Hunting

Many small and medium-sized lakes are found in the area because of an artificially high water table from nearby Potholes Reservoir. While deer and upland birds can be hunted at the refuge, most hunters focus on the ducks and geese. Nearly 100,000 ducks, mostly mallard, land on the refuge’s small lakes. Hunting in specified areas can be excellent throughout the season. Working with a number of conservation organizations, refuge managers are continuing to manage wetland habitat by cleaning out water delivery channels, clearing overgrown cattail areas, eliminating noxious weeds and properly manipulating water levels. The results should ensure that waterfowl hunting remains excellent for future generations.