| A hunter will have his own perspectives about different hunting locations. So our list of the ‘top ten’ may be arbitrary. The value of a location also depends on your target. Listed below are ten refuges that attract hunters and are recommended by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for hunting.
1. Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
This is one of the best hunting locations in the southeast and is the oldest refuge in Mississippi, established in 1936. White tailed deer are found in large numbers here. Boating and hiking are popular activities in this area, apart from hunting.
2. Overflow National Wildlife Refuge
Located in southeast Arkansas, seasonal flooding in the refuge encourages the flocking of mallards, wood ducks, and other waterfowl types. The main part of the refuge is taken up by acorn producing forests- these are a good source of food for the waterfowl. The refuge is active in all seasons thanks to the mix of habitats it supports.
3. Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Situated about 80 miles north of Sacramento, this refuge contains wetlands and uplands. In the winter, you can find over 200,000 ducks and 100,000 geese grouping here. Other types of waterfowl are also seen. In a year, about 7000 hunters and 1000 wildlife observers visit the refuge.
4. Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the heart of the Colorado's SanLuisValley, the park has 11,169 acres of wetlands. It’s rich in wildlife diversity and includes among its dwellers, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, beavers and coyotes.
5. BondSwamp National Wildlife Refuge
It is one of Georgia’s main wildlife refuges. Opened to the public in the year 2000, this location provides ample opportunities for hunting white-tailed deer, wood ducks, black bears, wild turkey and waterfowl.
6. Camas National Wildlife Refuge
Idaho is known for its hunting grounds and Camas is one of its main attractions. As many as 50,000 ducks and 3000 geese migrate here in the March-April period. To attract wildlife, this park has crated a solid network of waterways. Small grain crops are grown to provide feed for geese and cranes.
7. ChaseLake National Wildlife Refuge
This is one of the oldest refuges in the country, established in 1908 in North Dakota, the prairie land. The site is designated as one of the nation’s top 100 Globally Important Bird Areas because for the most part, the land has not changed much since the early settlement days. Waterfowl hunting is popular here.
8. Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
In North Carolina, it’s known for the large natural wild turkey population. Hunters also come looking for white tailed deer, waterfowl, black bears and small game.
9. BearValley National Wildlife Refuge
This park in Oregon was established to protect bald eagle populations. Because of this concern, the refuge is closed to the public except for walk-in deer hunting before November.
10. Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge in Vermont attracts large flocks of migratory birds, especially waterfowl. Among its wildlife are many resident mammals. This hunting location welcomes the public from dawn to dusk. |
