National Wildlife Refuge · Pennsylvania · FWS Region 5

Erie National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Erie National Wildlife Refuge lies in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, with about 9,008 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: 2 open with special regulations, covering about 9,008 huntable acres.

2 with special regs
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
9Khuntable acres
9KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Erie 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 Erie 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.

Erie National Wildlife Refuge affords hunters the opportunity to pursue nearly every game species available in Pennsylvania.

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 Pennsylvania regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 9,008 (100%)9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations9,008 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
A
5,512 ac
B
3,496 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
A Special regs 5,512 —
B Special regs 3,496 —

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 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 Erie NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include Hanks Road (one-acre pond and stream access), Pool 9 (some bank fishing and non-powered-boat fishing), Meyers Small Ponds (15 acres), Pool K (10 acres with access for disabled anglers) and Reitz Pond (five acres).

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

How to get to Erie NWR

Navigate

Destination: Erie National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.58337, -79.98407
DMS
41°35′00.1″N 79°59′02.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Meadville, PA9.4 mi SE of town
  • Erie, PA38 mi S of town
  • Pittsburgh, PA79 mi N of town
  • Cleveland, OH88 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • PIT Pittsburgh Intl77 mi
  • CLE Cleveland Hopkins97 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 Erie 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, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:55 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM7:31 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM7:03 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM6:40 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM5:16 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM5:01 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM4:51 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM4:50 PM9h 11m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM4:59 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:14 AM7:44 AM5:12 PM9h 28m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:02 AM7:32 AM5:33 PM10h 01m

Computed for 41.583, -79.984 (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.

Erie NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Erie NWR?

Yes. Erie National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (9,008 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 Erie NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Erie 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 Erie NWR?

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

Where is Erie NWR located?

Erie National Wildlife Refuge is in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, about 9 miles SE of Meadville, PA (straight-line). GPS: 41.58337, -79.98407.

What are legal shooting hours at Erie 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

Lamar NFH and Northeast Fishery Center

Clinton County, PA · 133 mi E

1 closed
🎣

Iroquois NWR

Genesee County, NY · 135 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

10.1K huntable acres

West Sister Island NWR

OH · 161 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Ottawa NWR

Ottawa County, OH · 167 mi W

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7K huntable acres

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Monroe County, MI · 170 mi W

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

1.7K huntable acres

Cedar Point NWR

Lucas County, OH · 172 mi W

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.6K huntable acres

All refuges in Pennsylvania →

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