Pablo National Wildlife Refuge

Permits

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits under various wildlife laws 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. 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.

Please allow Refuge staff at least two weeks to receive and process Special Use Permit, particularly if the permittee is seeking to conduct activities on a weekend or Federal holiday when authorized staff may not be present to issue a permit. Permit applications may be submitted by mail, fax, or email. 

Research Project Permits

Pablo National Wildlife Refuge promotes conservation efforts by authorizing scientific research, generating data, or allowing wildlife management and rehabilitation activities to occur on Refuge lands. Some of these are done under the auspices of University programs or non-governmental conservation groups (NGOs). Service permit programs ensure that such activities are carried out in a manner that safeguards wildlife.

Natural History Filming

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the crucial link between public awareness and effective management of the National Wildlife Refuge System. We can use natural history films as an opportunity to educate and inform public about the National Wildlife Refuge System and raise the visibility of, and thus the support for, the Refuge System. The Service conducted a compatibility review and decided to allow producers of natural history films to obtain footage of wildlife in their native habitat on the National Bison Range Complex lands. To receive a permit, subjects and themes must support and enhance the mission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats.



Interested parties need to apply for and receive a special use permit for each project. Information needed to process the permit will include: description of project objectives and themes, intended audience, types of equipment to be used, estimated amount of time to spend in the field, and bonding information. Please completely fill out and submit special use permit form 3-1383-C. Feel free to attach additional informational, such as promotional brochures and web links, to help clarify your project. Applicants must allow at least two weeks for the Project Leader to process the permit and determine appropriateness of project. Photographing, videoing or filming of wildlife will be permitted only when wildlife and natural resources will not be molested, harmed, or disturbed.

Cultural Collection

Tribal members may apply for a permit to collect culturally significant plants on Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. Permits allow Native Americans to continue historic collection and allow the Service to document cultural use and to protect resources. Plants must be for non-commercial personal or community use.

Passes and Licenses

Under a cooperative agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), the general Tribal recreation fee is waived for non-consumptive use of Pablo National Wildlife Refuge by non-members of the CSKT. In accordance with State law and the Joint State/Tribal Agreement, anglers must possess a joint Flathead Reservation Use and Conservation Permit and Fishing Stamp. For limits, seasons and other regulations, refer to the Flathead Indian Reservation Fishing Regulations.