National Wildlife Refuge · Oregon · FWS Region 1

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge lies in Coos County, Oregon, with about 905 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 1 open with special regulations, and 2 closed, covering about 537 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 with special regs2 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
537huntable acres
905FWS-owned acres
2game categories

Bandon Marsh 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 Bandon Marsh NWR

Hunting opportunities include waterfowl and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing.

Coastal wetlands in southwest Oregon can provide a diversity of duck and goose hunting opportunities, but these areas are often difficult to access.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Open: 256 (28%)Special regulations: 281 (31%)Closed: 369 (41%)537huntable acres
  • Open256 ac 28%
  • Special regulations281 ac 31%
  • Closed369 ac 41%
Units by size (acres)
Ni-les'tun
281 ac
Retrieval Zone
272 ac
Bandon Marsh
256 ac
Closed
97 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Bandon Marsh
Show on map · Directions		 Open 256 —
Ni-les'tun
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 281 —
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 97 —
Retrieval Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 272 —

Bandon Marsh NWR by the numbers

With about 537 huntable acres, Bandon Marsh NWR ranks #12 of 16 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Oregon and #380 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 59% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Ni-les'tun (281 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Bandon Marsh, covers 256 acres.

2 units totaling 369 acres are closed to hunting (Closed and Retrieval Zone). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Bandon Marsh NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Oregon sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Waterfowl, Migratory Birds
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split

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 Oregon hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Bandon Marsh NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Fishing and shellfishing is permitted at Bandon Marsh west of U.S. Hwy. 101. Fishing is permitted on Ni-les’tun Marsh east of Hwy 101 and south of North Bank Lane. No shellfishing is permitted on Ni-les’tun Marsh.

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

How to get to Bandon Marsh NWR

Navigate

Destination: Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
43.15286, -124.38098
DMS
43°09′10.3″N 124°22′51.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Coos Bay, OR17 mi SW of town
  • Eugene, OR90 mi SW of town
  • Medford, OR95 mi NW of town
  • Crescent City, CA97 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • EUG Eugene Airport89 mi
  • MFR Rogue Valley–Medford94 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 Bandon Marsh NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:55 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM7:30 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM7:00 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM6:36 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM5:11 PM10h 20m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:55 PM9h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM4:44 PM9h 15m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM4:43 PM9h 01m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:19 AM7:49 AM4:51 PM9h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:05 PM9h 19m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM5:27 PM9h 54m

Computed for 43.153, -124.381 (PDT / 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.

Guides for hunting Bandon Marsh NWR

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters

What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Bandon Marsh NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Bandon Marsh NWR?

Yes. Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (537 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Bandon Marsh NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Bandon Marsh 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 Bandon Marsh NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Bandon Marsh NWR located?

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is in Coos County, Oregon, about 17 miles SW of Coos Bay, OR (straight-line). GPS: 43.15286, -124.38098.

What are legal shooting hours at Bandon Marsh 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

Oregon Islands NWR

Curry County, OR · 62 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Castle Rock NWR

Del Norte County, CA · 96 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

William L. Finley NWR

Benton County, OR · 102 mi NE

4 special2 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🎣

5.5K huntable acres

Siletz Bay NWR

Lincoln County, OR · 122 mi N

1 open1 special2 closed
🦆🎣

205 huntable acres

Upper Klamath NWR

Klamath County, OR · 126 mi E

1 open1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Ankeny NWR

Marion County, OR · 130 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Oregon →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.