What We Do

Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service� for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.   

Management and Conservation

Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service� for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.   

Trapping occurs on this refuge
Trapping is a wildlife management tool used on some national wildlife refuges. Trapping may be used to protect endangered and threatened species or migratory birds or to control certain wildlife populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also views trapping as a legitimate recreational and economic activity when there are harvestable surpluses of fur-bearing mammals. Outside of Alaska, refuges that permit trapping as a recreational use may require trappers to obtain a refuge special use permit. Signs are posted on refuges where trapping occurs. Contact the refuge manager for specific regulations. 

Two hunts standing in the high grass during a reddish orange sunset, and pointing toward the sky.
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Cape May Hunting Plan.pdf

Cape May NWR opens select areas of the refuge for hunting. More information about our hunting management plan can be found here. For any questions please contact our office. 

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Our Projects and Research

Cape May NWR is focused on restoring crucial marsh habitat throughout South Jersey. Over nine consecutive days in the middle of September 2020, phase two of a marsh restoration project was completed at the Reeds Beach marsh unit of Cape May NWR, located in New Jersey. Runnels (shallow, sinuous channels) were cut into the marsh using a Marsh Master with a special cutter, with the goal of draining water off the supersaturated marsh surface. This project was funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grant with contributions from Ducks Unlimited and The Friends of Cape May NWR. We will continue to evaluate the progress of this work over the course of the next few years.

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement is an important part of Cape May NWR's duty to help protect these natural spaces. If you see something, say something. 

Laws and Regulations

Visitors are encouraged to recreate responsibly for the safety and benifit of not only themselves, but also for the safety and wellbeing of the natural resources around them.