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Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge |
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| 6465 Refuge Road Sherman, TX 75092 - 5817 E-mail: fw2_rw_hagerman@fws.gov Phone Number: 903-786-2826 |
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| Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/hagerman/ |
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Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge |
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| 6465 Refuge Road Sherman, TX 75092 - 5817 E-mail: fw2_rw_hagerman@fws.gov Phone Number: 903-786-2826 |
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| Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/hagerman/ |
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Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 as an overlay of Corps of Engineers lands on Lake Texoma. The primary purpose of the refuge is to protect and manage 11,320 acres of habitat for refuge and breeding ground purposes for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge includes about 6,500 acres of uplands, 4,000 acres of open water, 500 acres of wetlands, and 400 acres of croplands. The Refuge offers numerous opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational activities including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environment education, and interpretation. Hiking trails, an auto tour, and seasonal boating are offered. Three Day Use Areas offer picnic tables and restroom facilities. Maps, brochures, wildlife information, and trail guides can be picked- up at the Visitor Center. Getting There . . . From Dallas, go north on Highway 75 to US 82 west in Sherman. From US 82, exit onto Highway 289 north. Follow 289 for 4.5 miles and look for the Hagerman Refuge directional sign at Refuge Road. Turn left and the Refuge will be 4 miles ahead. From the north, take Hwy. 75 south and follow the directions above, making a right turn on Refuge Road. Coming from I-35 to the west, head east on US 82 then north on 289. Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address: |
Environmental Education Fishing Hunting Interpretation Photography Wildlife Observation Learn More >> 
Refuge habitat management activities are designed to improve conditions for wildlife. Earthen dikes that create shallow marshes for ducks are flooded each fall. In spring, the marshes are drained to allow growth of wild plants favored by those same waterfowl. Spring and fall migrations bring spectacular flocks of shorebirds to the shallow wetlands. About 400 acres near Lake Texoma are farmed for wildlife – winter wheat mung beans, or a clover blend attracts geese, turkey, and deer for foraging. Higher, upland areas are managed using controlled burns and mechanical cutting equipment. Left unmanaged, fields become invaded with undesirable trees such as cedar, locust, mesquite, and winged elm. Fire and mechanical cutting helps to control this invasion. Efforts are underway to restore fields and other areas back to prairie habitat by clearing all woody vegetation and planting a blend of native grasses and wildflowers. In 1951, oil was discovered in the Big Mineral Creek Oil Field. When the Corps of Engineers purchased the land for Lake Texoma in the mid to late 1930’s, the mineral rights were not acquired – a common practice at that time. This left the right to extract all underground minerals in private ownership. These private owners have the legal right to develop, produce, and transport oil and gas resources located within the Refuge. Since 1951, more than 200 wells have been drilled - millions of barrels of crude oil and billions of cubic feet of natural gas have been extracted from these wells. |
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