Hunt unit · Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Spring Island West Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Spring Island West unit is one of 39 mapped hunt units on Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. It covers approximately 104 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
104acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
MDstate

Spring Island West map

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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to Maryland regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Refuge permit required. Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Online Other.

Turkey and deer (white-tail and sika). Signed permit required for waterfowl thru recreation.gov.

🧒 A youth deer hunt is offered.

Game at Blackwater NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Spring Island West unit

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Destination: center of the Spring Island West unit

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Decimal
38.12873, -76.06738
DMS
38°07′43.4″N 76°04′02.6″W

Nearest towns

  • Cambridge, MD30 mi S of town
  • Salisbury, MD30 mi SW of town
  • Chincoteague, VA40 mi W of town

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

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Spring Island West

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:36 PM13h 03m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:14 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:49 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:28 PM11h 17m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM5:06 PM10h 37m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM4:53 PM10h 09m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM4:45 PM9h 44m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM4:45 PM9h 32m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:50 AM7:20 AM4:53 PM9h 34m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM5:06 PM9h 47m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM5:25 PM10h 16m

Computed for 38.129, -76.067 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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

Other units at Blackwater NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
ASpecial regs804Required
B1Special regs367Required
B2Special regs81Required
B3Special regs321Required
Barren Island NorthSpecial regs224Required
Barren Island SouthSpecial regs210Required
Beaverdam Creek EastSpecial regs31Required
Beaverdam Creek WestSpecial regs67Required
Bishop's Head EastSpecial regs125Required
Bishop's Head WestSpecial regs111Required
Blackwater River CentralSpecial regs95Required
Blackwater River EastSpecial regs41Required
Blackwater River WestSpecial regs114Required
D1Special regs72Required
D2Special regs384Required
D3Special regs194Required
D4Special regs107Required
ESpecial regs1,890Required
Goose Dam Creek NorthSpecial regs15Required
Goose Dam Creek SouthSpecial regs15Required
M1Special regs1,063Required
M2Special regs1,911Required
NSpecial regs1,066Required
NanticokeSpecial regs1,064Required
Nanticoke-RiverSpecial regs232Required
Owens Creek-RiverSpecial regs14Required
Q1Special regs665Required
Q2Special regs136Required
RSpecial regs1,152Required
SSpecial regs1,490Required
Spring Island EastSpecial regs98Required
TSpecial regs1,439Required
USpecial regs1,909Required
U1Special regs203Required
WSpecial regs724Required
XSpecial regs1,437Required
Closed to HuntingClosed14,935Required
Mentored Hunt AreaClosed966Required

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