There is a significant amount of confusion regarding the last few days of hunting on the refuge. We’ve summarized it for you.
Hunting Season Summary
Please review the following updates at the McNary NWR Headquarters Unit Hunter Check Station. These changes are in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and will allow us to adhere to federal, state, and local public health authority guidance.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant blinds will only be issued to hunters with a disability and up to 3 guests.
• The Hunter Check Stations will close at 8:00 a.m. and will not reopen to issue new blinds or to allow morning hunters to switch blinds. Afternoon hunting will remain open for individuals who stay in their assigned blinds, and upland hunters. Waterfowl hunters will continue to have access to the first-come first-served blinds and free roam opportunities on other units subject to the regulations for each unit. See the individual unit Tear Sheets for more information.
• One hunter per party will choose a blind from the Check Station Attendant and pay for all members of the party. All other hunters will remain in their vehicles and will not need to provide identification to the check station attendant.
• Checks or exact change ONLY. No change will be issued at the Hunter Check Station.
• The lottery winners and standby representatives will form two separate lines, clearly marked at the check station. Lottery draw winners will move through the line in order when called by the Check Station Attendant. The standby representative will place their name on the standby list and wait to be called by the Check Station Attendant after all lottery winners have been issued blinds.
• Hunters will fill out their own permit card with the names of everyone in their party and the Check Station Attendant will stamp the permit card.
• There will not be a volunteer supported blind brush-up day this season.
Adherence to these changes will allow FWS to follow state guidelines and continue to offer a high-quality waterfowl hunt for the public.
Waterfowl & Upland Game Bird Hunting