Laws and Regulations

To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, all visitors should be familiar with the general regulations listed in the North Dakota Waterfowl Production Areas - Public Use Regulations brochure. Additionally, visitors should review regulations specific to hunting, fishing, or trapping on waterfowl production areas when engaging in those activities. 

All hunting, fishing, activities on Waterfowl Production Areas and National Wildlife Refuges must comply with North Dakota state regulations. These regulations can be found on the ND Game and Fish Department's website. 

Some refuges may have additional site-specific rules. Please review the regulations for each refuge before participating in any public-use activity. Regulations can be found on the refuge's website or by contacting the refuge office.

Valley City Wetland Management District's Refuge Website

Hobart National Wildlife Refuge Click Here

Legislation that guide refuge management at Valley City Wetland Management District.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake research and conservation activities, in coordination with other Federal, State, international and private organizations, to fulfill responsibilities to conserve migratory nongame birds under existing...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, commonly referred to as the Duck Stamp Act, requires waterfowl hunters, 16 years of age or older, to purchase and possess a valid Federal waterfowl hunting stamp prior to taking migratory waterfowl. Receipts from the sale of the stamp are...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-712) implements four international conservation treaties that the U.S. entered into with Canada in 1916, Mexico in 1936, Japan in 1972, and Russia in 1976. It is intended to ensure the sustainability of populations of all protected migratory...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) provides that the Service examine the environmental impacts, incorporate environmental information, and use public participation in the planning and implementation of all actions; integrate NEPA with other planning requirements; prepare NEPA...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
An aerial view of pelican island.
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act

The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act provides authority, guidelines and directives for the Service to improve the National Wildlife Refuge System; administers a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife and plant...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act

Spells out wildlife conservation as the fundamental mission of the Refuge System; requires comprehensive conservation planning to guide management of the Refuge System; directs the involvement of private citizens in land management decisions; and provides that compatible wildlife-dependent...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties