U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge This goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the National Hunting Regulations Wildlife Refuge System. Welcome to Medicine Lake National Refuge Hunting Regulations Hunting in Areas 1 and 3: Wildlife Refuge (NWR). It is one of ■ The Refuge is open from sunrise to A late season hunt for upland game birds, over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife sunset. deer, and pronghorn in Areas 1 and 3 Refuge System - a network of lands set ■ Overnight camping and open fires are begins each year on November 15 and aside specifically for wildlife. Managed prohibited. continues through the regular State by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ■ Hunting areas are identified by public seasons. the Refuge System is a living heritage, hunting area boundary signs. All areas preserving wildlife and habitat for people outside these boundaries are closed to Hunting in Area 2: today and for generations to come. hunting. ■ Upland game birds, mourning doves, ■ The islands in Medicine Lake are ducks, geese, coots, jackrabbits, deer, All hunting on the Refuge is in accordance closed to all visitors and uses, and it is and pronghorn may be hunted in Area with Federal and State laws and unlawful to trespass on them. 2 of the Refuge in accordance with regulations. Hunters can enjoy a quality ■ Persons possessing, transporting, or State seasons and bag limits. hunting experience for upland game birds, carrying firearms on National Wildlife ■ Refuge waters in Area 2 are open to most waterfowl, mourning doves, some Refuge System lands must comply non-mechanical boats (canoes, kayaks, big game, and mammalian predators. The with all provisions of State and local and rowboats) used for hunting, with hunting of swans, sandhill cranes, elk, law. Persons may only use (discharge) the exception of the Medicine Lake and all other animals not listed above is firearms in accordance with Refuge Wilderness Area, which is closed to all prohibited. regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific boating after September 15. Refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). ■ Hunting is allowed in Area 2 along the The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ■ The use of non-toxic shot is required shoreline of Medicine Lake. Decoys cooperates with the Montana Fish, Wildlife for all shotgun hunting on the Refuge. must be placed no further than 50 and Parks to survey and manage wildlife Field possession or use of lead shot is yards from shore. All of the Medicine populations on the Refuge and to enforce illegal. Lake shoreline outside of Area 2 is Federal and State hunting regulations. ■ Littering, including leaving spent closed to hunting. Your support and compliance with these shotgun shells or remains of hunted regulations is greatly appreciated. animals, is prohibited. Accessibility ■ Shooting into or retrieval of game from Equal opportunity to participate in and General Access benefit from programs and activities ■ Vehicle traffic is restricted to gravel areas closed to hunting is prohibited. ■ Predator hunting (coyote, badger, fox, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is roads, parking areas, and trails marked available to all individuals regardless for vehicle travel. Driving off-road for skunk, and raccoon) may be conducted after obtaining a free permit, map, and of physical or mental ability. Dial 711 any purpose is prohibited. for a free connection to the State relay ■ Vehicles must be parked at designated regulations from Refuge headquarters. ■ The use of dogs during regular game service for TTY and voice calls to and parking areas, road approaches, or from the speech and hearing impaired. off the road far enough to prevent bird seasons for hunting and retrieving is allowed and encouraged. For more information or to address obstructing traffic. accessibility needs, please contact ■ The wildlife drive is closed to vehicle the Refuge staff at 406 / 789 2305, or traffic from the beginning of the State the U.S. Department of the Interior, designated waterfowl season through Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C January 1. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. Medicine Lake itself, its islands, and the adjacent Sandhills Unit are included in the 11,360-acre Medicine Lake Wilderness Area, part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The use of mechanical or motorized equipment, including game carts and spinning wing decoys are prohibited within the Wilderness Area. 16 Plentywood.