Hunting

The section of Missouri River that flows between Nebraska and Iowa once was rich in wetland wildlife habitat, but river channelization and wetland conversion have eliminated more than 500,000 acres of habitat. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was established to restore native Missouri River habitat for wildlife. The wildlife have returned, and each year, a limited number of hunt opportunities are available. Most refuge waterfowl hunting areas are accessible only by boat, but select entrance points are offered for walk-in hunters. These hunters must keep their shotguns cased and unloaded until they are in the hunting area. If deer numbers allow, the refuge holds muzzleloader deer hunts. There are hunts administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as well as later hunts issued by the refuge. Archery deer along with both spring and fall archery turkey hunting is permitted on certain units of the refuge in accordance with state regulations. Check with refuge headquarters for the hunt map and the latest hunting dates and information.

Big Game - Deer and turkey hunting are available yearly on the refuge. Archery deer and turkey is permitted in the refuge public hunt area. Managed muzzleloader deer hunts are determined each year in coordination with Nebraska Game and Parks and dates are announced prior to the hunt season.

Waterfowl – Waterfowl hunting is permitted along refuge land in the immediate shoreline of the Missouri River, up to and including the high bank. Check with refuge for map of waterfowl hunting area and refuge-specific regulations.

More information on refuge and hunting rules and policies can be found below and in the Boyer Chute Hunt Brochure.

Boyer Chute Rules and Policies

Archery Safety Zone on Trails: Boyer Island will remain open to other public uses during overlapping archery seasons. Archery hunters must be 50 yards clear of public trails when hunting.

Firearms

Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32.)

Vehicles

Licensed motor vehicles are permitted only on public use roads and trails as shown on the map. ATVs and UTVs are prohibited.

Accessibility Information

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights.

Hunting Regulations

Hunting regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Hunting will be in accordance with applicable State regulations subject to the conditions stated below. Brochures may be obtained by mail, at the refuge headquarters, or from the refuge website.

Access

Hunters may only access the Refuge two hours before legal sunrise until two hours after legal sunset. Contact refuge law enforcement to remain after closing hours to retrieve or track wounded game.

Hunters must park in designated parking areas, as identified on the map, to access the Refuge for hunting. Access to the Refuge from private property is prohibited.

Companions

Only legal hunters holding the proper state hunting license may enter and hunt the refuge hunting areas. Unlicensed

companions are not permitted in the hunting area when not open to the general public.

To Report a Violation

• Call 1-844-FWS-TIPS or 1-844-397-8477
• Refuge Law Enforcement: 712-417-0827

Tree Stands

Only portable stands and blinds may be placed on the refuge during the applicable hunting season.

• We allow two portable tree stands/blinds per hunter within the hunt area. Of those, only one stand/blind can be left on the refuge from one week prior to the start of the designated hunt season to one week after the end of the designated hunt season.
• Hunters must remove all stands, blinds, and other property by one week after the close of the designated season.
• Unattended stands and blinds must be plainly labeled with the full name and/or hunting license number of the owner. Labels must be visible from the ground.
• Spikes, nails, screw-in bow holders, and any items that penetrate the outer bark of a tree are prohibited.
• Cutting or altering of tree branches or any vegetation is prohibited.
• During any deer firearm season, ground blinds must display a 12 inch x12 inch patch of solid blaze orange material visible in all directions.

Stands and blinds not in full compliance with these regulations are subject to removal.

Prohibited Activities

• By law, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted.
• Possession of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia when hunting
• Wood/charcoal fires
• Searching for or removal of any natural items such as antlers, bison skulls, plants, historic, and archaeological features, are protected by Federal law.
• All commercial hunting
• Use of electronic or photographic trail monitoring devices
• Use of two-way mobile radio transmitters to communicate location of game or coordinate movement of hunters
• Participation in organized deer drives
• Field dressing any game within 100 feet of the centerline of any refuge road, trail or parking area.
• Hunting is prohibited within 200 yards of any public use facility