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Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge


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National Park Overview
The Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge protects more than half a million acres of high desert habitat for large wintering herds of pronghorn antelope, scattered bands of bighorn sheep and a rich assortment of other wildlife. The landscape is vast, rugged and punctuated with waterfalls, narrow gorges and lush springs among rolling hills and expansive tablelands of sagebrush and mountain mahogany.

Although established for the protection of wildlife and habitat, the refuge encompasses other interesting features. The remains of old homesteads and ranches intrigue visitors. The lure of fire opals draws miners and rock collectors to the Virgin Valley mining district. Geothermal hot springs create a refreshing oasis in the heart of the refuge. The refuges mosaic of resources and public interests generates significant management challenges.

Nature of the Area
Observing and photographing wildlife are the most popular recreational activities on the refuge. Viewing wildlife in its native environment is a richly rewarding activity. Here are some tips that will help you see and enjoy refuge wildlife.

Your car makes an excellent observation blind. Many types of wildlife can be approached more closely in a car than on foot.

Because road access is very limited on the refuge, hiking into more remote areas may provide excellent opportunities to view animals, take in the beautiful scenery and experience the solitude and wildness of the refuge. Hike quietly to improve your odds of wildlife encounters.

Binoculars or spotting scopes are very important for viewing wildlife across the great expanses of refuge habitat.

Wildlife are most active and easiest to spot in the early mornings and late evenings, especially in the heat of the summer.

Boating

Fishing and Hunting
Fishing

Fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout is enjoyed at Big Springs Reservoir. Fishing in Catnip Reservoir is catch and release only and is open September 1st through November 15th. The Dufurrena Ponds have bass, crappie and several other species of warm water fish. Big Springs Reservoir is famous for its ice fishing.

All fishing is regulated by Nevada State law and a fishing license is required. Please check current regulations for seasons, limits and other guidelines apply.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in accordance with state and federal regulations. A very limited number of tags are offered for deer, pronghorn and bighorn sheep hunts in the late summer and fall. Tag drawings are administered through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Instructions are available in their annual hunting synopsis for big game or at www.ndow.org. Several species of upland birds may also be hunted. Hunting for sage grouse also requires a permit issued by NDOW. Waterfowl may be hunted except at Catnip Reservoir, Big Spring Reservoir and the no hunting areas listed below.



More Info


9/88) Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge -- Ruby Valley, NV (Printed 4/92) Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge -- Office in Lakeview, OR (Printed 8/93) Stillwater Wildlife Management Area -- Fallon
...d Checklists of the United States Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Office in Lakeview, Oregon Sheldon NWR Mammals Sheldon
TO SHELDON REFUGE Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge was originally

Working with biologists from the USFWS we have selected several burns on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Nevada for study. These include wildfires that occurred in 1994 and 1999

NvWF Issues Environmental Calendar NvWF Links Back Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge was
is now the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, comprising over 575

Canyon Ski Area, Gearhart Wilderness, Lost Forest, Crack-in-the-ground, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Summer Lake Hot Springs, Hole-in-the-ground, sunstones (Oregons state gemstone) -
...ural resource management tools for improving the ecological condition of public rangelands and
as presented in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Renewable Resources and Management Plan

. Fish & Wildlife Service. Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (NV) & Hart Mountain National Antelope Range (OR) Located on the Western borders of Nevada and Oregon, Sheldon National Wildlife... ...adas Wildlife Refuges & Fish Facilities Map Guide 1 Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge 2 Marble Bluff Fish Facility 3 Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge 4 Lahontan National Fish Hatchery 5

Highway 140 provides access into the heart of Sheldon Refuge.

From Lakeview, Oregon, travel 68 miles east on 140. From Denio, Nevada, travel 14 miles west on Highway 40.

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge