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Location
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge lies in the hart of a vast
area of undulating sand dunes which stretch across north-central
Nebraska. This region, called the Sandhills, is the largest
remaining tract of mid- and tall grass prairie in North America.
Numerous lakes and marshes in the valleys, and tall grasses
on the hills and in the meadows, provide habitat for many
kinds of wildlife. This 72,000 acre Refuge is a haven
for prairie wildlife and offers visitors the chance to view
wildlife in this vast prairie landscape. See
Map.
Hunting
and Fishing Regulations
State
of Nebraska Regulations; State hunting and fishing
regulations, seasons, bag limits, and license requirements
apply.
Hours;
Hunting hours are the same as those set in State regulations.
Fishing is permitted from ½ hour before sunrise to
½ hour after sunset. Sportsmen are allowed a reasonable
time before and after hours to enter and exit the Refuge.
Access;
Motor vehicles are permitted only on public use trails
as shown on the map. Driving on the ice or off-road
are prohibited. Four wheel drive is recommended.
Camping
and Fires; Camping and fires are both prohibited on
the Refuge. Camping is available at Ballards marsh, Alkali
Fish Camp and Merritt Reservoir.
Alcohol;
Consuming or possessing alcohol on the Refuge is prohibited.
Fishing
Regulations:
Northern Pike; On all Refuge fishing lakes, keep
only northern pike 28 inches or shorter. All pike
longer than 28 inches must be released.
Catch
and Release; All muskies and bass caught on Watts lake
must be released.
Boats;The
use of internal combustion motors is prohibited on all Refuge
lakes. Boats propelled with oars, paddles, or electric
motors may be used.
Bait;
The possession or use of live or dead minnows and the
possession of any fish not taken from Refuge waters is prohibited.
Frozen or dead smelt may be used as bait.
Turtles,
Frogs and Minnows; These animals may not be taken on
the Refuge.
Hunting
Regulations:
Non-toxic shot; Steel or other non-toxic shot is
required for all bird hunting on the Refuge. Possession
of lead shot in the field is prohibited.
Rifle
and Muzzleloader; Deer;The entire Refuge is open for
rifle and muzzleloader deer hunting, except the waterfowl
hunting area and closed areas shown on the map.
Archery;
Deer; The entire Refuge is open for archery deer hunting,
except for closed areas shown on the map.
Prairie
Grouse, Pheasant and Dove; The entire Refuge is open
for hunting prairie grouse, pheasants and doves, except
in the closed areas shown on the map.
Duck,
Goose and Coot; Hunting ducks, geese, and coots is
allowed only on Watts, Rice and Duck lakes in the waterfowl
hunting area shown on the map.
Coyote;
A free permit is required to hunt coyotes on the Refuge.
Permits are available from the Refuge Headquarters.
The use of dogs for hunting coyotes is not permitted.
Other
animals; The Refuge is closed to hunting of all other
birds and animals.
Accessible
Opportunitie; Wheelchair-accessible boat docks are
located at Watts and Dewey lakes. People with a special
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permit may shoot game
from a vehicle on Refuge public use trails in areas open
to public driving.
Hunting and Fishing Brochure
with map (pdf)
Wildlife
Observation
More than 270 species of birds have been sighted on the Refuge.
Waterfowl, including blue-winged teal, mallards, canvasback,
redheads, ruddy ducks, and trumpeter swans, both nest here
and pass through during migration. During May and October,
as many as 150,000 ducks can be found on the Refuge.
In April, prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse gather
on dancing grounds for their elaborate courtship displays.
In May, marshes and lakes attract herons, terns, shorebirds,
and pelicans. The wooded margins of the lakes attract
warblers, buntings, grosbeaks and bluebirds. White-tailed
deer prefer the marshes and small woodlots. Muskrat
and beaver inhabit the lake and marsh edges. Coyotes,
mink, raccoons, skunks, and weasels hunt in the Refuge marshes,
meadows, and hills. To view the wildlife, come early,
bring binoculars and move quietly along the Refuge trails.
Nature
trails and Observation drive
The Civilian Conservation Corps Nature Trail starts at the
parking area on the west end of Hackberry lake and goes to
an observation deck located on the old fire tower.
Information on CCC history, ecology of the Sandhills, bird
watching, and a spectacular view of the prairie can all be
found at the old fire tower. The 9-miles Little Hay
Road Wildlife Drive traverses the western part of the Refuge.
This gravel road, which goes by three lakes, through high
hills and along meadows and marshes, offers opportunities
to view wildlife from a car.
Special
Activities:
Observation blinds for viewing and photographing prairie chicken
and sharp-tailed grouse courtship displays are available by
reservation in April and early May. Bird watching in May,
September and October offers the chance to see both resident
and migratory birds. The Refuge bird list contains over
270 species that have been sighted on the Refuge.
Brochure
of refuge (pdf)
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