Friends of Prime Hook NWR    

This page is dedicated to providing you with what the Friends of Prime Hook consider the most significant news about the US Department of the Interior, and the US Fish and Wildlife Department (USFWS), especially as it applies to Prime Hook NWR

UPDATED August 16, 2022

Headquarters Deer Hunts

The main area of the refuge on Turkle Pond Road will be closed on November 19, 2022 and January 21, 2023 for the early and late season Headquarters Deer Hunts. Hunting has a deep history and tradition on the refuge. Visitors can participate in hunting big and small game, waterfowl and other migratory birds. Portions of the refuge are open to hunting in accordance with federal and state regulations with the most restrictive regulations applying on the refuge. The refuge provides accessible hunting stands for both our waterfowl hunts and deer hunting.

Hunting is a healthy, traditional recreational use of renewable natural resources deeply rooted in America’s heritage, and it can be an important wildlife management tool. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, other laws, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s policy permit hunting on a national wildlife refuge when it is compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and acquired.

National wildlife refuges exist primarily to safeguard wildlife populations through habitat preservation. The word “refuge” includes the idea of providing a haven of safety for wildlife, and as such, hunting might seem inconsistent with the National Wildlife Refuge System. However, habitat that normally supports healthy wildlife populations produces harvestable surpluses that are a renewable resource.

As practiced on refuges, hunting does not pose a threat to the wildlife populations – and in some instances it is necessary for sound wildlife management.  By respecting seasons and limits, hunters help ensure that wildlife populations are sustainable. Funds from licenses, federal duck stamps, and excise taxes on hunting equipment and ammunition help purchase and set aside millions of acres for wildlife.  For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Prime_Hook/visit/hunting.html.

Beach and Marsh Restoration Adaptation Award

An Adaptation Award was presented at the Assocation of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meeting to Prime Hook Refuge for its "exemplary leadership in reducing climate related threats and promoting adaptation".

"This is a great honor, and I am very proud of the project and the entire team who made it happen" said Al Rizzo, project leader for the Coastal Delaware Nadtional Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Prime Hook."It's pretty amazing what we were able to accomplish, and I'm thrilled that now we are just watching the system recover - the marsh grasses are growing back, shorebirds and waterfowl have returned, and this dynamic tidal system is thriving again."

Dune and Marsh Restoration

Restoration of the dunes washed out by a series of storms, including Hurricane Sandy, plus re-establishing the marshes behind the dunes as salt marsh is fully described on the Prime Hook FWS site under MARSH RESTORATION.

 The salt marsh goal