Many of the Service's refuges in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin are dealing with lack of wetland habitat and forage for migratory birds. As a result, some of our refuges are adjusting hunting quotas, delaying their hunting season opener or closing hunting this year. Below is a summary of this year's hunting opportunities and those impacted by drought.
Responding to drought
Our refuge managers have taken a regionwide management approach to creating flooded habitat with limited water across the Pacific Flyway to maximize habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife species and ensure recreation and hunting opportunities continue this year.
National Wildlife Refuges, along with state and private lands, serve as a network of habitat along the Pacific Flyway. Loss of habitat in one location, like the Klamath Basin, impacts the rest of the waterfowl habitat in the migration corridor as birds search for available habitat and forage and eventually congregate where habitat exists.
Learn more about purchasing hunting licenses here and our hunting opportunities on this interactive National Wildlife Refuge hunting map. Generally, the season opener on most of our refuges is in October. There are also hunting opportunities available on state lands near or around our National Wildlife Refuges in California and Nevada.
Original source can be found here.
