Refuge System. The key to a good waterfowl population providing maximum hunting opportunities on an area is a good refuge. Refuges must be large enough to provide security and yet small enough to allow hunters good opportunities. Refuges should also minimize impacts to other users and still maintain there importance during times when waterfowl can be retained on an area. Utilizing perimeter areas of refuges for special draw hunts, where controlled pressure can allow a few good hunts without sacrificing the refuges purpose, make a refuge all that more additive to hunter opportunities. A refuge system was initiated at WEBR in 1991, primarily for Canada geese, to increase hunting opportunities and promote wildlife viewing. Modifications to the refuge in 1992 and 1997 were necessary due to changing water levels. The current refuge provides waterfowl an area free from hunting and human disturbance while minimizing conflicts with anglers. Current refuge dates are October 1 through March 1 for the “No Hunting” zone and November 1 through March 1 for the “No Activity” zone. Consideration is being given to change the March 1 date to correspond with the closing date of the dark goose season to improve late winter fishing access sooner. If water levels continue to recede, further refuge modifications may be necessary. Data from bimonthly waterfowl surveys from 1983 to 1990(Pre-refuge) recorded an annual average of 4,000 ducks and 1,200 geese present at WEBR from September through January. The average peak numbers for this same period was 12,900 ducks and 5,300 geese. Waterfowl numbers recorded from 1997 to 2003(Post-refuge) have shown significant increases in the yearly averages for ducks and geese, 7,200 and 3,100 respectively. Average peak numbers also have increased significantly to 20,600 ducks and 7,300 geese. While these increases can be partially attributed to the refuge, factors such as the increased population trends in the Central Flyway, and higher water levels have also positively influenced the number of waterfowl using WEBR. Higher water levels provide more acres of shoreline habitat and flooded timber for waterfowl use. However, more recent data from the 2003/ 04 surveys showed goose numbers were even higher with an average of 7,100 geese and a peak at 21,000, despite the water level being 22 feet below conservation level, while duck numbers continued to decline. This may indicate the refuge is more critical for retaining geese than ducks. As the water levels decline...
