Refuge replacing waterfowl hunt blinds
—Courtesy photo A photo of one of the new blinds at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
—Courtesy photo A map showing the locations of the waterfowl hunting blinds at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
—Courtesy photo A chart showing the GPS coordinates of the waterfowl hunting blinds at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
In an effort to better serve its waterfowl hunters, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge has been replacing the old waterfowl hunt blinds with a newly designed blind. Three blinds were replaced in 2015 and five blinds were replaced this summer.
The new blinds are rectangular in shape and are equipped with a freestanding bench. The outside of the blinds have been covered with soil and slash so as to resemble beaver lodges. In addition, 4-foot x 4-foot posts with reflective tape and blind numbers have been placed on either side of center ditch to mark the mowed paths to the majority of the blinds located north of Riverside Road.
One hunt blind, which was installed last year, resembles a tree stump and is available to those waterfowl hunters who need easier accessibility. It is located in Snipe Pond, near the center parking lot.
For those waterfowl hunters who need easier access, there are now three blinds available for reservation. If the blinds are not reserved in advance, i.e. no “reserved” signs are posted; they may be utilized by any waterfowl hunter.
To download an aerial photograph of the blind locations along with GPS coordinates and distances from the marked posts, please visit the refuge’s website at www.fws.gov/refuge/kootenai or you may contact the refuge office at 208-267-3888 for more information.
As a reminder, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is open to waterfowl hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Access to the waterfowl hunting area is only allowed on waterfowl hunt days from 3 a.m. until one hour after sunset.