Services

Deer Harvest Management

Deer hunting is a significant public use on Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge but is also used to manage the deer herd and as a result provide healthy habitat. Deer populations should be reduced to under carrying capacity or at a density that the habitat can support. Removing a portion of the herd annually with the appropriate age structure and sex ratios should result in a healthy herd.

Trapping

Trapping is a wildlife management tool used on some national wildlife refuges. Trapping may be used to protect endangered and threatened species or migratory birds or to control certain wildlife populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also views trapping as a legitimate recreational and economic activity when there are harvestable surpluses of fur-bearing mammals. Outside of Alaska, refuges that permit trapping as a recreational use may require trappers to obtain a refuge special use permit. Signs are posted on refuges where trapping occurs. Contact the refuge manager for specific regulations.