National Wildlife Refuge · Nebraska · FWS Region 3

Desoto National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Washington County, Nebraska, Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 8,364 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Iowa. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 6,836 huntable acres.

4 with special regs2 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
6.8Khuntable acres
8.4KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Desoto 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 Desoto NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, wild turkey, and upland 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.

One of the most visible species at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is wild turkey. Large numbers of these birds roam nearly every corner of the refuge. The refuge’s spring hunts are specially designed for those with disabilities and young hunters.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridge

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

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 6,836 (82%)Closed: 1,528 (18%)6.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations6,836 ac 82%
  • Closed1,528 ac 18%
Units by size (acres)
A - NE
3,173 ac
A - IA
2,058 ac
C - IA
1,000 ac
B - IA
809 ac
B - NE
795 ac
C - NE
528 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
A - IA
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,058 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a…
A - NE
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,173 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a…
B - IA
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 809 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a…
B - NE
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 795 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a…
C - IA
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 1,000 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a…
C - NE
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 528 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a…

Desoto NWR by the numbers

With about 6,836 huntable acres, Desoto NWR ranks #4 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Nebraska and #236 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 82% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is A - NE (3,173 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, B - NE, covers 795 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

2 units totaling 1,528 acres are closed to hunting (C - IA and C - NE). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 8,364 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 177 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Desoto NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Nebraska sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters must possess a Refuge hunting permit. This brochure, when signed, and in your possession, serves as a permit for all refuge hunts.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

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

You'll also need

  • A valid Nebraska hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Desoto NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is April 15-October 14. Trotlines, float lines and seining for bait are prohibited. No more than two rigs and two hooks per line may be used.

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

How to get to Desoto NWR

Navigate

Destination: Desoto National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.52067, -96.01732
DMS
41°31′14.4″N 96°01′02.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Omaha, NE19 mi N of town
  • Council Bluffs, IA20 mi NW of town
  • Lincoln, NE61 mi NE of town
  • Sioux City, IA70 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • OMA Omaha Eppley17 mi
  • LNK Lincoln Airport60 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 Desoto 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, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM7:59 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM7:35 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM7:07 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:04 AM7:34 AM6:44 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM5:20 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM5:05 PM9h 54m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM4:55 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM4:55 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:20 AM7:50 AM5:03 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM5:17 PM9h 29m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:06 AM7:36 AM5:37 PM10h 01m

Computed for 41.521, -96.017 (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.

Guides for hunting Desoto NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Desoto NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Desoto NWR?

Yes. Desoto National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (6,836 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, and upland birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Desoto NWR?

Yes — Desoto National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, mail, 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 Desoto NWR?

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

Where is Desoto NWR located?

Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is in Washington County, Nebraska, about 19 miles N of Omaha, NE (straight-line). GPS: 41.52067, -96.01732.

What are legal shooting hours at Desoto 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

Boyer Chute NWR

Pottawattamie County, IA · 6.7 mi SE

1 open10 special
🦌🦆🦃🎣

4K huntable acres

Loess Bluffs NWR

Holt County, MO · 107 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🎣

7.4K huntable acres

Neal Smith NWR

Jasper County, IA · 142 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Union Slough NWR

Kossuth County, IA · 152 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

2.8K huntable acres

Iowa WMD

Kossuth County, IA · 156 mi NE

1 open3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

27.5K huntable acres

Karl E. Mundt NWR

Gregory County, SD · 166 mi NW

1 special2 closed
🦌

697 huntable acres

All refuges in Nebraska →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.