National Wildlife Refuge · Rhode Island · FWS Region 5

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge lies in Rhode Island, with about 109 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 2 open under general rules and 3 open with special regulations, covering about 129 huntable acres.

2 open units3 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
129huntable acres
109FWS-owned acres
2game categories

Block Island 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 Block Island NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game and waterfowl, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Approximately 12 miles offshore on picturesque Block Island, this small refuge provides important habitat for wildlife and supports an abundant white-tailed deer population.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and coots

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

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Open: 64 (50%)Special regulations: 65 (50%)129huntable acres
  • Open64 ac 50%
  • Special regulations65 ac 50%
Units by size (acres)
Sandy Point
42 ac
Wash Pond
38 ac
Beane Point
22 ac
Skippers Island
17 ac
Grove Point
9.6 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Beane Point Open 22 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 signed brochure required
Sandy Point Open 42 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 signed brochure required
Grove Point Special regs 9.6 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 signed brochure required
Skippers Island Special regs 17 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 signed brochure required
Wash Pond Special regs 38 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 signed brochure required

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

signed brochure required

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)

You'll also need

  • A valid Rhode Island hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Rhode Island DEM Fish & 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 Block Island NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

The distinctive habitats on and around Block Island support some of the best sport-fishing in New England. With more than 300 freshwater ponds and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean, almost any type of fishing is available, depending on the season.

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

How to get to Block Island NWR

Navigate

Destination: Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.22461, -71.57539
DMS
41°13′28.6″N 71°34′31.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Westerly, RI17 mi SE of town
  • Newport, RI23 mi SW of town
  • New London, CT29 mi E of town
  • Providence, RI42 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • PVD Providence T.F. Green35 mi
  • BDL Hartford Bradley76 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 Block Island NWR

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, 20265:41 AM6:11 AM7:21 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM6:57 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM6:30 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:07 PM11h 11m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:46 AM6:16 AM4:43 PM10h 27m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM4:28 PM9h 55m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM4:19 PM9h 27m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM4:18 PM9h 14m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM4:26 PM9h 15m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM4:40 PM9h 31m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM5:00 PM10h 03m

Computed for 41.225, -71.575 (EDT / 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.

Block Island NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Block Island NWR?

Yes. Block Island National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (129 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Block Island NWR?

Yes — Block Island National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained online through fws. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Block Island NWR?

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

Where is Block Island NWR located?

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge is in Rhode Island, about 17 miles SE of Westerly, RI (straight-line). GPS: 41.22461, -71.57539.

What are legal shooting hours at Block Island 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

Trustom Pond NWR

Washington County, RI · 10 mi N

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🎣

368 huntable acres

Ninigret NWR

Washington County, RI · 11 mi NW

2 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

852 huntable acres

John H. Chafee NWR

Washington County, RI · 16 mi N

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

440 huntable acres

Sachuest Point NWR

Newport County, RI · 25 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🐇🎣

141 huntable acres

Amagansett NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 34 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Nomans Land Island NWR

MA · 40 mi E

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Rhode Island →

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