Stillwater re-opens on a limited basis

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) officials have re-opened the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge to waterfowl hunting on a limited basis. USF&WS is the federal agency that manages the popular refuge.

The re-opened areas will be open for the remainder of the 2000-2001 hunting season on only Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. About 2,900 acres of the refuge will remain closed.

The refuge, long popular with duck, goose and swan hunters, is located northeast of Fallon.

It had been closed for the first part of the hunting season due to the low level of water and dry conditions.

Habitat conditions are still rated as only "poor to fair."

Motorized boats will not be allowed and hunters can expect to find several of their favorite hunting locations dry or only partially full.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared a map delineating the open and closed areas. That map can be obtained at their office at 1000 Auction Road in Fallon.

For information, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fallon at (775) 423-5128.