Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting

We recognize that hunting is a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciation of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs. As practiced on refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances are necessary for sound wildlife management. For example, because their natural predators are gone, deer populations will often grow too large for the refuge habitat to support. At Little Pend Oreille NWR, several types of hunting opportunities are available. 

History

Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is a popular destination for Northwest white-tailed deer hunters. The refuge provides important winter range for white-tails that migrate to the area in late fall and early winter as snow depth increases at the higher elevations. A late-season archery hunt from late November to early December provides additional hunting opportunities. The refuge is an admired destination for other hunters as well. Turkeys can be seen, and upland bird hunters have a chance of taking three forest grouse species – blue, spruce and ruffed – on one hunt. Various big game, including small but growing moose and elk populations, draw more hunters each year. Several seasonally opened roads give hunters access to favorite areas. The natural beauty and variety of game make this a desirable and appreciated refuge among Northwest hunters.

Hunting Regulations

Hunting regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting is permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Hunting and fishing will be in accordance with applicable State of Washington regulations subject to the conditions stated below. Brochures may be obtained by mail, at the refuge headquarters, or from the refuge website.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife announced rule changes, effective August 1, 2024, to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Washington. In brief:

• anyone who salvages a deer or elk in the 100 series game management units (GMUs) must submit the whole head with at least three inches of the neck attached or extracted retropharyngeal lymph nodes at the base of the skull to WDFW for chronic wasting disease sampling within 3 days of receiving a salvage permit.
• harvests cannot be transported outside the 100 series game management units (with some exceptions).

Accessibility Information

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information, please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity.

Safety

Hunter orange is required for anyone hunting bear, bobcat, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, fox, grouse, hare, rabbit, raccoon, or turkey in an area that is open to hunting for deer or elk during a modern firearms season. This includes archers and muzzleloaders when they hunt in areas that overlap modern firearm seasons. Hunter orange is also required for anyone using a modern firearm to hunt for pheasant, quail and partridge during an upland game bird season. Hunters should avoid active timber harvest operations.

Firearms

Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).

Hunting Access

The Refuge is open for hunting in accordance with State seasons from September 1 through December 31. The Refuge is closed to all pursuit and hunting of game or discharge of firearms from January 1 through August 31 except during spring turkey season.

Discharging a firearm is prohibited in safety zones within:

• ¼ mile of buildings
• the area within ¼ mile around McDowell Marsh Trail
• within ¼ mile  of all campgrounds

All other areas of the refuge are open.

Vehicles

Licensed motor vehicles are permitted only on public use roads and trails as shown on the map, unless otherwise authorized. ATVs, UTVs, ORVs are prohibited. Bicycles (including electric) are allowed on designated trails and maintained roads including those closed to motorized vehicle access.

Seasonal Road Closures

Open Year-round: Bear Creek Road from the Refuge boundary to Refuge Headquarters, Buffalo-Wilson Road and Narcisse Creek Road. The speed limit on Refuge roads is 25 mph. All other public use roads are closed to vehicle traffic either January 1 through April 14 or January 1 through September 30.

Horses

Horseback riding is only allowed on maintained roads and horse trails. Horses are not allowed on Mill Butte, Big Pine, or Beaver Pond trails; the McDowell Marsh Environmental Educational Trail; or where otherwise posted. Visitors must provide food for their horses. Remove all garbage, horse manure, excess straw and hay. 

Camping with horses is only permitted in Bear Creek and Horse Camp Campgrounds. Confined horses must be at least 100 feet from streams or other water bodies. Horses cannot be tied directly to trees. Horses must be confined in camp by hitch rails, tied to a high picket line, or confined in portable corrals.

Tree Stands and Blinds

Portable or temporary blinds and tree stands must be removed after 3 days. Permanent blinds or pits are not allowed. Use of spikes, nails, screws, bolts or wire to secure blinds or stands to trees is prohibited.

Camping

Do not leave campfires unattended. Cutting, defacing, or damaging live trees is prohibited. Use only dead and down trees for firewood – do not cut down snags. All visitors must follow Industrial Fire Precaution Levels posted at the Headquarters kiosk. Campfire restrictions will be posted in all campgrounds and at the kiosk.

Map

Image Details

Signs and Boundaries

Please respect the following signs

• REFUGE PERMIT Hunting Parking Only
• NO HUNTING ZONE Beyond this Sign
• AREA BEYOND THIS SIGN CLOSED All public entry prohibited
• PUBLIC HUNTING AREA Refuge Hunting Access Permit Required
• NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Unauthorized Entry Prohibited (boundary sign)
• HUNTER PARKING ONLY

Applies to the area located behind the sign

• Refuge Boundary: The entire Refuge perimeter is posted with the Blue Goose logo, National Wildlife Refuge Unauthorized Entry Prohibited, and Area Beyond this Sign Closed. Entry permitted in accordance with refuge regulations.
• Public Hunt area: Access requires refuge permit. Consult Refuge Manager for current regulations.
• Closed Area: All entry prohibited.
• No Hunting Zone: Hunting, weapons, and game retrieval prohibited. Contact Refuge Manager or Law Enforcement for consent to retrieve.

Prohibited Activities 

• Possession or use of alcoholic beverages while hunting
• Spotlighting
• Searching for and removing objects of antiquity or objects of value are not allowed. The collection of any plant or animal or parts thereof is therefore prohibited EXCEPT collecting shed antlers, skulls, bones, berries and mushrooms for non-commercial use
• Distributing or hunting over bait
• Permanent blinds or stands
• Leaving portable or temporary blinds and tree stands more than 3 consecutive days
• Use of spikes, nails, screws, bolts or wire to secure blinds or stands to trees
• Discharging a firearm within ¼ mile of any maintained building or designated campground is prohibited
• Hunting within ¼ mile around the McDowell Marsh Environmental Education Trail
• Discharging firearms except when legally hunting
• Loaded rifles or shotguns in a vehicle
• Possession or use of other weapons – crossbows, bows, bows and arrows, air guns, spears or gigs, unless legally hunting
• Shooting from or across roadway or road shoulder
• Hunting is prohibited within 200 yards of any public use facility
• ATVs, UTVs, and ORVs are prohibited. Snowmobiles may ONLY be used to travel on Olson Creek Rd