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Hagerman
National Wildlife Refuge		 Waterbirds wade and nest at Hagerman NWR.
6465 Refuge Road
Sherman, TX   75092 - 5817
E-mail:
Phone Number: 903-786-2826
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/texas/hagerman/		 Common scenes at Hagerman NWR.
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  Overview
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife, lies on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma, on the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. The refuge is made up of water, marsh, and upland habitat and visitors can hike, observe wildlife, hunt, fish at various times throughout the year.

The main focus at Hagerman NWR is providing a winter home for thousands of waterfowl. Foremost among the waterfowl are Canada geese. During fall, winter, and spring, numbers can reach 7,500 or more. Other geese include white-fronted and snow geese, with a scattering of the smaller Ross' geese.


Getting There . . .
From Dallas, go north on Highway 75 to Sherman FM 1417 exit, then north 13 miles on FM 1417 to refuge sign and left 6 miles to entrance. From U.S. 82, turn north on Southmayd Road (4 miles east of Sadler and 7.5 miles west of Sherman). Follow signs to office and visitor center.

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Wildlife and Habitat
Dabbling ducks such as mallard, pintail, and teal arrive throughout the fall and some may linger until spring. Diving ducks, such as redheads and ringnecks, sweep through the area on their way south each fall, with some staying through the winter. Spring migration brings many birds back through the area on their way to nesting grounds.

Other birds abound at Hagerman NWR. Shorebird migrations in July can be spectacular, and pelican flights in April and September are a striking sight. Wading birds (herons and egrets)are common most of the year, and a few nest here.

The upland habitat on the refuge provides a home for nesting songbirds, as well as quail, doves, small game, white-tailed deer, and a host of other native animals--furred, feathered, and scaled.

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History
Hagerman NWR was within the hunting territory of several Native American groups, including principally the Wichita Tribe, and also the Caddo, Comanche, and Kiowa tribes. The limited evidence of their passing shows that their use of the area was recurrent but temporary and there were no permanent settlements. In the early 1900s, the Refguge was the location of Hagerman Townsite, population 250, named for an official of the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad. The townsite was abandoned in 1943 to make way for Lake Texoma.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Managment Activities

Management programs at Hagerman NWR are designed to improve habitat for wildlife. About 600 acres are farmed for waterfowl and other wildlife. Milo and corn provide high energy foods during extreme cold. Green browse (wheat and other small grains) is a staple for wintering geese. Refuge farming helps keep the geese on the refuge and reduce damage to crops on nearby private lands.

Moist soil management uses earthen dikes to create shallow marshes for waterfowl. The marshes are drained in spring and summer to promote growth of vegetation such as wild millet, sedges, and smartweeds and then flooded in the fall making food available for waterfowl, primarily ducks.

Upland areas are managed using periodic burning, controlled grazing, and replanting native grasses and forbs. Native prairies protect the soil and supply food and cover for many native and migratory wildlife species.