Julia Butler Hansen Refuge contains over 6,000 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon. Diverse habitats that support the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer also benefit a large variety of wintering and migratory birds, Roosevelt elk, river otter, reptiles and amphibians, and nesting bald eagles, great horned owls and osprey.
Attention

Special hunt for Roosevelt elk: 

A special hunt for elk will occur on the mainland unit of the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer between November 1and December 31, 2024. The purpose of this special elk hunt is to reduce competition for resources with the federally threatened Columbian white-tailed deer and maintain favorable habitat conditions. These hunts are only conducted when the elk population exceeds refuge management goals. The hunt is additionally designed to help prevent the spread of the infectious and physically debilitating elk hoof disease by targeting animals showing signs of it. 

The lottery-drawn hunt is only available to five hunters enrolled in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Master Hunter Permit Program. The five hunters have been selected for 2024. Visitors may see hunters wearing hunter orange or pink in closed areas of the Refuge during the hunt. These hunters have special permission to enter these areas for this hunt.  For other visitors, the nature trails and Headquarters office remain open while all other refuge lands remain closed to public use. Please direct questions to us at willapa@fws.gov or (360) 795-3915. 

Trail Status Alerts:

  • Center Road Trail is closed for the waterfowl breeding season, October 1 - May 31. 
  • The trail around Tenasillahe Island is temporarily closed to the public. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making critical repairs to the island’s levees that were damaged during winter storms. For additional information contact the refuge manager at 360-795-3915.
  • For other trail and hiking information, visit our Trails page.

Visit Us

Fall wetland habitat with about 25 Pintail ducks flying by.
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Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer is rich in wildlife and habitats. People come to the refuge each year to enjoy solitude, commune with nature, and share the joys of wildlife with family and friends. Regulation of recreation activities, such as day-use hours, hiking, and hunting regulations allow for public enjoyment of the refuge while still protecting the wildlife and habitats.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      A silver river flows through a landscape of yellow and green trees under a mostly sunny sky.
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      Julia Butler Hansen Refuge was established in 1971 specifically to protect and manage the then endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over 6,000 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon. Diverse habitats that support deer also benefit a large variety of wintering and migratory birds, Roosevelt elk, river otter, reptiles and amphibians, and nesting bald eagles, great horned owls and osprey.

      Julia Butler Hansen Refuge is one of over 560 sites in the National Wildlife Refuge System, and one of 56 sites established to benefit specific threatened and endangered species. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this system is a vital living heritage, conserving wildlife and habitat for people today and generations to come. 

      What We Do

      Julia Butler Hansen Refuge protects and manages habitats in order to conserve the Columbian white-tailed deer that rely on them. Conservation of these habitats also benefits other local and migratory wildlife. Much of this management work involves maintaining, enhancing, or restoring habitat. In order to successfully do this work, the Refuge works with a variety of partners, from fellow federal agencies to local non-profit organizations.

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      Our Species

      A deer buck with large antlers stares directly at the camera against a background of green vegetation. He has brown and white fur and black eyes and nose, and has a whole in one ear.
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      Hundreds of plant and animal species use the diverse habitats protected by Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, including a number of threatened and endangered species - the most famous being our namesake, the Columbian White-tailed Deer. There are many resident species that live here year-round, as well as migratory species that stop to utilize the habitats for a various lengths of time. Each season provides an opportunity to observe new wildlife species.

      Get Involved

      Volunteers are an integral part of what we do. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skillsets. 

      Projects and Research

      A woman in a volunteer uniform looks through a spotting scope with a background of tall grass and trees
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      Julia Butler Hansen Refuge conducts high-priority inventory and monitoring activities as well as research, assessments, and studies to enhance endangered and threatened species protection and recovery as well as habitat management and restoration activities. The gathering of scientific information assists in evaluating resource management and public use activities to facilitate adaptive management and contribute to the enhancement, protection, use, preservation and management of wildlife populations and their habitats on and off refuge lands.