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Management

The refuge is open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Since refuge staff are often in the field, the office is only open intermittently.

Road information

The Wildlife Viewing Route winds past ponds, marshes, and fields. It offers a representative view of refuge wildlife and habitats. Unloaded weapons that are dismantled or cased may be transported by vehicle on refuge roads.

For travel on all roads signed "Road Closed Except by Permit," a free self-registration permit is required September 20-January 15. The permit is available at the headquarters area information display. Weapons are not permitted in the vehicles.

You may park at any road's edge in a manner that does not obstruct traffic. Note, however, that September 20-January 15 if you wish to park within posted public hunting areas you must park only in designated parking lots. Please do not park in tall vegetation. If your vehicle's catalytic converter is hot, it could start a fire.

Visitors may hike on roads year-round. Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are also permitted off roads any time except March 1-July 15. Pets are allowed if no a leash or under close control.

Hunting & Fishing

    Hunting is permitted only in designated areas. All hunters must carry a valid State hunting license plus all required State and Federal stamps, validations, and permits.

Ducks, geese, coots, mergansers, snipe, pheasants, and sage grouse may be hunted. Dates, hunting hours, and bag limits for these species correspond to State regulations. Waterfowl hunters may enter the refuge one hour before legal hunting hours. Approved nontoxic shot is required for hunting all species. Temporary blinds of natural vegetation may be constructed, but such blinds are available for general use on a first-come, first-served basis. Construction of permanent blinds is prohibited. All personal property including decoys must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day.

All other species are protected and may not be killed.

Water Control

Clean and abundant water is the key to a healthy wetland community of plants and animals. The water supply at Camas has decreased over the years due to natural drought cycles and agricultural development, which have lowered the water table. Camas Creek and Beaver Creek do not flow long enough to provide as much water as they once did and cannot sustain the refuge's wetlands at certain times of the year. To remedy this problem, the refuge has constructed wells and ditches to provide additional water.

While a significant portion of the refuge remains in an essentially natural condition, some lands have been intensively developed. In the 1930s, crews from the Works Progress Administration constructed the refuge headquarters buildings, water control structures, and bridges. Over the years, an extensive system of canals, dikes, wells, ponds, and water control structures has been constructed to manipulate water for the benefit of wildlife. Today, water facilities maintained by the refuge include 12 miles of dikes, 31 miles of canals, 9 wells, 8 bridges, and 25 water control structures.

Crops Feed Birds

The refuge grows crops to supplement the natural foods available to wildlife. A grain crop of wheat or barley raised and left standing provides feed for migrating ducks. Alfalfa hay is grown for fall goose food. Similarly, wild hay is cut and removed on certain refuge units to encourage green regrowth for goose food. When ample food sources are available on the refuge, waterfowl are less likely to feed on farmers’ crops off-refuge where they may not be welcome.