National Wildlife Refuge · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in McLean County, North Dakota, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, within an approved boundary of roughly 14,772 acres. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 3,236 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
3.2Khuntable acres
14.8Kboundary acres
4game categories

Audubon NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Audubon NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

The first day of pheasant season on Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is a social event. Groups of families and friends get together each year to push through the cover around Lake Audubon.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow North Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 3,236 (22%)Closed: 11,536 (78%)3.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations3,236 ac 22%
  • Closed11,536 ac 78%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Unit
11,536 ac
Refuge
3,236 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Special regs 3,236 —
Closed Unit Closed 11,536 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Audubon NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The refuge portion of Lake Audubon is open to ice fishing, but not open water fishing. Walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are the popular game fish. Six gravel ice access ramps are available on the refuge.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Audubon NWR

Navigate

Destination: Audubon National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.58549, -101.16660
DMS
47°35′07.8″N 101°09′59.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Garrison, ND13 mi E of town
  • Minot, ND45 mi S of town
  • Bismarck, ND57 mi N of town
  • Rugby, ND77 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • MOT Minot Intl47 mi
  • BIS Bismarck Municipal60 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Audubon NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM8:28 PM13h 26m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM7:59 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:11 AM7:41 AM7:26 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM6:58 PM10h 57m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM5:29 PM10h 02m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM5:10 PM9h 21m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:41 AM8:11 AM4:56 PM8h 45m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:55 AM8:25 AM4:53 PM8h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 20278:02 AM8:32 AM5:02 PM8h 30m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:58 AM8:28 AM5:18 PM8h 50m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:42 AM8:12 AM5:43 PM9h 31m

Computed for 47.585, -101.167 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Audubon NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Audubon NWR?

Yes. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (3,236 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Audubon NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Audubon NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Audubon NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Audubon NWR located?

Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is in McLean County, North Dakota, about 13 miles E of Garrison, ND (straight-line). GPS: 47.58549, -101.16660.

What are legal shooting hours at Audubon NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Audubon WMD

McLean County, ND · 3.8 mi W

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

26.2K huntable acres

Lake Nettie NWR

McLean County, ND · 8.3 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

2.1K huntable acres

Mclean NWR

McLean County, ND · 40 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

342 huntable acres

Florence Lake NWR

Burleigh County, ND · 44 mi SE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

1.6K huntable acres

Shell Lake NWR

Mountrail County, ND · 60 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Upper Souris NWR

Renville County, ND · 70 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

32K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.