Stone Lakes NWR Blind Information
Flood damage from last year’s storms, including the 2023 New Year’s Eve flood, impacted many units and activities on the refuge, including the 2022-2023 waterfowl hunt season at the Sun River Unit. We have been working on repairing and restoring damage from the floods. In addition, there are still several wetlands with standing water and flooded or damaged blinds. Due to the enormity of the impacts and the flooded conditions within the hunt units, normal wetland and blind preparations have been delayed. The staff have been unable to draw down the wetlands and conduct mowing and disking activities to manage vegetation, control weeds and other undesirable plants, including cocklebur. Refuge staff continue to prepare the area to the best of their ability, however the exact opening date remains unknown. We will be accepting applications based on prior years season and will begin the draws once we are able to prepare the hunt area and blinds.
Availability and conditions of blinds vary throughout the season. Chest waders are needed as hunters may be wading through some swales. Plan ahead. Hunters are responsible for bringing additional camouflage as available natural cover may be limited at individual blinds, or 'brushing' may deteriorate as the season progresses.
Blind | Marsh Depth | Vegetation | Blind Type |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | 2' - 3' | Small island surrounded by mixed open water and bordered by tule clumps, cottonwoods, willows, and pastures | Concrete Pit Blind; dog recommended due to heavier veg cover and lost birds |
S2 | 2' - 3' | Small island with mixed open water and bordered by cottonwoods and willows | Concrete Pit Blind |
S3 | 3' - 5' | Open water with tule clumps and bordered by tules, cattails, willows, cottonwoods, and lake | Platform Blind; bordered by slightly deeper swale; dog recommended due to deeper water |
S4 | 3' - 4' | Small island surrounded by mixed open water and bordered by cottonwoods, willows, tules, lake, and open fields | Concrete Pit Blind |
S6 | 2' - 3' | Small island surrounded with open water and bordered by agricultural fields | Concrete Pit Blind |
S7 | 2' - 3' | Small island surrounded with open water and bordered by tule clumps, cottonwoods and agricultural fields | Concrete Pit Blind |
S8 | 2' - 3' | Small island surrounded with open water and bordered by few tule clumps, cottonwoods, pastures and agricultural fields | Concrete Pit Blind |
D1 | 2' - 3' | Open water with tule clumps and bordered by cottonwoods and willows | Floating Platform Pontoon Boat; movable by able-bodied person |