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Drone Rules for Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Merced, California (CA) • United States
7430 W Sandy Mush Rd, Merced, CA 95341, USA
Lat: 37.1858 • Lng: -120.62

Rules Edit History: Merced National Wildlife Refuge

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May 29, 2026 5:51 AM Approved • Added USFWS drone ban for Merced NWR with sandhill crane wintering context.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
Moderation feedback
Approved Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to prohibit drone flights at Merced National Wildlife Refuge has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations in this area, aligning with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regulations and the refuge's status as a protected area for wildlife.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — Drones are prohibited at Merced NWR per USFWS regulations. Sandhill crane and lesser snow goose wintering is protected.
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## Drone Rules - Merced National Wildlife Refuge

**Drone flights are banned** at Merced National Wildlife Refuge.

### Key Rules
- No recreational drone use within refuge boundaries
- Research use requires a Special Use Permit from the refuge manager
- One of the largest greater sandhill crane wintering populations in California uses this San Joaquin Valley refuge

### Source
- FWS Refuge Regulations: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/merced
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+ ## Drone Rules - Merced National Wildlife Refuge
+ 
+ **Drone flights are banned** at Merced National Wildlife Refuge.
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - No recreational drone use within refuge boundaries
+ - Research use requires a Special Use Permit from the refuge manager
+ - One of the largest greater sandhill crane wintering populations in California uses this San Joaquin Valley refuge
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - FWS Refuge Regulations: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/merced
+