Hunting is available at 436 units (401 national wildlife refuges and 35 wetland management districts) of the National Wildlife Refuge System and almost 20 national fish hatcheries. Hunting is a priority public use at national wildlife refuges. Wildlife hunting is subject to sustainable limits and sometimes used as a management tool to keep wildlife populations in check. Hunters' purchase of Duck Stamps helps buy conservation lands. Hunters must have an appropriate state license.

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A young hunter in a camouflage cap crouching in talk grass next to a body of water
Hunting is deeply rooted in America’s heritage, and it can be an important wildlife management tool. Several laws and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy permit hunting on a national wildlife refuge when it is compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and acquired.
Two men carrying guns and backpacks walk across grassland next to a body of water with their hunting dog
For the enjoyment of long-time hunters, new hunters and non-hunters alike, it is important that all visitors share refuge lands and waters responsibly.
A man in hunting gear standing in a forest opening using a moose call
National wildlife refuges offer several unforgettable hunting opportunities that many outdoorsmen and women would consider the experience of a lifetime. Here are just a few.

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