2023 / 2024 Waterfowl Hunting Additional Hunt Rules and Regulations

Stone Lakes NWR Waterfowl Hunting Additional Rules and Regulations

Migratory Game Bird Hunting - Hunting of only goose, duck, coot, and moorhen will be allowed on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

Hunting will be allowed on Sun River Unit only on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon).

All hunters will be selected through a random drawing process conducted by the refuge. Hunters should bring their refuge notification card on the day of their hunt. Hunting reservation is non-transferable and selected hunter must be present and participating in hunt. Hunters should contact the refuge manager for additional information.

Check station will be open at 5:00 a.m. to claim pick status. Hunters must check in at least one hour before shooting time if not present at 5:00 a.m. to be admitted.

No "sweat lines" or waiting line "backfill" hunting.

Youth blind hunters will get first overall pick on Saturdays.

No camping or overnight parking on the area. Fires are prohibited.

Youth hunters must possess a valid Junior Hunting License. Adults, age 18 or older, will be required to accompany hunters under age 16.

Firearms must be unloaded before transporting them between parking areas and spaced-blind areas. "Unloaded'' means that no ammunition is in the chamber or magazine of the firearm.

Hunters are restricted to their assigned spaced-blind except when they are placing or retrieving decoys, traveling to and from the parking area, retrieving downed birds, or when shooting to retrieve cripples.

Only approved nontoxic shot may be possessed while in the field in quantities of 25 or less.

No shot shells larger than 12 gauge and no shot larger than T permitted.

Alcohol is prohibited on the refuge.

Vehicles are allowed to stop only at designated parking area at check station. Dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping outside of designated parking area is prohibited. Travel is restricted to designated entrance road to check station. Park only at designated parking lot at check station. Mobility Impaired blind has own parking spot to access blind.

Hunters may use decoy carts. Bicycles or other conveyances are prohibited. Mobility impaired hunters should contact the refuge manager regarding allowed conveyances.

All decoys, personal equipment, shotshell hulls, and refuse must be removed from the blind and refuge, and hunters must report harvest results and depart the premises by 1:00 p.m.

Use of hunting dogs for retrieving birds is allowed, provided the dogs remain under the immediate control of the hunter at all times. Dogs must be kept in autos or on a leash in the check station parking area.

All hunters must check out at check station and report hunting results. All hunters must possess valid hunting license and stamps.

No high shooting or “skyscraping.”

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

Violators may be ejected from area.

Please do not pick birds in the field or at the parking lots.

Link to Stone Lakes NWR Hunting page

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Hunting
Waterfowl

Recreational Activities