I don't know. What is the difference between a National Forest and a Wildlife Refuge?
Wildlife Refuge is just that, a place that protects wildlife. I can only use the National Elk Refuge in Western Wyoming as an example.
The National Elk Refuge is a place set aside to protect elk during the winter season. At times, the numbers of elk exceed what the Refuge can support, so they allow limited hunting under the watchful eye of fed game biologist.
Since the Gov. is shut down, they furloughed the biologist so there is no one to oversee the hunting.
As to National Forest. The NF System manages National Forest. The State's manage the game in NF NGL (National Grass Lands) and BLM (BlM comes under the Dept of Interior, the NF & NGLs come under the dept. of Ag.)
Feds aren't needed to police hunting in NF, NFL, & BLM. Again hunting is controlled by the state so hunting in these areas isn't affected.
What would be affected is Firewood Cutting in NF, Grassing on NF, NGL and BLM lands.
This whole NO Hunting Bit is just a rumor started by who knows who for who knows why.
I know its not effecting the rest of my hunting season one bit.
But forget about what others say, forget about what I say, get off the 'net and call your state game commission and get the CORRECT answers from them if you're worried about it.