The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.

(a) Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Hunters must obtain a refuge hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application—National Wildlife Refuge System). We require hunters to possess a signed refuge hunt permit at all times while scouting and hunting on the refuge.

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge 2 hours before legal shooting time and must leave no later than 2 hours after legal shooting time.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, grouse, rabbit, pheasant, quail, woodchuck, crow, fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk, weasel, coyote, and bobcat on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Hunters must obtain a refuge hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application—National Wildlife Refuge System). We require hunters to possess a signed refuge hunt permit at all times while scouting and hunting on the refuge.

(ii) The condition set forth at paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section applies.

(iii) We allow hunting from legal sunrise to legal sunset.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, bear, and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2)(i) of this section apply.

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a “deer drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The Cherry Creek section located on the former Cherry Valley Golf Course is open for catch-and-release fishing, with only artificial lures and barbless hooks. Anglers at this location must obtain a day-use fishing permit, with a maximum of three anglers per day.

(ii) We allow fishing from 12 hour before legal sunrise to 12 hour after legal sunset.

(iii) We allow only nonmotorized or electric-motor boats in designated areas.

(iv) We prohibit the use of eel chutes, eelpots, and fyke nets.

(v) We prohibit trapping fish for use as bait on the refuge.

(vi) We prohibit the take, collection, capture, killing and possession of any reptile or amphibian on the refuge (see §27.21 of this chapter).

(b) Erie National Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove, woodcock, rail, Wilson's snipe, Canada goose, duck, coot, and crow on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow hunting activities on the refuge from September 1 through the end of February. We allow scouting for those same dates, and for the 7 days prior to the start of each season.

(ii) We allow only nonmotorized boats for waterfowl hunting in permitted areas.

(iii) We prohibit field possession of migratory game birds in areas of the refuge closed to migratory game bird hunting.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, squirrel, rabbit, woodchuck, pheasant, quail, raccoon, fox, coyote, skunk, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow woodchuck hunting on the refuge from September 1 through the end of February.

(ii) We prohibit the use of raptors to take small game.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of deer, bear, and turkey on designated areas of the refuge.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow nonmotorized watercraft use in Area 5. Watercraft must remain in an area from the dike to 3,000 feet (900 meters) upstream.

(ii) We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see §27.21 of this chapter).

(iii) We prohibit the collecting or releasing of baitfish.

(iv) We prohibit the taking or possession of shellfish on the refuge (see §27.21 of this chapter).

(c) John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum.

(1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow archery-only hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Hunters must possess a refuge hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application—National Wildlife Refuge System) and comply with all of its terms and conditions.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow fishing on the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset.

(ii) Anglers may only operate boats, canoes, and floats in tidal waters.

(iii) We prohibit bowfishing or spearfishing on the refuge.

(iv) We prohibit the take, collection, or capture of any reptile or amphibian on the refuge (see §27.21 of this chapter).

(d) Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Refer to §32.67(b) for regulations.


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