Baskett Slough National Wildlife Proposes to Initiate a September Goose Hunt

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge Proposes to Initiate September Goose Hunt

The Refuge is seeking public review and comment on our proposal to initiate a September Canada goose hunt on Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge in the fall of 2022. This hunt was described in the 2011 Hunt Plan for the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. However, only a youth waterfowl hunt has been held on the Refuge to date.

We propose to make a minor amendment to the Hunt Plan to modify and expand the area that would be open during the September Canada goose hunt from 856 to 1,059 acres, and allow free-roam hunting. The September Canada goose hunt would be in line with the State season (9 days, generally starting the second Saturday in September). In addition to providing a quality hunting experience, the hunt would assist the State in meeting population management objectives for Western Canada geese.

The public is invited to review the draft documents for our proposed changes, including the Categorical Exclusion for the minor Hunt Plan amendment, and draft Compatibility Determination. We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before August 8, 2022.

The full draft is available for review at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Plan Amendment.

The proposed 2022-2023 Station-Specific Sport Hunting and Fishing Regulations for all Refuges nationwide, and draft documents for all Refuges proposing regulatory changes, are available at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FWS-HQ-NWRS-2022-0055/document

Click on the file name, then "Download File," then "Save As."

The comment period will stay open through the end of the “2022- 2023 Station-Specific Hunting Regulations” comment period, which ends August 8, 2022. Comments can be sent via email to HuntFishRuleComments@fws.gov with 'Baskett Slough NWR' in the subject line. They may also be mailed to the refuge at Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex / 26208 Finley Refuge Rd. / Corvallis, OR  97333 sent by fax to 541-757-4450 or received by phone at 541-757-7236.

All comments received from individuals become part of the official public record. All requests for such comments are handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and the CEQ’s NEPA regulations in 40 CFR 1506.6(f). The Service’s practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents can request that we withhold their home address from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments.