Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
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Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1936 as a migratory bird refuge. It is located in the grass prairie region of north-central Montana and has 15,551 acres. Bowdoin is one of over 540 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Major habitat types on the Refuge include saline and freshwater wetlands, native prairie, planted dense nesting cover and shrubs. Refuge wetlands are 7,226 acres with the remaining habitat consisting of uplands. Although this area was glaciered 15,000 years ago, it does not have the abundance of semi-permanent and permanent wetlands found in the true glaciered prairie. Geologic history indicates that Lake Bowdoin was once an oxbow of the pre-glacial Missouri River, which now flows 70 miles south of Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge. Today, water is gained from rain, snow melt, irrigation return flows, and occasional spring flooding of Beaver Creek. The main source of water is the Milk River via a system of canals. Be sure to look for waterfowl, shore birds, birds of prey, grassland song birds, beaver, muskrat, coyote, white-tailed deer and pronghorn antelope. Call 654-2863 for more information. This region receives only twelve inches of precipitation per year, and ducks, geese, and shorebirds flock to the refuge's ponds and marshes. The Milk River, draining the eastern slopes of the Montana and Alberta Rockies, is the source of the precious water resource for refuge wetlands. Stop at information kiosk for leaflets or at refuge office during working hours. A 15-mile self-guided auto-tour route brings visitors up close and personal with many of the wildlife species. Waterfowl and upland game bird hunting is permitted during the fall in designated hunting areas. The Refuge complies with State hunting regulations, and enforces several Refuge specific hunting regulations. Lake Bowdoin does not support sport fishing. Sport fishing is allowed on Waterfowl Production Areas throughout the District, in accordance with State regulations, and subject to the following conditions: you must remove boats, fishing equipment and other personal property at the end of each day. Sport fishing is allowed on Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with State regulations. Most of the land within the refuge boundary is private land; people wishing to access the private land must gain permission from the land owner.
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Map and Driving Directions
 Contact Info
Mailing Address:
194 Bowdoin Auto Tour Road Malta, MT 59538 Street Address: 194 Bowdoin Auto Tour Road Malta, MT 59538 Phone: 406-654-2863 Fax: 406-654-2866 http://bowdoin.fws.gov Email: bowdoin@fws.gov
Directions
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is located 7 miles east of Malta. Take US Highway 2 east from Malta for 1 mile. Turn right on Old Highway 2 and travel 6 miles to refuge headquarters. Signs are posted.
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