

unless otherwise authorized by the 

refuge manager on designated hunt 

days. 

vi. You must notify and receive 

permission from a Service law 

enforcement officer, refuge manager, or 

designee if you need to retrieve game 

from a refuge closed area or a hunting 

area for which you do not possess a 

valid permit. 

vii. We prohibit shooting a projectile 

from a firearm, muzzleloader, bow, or 

crossbow from, down, or across any 

refuge road. A refuge road is any road 

that is traveled by vehicular traffic. 

viii. We prohibit parking in front of 

any gate. Parked vehicles may not 

impede any road traffic (see § 27.31(h) 

of this chapter). 

ix. You must make a reasonable effort 

to retrieve all wounded or killed game 

and include it in your daily bag limit. 

We prohibit leaving deer or turkey 

entrails or other waste within 50 feet 

(15.2 meters) of any road, parking area, 

trail, or refuge structure on the refuge. 

x. We allow the use of temporary tree 

stands and blinds for hunting. All 

stands and blinds left on refuge 

property, unoccupied, must be tagged in 

plain sight with your permit number 

and the years that are printed on your 

permit. You must remove all stands and 

blinds by legal sunset of a date 

established annually by the refuge 

manager. 

xi. We allow the use of marking 

devices, including flagging or tape, but 

you must remove them by legal sunset 

of a date established annually by the 

refuge manager. You may not use paint 

or any other permanent marker to mark 

trails. 

xii. You must wear fluorescent orange 

in accordance with State regulations 

during all designated firearm and 

muzzleloader deer hunts. 

xiii. You must check all deer 

harvested at the refuge-sponsored check 

station during hunt days when the 

refuge-sponsored check station is open. 

If you fail to check deer during 

operation hours of the check station, 

you must notify the hunt coordinator by 

noon on the day after your kill. 

xiv. You must adhere to the bag limits 

set forth annually in the brochure. Deer 

harvested on the refuge do not count 

toward State bag limits but must be 

recorded and checked with the State. 

Deer harvested on the refuge must be 

checked pursuant to the refuge hunt in 

which they are taken, regardless of the 

weapon used or corresponding State 

season. 

xv. The maximum speed limit on all 

refuge unpaved roads is 15 miles per 

hour (MPH). 

xvi. We prohibit the use of rimfire or 

centerfire rifles and all handguns, 

including muzzleloading pistols, for 

hunting. 

2. Archery Deer Hunt. 

i. We do not allow archery hunters to 

hunt within areas designated for the 

youth hunt on designated days. 

ii. Archery hunters are not required to 

wear fluorescent orange during State 

youth hunt days. 

3. Turkey Hunt. 

i. We allow you to take one bearded 

turkey per year; turkeys taken on the 

refuge count toward the State bag limit. 

ii. We allow turkey hunt permit 

holders to have an assistant, who must 

remain within sight and normal voice 

contact. 

a. Assistants must not be engaged in 

hunting; must read the turkey hunting 

brochure; and must sign, in ink, the 

permit (Big/Upland Game Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2356 or 

Quota Deer Hunt Application, FWS 

Form 3–2354) of the person they are 

assisting. 

b. Assistants must possess a valid 

government-issued photo identification 

on their person while assisting. 

c. Assistants who call and/or set up 

decoys must possess a valid Maryland 

hunting license. 

4. Youth Deer and Turkey Hunt. 

i. We allow hunters to hunt on 

designated areas on designated days 

(Youth Hunt) if they meet the criteria of 

a ‘‘youth hunter’’ as defined by State 

law. 

ii. Youth hunters must be 

accompanied by an assistant consistent 

with the regulations established by State 

law. 

iii. All youth deer hunters and their 

assistants must wear fluorescent orange 

in accordance with State regulations 

while hunting in designated youth hunt 

areas. 

iv. Assistants must possess a valid 

refuge hunt brochure, signed in ink, and 

a valid government-issued photo 

identification. 

v. Deer taken during youth days do 

not count toward the State bag limit and 

are in addition to any other deer taken 

during any other hunts on the refuge. 

vi. Deer and turkey taken must be 

recorded and checked with the State. 

5. Designated Disabled Hunt Areas. 

i. All disabled hunters must possess a 

Federal Government Access pass (OMB 

Control 1024–0252). 

ii. Disabled hunters are required to 

have their Federal Government Access 

pass (OMB Control 1024–0252) in their 

possession while hunting in disabled 

areas. We will not accept photocopies or 

electronic copies. 

iii. Disabled hunters may have an 

assistant, at least age 18, who must 

remain within sight and normal voice 

contact. 

a. Non-hunting assistants must not be 

engaged in hunting and must possess a 

valid refuge hunt brochure, signed in 

ink, and a valid government-issued 

photo identification. Non-hunting 

assistants must also use fluorescent 

orange in accordance with condition 

C.1.xii. 


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b. Assistants who wish to hunt deer 

must possess a valid hunt permit (Big/ 

Upland Game Hunt Application, FWS 

Form 3–2356 or Quota Deer Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2354) for that 

day for any hunt area. 

c. We do not allow assistants to enter 

a designated disabled hunting area 

unless they are accompanied by a 

certified disabled hunter. 

d. All refuge-provided hunt blinds are 

reserved for disabled hunters only; 

however, when a disabled hunter and 

their assistant occupy the same blind, 

both may take game. 

e. We do not require assistants to 

maintain sight and normal voice contact 

while retrieving game. 

iv. We only allow disabled hunters to 

operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and 

off-road vehicles (ORVs); when the 

disabled hunter is unable to physically 

do so, the assistant may operate the 

ATV/ORV. 

a. Assistants may not operate an ATV/ 

ORV without being accompanied on the 

same ATV/ORV by a disabled hunter. 

b. ATVs/ORVs must have at least one 

headlight and one red tail light that are 

operational between legal sunset and 

legal sunrise. 

c. Anyone who operates or rides on an 

ATV/ORV must wear protective 

headgear that meets the standards 

established in Transportation Article, 

section 21–1306, Annotated Code of 

Maryland, and use an eye-protective 

device or a windscreen that is of a type 

approved in Transportation Article, 

section 21–1306, Annotated Code of 

Maryland. 

d. We only allow ATVs/ORVs to be 

operated on established routes of travel 

and around field edges. 

e. We do not allow ATVs/ORVs to be 

operated in excess of 15 MPH. 

D. * * * 

* * * * * 

2. We allow only fishing and crabbing 

from the Key Wallace roadway (bridge) 

across the Little Blackwater River and 

by boat, unless otherwise authorized by 

the refuge manager. 

3. You must possess a valid Maryland 

sport fishing license, all required 

stamps, and a valid form of governmentissued photo identification while 

fishing on the refuge. 

* * * * * 

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey 

on designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State hunting 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

1. General Hunt Regulations. 

i. You must obtain a deer or turkey 

hunting permit (Big/Upland Game Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2356). 

Hunting brochures contain hunting 

application procedures, seasons, bag 

limits, methods of hunting, maps 

depicting areas open to hunting, and the 

terms and conditions under which we 

issue hunting permits. They are 

available at the refuge visitor center, 

administration office, and on the 

refuge’s Web site. 

ii. You must possess on your person 

at all times while on refuge property: A 

valid Maryland hunting license and all 

required stamps, a valid form of 

government-issued photo identification, 

and a valid hunting permit (Big/Upland 

Game Hunt Application, FWS Form 3– 

2356) issued by the refuge. We will not 

accept photocopies or electronic copies 

of these documents. 

iii. You must display your refuge hunt 

parking pass in plain sight, on the dash 

of your vehicle during hunt and scout 

days. 

iv. We prohibit hunting from a 

permanently constructed tree stand or 

blind. 

v. You must notify and receive 

permission from a Service law 

enforcement officer, refuge manager, or 

designee if you need to retrieve game 

from a refuge closed area or a hunting 

area for which you do not possess a 

valid permit (Big/Upland Game Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2356). 

vi. Other than using motor vehicles on 

designated roads, you may only access 

the refuge by foot, except as authorized 

by the refuge manager. 

vii. We prohibit shooting a projectile 

from a firearm, muzzleloader, bow, or 

crossbow from, down, or across any 

refuge road. A refuge road is any road 

that is traveled by vehicular traffic. 

viii. You must park in designated 

areas. We prohibit parking in front of 

any gate. Parked vehicles may not 

impede any road traffic (see § 27.31(h) 

of this chapter). 

ix. You must make a reasonable effort 

to retrieve all wounded or killed game 

and include it in your daily bag limit. 

We prohibit leaving deer entrails or 

other waste within 50 feet (15.2 meters) 

of any refuge road, trail, parking area, or 

structure. 

x. We allow the use of temporary tree 

stands and blinds for hunting. All 

stands and blinds left on refuge 

property, unoccupied, must be tagged in 

plain sight with your permit number 

and the years that are printed on your 

permit. You must remove all stands and 

blinds by legal sunset of a date 

established annually by the refuge 

manager. 

xi. We allow the use of marking 

devices, including flagging or tape, but 

they must be removed by legal sunset of 

date established annually by the refuge. 

You may not use paint or any other 

permanent marker to mark trails. 

xii. You must use florescent orange in 

accordance with State regulations 

during all designated firearm and 

muzzleloader deer hunts. 

xiii. We prohibit the use of rimfire or 

centerfire rifles and all handguns, 

including muzzleloading pistols, for 

hunting. 

xiv. You must adhere to the bag limits 

set fourth annually in the brochure. 

Deer harvested on the refuge do not 

count toward State bag limits but must 

be recorded and checked with the State. 

Deer harvested on the refuge must be 

checked pursuant to the refuge hunt in 

which they are taken, regardless of the 

weapon used or corresponding State 

season. 

xv. The maximum speed limit on 

unpaved refuge roads is 15 miles per 

hour (MPH). 

2. Youth Deer Hunt. 

i. We allow hunters to hunt on 

designated areas on designated days 

(Youth Hunt) if they meet the criteria of 

a ‘‘youth hunter’’ as defined by State 

law. 

ii. Youth hunters must be 

accompanied by an assistant consistent 

with the regulations established by State 

law. 

iii. All youth deer hunters and their 

assistants must wear fluorescent orange 

in accordance with State regulations 

while hunting in designated youth hunt 

areas. 

iv. Assistants must possess a valid 

refuge hunt brochure, signed in ink, and 

a valid government-issued photo 

identification. 

v. Deer taken during youth days do 

not count toward the State bag limit and 

are in addition to any other deer taken 

during any other hunts on the refuge. 

vi. Deer taken must be recorded and 

checked with the State. 

3. Designated Disabled Hunt. 

i. All disabled hunters must possess a 

Federal Government Access pass (OMB 

Control 1024–0252). Disabled hunters 

are required to have their Federal 

Government Access pass (OMB Control 

1024–0252) in their possession while 

hunting in disabled areas. We will not 

accept photocopies or electronic copies 

of the Federal Government Access pass. 

ii. Disabled hunters may have an 

assistant who must be age 18 or older 

and remain within sight and normal 

voice contact. 

a. Non-hunting assistants must not be 

engaged in hunting and must possess a 

valid refuge hunt brochure, signed in 


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ink, and a valid government-issued 

photo identification. We will not accept 

photocopies of these documents. Nonhunting assistants must also wear 

fluorescent orange in accordance with 

C.1.xii. 

b. Assistants who wish to deer hunt 

must possess a valid refuge hunt permit 

(Big/Upland Game Hunt Application, 

FWS Form 3–2356) for that day. 

c. We do not allow assistants to enter 

a designated disabled hunting area 

unless they are accompanied by a 

certified disabled hunter. 

d. All refuge-provided hunt blinds are 

reserved for disabled hunters only; 

however, when a disabled hunter and 

their assistant occupy the same blind, 

both may take game. 

e. We do not require assistants to 

maintain sight and normal voice contact 

while retrieving game. 

iii. We allow only disabled hunters to 

operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and 

off-road vehicles (ORVs); when the 

disabled hunter is unable to physically 

do so, the assistant may operate the 

ATV/ORV. 

a. Assistants may not operate an ATV 

without being accompanied on the same 

ATV by a disabled hunter. 

b. ATVs/ORVs must have at least one 

headlight and one red tail light that are 

operational between legal sunset and 

legal sunrise. 

c. Anyone who operates or rides on a 

ATV/ORV must wear protective 

headgear that meets the standards 

established in Transportation Article, 

section 21–1306, Annotated Code of 

Maryland, and must use an eyeprotective device or a windscreen of a 

type approved in Transportation Article, 

section 21–1306, Annotated Code of 

Maryland. 

d. We only allow ATVs/ORVs to be 

operated on established routes of travel 

and around field edges. 

e. We do not allow ATVs/ORVs to be 

operated in excess of 15 miles per hour 

(MPH). 

D. * * * 

4. You must possess a valid Maryland 

sport fishing license and all required 

stamps, and valid form of governmentissued photo identification while 

fishing on the refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 12. Amend § 32.43 by: 

■ a. Under the entry Hillside National 

Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs A.1 and A.7; 

■ ii. Redesignating paragraph A.21 as 

A.22; and 

■ iii. Adding a new paragraph A.21; 

■ b. Revising paragraph B.6 under the 

entry Holt Collier National Wildlife 

Refuge; 

■ c. Under the entry Mathews Brake 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraph A.7; and 

■ ii. Adding paragraph A.22; 

■ d. Under the entry Morgan Brake 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraph A.7; and 

■ ii. Adding paragraph A.21; 

■ e. Under the entry Panther Swamp 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraph A introductory 

text and paragraph A.7; and 

■ ii. Adding paragraphs A.22 and C.9; 

and 

■ f. Under the entry Yazoo National 

Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraph A.7; 

■ ii. Adding paragraph A.20; and 

■ iii. Revising paragraphs B 

introductory text and C introductory 

text. 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.43 Mississippi. 

* * * * * 

Hillside National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

1. Each person age 16 and older 

hunting or fishing must possess a valid 

Theodore Roosevelt Complex Annual 

Public Use Permit (name/address/phone 

number). 

* * * * * 

7. We prohibit the use of plastic 

flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other 

similar marking devices. 

* * * * * 

21. Waterfowl hunters are limited to 

25 shotshells per person in the field. 

* * * * * 

Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

B. * * * 

6. We prohibit the use of plastic 

flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other 

similar marking devices. 

* * * * * 

Mathews Brake National Wildlife 

Refuge 

A. * * * 

7. We prohibit the use of plastic 

flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other 

similar marking devices. 

* * * * * 

22. Waterfowl hunters are limited to 

25 shotshells per person in the field. 

* * * * * 

Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

7. We prohibit the use of plastic 

flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other 

similar marking devices. 

* * * * * 

21. Waterfowl hunters are limited to 

25 shotshells per person in the field. 

* * * * * 

Panther Swamp National Wildlife 

Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose, duck, 

merganser, coot, and dove on designated 

areas of the refuge in accordance with 

State regulations and subject to the 

following regulations: 

* * * * * 

7. We prohibit the use of plastic 

flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other 

similar marking devices. 

* * * * * 

22. Waterfowl hunters are limited to 

25 shotshells per person in the field. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

9. Limited draw hunts for persons 

with disabilities will be held in 

November, December, and/or January. 

We will make hunt dates and permit 

application procedures (name/address/ 

phone number) available at the 

Theodore Roosevelt Complex 

headquarters. 

* * * * * 

Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

7. We prohibit the use of plastic 

flagging tape, reflective tacks, and other 

similar marking devices. 

* * * * * 

20. Waterfowl hunters are limited to 

25 shotshells per person in the field. 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon 

on designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

§ 32.44 [Amended] 

■ 13. Amend § 32.44 by removing the 

heading ‘‘Squaw Creek National 

Wildlife Refuge’’; adding in its place the 

heading ‘‘Loess Bluffs National Wildlife 

Refuge’’ and moving the entry into 

alphabetical order within the section. 

■ 14. Amend § 32.45 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs A and B.1 in 

the entry Benton Lake National Wildlife 

Refuge; and 

■ b. Revising the entry Benton Lake 

Wetland Management District. 

The revisions read as follows: 


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§ 32.45 Montana. 

* * * * * 

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow hunting of duck, goose, swan, and 

coot in designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions 

(consult refuge manager prior to hunting 

to learn of changes or updates): 

1. We allow hunters to enter and 

remain in open hunting areas 2 hours 

before legal sunrise until 2 hours after 

legal sunset. 

2. We prohibit hunting on or within 

25 yards (22.5 meters) of dikes or roads 

except the marked portion of the dike 

between Marsh Units 5 and 6. 

3. We prohibit access to refuge 

hunting areas from other than 

authorized refuge parking areas. 

4. We allow hunting with the opening 

of waterfowl season and close 

November 30. 

5. We allow hunting during youth 

waterfowl and pheasant hunts in 

accordance with State regulations. 

6. We allow hunting from temporary 

portable blinds or blinds made from 

natural vegetation. 

7. We prohibit the retrieval of downed 

game from areas closed to hunting. 

8. Hunters must have a means of bird 

retrieval, using a boat, waders, or a 

trained dog (see § 26.21(b) of this 

chapter). 

9. You must remove boats, decoys, 

portable blinds, other personal property, 

and any materials brought onto the area 

for blind construction at the end of each 

day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this 

chapter). 

B. * * * 

1. Conditions A1 and A8 apply. 

* * * * * 

Benton Lake Wetland Management 

District 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow migratory game bird hunting on 

Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) 

throughout the District, excluding Sands 

WPA in Hill County and H2–0 WPA in 

Powell County, in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

condition: You must remove boats, 

decoys, portable blinds, other personal 

property, and any materials brought 

onto the area for blind construction at 

the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 

27.94 of this chapter). 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

the hunting of coyotes, skunks, red fox, 

raccoons, hares, rabbits, and tree 

squirrels on Waterfowl Production 

Areas (WPAs) throughout the District, 

excluding Sands WPA in Hill County 

and H2–0 WPA in Powell County, in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following condition: 

Hunters may possess only approved 

nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)). 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow big 

game hunting on WPAs throughout the 

District, excluding Sands WPA in Hill 

County and H2–0 WPA in Powell 

County, in accordance with State 

regulations. 

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on WPAs throughout the District 

in accordance with State regulations 

subject to the following condition: You 

must remove boats, fishing equipment, 

and other personal property at the end 

of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of 

this chapter). 

* * * * * 

■ 15. Amend § 32.47 by revising 

paragraph A.5 under the entry Stillwater 

National Wildlife Refuge to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.47 Nevada. 

* * * * * 

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

5. We prohibit boating outside of the 

waterfowl and youth waterfowl hunting 

season except in Swan Check Lake 

where we allow non-motorized boating 

all year. 

* * * * * 

■ 16. Amend § 32.49 by revising 

paragraph D.1 under the entry Wallkill 

River National Wildlife Refuge to read 

as follows: 

§ 32.49 New Jersey. 

* * * * * 

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

D. * * * 

1. We allow fishing in and along the 

banks of the Wallkill River. We allow 

shore fishing only in the pond at Owens 

Station Crossing, Vernon, New Jersey. 

Fishing at Owens State Crossing is catch 

and release only. 

* * * * * 

■ 17. Amend § 32.51, the entry for 

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 

by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraphs A.1.xiii 

through A.1.xix as A.1.xiv through 

A.1.xx; 

■ b. Adding a new paragraph A.1.xiii; 

■ c. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs A.1.xvii and A.1.xx; and 

■ d. Revising paragraphs A.2.iii, B.1, 

and C.13. 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.51 New York. 

* * * * * 

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

1. * * * 

xiii. If you have a reservation but do 

not show up to hunt, and do not cancel 

your reservation 12 hours prior to legal 

shooting time, then you may be 

ineligible to hunt the next 3 hunt days. 

This decision is at the refuge manager’s 

discretion. 

* * * * * 

xvii. Waterfowl hunters may possess 

a maximum of 15 shot shells on their 

person or in their means of conveyance. 

* * * * * 

xx. You must possess, carry, and 

present upon request to any law 

enforcement officer a valid daily hunt 

permit card (Migratory Bird Hunt 

Report, FWS Form 3–2361). You must 

return the daily hunt permit card at the 

end of hunting. You may obtain a 

permit at the Hunter Check Station 

during the check-in process, and return 

it to the Hunter Check Station or at the 

box located at the north end of the 

Tschache Pool dike. 

2. * * * 

iii. You must possess, carry, and 

present upon request to any Service law 

enforcement officer a valid daily hunt 

permit card (Migratory Bird Hunt 

Report, FWS Form 3–2361). You must 

return the daily hunt permit card at the 

end of hunting or at the end of the day. 

You may obtain a permit at the Hunter 

Check Station on State Route 89 and 

return it to the same location; obtaining 

a permit will be on a first-come, firstserved basis each hunt day. 

* * * * * 

B. * * * 

1. You must carry and present upon 

request to any Service law enforcement 

officer a valid daily hunt permit card 

(Big/Upland Game Hunt Application, 

FWS Form 3–2356). You must return 

the daily hunt permit card at the end of 

hunting or at the end of the day. You 

may obtain a permit at the Hunter Check 

Station on State Route 89 and return it 

to the same location; obtaining a permit 

during the fall season will be on a firstcome, first-served basis each hunt day. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

13. We prohibit boats and canoes on 

refuge pools. We prohibit hunting on 

the open-water portions of the refuge 

pools until the pools are frozen; when 

frozen, we allow access for hunting at 

the refuge manager’s discretion. 

* * * * * 

■ 18. Amend § 32.53 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph C introductory 

text under the entry Des Lacs National 

Wildlife Refuge; and 


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■ b. Under the entry Upper Souris 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraph B introductory 

text and paragraphs B.1 through B.5; 

and 

■ ii. Revising paragraph C introductory 

text. 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.53 North Dakota. 

* * * * * 

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow deer 

and moose hunting on designated areas 

of the refuge in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of wild turkey during the spring 

season, and sharp-tailed grouse, 

Hungarian partridge, and pheasant on 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. We allow the use of dogs for 

hunting and retrieving of upland game 

birds with the exception of wild turkey. 

Dogs must be under immediate control 

of the hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this 

chapter). 

2. We open for sharp-tailed grouse, 

Hungarian partridge, and pheasant 

hunting on Unit I during the State 

hunting season. Unit I includes all 

refuge land north of the township road 

that runs east of Tolley, across Dam 41 

(Carter Dam), and east to State Route 28. 

3. We open for sharp-tailed grouse, 

Hungarian partridge, and pheasant 

hunting on Unit II during the State 

hunting season, except we close from 

the first day of the regular State 

waterfowl season through the last day of 

State deer gun season. Unit II includes 

refuge land between Lake Darling Dam 

and Unit I. 

4. We close land south of Lake Darling 

Dam to sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian 

partridge, and pheasant hunting. 

5. We prohibit sharp-tailed grouse, 

Hungarian partridge, pheasant, and 

spring wild turkey hunting in the area 

around refuge headquarters, buildings, 

shops, residences, Outlet Fishing Area, 

and Lake Darling Dam water control 

structure. We post these areas with 

‘‘Closed to Hunting’’ signs. 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow deer 

and moose hunting on designated areas 

of the refuge in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

■ 19. Amend § 32.55 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs A.7, A.8, B.6, 

C.1, C.3, and C.5 under the entry Deep 

Fork National Wildlife Refuge; and 

■ b. Revising paragraphs B and C under 

the entry Sequoyah National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.55 Oklahoma. 

* * * * * 

Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

7. We prohibit horse and mule use on 

the refuge. 

8. We provide access for hunters with 

disabilities. 

* * * * * 

B. * * * 

6. We offer refuge-controlled turkey 

hunts. You must possess a State-issued 

controlled hunt letter and pay a fee for 

these hunts. 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

1. You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge permit (name only) for the 

archery deer hunt. Hunters must turn in 

a Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 

3–2359) by December 31 annually. 

Failure to submit the report will render 

the hunter ineligible for the next year’s 

limited season archery deer hunt. 

* * * * * 

3. You may hunt feral hog during any 

established refuge hunting season. 

Refuge permits (either a signed refuge 

permit or a State-issued controlled hunt 

letter) and legal weapons apply for the 

current hunting season. 

* * * * * 

5. We offer refuge-controlled deer 

hunts (primitive weapon, disabled 

primitive, and youth primitive). You 

must possess a permit (a State-issued 

controlled hunt letter) and pay a fee for 

these hunts. 

* * * * * 

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of Eastern gray and fox squirrel 

and swamp and Eastern cottontail rabbit 

on designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. Conditions A3, A4, A5, A8, and 

A12 apply. 

2. You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge brochure; this serves as 

your Upland Game Hunting Permit. The 

permit/brochure is available free of 

charge at the refuge headquarters, at 

various entry points to the refuge, and 

on our Web site. You must abide by all 

rules and regulations listed on the 

permit (see § 32.2(e) of this chapter). 

3. We prohibit hunters entering the 

Sandtown Bottom Unit prior to 5 a.m. 

during the hunting season. Hunters 

must leave the Sandtown Bottom Unit 

by 1 hour after legal sunset. 

4. We open the refuge to hunting on 

Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and 

Tuesdays. We generally open the 

following units: Sandtown Bottom, 

Webber Bottom, Girty Bottom, Possum 

Hollow, and Vian Creek. 

5. Season lengths and bag limits will 

be in accordance with State regulations 

with the exception that all upland game 

hunting will close on January 31 of each 

year. 

6. We only allow legal shotguns and 

approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k) of 

this chapter). You must plug hunting 

shotguns so that they are incapable of 

holding more than three shells. We also 

allow .22/.17 rimfire rifles for hunting 

upland game. 

7. We prohibit squirrel and rabbit 

hunting in the Cook, Hi-Saw/Shelby, 

Delta Islands, and Haskell Management 

Units. 

8. Incidental take of feral hogs may 

occur during squirrel and rabbit hunting 

season. 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. Conditions A8, A9, and A12 apply. 

2. You must possess and carry a hunt 

permit (State-issued permit), and 

comply with the designated refuge 

season, hunting methods, and location 

guidelines for that year. 

3. Hunters must apply to the Statecontrolled deer hunt drawing 

administered by the Oklahoma 

Department of Wildlife Conservation for 

selection. You must attend a pre-hunt 

briefing. 

4. You must pay State and Federal 

special deer hunting fees. 

5. Incidental take of feral hogs may 

occur during deer hunting season. 

* * * * * 

■ 20. Amend § 32.56 by: 

■ a. Under the entry Baskett Slough 

National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraph A.1; 

■ ii. Redesignating paragraphs A.2 

through A.11 as A.3 through A.12, 

respectively; 

■ iii. Adding a new paragraph A.2; and 

■ iv. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraph A.8; and 

■ b. Revising paragraph D under the 

entry Siletz Bay National Wildlife 

Refuge. 


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The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.56 Oregon. 

* * * * * 

Baskett Slough National Wildlife 

Refuge 

A. * * * 

1. Only hunters age 17 or younger are 

allowed to participate in the Youth 

Waterfowl Hunt. Youths must be 

accompanied by an adult age 21 or 

older. 

2. Youth must obtain a refuge 

waterfowl hunting permit using the 

Waterfowl Lottery Application (FWS 

Form 3–2355). All youth hunting 

waterfowl must do so from designated 

blinds. 

* * * * * 

8. Waterfowl and goose permit 

hunters are required 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). 

* * * * * 

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing 

and clamming in accordance with State 

regulations and subject to the following 

conditions: 

1. We allow recreational bank fishing 

from the Alder Island Nature Trail. 

2. We allow clamming on refuge lands 

and access across refuge lands to Statemanaged tidelands for clamming on the 

west side of U.S. Highway 101. 

3. We prohibit pets on refuge trails or 

other refuge lands. We allow leashed 

pets only in the parking lot. 

4. We allow fishing only from legal 

sunrise to legal sunset. 

* * * * * 

■ 21. Amend § 32.63, the entry for 

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph A.10; 

■ b. Adding paragraph A.15; 

■ c. Revising paragraph B; 

■ d. Revising paragraphs C.2, D.2, and 

D.4; and 

■ e. Adding paragraphs D.15 through 

D.18. 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.63 Texas. 

* * * * * 

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

10. We prohibit airboats, hovercraft, 

and personal watercraft (such as Jet 

Skis, wave runners, and jet boats) on 

refuge waters. 

* * * * * 

15. We prohibit blocking of gates and 

roads (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter). 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel and rabbit in the 

months of February and September on 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

Conditions A1 through A15 apply. 

C. * * * 

2. Conditions A2, A5 through A7, and 

A10 through A15 apply. 

* * * * * 

D. * * * 

2. Conditions A10, and A12 through 

A15 apply. 

* * * * * 

4. We allow wade fishing March 15 

through October 1 annually from all 

areas except Refuge Road, Wildlife 

Drive, Plover Road, Tern Road, and 

Egret Road. 

* * * * * 

15. We prohibit boats and other 

floating devices on all open waters of 

Lake Texoma, except Big Mineral Creek 

from October 1 through March 14 

annually. 

16. At the point where Big Mineral 

Creek joins Lake Texoma, Big Mineral 

Creek becomes a year-round no wake 

zone to the end of upstream navigable 

waters. 

17. From October 1 through March 14, 

we allow only nonmotorized boats in 

Big Mineral Creek from the point where 

it joins Lake Texoma to the upstream 

end of navigable waters. You may not 

have any type of gas or electric motor 

onboard that is capable of use. You may 

launch boats from a boat ramp only 

from L Pad Road or by hand at the Big 

Mineral Day Use Area. 

18. We prohibit discarding fish whole 

or in part on refuge lands and waters. 

* * * * * 

■ 22. Amend § 32.65 by revising 

paragraphs A.1.ii, A.1.iii introductory 

text, A.1.iii.c, A.1.iii.d, A.1.iv.a through 

A.1.iv.d, A.1.iv.g through A.1.iv.i, 

A.1.iv.m, A.1.iv.p, A.1.v.c, and A.1.vi. 

introductory text under the entry 

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge to 

read as follows: 

§ 32.65 Vermont. 

* * * * * 

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge 

A. * * * 

1. * * * 

ii. Maquam Shore Area encompasses 

a 30-acre area along the lakeshore of 

Maquam Bay and is bounded by private 

land on the west and a Vermont wildlife 

management area on the east. In the 

Maquam Shore Area, conditions A.1.i.a. 

through A.1.i.f. apply. 

iii. Saxes Pothole/Creek and Shad 

Island Pothole encompass Saxes Creek, 

Saxes Pothole, and Shad Island Pothole. 

This is a controlled hunting area. We 

stake and make available five zones 

(numbered 1 through 5) to five hunting 

parties in Saxes Pothole; zone 6 is 

staked and available to one hunting 

party in Shad Island Pothole. 

* * * * * 

c. You may apply to a preseason 

lottery (Waterfowl Lottery Application, 

FWS Form 3–2355) to obtain a permit 

(Migratory Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 

3–2361) for the opening day of duck 

hunting season through the first Sunday 

of the duck hunting season and for the 

second weekend of the duck hunting 

season. During the years when the State 

elects to have a split season, you may 

also obtain your permit (Migratory Bird 

Hunt Report, FWS Form 3–2361) for the 

second opening day through the 

following Sunday through application 

to the preseason lottery (Waterfowl 

Lottery Application, FWS Form 3– 

2355). On all other hunt days, you must 

acquire a permit (Migratory Bird Hunt 

Report, FWS Form 3–2361) through selfregistration at the Mac’s Bend Landing 

no earlier than 2 hours before legal 

shooting time on the day of the hunt. 

d. Hunters selected during the 

preseason lottery (Waterfowl Lottery 

Application, FWS Form 3–2355) must 

pay a $10 fee. The refuge must receive 

the fee no later than 2 days before the 

opening of the season or the selected 

hunter forfeits the permit (Migratory 

Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 3–2361), 

which we will then make available to 

other hunters on a first-come, firstserved basis. The fee is paid for any 

permit (Migratory Bird Hunt Report, 

FWS Form 3–2361) assigned before the 

day of the hunt. There is no fee for any 

permit (Migratory Bird Hunt Report, 

FWS Form 3–2361) obtained on the day 

of the hunt. 

* * * * * 

iv. * * * 

a. Junior waterfowl hunters (ages 12– 

17, inclusive, at the time of the hunt), 

following successful completion of the 

annual training program (usually held 

the third or fourth Saturday in August), 

vie for blind site assignments during a 

lottery drawing (Waterfowl Lottery 

Application, FWS Form 3–2355) at the 

conclusion of the training. The 11 blind 

sites are available exclusively to these 

junior waterfowl hunters and their 

mentors during the first four Saturdays 

and Sundays of the duck season. 


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b. During a lottery drawing 

(Waterfowl Lottery Application, FWS 

Form 3–2355) at the conclusion of the 

annual junior waterfowl hunter training, 

adult volunteers who serve as mentors 

to junior waterfowl hunters will vie for 

the use of junior hunt area blind sites on 

the first Wednesday following the 

second weekend of the season. This is 

known as Mentor Day, and there is no 

fee charged to mentors. Any junior hunt 

area blinds not assigned at the 

conclusion of the annual junior 

waterfowl hunter training will be 

available to other adult hunters via a 

preseason lottery (Waterfowl Lottery 

Application, FWS Form 3–2355). 

Mentors will also be permitted to hunt 

alongside the junior hunters on the last 

two Saturdays and Sundays of the 

junior hunt period. 

c. Following the use of the blind sites 

in this area by junior hunters and junior 

hunter mentors, all blind sites are then 

available to all adult hunters by permit 

(Migratory Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 

3–2361) awarded via a preseason lottery 

(Waterfowl Lottery Application, FWS 

Form 3–2355) for the second 

Wednesday following the second 

weekend of the duck season; and on 

weekends following the junior hunt by 

a first-come, first-served basis; hunters 

must self-register at the Mac’s Bend boat 

launch. 

d. Hunters, including junior hunters, 

with preregistered permits (Migratory 

Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 3–2361) 

must sign in at the Mac’s Bend boat 

launch no later than 7 a.m. on the date 

of their scheduled hunt. After 7 a.m., 

other hunters may sign in, self-register, 

and use unoccupied blind sites. Only 

junior hunters may hunt on the first four 

Saturdays and Sundays of the season. 

Adult mentors may hunt alongside their 

junior hunters for the last two Saturdays 

and Sundays of the junior hunt period. 

During this time, there still can only be 

two hunters per blind site (one junior 

and one mentor, or two juniors), 

regardless of the number of mentees. 

* * * * * 

g. Each adult hunter, except mentors 

on Mentor Day, must pay $10 for each 

permit (Migratory Bird Hunt Report, 

FWS Form 3–2361) issued during the 

preseason lottery (Waterfowl Lottery 

Application, FWS Form 3–2355). 

Permits acquired by self-registration are 

free. 

h. Only junior hunters may discharge 

a firearm in this area during the youth 

weekend and the first two weekends of 

the season. Adult mentors may hunt 

alongside one junior mentee for the 

remainder of the junior hunt period. 

i. We allow and recommend hunting 

from portable blinds and boat blinds 

constructed and placed by the refuge at 

some of the junior blind sites. Junior 

hunters are assigned a blind location by 

a lottery. We prohibit permanent blinds. 

* * * * * 

m. At the end of each day’s hunt, each 

hunter must complete and deposit at 

Mac’s Bend boat launch that portion of 

their permit (Migratory Bird Hunt 

Report, FWS Form 3–2361) that 

provides the number of birds harvested 

and number of birds knocked down but 

not retrieved. 

* * * * * 

p. A hunting party consists of the 

hunter named on the permit (Migratory 

Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 3–2361) 

and one guest hunter per blind site per 

day. Junior hunters may not invite a 

guest hunter unless it is another refugetrained junior hunter. Nonhunters may 

accompany a hunting party. 

* * * * * 

v. * * * 

c. Hunters selected during the 

preseason lottery (Waterfowl Lottery 

Application, FWS Form 3–2355) must 

pay a $10 fee. The refuge must receive 

the fee no later than 2 days before the 

opening of the season or the selected 

hunter forfeits the permit (Migratory 

Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 3–2361), 

which will be made available first to 

standby hunters identified at the time of 

the drawing, and second to other 

hunters on a first-come, first-served 

basis. You must pay the fee for any 

permit (Migratory Bird Hunt Report, 

FWS Form 3–2361) before the day of the 

hunt. There is no fee for any permit 

(Migratory Bird Hunt Report, FWS Form 

3–2361) obtained on the day of the hunt. 

* * * * * 

vi. Maquam Swamp Area 

encompasses about 200 acres (80.9 

hectares) west of the Central Vermont 

Railroad and south of Coleman’s 

inholding and is open to migratory bird 

hunting with the following special 

requirements: 

* * * * * 

■ 23. Amend § 32.66 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs A, C, and D 

under the entry Chincoteague National 

Wildlife Refuge; 

■ b. Under the entry Eastern Shore of 

Virginia National Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Revising paragraphs C.3 and C.5; 

■ ii. Removing paragraphs C.6, C.10, 

and C.11; 

■ iii. Redesignating paragraphs C.7 

through C.9 as C.6 through C.8, 

respectively; and 

■ iv. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraph C.8; and 

■ c. Revising paragraph C under the 

entry Wallops Island National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.66 Virginia. 

* * * * * 

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow hunting of waterfowl (as defined 

by the Virginia Waterfowl Hunting 

Guide) and rail on designated areas of 

the refuge within Wildcat Marsh, Morris 

Island, Assawoman Island, and 

Metompkin Island Divisions in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. You must obtain a Refuge Migratory 

Game Bird Hunt Permit (Migratory Bird 

Hunt Application, FWS Form 3–2357) 

and maintain the permit on your person 

while hunting on the refuge. 

2. You may only access hunting areas 

by boat. 

3. You may erect portable blinds and 

deploy decoys; however, during the 

regular duck seasons, you must remove 

the blinds and decoys at the end of each 

day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

We prohibit hunting from a permanent 

blind or pit blind. 

4. You may use trained dogs to assist 

in the retrieval of harvested birds. 

5. We prohibit hunting on 

Assawoman and Metompkin Islands’ 

beach and dune habitats beginning 

March 15. 

6. We do not allow hunting on 

Sunday. 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and sika in 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. General hunt information: 

i. You must possess a refuge hunt 

permit (Quota Deer Hunt Application, 

FWS Form 3–2354) while hunting. 

ii. You must certify on your 

application you have viewed the 

refuge’s hunt orientation. 

iii. We allow holders of a refuge hunt 

permit (Quota Deer Hunt Application, 

FWS Form 3–2354) to access areas of 

the refuge typically closed to the nonhunting public. All occupants of a 

vehicle or hunt party must possess a 

refuge hunt permit and be actively 

engaged in hunting. We allow an 

exception to exist 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. 

iv. You must sign in at the hunter 

registration station prior to entering 

your hunt zone and sign out upon 

exiting your hunt zone. All hunters 


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must sign out no later than 2 hours after 

the end of legal shooting hours. 

v. You must check all harvested 

animals at the hunter registration station 

prior to signing out. 

vi. We prohibit the use of a boat, allterrain vehicle (see § 27.31(f) of this 

chapter), or saddled animal to access 

hunt areas or while hunting. 

vii. We allow the use of portable tree 

stands, but you must remove stands at 

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

of this chapter). 

viii. You may not hunt within 100 feet 

(30.5 meters) of any building. 

ix. We prohibit deer drives. We define 

a ‘‘drive’’ as four or more persons 

involved in the act of chasing, pursuing, 

disturbing, or otherwise directing deer 

so as to make the animal more 

susceptible to harvest. 

x. We prohibit hunting on Sundays. 

2. Archery hunt information: 

i. We allow hunting of white-tailed 

deer and sika with archery tackle, as 

defined by the State, in designated areas 

of the refuge. 

ii. You may not hunt or nock an arrow 

or crossbow bolt within 50 feet (15.2 

meters) of the centerline of any road, 

whether improved or unimproved, or 

paved trail. 

3. Firearm hunt information: 

i. We allow hunting of white-tailed 

deer and sika with firearms in 

designated areas of the refuge. 

ii. You may not hunt or discharge a 

firearm on or within 50 feet (15.2 

meters) of the centerline of any road, 

whether improved or unimproved, or 

paved trail. You may not shoot across or 

down any road or paved trail. 

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, crabbing, and clamming from 

the shoreline of the refuge in designated 

areas of Tom’s Cove, Swan’s Cove, and 

the Atlantic Ocean in accordance with 

State regulations and subject to the 

following conditions: 

1. You may not wade or launch a 

vessel in any water management areas. 

2. You must attend minnow traps, 

crab traps, crab pots, and handlines at 

all times. 

3. We prohibit the use of seine nets 

and pneumatic (compressed air or 

otherwise) bait launchers. 

4. 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. 

5. In order to fish after the refuge 

closes, 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. 

6. We allow 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 license-exempt in Virginia. 

Eastern Shore of Virginia National 

Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

3. We allow holders of a refuge big 

game hunt permit (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 refuge hunt permit and 

be actively engaged in hunting. We 

allow an exception to exist 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. 

* * * * * 

5. We allow the use of portable tree 

stands, but stands must be removed 

daily. 

* * * * * 

8. We only allow shotguns loaded 

with buckshot during the firearm 

season. 

* * * * * 

Wallops Island National Wildlife 

Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer in 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. You must obtain a refuge hunt 

permit (Big/Upland Game Hunt 

Application, FWS Form 3–2356) and 

carry it on your person while hunting. 

2. You must sign in at the hunter 

registration station prior to entering 

your hunt zone and sign out upon 

exiting your hunt zone. All hunters 

must sign out no later than 2 hours after 

the end of legal shooting hours. 

3. You must report all harvested 

animals on the sign-out sheet at the 

hunter registration station when signing 

out. 

4. We allow the use of portable tree 

stands. You must remove stands by the 

end of the hunt season (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

5. We prohibit dogs. 

6. You must park your vehicle in 

designated areas. 

7. We prohibit deer drives. We define 

a ‘‘drive’’ as four or more persons 

involved in the act of chasing, pursuing, 

disturbing, or otherwise directing deer 

so as to make the animal more 

susceptible to harvest. 

* * * * * 

■ 24. Amend § 32.69 by: 

■ a. Under the entry Fox River National 

Wildlife Refuge: 

■ i. Removing paragraph C.2; 

■ ii. Redesignating paragraphs C.3 

through C.5 as C.2 through C.4, 

respectively; and 

■ iii. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraph C.3; 

■ b. Revising paragraphs A, B, and C 

under the entry Horicon National 

Wildlife Refuge; and 

■ c. Revising paragraph D under the 

entry Leopold Wetland Management 

District. 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.69 Wisconsin. 

* * * * * 

Fox River National Wildlife Refuge 

* * * * * 

C. * * * 

3. You may enter the refuge no earlier 

than 1 hour before legal shooting hours 

and must exit the refuge no later than 

1 hour after legal shooting hours end. 

* * * * * 

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge 

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot 

on designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following condition: We 

allow only participants in the Learn to 

Hunt and other special programs to 

hunt. 

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of wild turkey, ring-necked 

pheasant, gray partridge, squirrel, and 

cottontail rabbit on designated areas of 

the refuge in accordance with State 

regulations during the State seasons and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. For hunting, you may possess only 

approved nontoxic shot shells while in 

the field, including shot shells used for 

hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k) of this 

chapter). 

2. We prohibit field possession of 

upland game species in areas closed to 

upland game hunting. 

3. We prohibit engaging in hunting in 

areas closed to upland game hunting. 

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer in 

designated areas of the refuge in 

accordance with State regulations and 

subject to the following conditions: 

1. We prohibit the construction or use 

of permanent blinds, platforms, or 

ladders. 

2. You must remove all stands and 

personal property from the refuge 


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51962 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 

following each day’s hunt. We prohibit 

hunting from any stand left up 

overnight (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this 

chapter). 

3. You must possess a refuge permit 

(Big/Upland Game Hunt Application, 

FWS Form 3–2356) to hunt in Area E 

(surrounding the office/visitor center). 

4. You may only hunt in Area D (auto 

tour/hiking trail) during the State 9-day 

gun season and December antlerlessonly hunts. The refuge will post these 

dates annually. 

5. You may enter the refuge no earlier 

than 1 hour before legal shooting hours 

and must exit the refuge no later than 

1 hour after legal shooting hours. 

6. Any ground blind used during any 

gun deer season must display at least 

144 square inches (929 square 

centimeters) of solid-blaze-orange 

material visible from all directions. 

7. We prohibit the field possession of 

white-tailed deer in areas closed to 

white-tailed deer hunting. 

8. We prohibit engaging in hunting in 

areas closed to white-tailed deer 

hunting. 

* * * * * 

Leopold Wetland Management District 

* * * * * 

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on Waterfowl Production Areas 

throughout the District in accordance 

with State regulations and subject to the 

following condition: We prohibit the 

use of motorized boats. 

* * * * * 

Dated: October 26, 2017. 

Jason Larrabee, 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish 

and Wildlife and Parks. 

[FR Doc. 2017–24329 Filed 11–7–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 


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