Hunting by game · 2026–2027

Migratory Birds Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

287 refuges and stations list migratory birds hunting — mourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane. 105 of them require a refuge-specific permit, and 55 offer youth hunts. Use the map and state list below to find a spot, then check the refuge page for units, rules and directions.

Map migratory birds refugesFull list
287refuges & stations
47states & territories
105need a refuge permit
55offer youth hunts
Refuges with migratory birds hunting, by state
Minnesota
18
Louisiana
18
Montana
18
California
16
Alaska
15
Washington
14
North Dakota
12
Oregon
12
Mississippi
10
Illinois
9
South Dakota
8
Arizona
8
Maine
8
Michigan
8
Nevada
7

When is migratory birds season?

Typical U.S. season windows (varies widely by state, zone and refuge)
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

General guidance only. Exact dates are set by each state and refuges may open fewer days. Always check the current 2026–2027 regulations.

Where to hunt migratory birds: all 287 refuges

RefugeStateOpen unitsHuntable acresPermitYouth
Eufaula National Wildlife RefugeAL9/1210,588Yes
Key Cave National Wildlife RefugeAL1/11,060Yes
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife RefugeAL2/33,348Yes🧒
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife RefugeAK1/24,481,063—
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife RefugeAK1/13,525,283—
Arctic National Wildlife RefugeAK1/119,637,697—
Becharof National Wildlife RefugeAK1/11,166,075—
Innoko National Wildlife RefugeAK1/14,049,856—
Izembek National Wildlife RefugeAK1/1315,329—
Kanuti National Wildlife RefugeAK1/11,316,244—
Kenai National Wildlife RefugeAK4/51,938,387Yes
Koyukuk National Wildlife RefugeAK1/13,988,153—
Nowitna National Wildlife RefugeAK1/11,900,516—
Selawik National Wildlife RefugeAK1/12,718,909—
Tetlin National Wildlife RefugeAK1/1728,114—
Togiak National Wildlife RefugeAK1/14,297,282—
Yukon Delta National Wildlife RefugeAK1/120,531,068—
Yukon Flats National Wildlife RefugeAK1/19,052,525—
Bill Williams River National Wildlife RefugeAZ2/32,911—
Buenos Aires National Wildlife RefugeAZ1/2104,975—
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife RefugeAZ5/6850,329Yes
Cibola National Wildlife RefugeAZ5/912,242Yes
Havasu National Wildlife RefugeAZ9/1138,730Yes
Imperial National Wildlife RefugeAZ2/422,353—
Leslie Canyon National Wildlife RefugeAZ1/2813—
San Bernardino National Wildlife RefugeAZ1/21,303—
Bald Knob National Wildlife RefugeAR4/415,436Yes
Cache River National Wildlife RefugeAR10/1075,215Yes
Felsenthal National Wildlife RefugeAR2/377,289Yes
Overflow National Wildlife RefugeAR3/413,421Yes
Clear Lake National Wildlife RefugeCA2/39,970—
Colusa National Wildlife RefugeCA3/41,340—
Delevan National Wildlife RefugeCA5/61,983—
Grasslands Wildlife Management AreaCA6/73,002—
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife RefugeCA9/121,686—
Kern National Wildlife RefugeCA3/43,217—
Lower Klamath National Wildlife RefugeCA3/531,277Yes
Merced National Wildlife RefugeCA2/31,902—
Modoc National Wildlife RefugeCA2/52,294Yes🧒
North Central Valley Wildlife Management AreaCA3/5741—
Sacramento National Wildlife RefugeCA4/53,545—🧒
Sacramento River National Wildlife RefugeCA22/396,083—
San Diego National Wildlife RefugeCA1/2161—
San Luis National Wildlife RefugeCA6/710,145—
Sutter National Wildlife RefugeCA3/41,222—
Tule Lake National Wildlife RefugeCA3/420,405Yes
Alamosa National Wildlife RefugeCO2/36,809—🧒
Arapaho National Wildlife RefugeCO2/515,387Yes🧒
Browns Park National Wildlife RefugeCO2/310,793—
Leadville National Fish HatcheryCO1/13,071Yes
Monte Vista National Wildlife RefugeCO2/311,167—🧒
Bombay Hook National Wildlife RefugeDE7/89,076Yes🧒
Prime Hook National Wildlife RefugeDE8/106,979Yes🧒
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife RefugeFL2/321,837Yes
Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation AreaFL4/57,040—
Bear Lake National Wildlife RefugeID4/147,316—
Camas National Wildlife RefugeID3/48,092—
Deer Flat National Wildlife RefugeID5/63,064Yes
Grays Lake National Wildlife RefugeID2/34,911—
Kootenai National Wildlife RefugeID3/61,546Yes
Minidoka National Wildlife RefugeID6/75,468—
Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production AreaID1/11,865—
Chautauqua National Wildlife RefugeIL1/2810—
Crab Orchard National Wildlife RefugeIL5/644,377Yes🧒
Cypress Creek National Wildlife RefugeIL2/316,436—
Emiquon National Wildlife RefugeIL1/2894—
Great River National Wildlife RefugeIL5/511,348—
Hackmatack National Wildlife RefugeIL2/3655—
Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation AreaIL1/166—
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife RefugeIL9/108,249—
Two Rivers National Wildlife RefugeIL8/89,009—
Muscatatuck National Wildlife RefugeIN2/35,202—
Patoka River National Wildlife RefugeIN2/412,601—
Driftless Area National Wildlife RefugeIA1/2798—
Iowa Wetland Management DistrictIA4/527,523—
Neal Smith National Wildlife RefugeIA1/24,645Yes
Port Louisa National Wildlife RefugeIA4/515,355—
Union Slough National Wildlife RefugeIA3/42,755—
Flint Hills National Wildlife RefugeKS2/411,621—
Kirwin National Wildlife RefugeKS3/55,817Yes
Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife RefugeKS1/24,958—
Quivira National Wildlife RefugeKS1/28,158—
Clarks River National Wildlife RefugeKY8/911,669Yes
Atchafalaya National Wildlife RefugeLA2/215,768Yes
Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife RefugeLA6/715,064Yes🧒
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife RefugeLA1/211,112Yes
Bayou Teche National Wildlife RefugeLA7/89,770Yes🧒
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife RefugeLA2/319,052Yes
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife RefugeLA2/33,804Yes
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife RefugeLA3/636,383Yes
Cameron Prairie National Wildlife RefugeLA2/49,206Yes🧒
Cat Island National Wildlife RefugeLA1/29,725Yes
Catahoula National Wildlife RefugeLA2/324,717Yes
D'Arbonne National Wildlife RefugeLA3/317,639Yes
Delta National Wildlife RefugeLA1/318,142Yes
Grand Cote National Wildlife RefugeLA3/43,384Yes
Lake Ophelia National Wildlife RefugeLA4/512,301Yes
Mandalay National Wildlife RefugeLA2/34,296Yes🧒
Red River National Wildlife RefugeLA1/210,921Yes
Tensas River National Wildlife RefugeLA4/575,113Yes🧒
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife RefugeLA2/343,755Yes🧒
Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production AreaME1/11,034—
Craig Brook National Fish HatcheryME1/287—
Franklin Island National Wildlife RefugeME1/118—
Green Lake National Fish HatcheryME1/255—
Moosehorn National Wildlife RefugeME4/527,627Yes
Petit Manan National Wildlife RefugeME51/565,064—
Rachel Carson National Wildlife RefugeME17/284,109Yes🧒
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife RefugeME1/111,615—
Patuxent Research RefugeMD7/812,611Yes🧒
Assabet River National Wildlife RefugeMA4/62,273Yes
Mashpee National Wildlife RefugeMA1/2301—
Oxbow National Wildlife RefugeMA6/71,672Yes
Parker River National Wildlife RefugeMA5/64,450Yes🧒
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife RefugeMA22/2850,194—
Detroit River International Wildlife RefugeMI5/61,676Yes
Harbor Island National Wildlife RefugeMI1/1736—
Jordan River National Fish HatcheryMI2/374—
Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management AreaMI1/16,616—
Michigan Wetland Management DistrictMI1/1659—
Pendills Creek National Fish HatcheryMI1/264—
Seney National Wildlife RefugeMI3/486,071—
Shiawassee National Wildlife RefugeMI3/49,875Yes
Agassiz National Wildlife RefugeMN3/458,042—🧒
Big Stone National Wildlife RefugeMN2/39,574—
Big Stone Wetland Management DistrictMN1/14,442—
Crane Meadows National Wildlife RefugeMN3/32,195Yes
Detroit Lakes Wetland Management DistrictMN1/250,199—
Fergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictMN1/249,393—
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife RefugeMN2/317,405—
Litchfield Wetland Management DistrictMN1/238,587—
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife RefugeMN12/1712,620Yes🧒
Minnesota Valley Wetland Management DistrictMN2/28,695—
Morris Wetland Management DistrictMN1/256,610—
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife RefugeMN4/56,677—
Rice Lake National Wildlife RefugeMN1/310,377—
Rydell National Wildlife RefugeMN2/31,836—🧒
Sherburne National Wildlife RefugeMN3/628,027—
Tamarac National Wildlife RefugeMN6/742,008—
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish RefugeMN10/16237,328—
Windom Wetland Management DistrictMN1/217,831—
Coldwater River National Wildlife RefugeMS2/32,306Yes🧒
Dahomey National Wildlife RefugeMS1/210,276Yes
Grand Bay National Wildlife RefugeMS2/310,092Yes
Morgan Brake National Wildlife RefugeMS4/47,569Yes
Panther Swamp National Wildlife RefugeMS5/641,448Yes🧒
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife RefugeMS2/544,706Yes🧒
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife RefugeMS5/621,271Yes🧒
Tallahatchie National Wildlife RefugeMS1/23,639Yes🧒
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife RefugeMS2/34,744—
Yazoo National Wildlife RefugeMS3/412,784Yes🧒
Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife RefugeMO1/121,929—
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife RefugeMO3/33,924—
Swan Lake National Wildlife RefugeMO7/811,672Yes
Benton Lake Wetland Management DistrictMT2/312,792—
Black Coulee National Wildlife RefugeMT1/1643—
Bowdoin National Wildlife RefugeMT3/415,375Yes
Bowdoin Wetland Management DistrictMT2/38,275—
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife RefugeMT1/3931,398—🧒
Charles M. Russell Wetland Management DistrictMT2/26,605—
Creedman Coulee National Wildlife RefugeMT1/184Yes
Grass Lake National Wildlife RefugeMT1/21,712—
Hailstone National Wildlife RefugeMT1/1156—
Hewitt Lake National Wildlife RefugeMT1/1720—
Lake Mason National Wildlife RefugeMT3/48,823—
Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife RefugeMT1/124—
Medicine Lake National Wildlife RefugeMT3/422,000—🧒
Northeast Montana Wetland Management DistrictMT1/112,073—
Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Flathead CountyMT2/37,219—
Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Lake CountyMT1/13,557—
UL Bend National Wildlife RefugeMT1/155,790—
War Horse National Wildlife RefugeMT3/32,853—
Crescent Lake National Wildlife RefugeNE2/341,906—
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife RefugeNE1/25,065Yes
John W. and Louise Seier National Wildlife RefugeNE1/12,403—
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management DistrictNE1/224,936—
Valentine National Wildlife RefugeNE2/370,865—🧒
Ash Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNV5/622,906—
Desert National Wildlife RangeNV3/41,367,248—
Fallon National Wildlife RefugeNV1/118,075—
Pahranagat National Wildlife RefugeNV3/72,728—
Ruby Lake National Wildlife RefugeNV1/38,592—
Sheldon National Wildlife RefugeNV4/6535,895—
Stillwater National Wildlife RefugeNV1/253,900—
Umbagog National Wildlife RefugeNH2/236,146—
Cape May National Wildlife RefugeNJ4/612,039—
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife RefugeNJ4/724,526Yes
Supawna Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNJ1/41,434—🧒
Wallkill River National Wildlife RefugeNJ3/54,932Yes🧒
Bitter Lake National Wildlife RefugeNM3/414,285—
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife RefugeNM5/647,619—
Las Vegas National Wildlife RefugeNM5/67,261Yes
Sevilleta National Wildlife RefugeNM4/4227,772—
Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery CenterNM1/2449—
Great Thicket National Wildlife RefugeNY2/4192—
Iroquois National Wildlife RefugeNY3/410,140Yes
Alligator River National Wildlife RefugeNC7/8153,178Yes
Pee Dee National Wildlife RefugeNC4/67,888Yes
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife RefugeNC4/5107,257Yes
Arrowwood Wetland Management DistrictND1/16,260—
Audubon Wetland Management DistrictND2/226,242—
Chase Lake Prairie Project Wetland Management DistrictND1/139,984—
Crosby Wetland Management DistrictND1/118,799—
Devils Lake Wetland Management DistrictND1/252,728—
J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management DistrictND1/134,021—
Kulm Wetland Management DistrictND1/145,133—
Lake Alice National Wildlife RefugeND2/212,070—
Long Lake Wetland Management DistrictND1/223,662—🧒
Lostwood Wetland Management DistrictND1/111,032—
Tewaukon Wetland Management DistrictND1/115,988—
Valley City Wetland Management DistrictND1/119,691—
Cedar Point National Wildlife RefugeOH3/32,593—
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife RefugeOH22/302,925Yes
Ottawa National Wildlife RefugeOH4/57,014—🧒
Optima National Wildlife RefugeOK1/14,341—
Salt Plains National Wildlife RefugeOK11/129,555—🧒
Sequoyah National Wildlife RefugeOK13/1616,484Yes🧒
Tishomingo National Wildlife RefugeOK6/89,484—🧒
Washita National Wildlife RefugeOK4/65,878Yes🧒
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife RefugeOR2/4537—
Cold Springs National Wildlife RefugeOR5/53,124—
Hart Mountain National Antelope RefugeOR1/2260,339—
Klamath Marsh National Wildlife RefugeOR1/211,681—
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife RefugeOR20/2411,988—
Malheur National Wildlife RefugeOR4/867,809—
Mckay Creek National Wildlife RefugeOR1/2620Yes
Tualatin River National Wildlife RefugeOR1/2232—🧒
Umatilla National Wildlife RefugeOR5/915,358Yes🧒
Upper Klamath National Wildlife RefugeOR1/216,399—
Wapato Lake National Wildlife RefugeOR1/2270—
William L. Finley National Wildlife RefugeOR4/65,550Yes
Cherry Valley National Wildlife RefugePA3/55,027Yes
Erie National Wildlife RefugePA2/29,008—
Trustom Pond National Wildlife RefugeRI3/4368—🧒
Cape Romain National Wildlife RefugeSC2/327,094Yes
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife RefugeSC5/845,064Yes🧒
Savannah National Wildlife RefugeSC9/1129,750Yes🧒
Waccamaw National Wildlife RefugeSC6/933,580Yes🧒
Bear Butte National Wildlife RefugeSD1/1402—
Huron Wetland Management DistrictSD1/217,522—
Lacreek National Wildlife RefugeSD7/811,419—
Lake Andes National Wildlife RefugeSD1/42,184—
Lake Andes Wetland Management DistrictSD1/215,054—
Madison Wetland Management DistrictSD2/244,033—
Sand Lake Wetland Management DistrictSD1/144,493—
Waubay Wetland Management DistrictSD1/141,098—
Chickasaw National Wildlife RefugeTN3/426,714Yes🧒
Hatchie National Wildlife RefugeTN5/611,154Yes
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife RefugeTN6/812,514Yes🧒
Tennessee National Wildlife RefugeTN5/649,473Yes🧒
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife RefugeTX4/422,547Yes🧒
Brazoria National Wildlife RefugeTX6/710,905Yes
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife RefugeTX3/56,719Yes
Hagerman National Wildlife RefugeTX9/119,449Yes
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife RefugeTX11/1280,315Yes
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife RefugeTX10/1123,498Yes🧒
Muleshoe National Wildlife RefugeTX3/42,831Yes
Fish Springs National Wildlife RefugeUT3/412,670—
Missisquoi National Wildlife RefugeVT12/134,131Yes🧒
Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeVA5/79,895Yes
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife RefugeVA3/41,144Yes
Fisherman Island National Wildlife RefugeVA1/2752Yes
Wallops Island National Wildlife RefugeVA1/1365Yes
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife RefugeWA2/6571—🧒
Columbia National Wildlife RefugeWA3/413,489—
Conboy Lake National Wildlife RefugeWA1/32,122—
Hanford Reach National MonumentWA3/656,487—
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed DeerWA6/113,879—
Leavenworth National Fish HatcheryWA1/21,269—
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife RefugeWA4/839,582—
Little White Salmon National Fish HatcheryWA1/2114—
Mcnary National Wildlife RefugeWA13/1813,051—🧒
Ridgefield National Wildlife RefugeWA1/6920Yes🧒
Spring Creek National Fish HatcheryWA1/238—
Toppenish National Wildlife RefugeWA8/9881—
Turnbull National Wildlife RefugeWA6/88,654Yes🧒
Willapa National Wildlife RefugeWA9/1014,490—
Canaan Valley National Wildlife RefugeWV4/518,757Yes
Horicon National Wildlife RefugeWI3/421,628Yes
Iron River National Fish HatcheryWI1/21,087—
Leopold Wetland Management DistrictWI1/313,841—
Necedah National Wildlife RefugeWI2/339,111—🧒
St. Croix Wetland Management DistrictWI2/28,909—
Trempealeau National Wildlife RefugeWI2/26,938Yes
Bamforth National Wildlife RefugeWY2/21,171—
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife RefugeWY3/35,986—
Seedskadee National Wildlife RefugeWY3/325,985—

Other game

Big GameDeer, elk & other big gameWaterfowlDucks & geeseWild TurkeySpring & fall turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail & grouseSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit & hareFeral & ExoticFeral hogs & exoticsFishingFreshwater, tidal & shellfish