Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:

  • Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information
  • Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick


Features

  • Coots

    American Coots

    Have you ever heard of the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball team? Ever wonder what a mud hen is? We’ve got an answer for you.

    American Coots

  • Black-billed Magpie Promo

    Black-billed Magpie

    The drama queens of the high desert, if the desert had a reality show, magpies would be the stars, constantly insisting on being the center of attention.

    Black-billed Magpies

  • Osprey & Fish

    Ospreys

    If you’ve got water, there’s a good chance you’ve got an osprey, or “fish hawk.” Lucky you.

    Ospreys

Of Special Interest

Waterfowl Hunting Lottery

Bird Hunting

The health and safety of our visitors and staff is important to us. The Refuge is evaluating procedural changes to the 2020/2021 waterfowl hunt season to provide a quality and safe hunting experience consistent with State and local COVID-19 guidance. The Refuge is no longer accepting applications for the McNary Headquarters Unit hunting lottery. Additional information about any changes to the hunt program will be announced by email and website once finalized. If you entered the lottery, you can expect to see an email with your lottery results by the end of September. Good luck and thank you for supporting your National Wildlife Refuge.

Osprey Nesting

Osprey

At McNary NWR, we have several osprey nesting platforms. Basically, we put a large, flat platform on top of a telephone pole. Why? Because ospreys nest in the tops of trees near water, and while we have plenty of water, trees are at a premium. Osprey nesting platforms are wildly successful if done correctly and if there is a source of fish. At McNary we’ve had varying success, but the platform just across the slough from our offices has had tremendous success, raising multiple chicks to adulthood over the last few years.

More About Ospreys
Refuge News

Watching Wildlife

Deer

Want to see more animals on your trip to McNary National Wildlife Refuge? Here are some tips from the "experts."

Watching Wildlife

About the Complex

Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

McNary National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

NWRS Logo

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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