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Drone Rules for Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

Middle River, Minnesota (MN) • United States
22996 290th St NE, Middle River, MN 56737, USA
Lat: 48.2998 • Lng: -95.9825
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Agassiz NWR. The 61,500-acre northwest Minnesota refuge hosts Minnesota's largest wolf pack and critical moose calving habitat; drone activity triggers prey-flight responses.

Drone Rules - Agassiz NWR, Minnesota

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Home to one of Minnesota's most stable resident gray wolf packs; USFWS wolf management requires no disturbance to den sites (March-July)
  • Moose calving (May-June): cow moose with calves are aggressive and drones trigger flight responses; cow/calf separation increases calf mortality
  • Thief River Falls Regional (TVF) Class D is ~30 NM west; no controlled airspace over the refuge

Key Rules

  • Wolf denning season (March-July): 0.5-mile buffer from known den sites; USFWS wolf biologist tracks pack GPS collar data
  • Moose calving season (May-June): no UAS within 1 mile of documented calving areas
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; wolf-related research requires USFWS wolf team coordinator notification

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