The refuge is open to migratory bird hunting, upland and small game hunting and big game hunting.

Lottery hunts and special hunting permits are managed in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division. Hunters may apply for permit and licenses through www.mdnr-elicense.com.

State regulations apply for bag limits. 

Welcome

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (DRIWR) was established in 2001 top reserve the Lower Detroit River and Western Lake Erie. DRIWR is within an hour’s drive of nearly seven million people in the Detroit, Michigan; Windsor, Ontario; and Toledo, Ohio metropolitan areas. The refuge’s acquisition boundary stretches along 48 miles of Detroit River and western Lake Erie shoreline and today, consists of more than 2,000 owned acres divided into 19 separate units located in Wayne and Monroe counties. An additional 5 units totaling nearly 4,000 acres are managed under cooperative management agreements between the refuge and outside landowners.

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.)

All State-approved hunting weapons are permissible on refuge lands. This includes firearms, archery bows, and crossbows. In accordance with State regulations, handguns will be permitted for hunting deer, fox, coyote, and raccoon.

Permissible Shot

Only approved non-toxic shot is permitted while in the field with the following exception: While hunting fox, coyotes, and raccoons in units where it is allowed, the use of single projectile shot such as bullets, slugs, or muzzleloader bullets containing lead will be permitted. 

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 Equal Opportunity, https://www.doi. gov/pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights

Hunting and Fishing Regulations

The hunting regulations specific to Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge are set forth in  Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations. This brochure may not be a complete list of regulations. Individuals accessing the refuge are subject to inspections of permits, licenses, hunting equipment, bag limits, boats, vehicles and their contents by federal and state officers.

Michigan state regulations and refuge specific regulations will be enforced. Refuge specific regulations supersede state regulations. Hunting is allowed only on refuge units described in this brochure. Only the species listed in this brochure may be hunted.

All refuge hunting seasons will coincide with state hunting seasons. For authorized hunting, refuge is open 1½ hours before legal shooting time to 1 hour after legal shooting time. The refuge will NOT allow hounding, baiting or night hunting.

Big Game Hunting

Huntable species: White-tailed deer, Wild turkey

Small/Upland Game

Huntable species: State listed species

We prohibit night hunting of upland game from 1/2 hour after legal sunset until 1/2 hour before legal sunrise the following day.

Migratory Bird Hunting

Migratory bird hunting is allowed at least 450’ away from an occupied building, and in accordance with State laws and regulations.

Special Hunting Permit Required - Brancheau Unit Diked Portion Waterfowl Hunts 

Managed in cooperation with Michigan DNR, Wildlife Division. All hunt zones are accessed by walking from the Brancheau Unit parking lot; non-motorized boats allowed. Each hunter is allowed a maximum of 25 shells containing approved non-toxic shot. No shot size larger than #1 shot is permitted. Waterfowl area permits are required and may be purchased at the SGA. Permits are $4 daily or $13 annually.

Humbug Marsh Unit (Mainland) White-tailed Deer Hunts

Random lottery draw managed in cooperation with the Michigan DNR, Wildlife Division. Hunters may apply for one deer reserved hunting permit from July 15 – August 15 at any license agent, DNR Customer Service Center, or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. It costs $5 to apply. Selected applicants will be assigned a refuge installed ground hunting blind.

Access

Hunters must park in designated parking areas, as identified on the map, to access the refuge for hunting.

Access to the refuge from private property is prohibited.

Humbug Marsh (Openwater), Calf Island, Sugar Island and Humbug Island Access: The closest boat launch is Elizabeth Park Marina or Lake Erie Metropark.

Northern Portion Strong Unit Access: From I-75, take Exit 21 (Swan Creek Rd.) east to North Dixie Hwy. Turn left (northeast) and take North Dixie Highway/ US Turnpike to Port Sunlight Rd. Turn right (south) and follow Port Sunlight Rd. about 1 mile to the Strong Unit. Hunter parking area is on left. Boat access is available from Lake Erie.

Brancheau Unit (Diked Portion): From I-75, take Exit 21 (Swan Creek Rd.) east to North Dixie Hwy. Turn left (northeast) and take North Dixie Hwy. to Strong Rd. Turn right (south) and follow Strong Rd. to Trombley Rd. Turn left (northeast) and take Trombley Rd. to Blanchett Rd. Turn right (southeast) and take Blanchett Rd. past the curve to Brancheau Rd. Turn left (southeast) and follow Brancheau Rd. to the Brancheau Unit parking area on left.(Coastal Wetlands): Closest boat launch is Michigan DNR launch located at Dixie Hwy. & Swan Creek Rd

Fix Unit Access: From I-75, take Exit 21 (Swan Creek Rd.) east to North Dixie Hwy. Turn right (south) and take North Dixie Hwy. to Post Rd. Turn left (east) and take Post Rd. about 1 mile to Leroux Rd. Turn right (southwest) and take Leroux Rd. to Langton Rd. Turn left (southeast) and take Langton Rd. to Toll Rd./Fisher St. Turn left (northeast) and follow to Fix Unit. Hunter parking area is on left.

Plum Creek Access: Closest boat launch is Bolles Harbor or River Raisin.

North Maumee Bay Unit Access: Closest boat launch is Halfway Creek on Algonquin Street off of Summit Street, Erie, MI.

Portable Tree Stands

We prohibit construction of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds. Only one tree stand per hunt unit per person. Portable tree stands are permitted for deer hunters. Tree stands do not need to be removed at the end of each day’s hunt. However, State regulations on the use of tree stands on public land will be strictly enforced. Personal tree stands are not allowed during the Humbug Marsh (Mainland) white-tailed deer hunt.

Equipment Removal

All items, including blinds, boats, and decoys must be removed from the refuge at the end of each day’s hunt. Discarded shells are considered litter.

Hunting Dogs

The use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter, is permitted. Dogs are permitted for upland small game and migratory birds during daylight hours.

Prohibited Activities

By law, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted. We prohibit:

• Construction of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds. Portable tree stands are permitted for deer hunters
• Cutting of woody vegetation on the refuge for blinds or shooting lanes
• The use of paint, flagging, reflectors, tacks, or other human-made materials to mark trails or hunting locations
• Hunting over bait and the distribution of bait, including salt licks, mineral blocks, or any chemical substance applied to the ground or vegetation
• Camping and fires on refuge lands are prohibited
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other motorized vehicles
• The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting
• Access to the refuge from private property
• The use of electronic or photographic trail monitoring devices such as game cameras