Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Comprises 15,978 acres, approximately four-fifths of which is tidal salt marsh.  The refuge has one of the largest expanses of nearly unaltered tidal salt marsh in the mid-Atlantic region.  It also includes 1,100 acres of impounded fresh water pools, brushy and timbered swamps, 1,100 acres of agricultural lands, and timbered and grassy upland. The general terrain is flat and less than ten feet above sea level. 

Bombay Hook was established in 1937 as a link in the chain of refuges that extends from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It is primarily a refuge and breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife.  The value and importance of Bombay Hook for the protection and conservation of waterfowl has increased greatly over the years, primarily due to the loss of extensive surrounding marshland to urban and industrial development. 

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge hosts 100,000 visitors a year to view wildlife in natural settings.  Hearing impaired visitors may call the Delaware Relay Center at 1 800/232-5460 TDD.

The Refuge is open daily from Sunrise to Sunset.

Important Announcement
For 2010, the refuge is closed to the Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunt and the Extended Rabbit season. Some administrative concerns have come to our attention which have resulted in us deciding not to go forward with these expanded hunts at this time. We expect to do additional analysis of the hunt proposals at Prime Hook and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuges to ensure that we are aware of and consider the potential effects of our actions on refuge users and wildlife. Please contact the refuge manager for more information.

Important Reminder to Refuge Visitors….
To protect wildlife and their habitat and to provide the best opportunities in wildlife observation and photography, it is important not to disturb, injure, or damage plants and animals of the refuge.  In fact, it is a prohibited act as stated in 50 CFR27.51. This disturbance includes flushing birds and other wildlife or using electronic calls (taping) to lure birds closer for observation or photography. Please remember to take only memories and photographs and leave only footprints.

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