Hunting is available at 436 units (401 national wildlife refuges and 35 wetland management districts) of the National Wildlife Refuge System and almost 20 national fish hatcheries. Hunting is a priority public use at national wildlife refuges. Wildlife hunting is subject to sustainable limits and sometimes used as a management tool to keep wildlife populations in check. Hunters' purchase of Duck Stamps helps buy conservation lands. Hunters must have an appropriate state license.

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Hunting is deeply rooted in America’s heritage, and it can be an important wildlife management tool. Several laws and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy permit hunting on a national wildlife refuge when it is compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and acquired.
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National wildlife refuges offer several unforgettable hunting opportunities that many outdoorsmen and women would consider the experience of a lifetime. Here are just a few.
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