Refuge set to open fall waterfowl units

BONNERS FERRY — As the Kootenai Floodplain Habitat Restoration Project winds down, the fall-managed waterfowl hunt units at Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge will be open and flooded by Oct. 4. 

The refuge is actively flooding wetland units, thus water levels will vary between ponds as fall flood-up progresses. The auto-tour route will remain closed though early October, with a projected reopening in mid-October. 

All the waterfowl hunt units will be open for the youth and veterans' waterfowl hunt, Sept. 27-28, but only accessible from the center parking lot, parking along Lion’s Den Road, and the South Pond blind. 

Units adjacent to these areas are prioritized for flooding thus not all the ponds will be at full pool. During the regular season, starting Oct. 4t the waterfowl hunt units will be accessible via the east parking lot, hunt access road and parking lot, and the east ADA parking lot in addition to the above listed lots. 

During the regular season, hunting within the waterfowl hunt units is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All managed waterfowl hunt units are closed to hunters on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Access to the hunt units starts at 3 a.m. There are 16 blinds available on a first-come, first-served basis or hunters can also free-roam. There are two accessible blinds that hunters with mobility issues should call or email the refuge for reservations. Please allow for 24 hours at least to reserve a blind. 

To make a reservation, please call the refuge at 208-267-3888 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email, [email protected]. 

For more information on the managed waterfowl hunt, please visit fws.gov/refuge/kootenai/visit-us/activities/hunting.

For more information on the Kootenai Floodplain Habitat Restoration Project, please visit the refuge website.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit https://www.fws.gov/about/region/pacific and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.