Government Shutdown and Federal Refuges

Neal Haarberg

Neal Haarberg

Active member
I have a question about the government shutdown and federal refuges. I plan on hunting in Klamath for Oregon opener on the 11th. If the shutdown is still going does anybody know if the refuges will be closed? I want to say back in 2018 they were but can't recall for sure.
 
Best to get on the refuge website or call them. But given that my friends who work for USFWS were all furloughed, I’m guessing the refuges are closed until further notice.
 
Only "excepted" federal employees are working. I don't know if refuge employees fit that category. It's usually ones whose duties must be carried out for national security or to protect life and property. Right now the Gov building I work in is a ghost town. Contractors are reporting to work, for now, but that is only for those of us who had funding in place and a period of performance after Sept 30. I'm lucky to be one.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Only "excepted" federal employees are working. I don't know if refuge employees fit that category. It's usually ones whose duties must be carried out for national security or to protect life and property. Right now the Gov building I work in is a ghost town. Contractors are reporting to work, for now, but that is only for those of us who had funding in place and a period of performance after Sept 30. I'm lucky to be one.
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We cruising right along on my end. Govt will be back when fits stop. I see your pickup out there about daily. I'm still fiddling about in Lexus SUVs.

Hope everyone's gates remain open for seasons. Its a shame political weaponization is closing stuff during serious duck times.
 
I read an article two days ago that said open air Federal parks and land would remain open. Indoor facilities, such as museums or park visitor centers, would be closed. I guess the only way to know for sure is to drive out and see for yourself.
 
I think we need a constitutional amendment that says no shutdowns during waterfowl season. And that if Congress fails to pass funding bills by October 1st, none of them are eligible for re-election in the next election cycle and barred from Congress in perpetuity.
 
I wouldn't mind the shutdowns so much if it actually resulted in no government spending during the shutdown. Aside from the chaos it creates in the life of the workers, it accomplishes nothing but filling news cycles with talking heads pointing fingers. When a "deal" is reached it'll be back to business as usual until the lemings reach the next "cliff".
 
Unfortunately, every administration & congress since Bill Clinton (regardless if you loved or hated him) has been driving us lemmings, as country, over the fiscal cliff.
There are solutions, just no leaders willing to stick their political necks out to propose the hard changes in regards to structural tax system changes and spending limitations that are needed.

Who's been hunting and why haven't we seen any puppy photos lately???
 
So far IL DNR controls my hunting area and the local Corp of Engineers boat ramps are still open and the Mississippi River lock systems are functioning. When I see the government closed rather than negotiating on our behalf and soldiers dropping from helicopters on to apartment buildings in Chicago hauling people and children out of the homes and ransacking everything and Argentina getting 20 billion dollars of tax payer income.and, and, ......I have to get off of social media and back in the woods and hope something good happens soon! With that said I've added another vessel to the yard so I can duck hunt. After reading Fred's post and Dave's reply, I'm turning 70 on the 21st! Time will tell if I made a mistake thinking I can still paddle a kayak or even get it in and out of my Lund without damaging myself!
 

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Ed L. said:
After reading Fred's post and Dave's reply, I'm turning 70 on the 21st! Time will tell if I made a mistake thinking I can still paddle a kayak or even get it in and out of my Lund without damaging myself!
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Just keep your cell phone on, charged and in a waterproof case,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, so they can track it down, to find your body. :cool:

I send my wife a screen shot of google maps showing my exact location, when I am in the timber or set up to duck hunt.
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Just keep your cell phone on, charged and in a waterproof case,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, so they can track it down, to find your body. :cool:

I send my wife a screen shot of google maps showing my exact location, when I am in the timber or set up to duck hunt.
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That's a good thought Dave. I do that as well. I started sending with coordinates since she's only familiar with some fishing spots. I've gotten into a habit of wearing my life jacket when I'm out alone these days. Not that I'm worried about anything in particular. I just want to be found.
 
At 79 I'm doing most all of those things mentioned above especially when alone but .....Ive scaled way back on hunting and fishing. Just seems much more difficult now days. I hope to get out more this year. We'll see.
 
Brad F said:
At 79 I'm doing most all of those things mentioned above especially when alone but .....Ive scaled way back on hunting and fishing. Just seems much more difficult now days. I hope to get out more this year. We'll see.
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Since my dad passed on in 2000 I continue to take his hunting partner deer hunting with me. He's 82. Still sharp but not able to walk far these days. The days of dragging deer are over and the boat is beginning to be a challenge. We hunt public on islands in the Mississippi River. He still wants to go and I'll take him as long as he's capable of getting in and out of the boat. I see this year it's getting harder for him and I noticed a large bruise on his arm the other day. I'm assuming from a fall. This may be his last year if I find him falling. The woods and a boat ride is no place to break bones. Good luck with your season and be careful out there Brad.
 
Ed L the bruising could be as simple as his meds. If I bump the back of my hand even with gloves on I get a huge bruise. Not so bad on my arms but for my wife she looks like she's being beaten all the time on her arms .. just from bumping around in her quilt sewing room so maybe a few well intentioned questions are in order. BTW thanks for taking care of us old folks. I have several people including a son that just moved back into the area that get me out from time to time. Still feel I can handle the fishing solo depending on the weather because it's daylight stuff. Night stuff not so easy.
 
Brad F said:
Ed L the bruising could be as simple as his meds. If I bump the back of my hand even with gloves on I get a huge bruise. Not so bad on my arms but for my wife she looks like she's being beaten all the time on her arms .. just from bumping around in her quilt sewing room so maybe a few well intentioned questions are in order. BTW thanks for taking care of us old folks. I have several people including a son that just moved back into the area that get me out from time to time. Still feel I can handle the fishing solo depending on the weather because it's daylight stuff. Night stuff not so easy.
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Glad your son is there for you. None of my kids wanted to hunt and I never pushed it. It's not for everyone. Like you I'm not running the river in pitch black anymore as I mainly hunt solo. I'm the only one bow hunting the river anymore in my area and I'm okay getting into the deer stand at first light or my duck spot a little later than I used to.
 
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