Hunting
HUNTING AT THE
IROQUOIS NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Public
hunting is a tool used to manage wildlife populations competing for limited habitat. Responsible hunting
can also provide a quality recreational experience which does not conflict with our primary mission. While
visiting the refuge we ask that you observe the following:

* To protect waterfowl and other migratory birds from potential lead
poisoning, nontoxic shot will be required for the shotgun hunting of all species
except for deer and turkey, beginning with the 1995-96 hunting season.
* Hunting is permitted in accordance with state and federal regulations and
the additional restrictions described below:

General Provisions
- Hunting is allowed on the refuge from October 1st through the end of February, during state seasons.
The entire refuge, except areas posted closed, will be open for the hunting of small game, furbearers,
deer and turkey.
- Areas closed to hunting include: the immediate area around headquarters, refuge staff residences, the
vicinity of the Iroquois Job Corps Center, Swallow Hollow, Onondaga, and Kanyoo Nature Trails (except
as stated below), and safety zones around private residences adjacent to the refuge.
- During firearms big game season, ALL hunters MUST wear in a conspicuous manner on head, chest
and back, a minimum of 400 square inches of solid-colored hunter orange clothing or material.

- The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. Permission to be on the refuge after hours must be obtained
in writing.
- Hunters who possess a state disabled hunting license or a Golden Access Passport may qualify for
special accommodations and should contact the refuge office.

Upland Game
Small Game and Furbearers
- Ringneck pheasant, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, woodchuck, raccoon, skunk, opossum
and fox may be taken from the refuge.
- No special permits are required during daylight hours. Permits, required for night hunting of furbearers,
are available at no charge from the refuge office.
Big Game
Deer (Archery, shotgun and muzzleloader)
- No special permits are required.
- Portable tree stands may be used. The construction of new and the use of existing permanent tree stands
is prohibited.
- During shotgun deer season, access on Onondaga Nature Trail is limited to deer hunters only.
Turkey
- Hunting is permitted during spring season only. A refuge special use
permit is required in addition to state license and permit. There is a
charge for the permit.
Waterfowl (Geese. ducks and coots)
Waterfowl hunting will be permitted from designated shooting stands on a permit basis on Tuesday
Thursdays and Saturdays. Waterfowl hunting on the area terminates when the statewide duck
season closes, or upon the opening of the shotgun deer season, whichever occurs first.
A maximum of thirty (30) permits will be issued per hunt day with up to three (3) hunters on each
permit. There is a fee for the permit.

Advance relations are required for opening day and at least the first Saturday (depending on
season dates). A special pre-registered drawing will be held on before the opening of the season.
Those selected will be notified by mail. On all other hunt days hunters must be at the Waterfowl
Check Station on Route 77 by 5:00 A.M. to participate in the daily drawing. All hunters MUST
have in their possession a valid state hunting license, valid Federal Duck Stamp and Waterfowl
Identification ID Card to be included in the drawing and subsequent hunt.

Hunters must possesss no more than 20 shells per day.
Decoys reduce the chance of crippled birds. Each hunter must provide and use a minimum of six
(6) waterfowl decoys.
Retrievers are encouraged but not mandatory.

Other Migratory Birds (Woodcock, snipe and rail)
Hunting will occur only in the area to the east of Sour Springs Road. Hunting times are sunrise to
sunset. No special permits are required.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY, AND WITH
PERMISSION OF, THE IROQUOIS NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE. For more information
contact:
Refuge Manager
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box Casey Road
Alabama, New York 14003-0517
Telephone: (716) 948-5445

HEARING IMPAIRED VISITORS
May call the New York Relay
Center at 1-800-662-1220 TDD
1-800-421-1220 voice.