Hunting Regulations

NOTE: Health Advisory issued for Lake Lowell due to blue-green algae bloom, July 2009

Visitors can hunt on both the Lake Lowell and the Snake River Islands sectors of the refuge. Limits and seasons are set by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, as appropriate. Contact them for current hunting regulations.

Some special regulations apply at the refuge:

• All waterfowl, coot, upland game, and mourning dove hunters on the refuge are required to use non-toxic shot and may not possess lead shot in the field.
• Target shooting is prohibited.
• Although use of permanent blinds is prohibited, portable blinds are allowed if they are removed at the end of each day. Temporary blinds may be constructed from natural vegetation less than 3 inches in diameter and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about hunting, including help getting ready for hunting season, information on the Federal Duck Stamp, and links to the most recent waterfowl harvest surveys and population status reports, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's hunting information clearinghouse.

Lake Lowell Sector
Hunting on the Lake Lowell Sector is limited to the East Side and South Side Recreation Areas. Hunting at the Lake Lowell sector is restricted to upland game birds, mourning doves, ducks, and coots. Goose hunting is prohibited throughout the Lake Lowell Sector of the refuge.

All duck and coot hunting must take place within 200 yards of the water's edge. Duck and coot hunting in the East Side Recreation Area is walk-in only. Duck and coot hunters in the South Side Recreation Area may use float tubes, non-motorized boats, or boats with electric motors only.

See links for more information about hunting the Lake Lowell sector of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge or for current waterfowl counts.

Snake River Islands Sector
All refuge islands are open for hunting. Where the Snake River is the boundary between Idaho and Oregon, you may hunt the islands according to the regulations of the state for which you are licensed.

Hunting of waterfowl, coots, upland game, mourning doves, and deer is allowed on all refuge islands during state seasons.

See link for more information about hunting the Snake River Island sector of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.