National Wildlife Refuge · Illinois · FWS Region 3

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is located in Williamson County, Illinois, with about 45,498 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 5 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 44,377 huntable acres.

5 with special regs1 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
44.4Khuntable acres
45.5KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Crab Orchard 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 Crab Orchard NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, 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. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Hunters in southern Illinois enjoy a rich tradition of hunting on public lands. Each year thousands of hunters from across the nation are attracted to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge to hunt an exceptionally diverse list of species, including…

Youth hunting

A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and turkey hunts are also conducted.

All refuges with youth hunts →
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 mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

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

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 44,377 (98%)Closed: 1,120 (2%)44.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations44,377 ac 98%
  • Closed1,120 ac 2%
Units by size (acres)
Open
21,585 ac
Special Permit
19,859 ac
West Hampton
1,462 ac
Carterville
1,390 ac
Closed
1,120 ac
Group Camp
81 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Carterville Special regs 1,390 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit
🧒 A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and…
Group Camp Special regs 81 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit
🧒 A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and…
Open Special regs 21,585 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit
🧒 A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and…
Special Permit Special regs 19,859 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit
🧒 A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and…
West Hampton Special regs 1,462 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit
🧒 A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and…
Closed Closed 1,120 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit
🧒 A youth deer hunt is held during the deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. Youth waterfowl and…

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters are required to carry a signed general hunt permit

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Illinois hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Illinois Department of Natural 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 Crab Orchard NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing on Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a popular pastime. There is a mixture of developed boat ramps, primitive access locations, accessible fishing piers, bank fishing, lake fishing and pond fishing.

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

How to get to Crab Orchard NWR

Navigate

Destination: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.68045, -89.07205
DMS
37°40′49.6″N 89°04′19.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Marion, IL8.5 mi SW of town
  • Carbondale, IL8.8 mi SE of town
  • Cape Girardeau, MO35 mi NE of town
  • Paducah, KY49 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • STL St. Louis Lambert102 mi
  • BNA Nashville Intl171 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 Crab Orchard NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM7:27 PM13h 02m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM7:06 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM6:41 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:20 PM11h 17m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM4:59 PM10h 39m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM4:46 PM10h 11m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM4:38 PM9h 46m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM4:38 PM9h 35m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM4:47 PM9h 36m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM4:59 PM9h 49m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:30 AM7:00 AM5:18 PM10h 17m

Computed for 37.680, -89.072 (CDT / 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.

Crab Orchard NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Crab Orchard NWR?

Yes. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (44,377 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Crab Orchard NWR?

Yes — Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Crab Orchard NWR?

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

Where is Crab Orchard NWR located?

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is in Williamson County, Illinois, about 8 miles SW of Marion, IL (straight-line). GPS: 37.68045, -89.07205.

What are legal shooting hours at Crab Orchard 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

Middle Mississippi River NWR

Jackson County, IL · 31 mi W

9 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

8.2K huntable acres

Cypress Creek NWR

Alexander County, IL · 41 mi S

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Clarks River NWR

Marshall County, KY · 73 mi SE

8 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.7K huntable acres

Mingo NWR

Wayne County, MO · 77 mi SW

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Pilot Knob NWR

Iron County, MO · 85 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Green River NWR

Henderson County, KY · 86 mi E

3 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Illinois →

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