Hunting

Beginning in fall 2020, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will open to archery deer hunting on 1,378 acres (Hunt Unit A). Hunt Unit A also will open to numerous upland game species, including ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, gray (Hungarian) partridge, prairie grouse, wild turkey, snowshoe hare, cottontail and white-tailed jackrabbit, and gray and fox squirrel. Season dates and bag limits follow those of the state for archery deer and upland game hunting. Additionally, Hunt Unit A will open to mourning doves and woodcock, following the state seasons and bag limits. Hunting for ducks, geese, and coots will be allowed in Hunt Unit A for youth only, during the two-day Minnesota Youth Waterfowl Season, in early September. In addition to these new opportunities, the refuge will still host a special two-day mentored youth deer hunt in late October. Youth ages 12-15 are eligible to apply for this hunt. A total of 15 hunters are selected to participate each year and are required to be accompanied by an adult mentor, both during the hunt and a mandatory half-day orientation session held prior to the hunt. The refuge will also continue to host a special three-day accessible deer hunt for people with disabilities during mid-October. A total of 20 people are selected to participate in this hunt each year. For more information on the special deer hunts, contact the refuge manager at 218-687-2229 x16.

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

No vehicles are allowed on hiking trails and aside from the entrance area, no vehicles are allowed on refuge service roads.

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 Civil Rights, https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights.

Hunting and Fishing Regulations

Hunting and fishing 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.

All of the listed hunting activities, with the exception of the acessible deer hunt, are ONLY open in Hunt Unit A. The deer hunt is open in BOTH Hunt Unit A and B.

Access

Hunters may only access the refuge from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.

Hunters may park in designated refuge parking areas along public roadways that border the refuge. Hunters may also park along these roadways, so long as no part of the vehicle is in the road. Blocking gates or trails is prohibited. All ATV, UTV, and snowmobile use is prohibited.

Hunters may use bicycles on gravel roads or two-track trails in Hunt Unit A.

The use of wheeled, non-motorized conveyance devices (e.g. game carts) is allowed.

Stands and Blinds

Treestands and ground blinds must be removed daily. Use of nails, spikes, and screw-in steps is prohibited. Hunters must also dismantle hunting blinds made from natural vegetation at the end of each day.

Big Game Regulations

• Weapons/Ammo: Deer can only be hunted with archery equipment or muzzleloaders, aside from during the special three-day accessible deer season. Bear can only be hunted with archery equipment or shotguns (slugs).
• Shooting on, from, over, across or within 30 feet of a roadway open to public vehicle transportation is prohibited.

Migratory Bird and Upland Game Regulations

• Ducks, geese, and coots can only be hunted by youth during the special State-administered youth season.
• Non-motorized boats can be used in areas open to migratory bird hunting.
• Dogs may be used but must be under control of the hunter at all times. However, dogs cannot be used for hunting bobcat and fox.
• Weapons/Ammo: Shotguns and archery equipment are the only legal weapons. You may use or possess only approved non-toxic shot shells while hunting migratory birds and upland game, including turkey.

Unprotected Animals

• Take of huntable unprotected animals can only occur between September 1 and the last day of February.
• Dogs cannot be used for hunting coyote.
• Shotguns and archery equipment are the only legal weapons.

To Report Violations (add in this new heading)

• Contact the Rydell NWR Refuge Manager at
• 218-687-2229, a local conservation officer, or call the Minnesota Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093.

Prohibited Activities

• Use of trail/game cameras.
• Use of flagging or reflective tacks or markers.
• Cutting trails or trimming trees.
• Commercial guiding or participating in a paid commercial hunt.
• Taking or harassing any animal other than those authorized to hunt.
• Baiting of any kind, including the use of salt or mineral blocks. This includes bear hunting.
• Use of possession of alcohol.
• Overnight parking, camping, fires, and littering.
• Night hunting. Unprotected species, raccoon and fox cannot be hunted past ½ hour after sunset or prior to ½ hour before sunrise. Follow state hunting regulations for daily start/end times for all other species.
• Use of dogs for hunting bobcat, fox, or coyote.
• Use of horses.
• Target shooting.
• Searching for or removal of any natural items such as antlers, plants, historic, and archaeological features, protected by Federal law.
• Not removing any harvested animal from the refuge.
• Hunting within the closed portion of the refuge or hunting in Unit B aside from during the special accessible 3-day deer hunt.

Fishing Regulations

• Fishing is allowed only on Tamarac Lake. Season dates are May 1 – Nov. 1, annually.
• Fishing can only be done from one of three accessible piers/docks located on the west side of Tamarac Lake.
• Fishing access is hike-in or bike-in only.
• We prohibit the taking of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel (clam) species by any method on the refuge.
• All other fishing rules are in accordance with State regulations.
• Closed during accessible deer hunt.