Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciate of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs.
When practiced responsibly, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and usually are necessary for sound wildlife management. For example, because their natural predators are gone, beaver, deer or moose populations will often grow too large for the refuge habitat to support.
Hunting programs can promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on lands and waters in the Refuge System.
On Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge the variety of hunting seasons usually take place between the mid August and end of January. Hunting is only allowed for select game and predatory species in accordance with Wyoming Game and Fish Department Regulations. Most common species hunted are mule deer, pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, ducks, and Canada geese. Other species open to hunt under Wyoming Game and Fish Department regulations include, red fox, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, American coot, mourning dove, sora/Virginia rail and common snipe. Hunting on a National Wildlife Refuge for an animal is closed until open. Hunting coyotes, prairie dogs, snakes or anything not mentioned above is prohibited. Hunting seasons and area boundaries for some species of big and small game species can vary from year to year. Check with Wyoming Game and Fish Department for current regulations, season dates and area boundaries. Trapping is allowed but only with a Refuge issued Special Use Permit. To find out more about hunting or trapping opportunities, seasons, and regulations on Seedskadee NWR, contact the Refuge or visit our Rules and Regulations page.