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

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

Rooster Pheasant - October 10 through December 31, 2009.

California Quail - October 10 through January 31, 2010.

Buena Vista Area Upland Game Hunt

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.

Buena Vista Hunt Unit is open - November 21 through December 31, 2009.

 

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

Waterfowl hunting on Malheur Refuge is only permitted within the 18,000 acre North Malheur Lake Area.

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.

The 2009-2010 Game Bird Seasons on the Malheur Lake Area:

  • Special Canada Goose Season - September 5 through September 14, 2009.
  • General Goose Season - October 10 through November 29, and December 19 through January 31, 2010.
  • Duck and Merganser - October 10 through November 29, and December 2 through January 24, 2010.
  • Coot - Concurrent with Duck seasons.
  • Common Snipe - Concurrent with Duck seasons.
  • Rooster Pheasant - October 10 through December 31, 2009.
  • California Quail - October 10 through January 31, 2010.

Access

This year the hunt area can be accessed using all 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 over 4 miles east from the parking area.
  • 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. The lake is over two miles from the refuge boundary and hunters will be walking through mud flats to reach the water.
  • Saddle Butte Hunter Access Road - Located on State Highway 78 between mile markers 20 and 21. Proceed south to a designated parking area. Hunting is only permitted west of the parking area. The shoreline of the lake is 1/4 mile from the designated parking area and hunters should expect to walk through mud flats to reach the water.
    • This road is not an all-season road and is unimproved.
    • Be advised that this road may become impassable during periods of rain, snow and/or warm weather that may cause frozen ground to thaw.
    • Travel at your own risk.
    • Smaller, 4-wheel drive vehicles with small turning radius' are advisable.
    • ATV use is not permitted on the refuge.
    • There are numerous tracts of private property that surround the Hunt Area, please respect private property.

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: October 5, 2009