"They tumble out of the sky like maple leaves, side-slipping right and left to lose altitude, feet spraddled towards shouts of welcome below."
The Refuge will host limited public hunting for waterfowl and sandhill cranes during the 2018-2019 season. This public hunt has been offered on the refuge since 1982 and is one of the premier public waterfowl hunts in the state.
Wildlife depend on national wildlife refuges as places to rest, nest and feed. Washita is a great place to see a diversity of birds, including the thousands of geese that stop over on the refuge during their migration.
This region is rich in history. Learn about the settlement of this area and how it shaped the landscape of today.
Washita is one of more than 500 national wildlife refuges in the United States. Come to the refuge to enjoy wildlife-dependent recreation like nature walks, hunting and many fun programs for children and families.
Visit the refuge
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.
Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and many other insects play a very important role on the Washita National Wildlife Refuge. They help pollinate the plants that are a food source for many species, including humans!
Deer herd / USFWS
McClure House / Dale Moore ©