Hunt unit · Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Unit 3 Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Unit 3 unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Tucker County, WV. It covers approximately 73 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.

73acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Tucker Countycounty

Unit 3 map

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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 West Virginia 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: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

Signed brochure required for Migratory game bird, upland game and big game.

Game at Canaan Valley 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 Unit 3 unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Unit 3 unit

Decimal
39.02555, -79.42382
DMS
39°01′32.0″N 79°25′25.8″W

Nearest towns

  • Elkins, WV24 mi E of town
  • Morgantown, WV51 mi SE of town
  • Charlottesville, VA86 mi NW 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 Unit 3

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, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:50 PM13h 05m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM7:28 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:02 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM6:40 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM5:18 PM10h 34m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:05 PM10h 05m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM4:56 PM9h 39m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM4:56 PM9h 27m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:06 AM7:36 AM5:04 PM9h 28m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:05 AM7:35 AM5:17 PM9h 43m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:36 PM10h 12m

Computed for 39.026, -79.424 (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 Canaan Valley NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Research Natural AreaOpen728Required
Unit 1Special regs16,602Required
Unit 2Special regs1,353Required
Closed to HuntingClosed202Required

Back to Canaan Valley NWR →