About Us
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge in Texas and was established in 1935. Located in the High Plains of west Texas, the refuge is important to migratory birds and many resident species of wildlife, the refuge is best known for hosting one of the largest concentrations of lesser sandhill cranes in North America. It is estimated that every year approximately 15 percent of the lesser sandhill crane population depends upon the refuge between the fall and spring.
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge offers wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife watching and photography, limited hunting by drawing only, hiking and camping. The 6,440-acre refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife, habitat and you.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Our Purpose
Every national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. Refuges are special places where wildlife comes first. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.
The purpose of Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is to serve as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Act uses money from Duck Stamp sales to purchase refuge lands. Many lands purchased with Duck Stamp funds were defined as inviolate sanctuaries. These lands, under most circumstances, must be at least partially closed to migratory bird hunting to allow birds a place of refuge and protection where they cannot be harmed.
Our History
1935 - President Roosevelt signed an Executive order establishing the refuge.
August 17, 1936 - The first tract of land for the refuge was purchased from George and Mattie Robison and Annie Robison.
December 23, 1936 - Paul’s Lake was purchased from F.A. and Mattie Paul and J.H. Paul.
February 6, 1937 - White Lake was purchased from Henry and Vivian Wilson.
1938 - The southwest portion of the refuge was purchased from Isaax and Crawford Enochs.
2007 - The Ducan-Lewis property was added to the refuge.
