Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public input on the implementation of hunt fees at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. This is in accordance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004.

The refuge has collected transaction fees for hunts in the past; however, it had not been formally added to the agency’s recreation fee program. This proposal fixes that administrative issue and officially brings the refuge into the program. The fee rates being proposed are as follows:

• $10 transaction fee for Daily Waterfowl Hunting Permit[LM1.1] (waterfowl hunting is permitted on the refuge Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the New York State waterfowl hunting season)
• $10 transaction fee for Annual Hunting Permit for all other hunts available at the refuge (big game, upland game, furbearer)

The fee program helps recover the costs of running the online reservation and permit system while improving the fairness and efficiency of allocating hunting opportunities and supporting law enforcement, habitat management, and maintenance of access infrastructure. The refuge anticipates collecting the new fees starting in the Fall 2027.  

Public engagement is an important part of the refuge's planning process, and we are interested in hearing from you. The public comment period will last from June 25, 2026 through July 8, 2026.  You may submit your comments by one of the following methods:

• Email mnt_refuge_admin@fws.gov with the subject line: Proposed recreation fee program
• Hard copy by U.S. mail to: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148[AV2.1][ML2.2], Attn: Proposed recreation fee program