Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Pacific Region
 

Hunting Program

The refuge offers both upland bird hunting and waterfowl hunting opportunities. Each of these hunts are in designated areas on the refuge, see below. All other areas on the refuge are closed to all hunting. see our Hunting brochure (1.5 MB PDF)

Upland Bird Hunting

Upland bird hunting in the North Malheur Lake Hunt Area and west of Highway 205 are open during the regular State of Oregon seasons.

Non-toxic shot is required for upland bird hunting on the Refuge.

There is no waterfowl or predator hunting allowed in the Buena Vista Unit

Upland game bird hunts are available in two areas on the refuge:

Malheur Lake Hunt Area, West of Highway 205 and Krumbo Creek

Rooster Pheasant - October 6 - December 31, 2012 - 2 daily, 8 possession

California Quail - October 6 - January 31, 2012 - 10 daily, 20 possession

Chukar - October 6 – Jan 31, 2012 - 8 daily, 24 possession

Blue/Ruff Grouse - September 1 – December 31, 2012 - 3 each species daily, 6 possession

Sage Grouse - September 8 - 16, 2012 - 2 daily, 2 per season

Mourning Dove - September 1 - September 30, 2012 - 10 daily, 20 possession

Band tailed Pigeon - September 15 – 23, 2012 - 2 daily, 4 possession

Buena Vista Area Upland Game Hunt - November 17 - December 31, 2012

A late season rooster pheasant, California Quail, Chukar, Hungarian Partridge and rabbit hunt is held each year in the refuge's Buena Vista Area. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted within this unit. This 22,000 acre unit is located east of State Highway 205, north of Diamond Lane and south of Sodhouse Lane.

Rooster Pheasant - November 17 - December 31, 2012 - 2 daily, 8 possession

Chukar - November 17 - December 31, 2012  - 8 daily, 24 possession

California Quail - November 17 - December 31, 2012 - 10 daily, 20 possession

Special Regulations:

  • Only federally approved nontoxic shot may be used or be in possession while hunting on the refuge.
  • All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are not permitted off refuge roads. Oregon ATV regulations are in effect.
  • Please observe No Hunting Closures near Residential Areas at Refuge Headquarters, Buena Vista Station and the Malheur Field Station.
  • Boundaries may not be clear, contact private landowners for permission to cross or hunt private lands adjacent to the refuge.
  • Vehicles are allowed only on maintained public roadways. Parking is allowed only within one vehicle length of the roadway. Do not block dike and field accesses.
  • Overnight parking, camping and campfires are not permitted on the refuge.

Consult the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for bag limits.

For more information contact Malheur Refuge at (541) 493-2612 weekdays between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM.

 

Waterfowl Hunting

There are numerous tracts of private property that surround the Hunt Area, please respect private property. Non toxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and upland game in the Malheur Lake Hunt Area.

Species available in the Malheur Lake Hunt Area:

  • Goose
  • Duck
  • Coot
  • Merganser
  • Common Snipe
  • California Quail
  • Rooster Pheasant

Check the Oregon Game Bird Regulations on the ODFW Web Site for game limits and other pertinent information.

Game Bird Seasons on the Malheur Lake Area: 2012-2013 dates and bag limits will be posted in September

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt for youth 15 years old and younger - 2012-2013 dates and bag limits will be posted in September

Duck and Merganser - October 6 – November 25, November 28, 2012 – January 20, 2013

Bag Limit on Ducks and Mergansers - 7 daily, 14 possession
2 Hen mallards, 2 Pintail, 2 Redheads, 1 canvasback

Coot - October 6 – November 25, November 28, 2012 – January 20, 2013

Bag Limit on Coots - 25 daily, 25 possession

Goose - Early season: September 8 – 12, 2012 - Bag Limit - 3 Canadas daily, 6 possession
The taking of white-fronted, Aleutian and Cackling geese is prohibited statewide during the early season.

General season: October 6 – November 25, December 10, 2012 – January 27, 2012
Bag Limit - 4 dark & 6 white daily, 8 dark & 12 white in possession

Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Malheur Lake, must be 15 years old and younger, September 22-23, 2012

Access

This year the hunt area can be accessed using two of the three designated access points:

  • Narrows Access - A parking area is located on the northeast side of The Narrows on State Highway 205. The lake is adjacent to the parking area. Hunters can walk in with just waders and hunt. Thre is not a lot of tall emergent cover to hide a hunter. Please be aware if you walk in that the water drops off very gradually, but does reach a depth of 4-5 ft in certain areas. There are two gates to access this hunt area. Gates must remain closed to prevent cattle from entering the refuge.
  • Lawen Road Access - Travel 16 miles from Burns on State Highway 78 to the Lawen store. Travel south on the Lawen Road for 4.8 miles to a gate in the refuge boundary fence. Park on the edge of the Lawen Road out of the path of traffic. The lake is immediately adjacent to the road. Hunters may park along the road as long as the road is not blocked
  • Saddle Butte Hunter Access Road - The Saddle Butte hunting access road easement will be closed to all vehicles this year due to flooding that is covering the road south of the railroad grade. The road is closed to all refuge hunters. The hunt area is NOT closed, but the access road into the area is. In addition please be aware that ODFW has NO public hunting access in the area. Unless hunters have landowner permission to hunt or travel upon their lands they are trespassing.
  • Interested hunters should use the Lawen area access. ODFW has purchased  additional hunting access in the Lawen area. Hunters should look for orange posts marking areas open to hunting on private property in this area. If you use these areas please close the gates as cattle are present some areas. These areas have several shallow wetlands and sloughs with dry ground close by that may work well for a walk-in hunter. Not all lands are enrolled in the program so please make sure of where you are at by visiting ODFW's web site at http://www.oregonhuntingmap.com/PropertyDetails.aspx/94/Lawen%20Access%20Area/undefined

 

All other areas of the refuge are closed to waterfowl hunting.

Special Regulations:

  • Only Federally approved nontoxic shot may be used or be in possession while hunting on the refuge.
  • Non motorized boats are only allowed on the Malheur Lake hunt area during waterfowl hunting season.
  • All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are not permitted.
  • Temporary blinds may be constructed, but they will be available for general use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Construction or use of permanent blinds is not permitted.
  • Overnight parking, camping and campfires are not permitted on the refuge.

Contact private landowners for permission to cross, hunt or park on private lands.

For more information contact Malheur Refuge at (541) 493-2612 weekdays between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Last updated: September 4, 2012