Recreation

Hunting
(State Lands)

Trail Information

Trail Closures
From October 13, 2007 to January 27, 2008, three miles of the Brown Farm Dike Trail and part of the McAllister Bank Fishing Area are closed. These areas are adjacent to state lands where waterfowl hunting is allowed. The trail and bank fishing area are closed to provide an undisturbed area for birds to rest and feed and for safety of visitors.

Open Trails
Four miles of refuge trails will remain open during the hunting season including the Twin Barns Loop Trail, the Ring Dike Trail, and 2 miles of the Brown Farm Dike Trail. Trail walkers should be aware that goose season is still occurring during this time and gun shots may be heard and hunters may be seen on the delta.

National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
These signs are used to mark the boundaries of national wildlife refuges. You may enter the area only on designated access routes.

No Hunting Zone
These signs are used to inform the public that no hunting is allowed beyond these signs.

Area Beyond This Sign Closed
This area is closed to all entry. No hunting is permitted. No roads or trails are open to the public.

Hunting Information

Federal - State - Private Lands

• Federal Lands - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns and manages 2,973 acres of the Nisqually Delta as Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge lands are not currently open to hunting.
• State Lands - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife owns and manages three parcels of land within the approved Refuge boundary which are open to waterfowl hunting.
• Private Lands - Privately owned lands east of the Nisqually River are not open to the public for hunting.

Where You Can Hunt
Waterfowl hunting is allowed on Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. See the Hunting Areas Map for details, or call Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for more information, (360) 902-2200.

Where You Can't Hunt
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is not open to hunting. This includes the Brown Farm Dike, all areas within the Dike, the McAllister Creek Bank Fishing Area, and most of the area east of the Nisqually River. Watch for "No Hunting" or "Area Closed" signs. See the Hunting Areas Map for details.

How Do You Reach the Hunting Areas?
Access is by boat. The nearest boat launching ramp is at Luhr Beach.

Regulations
Shot must be U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot. All Washington State hunting regulations are in effect.

Retrieving Birds
You may not enter closed areas to retrieve dead or crippled birds.

Before Leaving Home
Call the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife at (360) 902-2200 for complete information on hunting regulations. You may also visit their web site: WDFW - Hunting Information.

For more information, contact:
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
100 Brown Farm Road
Olympia, WA 98516
Phone: (360) 753-9467
Fax: (360)534-9302