Refuge Updates

Friends Meeting: Tomorrow, Thursday, September 22, 4:15 p.m. at the Hiawatha Valley Marines Shelter on West Lake Winona (Dacota Street). Click here for the agenda.

Swan Watch Bus Tour: The swan watch bus tour is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 departing from the Huff Street Visitor Center in Winona at 9:00 a.m. and returning at 2:30 p.m. Scheduled stops include the Refuge Visitor Center on Brice Prairie, Shady Maple overlook (Stoddard, WI) and Brownsville overlook (Brownsville, MN). Cost is $35/person which includes a boxed lunch and onboard interpretation by retired LaCrosse District Manager Jim Nissen. You can register and pay online here. If you prefer, you can take the tour on your own time by following the self-guided tour found here.

Furbearer Trapping Seasons: Refuge trap tags will go on-sale beginning Wednesday, October 5. As in the past, 40 tags are $30 payable with cash or check. The Trempealeau NWR trapping unit auction will take place on Thursday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. Click here for full details.

Waterfowl Hunting Seasons: The waterfowl hunting seasons start in earnest this Saturday, September 24 with the MN duck opener. This will be followed by the WI duck opener on October 1, MN re-opener October 8, and WI re-opener October 15. Those of you who paddle, please make yourself visible to hunters by dressing in bright colors, add a tall flag to your vessel, avoid early morning (sunrise) and sunset times, and steer clear of decoy spreads.

Good-bye Leslie: Many of you have met our Administrative Assistant Leslie Watson at outreach events and volunteer projects. Leslie has accepted a position with the Bureau of Reclamation, her last day in our office will be Friday, September 23. If you would like to send her a best-wishes note her email is: [email protected].