mallard drake

Waterfowl Hunting
Lower Klamath 
National Wildlife Refuge

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Lower Klamath Hunt Map
Lower Klamath Refuge Hunt Map

Description of the Area
Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is located 25 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. The Refuge straddles the OR/CA state line. The majority of the Refuge is in California and offers a mix of marsh hunting for both boat and walk-in hunters and field hunting for geese and pheasant in both grain stubble and areas of standing grain. Approximately 5000 acres of harvested grain fields in the Oregon portion of the Refuge is known as the Oregon Straits Unit. It is open to both waterfowl and pheasant hunting with goose hunting the primary pursuit. Opening weekend hunts on the California portions of Lower Klamath Refuge are under a draw permit system. Click here for an application.

Hunting is 7 days per week during the normal state seasons-however shoot time ends at 1:00 pm on the California portion of the Refuge.

Hunters are required to be in possession of the proper state licenses and duck stamps when hunting in either CA or OR.

Note: Daily hunt fees are in effect on Lower Klamath Refuge. See the general hunt regulations for more information.

Waterfowl
Ducks are the most commonly hunted species on Lower Klamath Refuge. To stimulate productivity, marsh units are rotated from year to year on Lower Klamath and depths vary greatly. Hunting success is usually excellent the first weekend of the season with good to excellent hunting after that. Although most of the units are open to motor boats, some motor-less and walk in areas are also available. Unit 4a and 6a are great for walk-in access. Decoy hunting is suggested. Some geese are also taken in the marsh units (Canada, white-front, snow, and cackler) but usually as an unexpected bonus. Primary species taken and approximate percentages based on 1994 records are: mallard 35%, pintail 12%, wigeon 15%, gadwall 15%, and shoveler 10%. 		Pintail fever
The Oregon portion of Lower Klamath Refuge is primarily grain stubble hunting for geese with some ducks taken early in the season or late November/December when some of the fields are flooded.   Hunting generally improves during windy weather providing some excellent late season hunting. Decoys are almost essential for a successful hunt in the Straits Unit stubble fields. Cackling Canada geese are taken sporadically and hunters should be aware of limits on this species.

Goose hunting in the field units of the California portion ranges from excellent to fair and varies greatly from year to year. Field units with standing grain are most popular producing some excellent Canada and white-front hunting early in the season and some excellent Canada hunting after Christmas. Interior field units can also produce some excellent but sporadic mallard hunting as a bonus. Decoys...the more the better!
Pheasant hunters at Lower Klamath Ring-necked Pheasant
Pheasant hunting is provided on large areas of Lower Klamath Refuge. The hunting has been poor to fair for the past several years with generally improving pheasant populations since a major winter-kill of pheasants in 1992. Hunting is primarily in grain stubble and along field margins or ditch banks. Use of trained dogs can be very beneficial. Hunting is permitted throughout the California and Oregon season, 7 days per week with no special check in required. $5 daily hunt fees are in effect

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