Fergus Falls Wetland Management District

Prohibited activities

• Target shooting
• Training pets and allowing pets off leash - No pets at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
• All types of motorized vehicles on all district land, including on frozen bodies of water, except on designated parking areas, access roads and public roads
• All types of motorized watercraft, including gasoline and electric
• Camping, open fires and overnight parking including designated parking areas
• Abandoning, discarding or otherwise leaving any personal property. All property brought onto a waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
  Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
  
  Learn more about waterfowl production area must be removed at the end of each day. This includes all common items like vehicles, boats, decoys, trail cameras, blinds, geo-caching items, photography equipment, portable stands, climbing sticks, ice fishing shelters and trash.
• Destructing, defacing, disturbing or unauthorized removal of any natural object, artifact, cultural resource item or government property
• Introducing, liberating or placing plants or animals or their parts taken elsewhere on waterfowl production areas lands or waters
• Disposing of animal carcasses, trash, refuse, rocks, wood or other debris
• Cutting, mowing, sawing, digging, collecting, injuring or removing vegetation
• Launching, landing or disturbing of wildlife by aircraft, including drones, on a waterfowl production area is prohibited. This includes for recreational or commercial purposes.
• Commercial enterprise without a special use permit
• Use or possession of any illegal drug or drug paraphernalia is prohibited

• Waterfowl production areas are open to hunting per state regulations unless specifically prohibited.
• Small game hunters using shotguns, including turkey hunters, are required to use and possess only non-toxic shot
• During the small game and migratory bird seasons, hunting dogs must be under the immediate control of the hunter
• Hunters must wear an article of blaze orange or pink consistent with state regulations
• We prohibit constructing or occupying permanent stands or blinds. We also prohibit the use of nails, wire, screws or bolts to attach a stand to a tree or hunting from a tree, into which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter. Portable hunting stands must be set up and removed each day.
• We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting
• We prohibit distribution of feed or bait or hunting over bait. This includes salts and minerals.

Waterfowl production areas are open to trapping per state regulations unless specifically prohibited.

• Waterfowl production areas are open to fishing per state regulations unless specifically prohibited.
• We prohibit all types of motorized vehicles on frozen water bodies.

You may not use a spotlight, headlight or other artificial light to spot, locate or take any wild animal in a waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Learn more about waterfowl production area .

• Hunting is allowed throughout the district except on the Townsend, Mavis, Gilmore and designated portions of Knollwood Waterfowl Production Areas in Otter Tail County and Larson Waterfowl Production Area in Douglas County.
• Pets and bikes are not allowed at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.

• Special use permits may be issued for compatible secondary uses upon approval of the district manager. Permits to operate vehicles on other roads may be available for hunters with disabilities.  Contact the district office for more information at 218-739-2291.
• The above information is a partial list of rules and regulations. Consult the Minnesota State fishing and hunting regulations for more details.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits under various wildlife law and treaties at a number of offices throughout the country. Permits enable the public to engage in legitimate wildlife-related activities that would otherwise be prohibited by law. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit programs ensure that such activities are carried out in a manner that safeguards wildlife. Additionally, some permits promote conservation efforts by authorizing scientific research, generating data or allowing wildlife management and rehabilitation activates to go forward.

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District permits are required for haying, grazing, collecting wood and other uses. Please inquire with the district manager at 218-739-2291.