Klamath Refuges Hunt Program Update

The Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex held its annual hunt program meeting on September 7, and refuge staff announced that both Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Refuges will be open for limited waterfowl hunting. 

Specifically, Sumps 1A and 1B at Tule Lake will be open to boat and walk-in hunting, with Sump 1B subject to a draw through Thanksgiving.   Some dry and flooded ag fields will also be available for waterfowl hunting, while pheasant hunting will be open under normal access rules.  Lower Klamath at this time will be closed to marsh hunting (although this is subject to change if water conditions improve later this fall and winter), but some dry field hunting opportunities will be available.  The pre-season youth waterfowl hunt will also be offered on September 21-22. 

CWA urged refuge staff to provide a virtual option for the annual hunt program meeting so that interested hunters across the state can listen in and participate, similar to other hunt program meetings for refuges and wildlife areas.  We are hopeful that this virtual option can be included for future meetings.

For a copy of the hunt program presentation, please visit:  2024-habitat-condtions-9_5_kg.pdf (fws.gov).

Regarding current waterfowl losses due to disease, it is estimated that over 40,000 waterfowl and other waterbirds have died at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge this summer, mostly from an outbreak of avian botulism.  While volunteers are now picking up dead birds and a hospital has been established to rehabilitate sick birds, birds continue to die each day.  Current water deliveries to the affected wetland are helping to slow the spread of the botulism, but these deliveries may be shut off soon in order to maintain Upper Klamath Lake levels.  Its critical that the water deliveries to Tule Lake Refuge continue to keep fresh water flowing and maintain wetland water levels.  CWA and Ducks Unlimited recently sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation highlighting this need, and we have also specifically mentioned it to USFWS leadership in Washington DC. 

Volunteers interested in helping address the botulism outbreak and assisting with rehabilitation efforts at the bird hospital should contact January Bill at jb@birdallyx.net.