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Drone Rules for Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Necedah, Wisconsin (WI) • United States
N11385 Headquarters Rd, Necedah, WI 54646, USA
Lat: 44.0554 • Lng: -90.1714
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Necedah NWR. The refuge is the release site for the Eastern Migratory whooping crane reintroduction population and habitat for the Karner blue butterfly (endangered).

Drone Rules - Necedah NWR, Wisconsin

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210 and ESA protections for whooping crane and Karner blue butterfly.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Whooping crane chicks have been reared at Necedah since 2001; drone noise during chick-rearing (May-September) is a documented cause of pair abandonment
  • Karner blue butterfly (ESA endangered) depends on lupine patches managed on the refuge; ground vibration from nearby landings must be avoided
  • La Crosse Regional (LSE) Class D is ~60 NM west; Madison Dane County (MSN) Class C is ~75 NM east

Key Rules

  • Whooping crane release and monitoring flights require USFWS-Washington level approval for any co-use of the airspace
  • Sandhill cranes (parent species for ultralight-led migration) also nest here; USFWS uses ultralight aircraft with strict protocols separate from recreation
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; applications involving the crane recovery area require whooping crane recovery coordinator sign-off

Source

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