National Wildlife Refuge · Utah · FWS Region 6

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Box Elder County, Utah, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 79,137 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 30,166 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
30.2Khuntable acres
79.1KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge 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 Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Hunting opportunities include waterfowl and upland birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Junior high students learn that the Great Salt Lake is saltier than the sea, and this can lead many to believe that this giant inland body of water thus holds little value for wildlife. Duck hunters know better.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridge

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

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 30,166 (39%)Closed: 47,127 (61%)30.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations30,166 ac 39%
  • Closed47,127 ac 61%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Unit
47,127 ac
Open Unit
16,689 ac
Open Airboat Unit
13,477 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Airboat Unit Special regs 13,477 —
Open Unit Special regs 16,689 —
Closed Unit Closed 47,127 —

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 Utah hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
  • 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 Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is in accordance with Utah state regulations. Available species include catfish and carp on specified areas of the Bear River channel.

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

How to get to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Navigate

Destination: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.49585, -112.35200
DMS
41°29′45.1″N 112°21′07.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Brigham City, UT17 mi W of town
  • Ogden, UT27 mi NW of town
  • Logan, UT32 mi SW of town
  • Salt Lake City, UT56 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • SLC Salt Lake City Intl52 mi
  • PIH Pocatello Regional99 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 Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM8:04 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM7:41 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM7:13 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM6:50 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:26 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM5:11 PM9h 54m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:06 AM7:36 AM5:01 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM5:00 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM5:09 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:23 AM7:53 AM5:22 PM9h 29m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:11 AM7:41 AM5:43 PM10h 01m

Computed for 41.496, -112.352 (MDT / 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.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?

Yes. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (30,166 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and upland birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. 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 Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?

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

Where is Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge located?

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is in Box Elder County, Utah, about 17 miles W of Brigham City, UT (straight-line). GPS: 41.49585, -112.35200.

What are legal shooting hours at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?

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

Oxford Slough WPA

Franklin County, ID · 56 mi N

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

1.9K huntable acres

Bear Lake NWR

Bear Lake County, ID · 71 mi NE

3 open1 special10 closed
🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.3K huntable acres

Cokeville Meadows NWR

Lincoln County, WY · 79 mi NE

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6K huntable acres

Minidoka NWR

Blaine County, ID · 97 mi NW

1 open5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

5.5K huntable acres

Grays Lake NWR

Bonneville County, ID · 118 mi NE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

4.9K huntable acres

Fish Springs NWR

Juab County, UT · 125 mi SW

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

12.7K huntable acres

All refuges in Utah →

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