National Wildlife Refuge · Idaho · FWS Region 1

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Canyon County, Idaho, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 1,735 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Oregon. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 4 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 3,064 huntable acres.

1 open unit4 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
3.1Khuntable acres
1.7KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Deer Flat 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 Deer Flat NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds here, 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.

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge provides a watery oasis for resident and migratory wildlife. Lake Lowell, an irrigation reservoir southwest of Boise, draws waterfowl and other birds.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Open: 487 (4%)Special regulations: 2,577 (22%)Closed: 8,599 (74%)3.1Khuntable acres
  • Open487 ac 4%
  • Special regulations2,577 ac 22%
  • Closed8,599 ac 74%
Units by size (acres)
Closed to hunting
8,599 ac
Lake Lowell South Rec
985 ac
Snake River Islands - ID
814 ac
Controlled deer hunt
556 ac
Lake Lowell East Rec
487 ac
Snake River Islands - OR
223 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Lake Lowell East Rec Open 487 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit
Controlled deer hunt Special regs 556 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit
Lake Lowell South Rec Special regs 985 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit
Snake River Islands - ID Special regs 814 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit
Snake River Islands - OR Special regs 223 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit
Closed to hunting Closed 8,599 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Deer hunting on Lake Lowell unit requires a signed Refuge permit

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid Idaho hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Idaho Department of Fish and Game
  • 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 Deer Flat NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season on the Lake Lowell Unit is year-round with seasonal access restrictions. Available species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Refuge islands on the Snake River Islands Unit are accessible only by boat.

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

How to get to Deer Flat NWR

Navigate

Destination: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
43.55424, -116.67048
DMS
43°33′15.3″N 116°40′13.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Nampa, ID5.6 mi W of town
  • Boise, ID24 mi W of town
  • Ontario, OR36 mi SE of town
  • Burns, OR119 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • BOI Boise Airport23 mi
  • TWF Magic Valley (Twin Falls)133 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 Deer Flat NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM8:24 PM13h 15m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM7:59 PM12h 35m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM7:29 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:29 AM7:59 AM7:05 PM11h 06m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM5:39 PM10h 18m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM5:23 PM9h 44m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:29 AM7:59 AM5:12 PM9h 13m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:42 AM8:12 AM5:10 PM8h 58m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:49 AM8:19 AM5:19 PM8h 60m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:46 AM8:16 AM5:33 PM9h 17m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:33 AM8:03 AM5:55 PM9h 52m

Computed for 43.554, -116.670 (MDT / 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.

Deer Flat NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Deer Flat NWR?

Yes. Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (3,064 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Deer Flat NWR?

Yes — Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Deer Flat NWR?

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

Where is Deer Flat NWR located?

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is in Canyon County, Idaho, about 6 miles W of Nampa, ID (straight-line). GPS: 43.55424, -116.67048.

What are legal shooting hours at Deer Flat 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

Malheur NWR

Harney County, OR · 128 mi W

2 open2 special4 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

67.8K huntable acres

Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge

Lake County, OR · 166 mi SW

1 open1 closed
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260K huntable acres

Mckay Creek NWR

Umatilla County, OR · 175 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🎣

620 huntable acres

Minidoka NWR

Blaine County, ID · 176 mi E

1 open5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

5.5K huntable acres

Sheldon NWR

Humboldt County, NV · 177 mi SW

4 open2 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🎣

536K huntable acres

Cold Springs NWR

Umatilla County, OR · 200 mi NW

2 open3 special
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🎣

3.1K huntable acres

All refuges in Idaho →

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