Hunting by game · 2026–2027

Small Game Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

297 refuges and stations list small game hunting — squirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals. 132 of them require a refuge-specific permit, and 57 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 small game refugesFull list
297refuges & stations
48states & territories
132need a refuge permit
57offer youth hunts
Refuges with small game hunting, by state
North Dakota
26
Minnesota
18
Louisiana
17
Alaska
16
Montana
14
Mississippi
13
Arkansas
9
Arizona
9
Illinois
9
Virginia
9
Oklahoma
9
South Dakota
8
Michigan
8
Alabama
7
Maine
7

When is small game 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 small game: all 297 refuges

RefugeStateOpen unitsHuntable acresPermitYouth
Cahaba River National Wildlife RefugeAL1/24,738Yes🧒
Choctaw National Wildlife RefugeAL2/33,913—
Eufaula National Wildlife RefugeAL9/1210,588Yes
Key Cave National Wildlife RefugeAL1/11,060Yes
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife RefugeAL2/33,348Yes🧒
Sauta Cave National Wildlife RefugeAL1/1266Yes
Wheeler National Wildlife RefugeAL3/527,628Yes
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
Kodiak National Wildlife RefugeAK2/21,635,318—
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—
Kofa National Wildlife RefugeAZ3/4663,400—
Leslie Canyon National Wildlife RefugeAZ1/2813—
San Bernardino National Wildlife RefugeAZ1/21,303—
Bald Knob National Wildlife RefugeAR4/415,436Yes
Big Lake National Wildlife RefugeAR2/310,446Yes
Cache River National Wildlife RefugeAR10/1075,215Yes
Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife RefugeAR13/17153,578Yes
Felsenthal National Wildlife RefugeAR2/377,289Yes
Holla Bend National Wildlife RefugeAR2/35,982Yes
Overflow National Wildlife RefugeAR3/413,421Yes
Pond Creek National Wildlife RefugeAR2/328,428Yes🧒
Wapanocca National Wildlife RefugeAR2/25,653Yes
San Diego National Wildlife RefugeCA1/2161—
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—
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife RefugeFL4/549,638Yes🧒
St. Marks National Wildlife RefugeFL6/749,991Yes
St. Vincent National Wildlife RefugeFL1/210,934Yes
Bond Swamp National Wildlife RefugeGA1/28,570Yes
Harris Neck National Wildlife RefugeGA1/22,500Yes
Okefenokee National Wildlife RefugeGA4/63,821Yes🧒
Piedmont National Wildlife RefugeGA1/238,218Yes
Bear Lake National Wildlife RefugeID4/147,316—
Grays Lake National Wildlife RefugeID2/34,911—
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—
Big Oaks National Wildlife RefugeIN3/427,262Yes🧒
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
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—
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—
Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeMD37/3919,972Yes🧒
Eastern Neck National Wildlife RefugeMD1/21,985Yes
Patuxent Research RefugeMD7/812,611Yes🧒
Assabet River National Wildlife RefugeMA4/62,273Yes
Great Meadows National Wildlife RefugeMA12/143,377Yes
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
Hillside National Wildlife RefugeMS3/415,444Yes
Holt Collier National Wildlife RefugeMS3/32,981Yes
Mathews Brake National Wildlife RefugeMS2/22,363Yes🧒
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—
Mingo National Wildlife RefugeMO6/716,357Yes
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
Hewitt Lake National Wildlife RefugeMT1/1720—
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—
Crescent Lake National Wildlife RefugeNE2/341,906—
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife RefugeNE1/25,065Yes
John W. and Louise Seier National Wildlife RefugeNE1/12,403—
North Platte National Wildlife RefugeNE2/41,507—🧒
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management DistrictNE1/224,936—
Valentine National Wildlife RefugeNE2/370,865—🧒
Ash Meadows National Wildlife RefugeNV5/622,906—
Fallon National Wildlife RefugeNV1/118,075—
Pahranagat National Wildlife RefugeNV3/72,728—
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
Great Swamp National Wildlife RefugeNJ2/36,763Yes
Wallkill River National Wildlife RefugeNJ3/54,932Yes🧒
Bitter Lake National Wildlife RefugeNM3/414,285—
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife RefugeNM5/647,619—
Sevilleta National Wildlife RefugeNM4/4227,772—
Great Thicket National Wildlife RefugeNY2/4192—
Iroquois National Wildlife RefugeNY3/410,140Yes
Montezuma National Wildlife RefugeNY28/339,757Yes
Alligator River National Wildlife RefugeNC7/8153,178Yes
Mackay Island National Wildlife RefugeNC3/48,723Yes
Pee Dee National Wildlife RefugeNC4/67,888Yes
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife RefugeNC4/5107,257Yes
Roanoke River National Wildlife RefugeNC8/821,313—
Arrowwood National Wildlife RefugeND1/212,720—
Arrowwood Wetland Management DistrictND1/16,260—
Audubon National Wildlife RefugeND1/23,236—
Audubon Wetland Management DistrictND2/226,242—
Chase Lake Prairie Project Wetland Management DistrictND1/139,984—
Crosby Wetland Management DistrictND1/118,799—
Des Lacs National Wildlife RefugeND3/414,012—
Devils Lake Wetland Management DistrictND1/252,728—
Florence Lake National Wildlife RefugeND1/21,560—
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife RefugeND3/458,943—
J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management DistrictND1/134,021—
Kulm Wetland Management DistrictND1/145,133—
Lake Alice National Wildlife RefugeND2/212,070—
Lake Nettie National Wildlife RefugeND1/22,070—🧒
Long Lake National Wildlife RefugeND2/223,197—
Long Lake Wetland Management DistrictND1/223,662—🧒
Lostwood National Wildlife RefugeND1/226,154—
Lostwood Wetland Management DistrictND1/111,032—
Mclean National Wildlife RefugeND1/2342—
Slade National Wildlife RefugeND1/12,999—🧒
Stewart Lake National Wildlife RefugeND1/2638—
Tewaukon National Wildlife RefugeND3/46,852—
Tewaukon Wetland Management DistrictND1/115,988—
Upper Souris National Wildlife RefugeND3/432,026—
Valley City Wetland Management DistrictND1/119,691—
White Lake National Wildlife RefugeND1/11,037—
Cedar Point National Wildlife RefugeOH3/32,593—
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife RefugeOH22/302,925Yes
Ottawa National Wildlife RefugeOH4/57,014—🧒
Deep Fork National Wildlife RefugeOK2/38,307Yes
Little River National Wildlife RefugeOK6/714,083Yes
Optima National Wildlife RefugeOK1/14,341—
Ozark Plateau National Wildlife RefugeOK1/2799Yes
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🧒
Wichita Mountains Wildlife RefugeOK10/1153,301Yes
Malheur National Wildlife RefugeOR4/867,809—
Cherry Valley National Wildlife RefugePA3/55,027Yes
Erie National Wildlife RefugePA2/29,008—
John H. Chafee National Wildlife RefugeRI6/7440Yes
Ninigret National Wildlife RefugeRI4/5852Yes
Sachuest Point National Wildlife RefugeRI1/2141Yes
Trustom Pond National Wildlife RefugeRI3/4368—🧒
Cape Romain National Wildlife RefugeSC2/327,094Yes
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife RefugeSC5/845,064Yes🧒
Santee National Wildlife RefugeSC4/612,005Yes🧒
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🧒
Cross Creeks National Wildlife RefugeTN4/58,181Yes
Hatchie National Wildlife RefugeTN5/611,154Yes
Lake Isom National Wildlife RefugeTN1/21,791Yes
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife RefugeTN6/812,514Yes🧒
Reelfoot National Wildlife RefugeTN3/410,360Yes
Tennessee National Wildlife RefugeTN5/649,473Yes🧒
Caddo Lake National Wildlife RefugeTX11/126,940Yes
Hagerman National Wildlife RefugeTX9/119,449Yes
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife RefugeTX10/1123,498Yes🧒
Neches River National Wildlife RefugeTX7/89,778—
Trinity River National Wildlife RefugeTX7/128,765Yes🧒
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
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife RefugeVA2/31,827Yes
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife RefugeVA11/14102,451Yes
James River National Wildlife RefugeVA2/33,937Yes
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife RefugeVA1/2571Yes🧒
Presquile National Wildlife RefugeVA1/21,280Yes
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife RefugeVA18/206,802Yes
Wallops Island National Wildlife RefugeVA1/1365Yes
Leavenworth National Fish HatcheryWA1/21,269—
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife RefugeWA4/839,582—
Little White Salmon National Fish HatcheryWA1/2114—
Spring Creek National Fish HatcheryWA1/238—
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—
Hutton Lake National Wildlife RefugeWY2/31,650—
Pathfinder National Wildlife RefugeWY1/116,851—
Seedskadee National Wildlife RefugeWY3/325,985—

Other game

Big GameDeer, elk & other big gameWaterfowlDucks & geeseWild TurkeySpring & fall turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail & grouseMigratory BirdsDove, woodcock & snipeFeral & ExoticFeral hogs & exoticsFishingFreshwater, tidal & shellfish