National Wildlife Refuge · Pennsylvania · FWS Region 5

Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge lies in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, with about 5,803 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: 3 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 5,027 huntable acres.

3 with special regs2 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
5Khuntable acres
5.8KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Cherry Valley 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 Cherry Valley NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Public hunting is permitted on 270 acres of Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge during specific times of the year. The hunting program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

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

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 5,027 (86%)Closed: 789 (14%)5Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations5,027 ac 86%
  • Closed789 ac 14%
Units by size (acres)
Headwaters
4,436 ac
Closed
546 ac
Aquashicola
356 ac
Mentored
242 ac
Godfrey's Ridge
234 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Aquashicola Special regs 356 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer, wild turkey, small game, bear, migratory birds, and Sport Fishing.
Godfrey's Ridge Special regs 234 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer, wild turkey, small game, bear, migratory birds, and Sport Fishing.
Headwaters Special regs 4,436 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer, wild turkey, small game, bear, migratory birds, and Sport Fishing.
Closed Closed 546 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer, wild turkey, small game, bear, migratory birds, and Sport Fishing.
Mentored Closed 242 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer, wild turkey, small game, bear, migratory birds, and Sport Fishing.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Deer, wild turkey, small game, bear, migratory birds, and Sport Fishing.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Pennsylvania hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Pennsylvania Game Commission
  • 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 Cherry Valley NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Anglers are required to possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license to fish at the refuge.

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

How to get to Cherry Valley NWR

Navigate

Destination: Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
40.88025, -75.30773
DMS
40°52′48.9″N 75°18′27.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Stroudsburg, PA9.8 mi SW of town
  • Allentown, PA22 mi NE of town
  • Scranton, PA41 mi SE of town
  • Trenton, NJ54 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • EWR Newark Liberty61 mi
  • PHL Philadelphia Intl70 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 Cherry Valley 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, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM7:36 PM13h 09m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:12 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:45 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:22 PM11h 12m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM4:58 PM10h 28m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM4:44 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:34 PM9h 29m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM4:34 PM9h 16m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:55 AM7:25 AM4:42 PM9h 17m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:53 AM7:23 AM4:56 PM9h 32m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM5:16 PM10h 04m

Computed for 40.880, -75.308 (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.

Cherry Valley NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Cherry Valley NWR?

Yes. Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (5,027 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Cherry Valley NWR?

Yes — Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Cherry Valley NWR?

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

Where is Cherry Valley NWR located?

Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles SW of Stroudsburg, PA (straight-line). GPS: 40.88025, -75.30773.

What are legal shooting hours at Cherry Valley 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

Wallkill River NWR

Sussex County, NJ · 45 mi NE

3 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

4.9K huntable acres

Great Swamp NWR

Morris County, NJ · 45 mi E

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇

6.8K huntable acres

John Heinz NWR at Tinicum

Delaware County, PA · 69 mi S

3 special1 closed
🦌🎣

194 huntable acres

Shawangunk Grasslands NWR

Ulster County, NY · 77 mi NE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦃

165 huntable acres

Supawna Meadows NWR

Salem County, NJ · 89 mi S

1 open3 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

1.4K huntable acres

Lido Beach Wildlife Management Area

NY · 91 mi E

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Pennsylvania →

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