Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grayson County, Texas, United States |
| Nearest city | Whitesboro, Texas |
| Area | 11,320 acres (45.8 km2) |
| Established | 1946 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge |
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (HNWR) is a special place for migratory birds and other wildlife. It is located in northwestern Grayson County, Texas, right on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma. This area is near the Red River, which forms the border between Oklahoma and Texas. The refuge has different kinds of land, including water, marsh, and higher, dry land called uplands. Visitors can enjoy hiking, watching wildlife, hunting, and fishing here all year long.
The main goal at Hagerman Refuge is to provide a winter home for thousands of waterfowl. The most common bird you'll see is the Canada goose. Their numbers can reach over 7,500 during the fall, winter, and spring. Other geese, like the greater white-fronted goose and snow goose, also visit, along with a few smaller Ross's goose.
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Wildlife and Habitats at Hagerman
The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge sits in a unique spot. It's where two major plant areas meet: the Texas Blackland Prairies and the Eastern Cross Timbers. The Blackland Prairies have dark, waxy clay soils and are found to the east and south. The Eastern Cross Timbers have sandy soils and are to the west of the refuge.
Different Types of Land
The refuge covers about 11,320 acres (45.8 km2) in total. About 2,600 acres (11 km2) of this land is made up of wetlands. Another 7,278 acres (29.45 km2) are uplands, which are higher, drier areas. Within the uplands, you'll find 3,740 acres (15.1 km2) of grasslands, 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of woodlands, and 700 acres (2.8 km2) of croplands. There are also about 350 acres (1.4 km2) used for refuge buildings and operations.
Protecting Wildlife Habitats
The refuge uses different methods to care for and improve these habitats. The main goal is to give wildlife diverse places to rest, find food, and build nests. Healthy habitats are key for animals and plants to thrive and for the ecosystem to work well. Hagerman's goal is to protect and restore the habitats that wildlife depend on.
Amazing Animal Diversity
Hagerman Refuge is home to many different plants and animals from the Red River Basin. These include plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. They all add to the rich variety of life here. Protecting migratory birds is a very important part of what the refuge does. Since the 1930s, about 50 species of waterfowl and other migratory game birds have been a top priority.
The refuge was created to provide a home for "migratory birds and other wildlife." This includes ducks, shorebirds, geese, and cranes. Many species rely on the refuge, especially in winter or as a stopover during migration. These include bald eagles, snow geese, Ross’ geese, Canada geese, and white-fronted geese.
So far, 316 different bird species have been seen at Hagerman. Also, 34 kinds of mammals, 65 types of reptiles and amphibians, and 62 species of fish have been documented. The refuge works with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to manage many of these species. Hagerman's mix of tallgrass prairie, river bottomland hardwood forest, and wetlands also supports rare migratory birds. This includes Neotropical songbirds and species listed as endangered or threatened. It's also the largest area of natural habitat in Grayson County.
Birds of the Central Flyway
The Hagerman Refuge is located in the Central Flyway. This is a major route that many waterfowl and other migratory birds use each year. The refuge is known as a great place for birdwatching in North Texas.
Since 1946, 316 bird species have been recorded here. Recent surveys show that 273 different bird species are regularly found. Of these, 80 species nest at the refuge, and 193 are migratory. Common nesting birds include Painted buntings, cardinals, scissor-tailed flycatchers, blue grosbeaks, eastern meadowlarks, northern mockingbirds, blue jays, and red-bellied woodpeckers.
Many Neotropical migrants, like warblers, tyrant flycatchers, tanagers, orioles, and sparrows, pass through in spring and fall. Some of these even stay to nest. Game birds you might see are the mourning dove, northern bobwhite, and wild turkey.
The refuge also attracts 15 species of raptors (birds of prey) during migration. These include the osprey, rough-legged buzzard, Swainson's hawk, Northern Harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, and Cooper's hawk. The refuge is an excellent winter home for Bald Eagles, especially along Lake Texoma. Raptors that nest here include the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, Mississippi kite, American kestrel, and the broad-winged hawk.
How the Refuge is Managed
The Hagerman Refuge's management helps meet the goals of the Central Flyway Management Program. The refuge provides a safe resting place for geese and good winter habitat for migratory waterfowl. This helps the birds stay healthy for their spring migration and successful breeding.
Supporting Wintering Birds
One of the refuge's best features is the large groups of waterfowl that spend the winter or migrate through. Up to 7,500 Canada geese, 10,000 snow geese, and 100 white-fronted and Ross’ geese can be found here in winter. Canada geese usually arrive around October, followed by snow geese in November. They stay until March, when they fly north to their breeding grounds.
Duck populations in North America have grown since the 1980s and early 1990s. This is mainly because of better habitats in northern breeding areas and efforts to protect wetlands where they winter. The most ducks are seen in the fall and spring, with numbers sometimes reaching 20,000 in October.
Long-legged wading birds also get a lot of attention at the refuge. The great blue heron, great egret, snowy egret, little blue heron, and American white ibis all use the refuge's wetlands to find food.
Farming for Wildlife
Farming at the refuge is mainly done to grow food for wintering geese. The refuge aims to produce at least 150,000 lb (68,000 kg) of "hot foods" (like grains) and about 175,000 lb (79,000 kg) of browse (like leafy plants). This food helps meet the needs of geese, ducks, and other wildlife during December and January, which are critical months.
About 700 acres (2.8 km2) of the refuge are planted with winter wheat, millet, and corn. These crops are grown to be available to wintering waterfowl and other wildlife from October through February. White-tailed deer also use these areas for food and cover. Refuge staff and one local farmer plant about 600 acres (2.4 km2) each year, mostly with wheat, for geese, deer, and turkey.
Special "moist soil units" (MSUs) are managed to provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds. Water levels are lowered in spring so shorebirds can find food as they migrate through. In summer, the MSUs are drained to let plants grow. They are reflooded in late summer and early fall for wintering waterfowl that start arriving in late August. Up to 70,000 great white pelicans use the refuge waters during their spring and fall migrations.
Fire Management
Fire management at Hagerman Refuge includes prescribed burning and controlling wildfires. The refuge usually has one or two wildfires every few years, especially during dry times. Some fires are caused by trains or lightning, but sometimes people start fires on purpose.
While fire is a natural part of prairie ecosystems, uncontrolled wildfires can harm homes, animals, and structures. Refuge wildfires are not common and are usually put out quickly. Prescribed burning is an important tool to keep the prairie healthy. It helps by reducing woody plants, clearing old grass, encouraging new grass growth, and reducing fire hazards.
Oil and Gas Production
Soon after the refuge was created in 1946, oil and gas were found underground. Drilling for oil and gas began on the refuge and in the surrounding areas. When the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) bought the land for the Denison Dam project, they didn't buy the rights to the minerals underground. This means that private companies still own the mineral rights beneath the refuge.
Owners of these mineral rights have the right to find, produce, and transport oil and gas. However, the rules from the United States Department of the Interior say that these operations must try their best to "prevent damage, erosion, pollution, or contamination" to the refuge's land, water, and plants. They also must try not to interfere with the refuge's operations or disturb the wildlife.
The USACE issues permits for oil and gas activities at Hagerman. Refuge staff review these permits and can comment on any concerns about wildlife and habitats. Special rules are added to the permits. These include fixing any habitat damage, removing drilling fluids, and returning the site to a natural condition after drilling. Refuge staff work closely with oil companies to make sure these rules are followed to protect the fish and wildlife.
Fun Things to Do at Hagerman
Providing fun activities and teaching visitors about the unique natural features of Hagerman Refuge are important parts of its mission. The Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 listed six main public uses for national wildlife refuges. These are: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, and environmental interpretation.
When these activities don't harm the refuge's purpose, they are encouraged. At Hagerman, you can enjoy:
- Limited hunting for dove, squirrel, rabbit, and deer.
- Fishing.
- Boating.
- Hiking.
- Picnicking.
- Picking berries, nuts, and mushrooms (with a special permit from the Visitor Center).
There are three picnic areas: Goode Unit, Big Mineral Day Use Area, and Sandy Point Area. The refuge also has an auto tour route, the Crow Hill Interpretive Trail, Harris Creek Trail, Meadow Pond Trail, and Dead Woman Pond Trail. You can also explore other areas on foot. Special educational programs for children and adults are offered on the second Saturday of every month.
Friends of Hagerman
Friends of Hagerman is a nonprofit organization that supports the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. This group has over 100 members. They host free, monthly educational programs. They also do outreach programs in the community and are a strong voice of support for the refuge.
Images for kids
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A view of the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.
