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Temporary Hunting Closure on Portion of Fox River Refuge September 1 through November 1, 2026

A temporary hunting closure will be in place on a small section of Fox River refuge between September 1 through November 1 for a whooping crane reintroduction project. The section is located on the northeastern corner of the refuge adjacent to the Muir waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Learn more about waterfowl production area . 

The remainder of the refuge will be open for all state deer seasons.

Please see map for closure area Hunting at Fox River National Wildlife Refuge | FWS.gov

Fox River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 1,054 acres of wetland and upland habitat along the Fox River in Marquette County, Wisconsin. The refuge is closed to the public with the exception of licensed deer hunters during designated time periods of the deer archery and gun seasons.

Location and Contact Information

      Our Species

      Well-known for their elaborate courtship dances, graceful flight and prehistoric calls, sandhill cranes are the most common cranes in North America. Cranes build their nests on dry land or attached to vegetation above the water line to “float” with rising water levels. Within 24 hours of hatching crane chicks can walk and swim. Families (mother, father and young) typically stay together for about 10 months, until early in the spring following the young bird’s hatching. Fewer than 100 cranes use the refuge for nesting habitat during the summer, but hundreds use the refuge as a staging (gathering) area during the fall migration.