National Wildlife Refuge · Iowa · FWS Region 3

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is located in Clayton County, Iowa, with about 1,225 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 798 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
798huntable acres
1.2KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Driftless Area 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 Driftless Area NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Sandstone cliffs, deep valleys and cold-water trout streams aren't typical Iowa terrain, but these habitats are all part of Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge in the northeast part of the state.

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 Iowa regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 798 (65%)Closed: 427 (35%)798huntable acres
  • Special regulations798 ac 65%
  • Closed427 ac 35%
Units by size (acres)
Open
798 ac
Closed
427 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Special regs 798 —
Closed Closed 427 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Iowa hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Iowa 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 Driftless Area NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

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

How to get to Driftless Area NWR

Navigate

Destination: Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.94662, -91.36245
DMS
42°56′47.8″N 91°21′44.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Dubuque, IA47 mi NW of town
  • La Crosse, WI59 mi S of town
  • Cedar Rapids, IA69 mi N of town
  • Winona, MN77 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • CID Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa76 mi
  • MSN Madison Dane County103 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 Driftless Area 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, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM7:42 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:17 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:48 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM6:24 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM4:59 PM10h 21m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM4:43 PM9h 47m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:33 PM9h 17m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM4:31 PM9h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:06 AM7:36 AM4:40 PM9h 04m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM4:54 PM9h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:16 PM9h 55m

Computed for 42.947, -91.362 (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.

Driftless Area NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Driftless Area NWR?

Yes. Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (798 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 Driftless Area NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Driftless Area NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Driftless Area NWR?

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

Where is Driftless Area NWR located?

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is in Clayton County, Iowa, about 47 miles NW of Dubuque, IA (straight-line). GPS: 42.94662, -91.36245.

What are legal shooting hours at Driftless Area 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

Genoa NFH

Vernon County, WI · 41 mi N

1 closed
🎣

Upper Mississippi River NWFR

Houston County, MN · 42 mi N

10 special6 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

237K huntable acres

Trempealeau NWR

Trempealeau County, WI · 77 mi N

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6.9K huntable acres

Leopold WMD

Columbia County, WI · 100 mi NE

1 open2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

13.8K huntable acres

Necedah NWR

Juneau County, WI · 101 mi NE

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

39.1K huntable acres

Fox River NWR

Marquette County, WI · 111 mi NE

1 open1 closed
🦌

988 huntable acres

All refuges in Iowa →

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