Welcome Encompassing approximately i In winter conditions, mechanized 1,100,000 acres, Charles M. Russell vehicles are restricted to numbered (NWR) roads that are designated as open provides a rare opportunity to and to the ice of Fort Peck experience wild lands and wildlife Reservoir. in a natural setting. Visitors to the i Some access roads cross private This blue goose, Refuge can enjoy Refuge wildlife and lands. Please exercise courtesy designed by J.N. scenic grandeur in nearly the same and respect private property. "Ding" Darling, surroundings as encountered by the i Drivers should be prepared for is the symbol Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805. emergencies and changing of the National conditions. Always carry shovels, Wildlife Refuge Charles M. Russell NWR, managed tire chains, first aid kits, and System. by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, emergency food and water. is one of over 540 refuges in the i Properly licensed snowmobiles National Wildlife Refuge System - are allowed only on the frozen a system of lands set aside to conserve surface of Fort Peck Reservoir. wildlife and habitat for people today i Bicycles may be used only on and generations to come. numbered roads that are designated as open. This brochure contains a detailed Refuge map and important Refuge regulations and information that will protect Refuge resources, reduce competing uses, and safeguard 600Z Ae|/\| visitors. Your cooperation is necessary to help us preserve the Refuge and O1IMt7t7E/008l its wildlife resources. Activities not uoijeiujojui aBrqay JOJ described in this brochure are prohibited on the Refuge. Contact AOB'SM)°/WMM//:d)m the Refuge staff or visit any Refuge office to inquire about regulations aaiAjas 3}!IP|!AA PUB Ms!d S'fl or Refuge operations. Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge U£:a3!0A/AJ_L Recreational Many wildlife-oriented recreational Opportunities opportunities are offered at Charles 33JAJ3S AB|3J 3JBIS JOJ ^^™ Refuge Boundary V9K 9ZS / 9017 and Visitor M. Russell NWR, including , )|03d yoj Information fishing, photography, wildlife (2 Refuge Wildlife Station observation, and hiking. The visitor H Information Kiosk 9t7l9£99/90t7 information that follows will help uepjop insure that your Refuge visit will * Interpretive Sign be safe and enjoyable. Please observe all the following regulations to protect Refuge Roads 181917917/ 9017 >|33J3 pues yourself and Refuge resources. Open :iiO!ieuuojii| uo;)B)S ap.lPMM aBnjay • Possession and/or consumption of Auto Tour Route A0BSAAJJUI3//:dUl| alcoholic beverages by persons under Seasonally Closed A0BSAAJ®JUI3 the age of 21 is prohibited. Buying, selling, providing, distributing, or Highways xei 139/1 8E9 / 90fr allowing underage persons to posses •\Hhj~ Federal Highway 90/18 8£9 / 9017 or consume alcohol is prohibited. £91769 1IAJ 'UAA01SIAA3T •fif)- State Highway ouxoaod AutoTour Route A self-guided auto tour route, which aBnjay a|i|PI!AA |RUOIIB|\| yassny |AJ S3|JBI|Q may be accessed from two points along Aircraft Highway 191 on the west side of the (£) No Landing Area Refuge, provides visitors the chance U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to see the Refuge close-up and gain '"X,1 Landing Zone a better understanding of Refuge resources. Interpretive stops along General Land Ownership the route provide information on the FWS Charles M. Russell wildlife, geology, and history of this unique landscape. This auto tour route BLM is 19 miles long and takes 2-3 hours I State of National Wildlife Refuge to complete. | | Private

Mechanized • To limit erosion and to protect plants Other Vehicles and wildlife, mechanized vehicles are Guide Map permitted only on numbered Refuge Special Designation Areas roads that are designated as open. j Designated Wilderness and Information Seasonal road closures may occur. • Hard-surfaced, all-weather roads | Proposed Wilderness are limited to U.S. Highway 191 on II I I III Viewing Area the western end of the Refuge and several highways around Fort Peck Miscellaneous on the eastern end of the Refuge. • Historic Lewis & Clark Campsit Graveled roads include 101-107, 201 to the Rock Creek Boat Ramp,and 321. • All other Refuge roads are passable only in dry weather. When wet, these roads become extremely slick and travel can be impossible. Visitors should contact the Refuge staff or check locally for road conditions before traveling off main highways. • Operation of mechanized vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off of numbered roads designated as open is illegal. Off-road vehicle travel is not permitted for retrieving downed game. The only exception is that direct, off-road travel is permitted to access temporary overnight campsites within 100 yards of a designated road. • ATVs (motorcycles, quadricycles, etc.) belonging to Montana residents must be street legal and have a metal license plate. Operators must also possess the proper driver's license. Anyone intending to operate an ATV on the Refuge should contact the Refuge staff to ensure the ATV meets the necessary requirements for legal operation. Non-resident ATV owners who wish to operate their ATVs on the Refuge should also contact the Refuge staff regarding licensing requirements. Disclaimer: This map is a product of Charles M. Russell NWR and is for reference purposes only. The map is not designed to provide site-specific information or to be used at a scale larger than Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator 1:200 000. The map is not a survey and should not be used to establish legal ownership. Information Guide Map-West Grid: 10,000 meter, Zone 13 depicted was derived from various sources with varying levels of accuracy. Reasonable efforts Horizontal Datum: 1927 North American Datum have been made to ensure the accuracy of this map, but it is not guaranteed to be without error. Charles M. Russell NWR expressly disclaims responsibility for damages or liability that may arise from the use of this map. Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator Guide Map - East Grid: 10,000 meter, Zone 13 Horizontal Datum: 1927 North American Datum Hunting • Hunting on the Refuge is subject • Portable tree stands are permitted. • Use of dead and downed wood for to Federal and State regulations. All portable tree stands must have campfires is allowed on the Refuge. Consult all current Federal and a name, address, phone number, and • All human waste, including tissue State regulations prior to hunting automated licensing system (ALS) paper, must be buried immediately. on the Refuge. number visibly marked on the stand. • Help keep the land and wildlife i Big game hunting seasons and Each hunter is limited to three healthy. Please pack out all trash, harvest quotas on the Refuge may stands. Portable tree stands can and restore your campsite to a be more restrictive than State be installed on August 1 and must natural condition when you leave. regulations. Check Refuge be removed by December 15 of each regulations, available at the Refuge year. The construction or use of any Hiking and • Caution - back-country travel, headquarters or Wildlife Stations permanent tree stand or ladder, and Horseback whether by foot or on horseback, by May 1 of each year, for specific the use of nails, wire, or screw-in Riding requires special preparations and information. spikes, is prohibited. precautions. Drinking water is i A Montana hunting license generally unavailable. Trails are is required. Firearms • While transporting firearms in unmarked. i Hunting on the Refuge is permitted vehicles over designated routes of • Back-country travelers should be for mule deer, white-tailed deer, travel, firearms must be unloaded familiar with the isolated character , , elk, and cased or dismantled. Firearms of the Refuge and should be prepared coyotes, waterfowl, and upland or bows, when legal for the species for emergencies. Weather conditions game birds. pursued, may be removed from can change rapidly - be prepared. i Coyote hunting is allowed from the a vehicle ONLY in conjunction with Expertise with map and compass first day of the antelope rifle season a legal hunt for which the hunter is recommended. through March 1. Coyotes may is licensed. Firearms or bows may • Only noxious weed seed free forage be hunted only from 1/2 hour before not be discharged at any other time. is allowed on the Refuge to prevent sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset (no the spread of noxious weeds. Contact permit required). Coyotes cannot Fishing • Fishing is permitted on the Refuge. any Refuge office for a list of be hunted with the aid of electronic Anglers often catch catfish, walleye, approved vendors. calls, aircraft, or mechanized northern pike, sauger, perch, • All horses, mules, llamas, and other vehicles. smallmouth bass, bullhead, types of pack animals must be tied, i Waterfowl and upland game bird paddlefish, and lake trout from hobbled, or picketed while in camp. hunting is allowed in accordance the and Fort Peck No enclosures may be used to contain with State seasons and limits. Reservoir. animals. i Hunters must use and may only • A Montana fishing license is required possess steel or other approved to fish on the Refuge. State fishing Aircraft • Aircraft may not land on the uplands non-toxic shot in the field while regulations and limits apply to the of the Refuge. hunting waterfowl on the Refuge. Refuge. • The use of aircraft over Refuge lands i The use of dogs for hunting • Ice fishing houses are permitted on to disturb, harass, drive, or hunt waterfowl and upland game birds Fort Peck Reservoir from December wildlife, or to locate wounded animals, is permitted. During periods other 1 to March 31. The owner's name and is strictly prohibited. than hunting seasons, dogs must be address must be attached to the • Landing of fixed-wing aircraft on on a leash and not left unattended. outside wall of the structure. the surface of Fort Peck Reservoir i All other wildlife is protected is allowed at designated sites. Consult (this includes, but is not limited Boating • Boating is permitted on the Refuge. the map for designated landing to, rabbits, prairie dogs, badgers, • Montana boating laws and locations. , and mountain lions) unless regulations apply to all Refuge • Landing of fixed-wing aircraft is Refuge-specific hunting seasons are waters. permitted on the surface of Fort Peck established by Federal regulations. • Extra shear pins, gasoline, and a first Reservoir within a 0.5 mile radius i Trapping is not allowed on the aid kit are highly recommended as landing zone centered around the Refuge. standard equipment. following points: i The use of artificial lights and/or Crooked Creek: 47 213 07" x 107° 55' 10.6" electronic calls to attract, search From the Refuge's western boundary Devil's Creek: 47° 37 34" x 107° 39' 25.6" for, or spot wildlife is prohibited. to the Fred Robinson Bridge, the Fourchette Bay: AT 28 53" x 107 28 38.6" Missouri River is designated as a unit McUuire Creek: 47 38' 02" x 106° 14' 17.9" of the National Wild and Scenic River Nelson Creek: 47° 34' 23" x 106° 13' 44.9" System. Special regulations apply Datum: 1927 North American Datum to this segment of the river. General information regarding the wild and Collection of • Collection of shed antlers and animal Charles M. Russell scenic portion of the river may be Natural Items skulls is illegal. These items are an National Wildlife Refuge obtained from the Bureau of Land and Artifacts important source of renewable calcium Management (BLM) Office in for elk, deer, and other wildlife on the "•••• Refuge Boundary Lewistown, Montana. Refuge. • There are many interesting historic JjQ Refuge Wildlife Station Water levels on the rest of the buildings on the Refuge. Please enjoy ^J Interpretive Center Missouri River, between the Fred them as they are, and do not remove Robinson Bridge (Highway 191) and parts of the buildings or artifacts Q Information Kiosk the Fort Peck Reservoir, fluctuate found within or around them. considerably and dictate what types • Do not remove natural items like Refuge Roads of boats may be suitable for use. fossils, rocks, dried wood, and black Open Canoes are suitable during all seasons. diamond willow from the Refuge. Low flows during any time of the year Seasonally Closed other than spring runoff can make Wilderness The UL Bend Wilderness Area, the use of boats with outboard motors Areas shown on the west map, is part of Highways dangerous. During periods of low flow, the National Wilderness Preservation =^2y= Federal Interstate Highway boaters should be cautious of sand System. Over 20,000 acres in size, bars and other hazards when boating this area has been set aside for -(24)- State Highway in the river and the reservoir. Some non-motorized, non-mechanized travel fr\T\- State Route boat ramps may not reach the water and use. Hiking, horseback riding, during low water periods. photography, hunting, fishing, wildlife Aircraft observation, and camping are among @ Landing Area Camping • Except where designated as closed, the permitted uses of the wilderness camping (other than backpacking) area. There are several proposed t^f) No Landing Area must take place within 100 yards wilderness areas within Charles M. l~jf-> of the waters of the Missouri River Russell NWR and UL Bend NWR (•^po Landing Zone and Fort Peck Reservoir or within that also have special travel restrictions. AfAjA?) Landing Area/No Landing Area 100 yards of numbered roads that These areas are identified on the are designated as open. Refuge through the use of signs General Land Ownership • Direct access by mechanized vehicles and are marked on the map. FWS from a numbered route is permitted to and from temporary overnight Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate BLM campsites within 100 yards of Information in and benefit from programs and j State of Montana numbered roads designated as open. activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Select the most direct access to avoid Service is available to all individuals | | Private damage to soils and vegetation. regardless of physical or mental Other • ALL camping is limited to 2 weeks ability. Dial 711 for a free connection within any 30 day period. Any to the State transfer relay service Special Designation Area property, including camping for TTY and voice calls to and from equipment, boats, trailers, and other the speech and hearing impaired. Proposed Wilderness personal property, left unattended For more information or to address Miscellaneous for a period in excess of 72 hours accessibility needs, please contact is subject to removal. the Refuge staff at 406 / 538 8706, A Historic Lewis & Clark Campsite • Please check at any Refuge office for or the U.S. Department of the Interior, © Navigational Marker fire restrictions during dry periods. Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C • Select a safe place for campfires. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. Build only small fires, and make certain that your fire is completely out when you leave. Campfires must be attended at all times.