National Wildlife Refuge · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is located in McHenry County, North Dakota, with about 55,035 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 58,943 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
58.9Khuntable acres
55KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

J. Clark Salyer 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 J. Clark Salyer NWR

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

It’s easy to see why there are so many white-tailed deer on J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. The marshes, hardwood river bottoms and sandhill prairies offer some of the best and most diverse habitat in the area.

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 partridgeSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

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

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 58,943 (99%)Closed: 385 (1%)58.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations58,943 ac 99%
  • Closed385 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
Hunting Area 2
30,212 ac
Hunting Area 3
25,221 ac
Hunting Area 1
3,510 ac
No Hunting Zone
385 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunting Area 1
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,510 —
Hunting Area 2
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 30,212 —
Hunting Area 3
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 25,221 —
No Hunting Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 385 —

J. Clark Salyer NWR by the numbers

With about 58,943 huntable acres, J. Clark Salyer NWR ranks #1 of 28 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in North Dakota and #38 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 99% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Hunting Area 2 (30,212 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Hunting Area 1, covers 3,510 acres.

1 unit totaling 385 acres is closed to hunting (No Hunting Zone). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

6 Waterfowl Production Areas lie within 35 miles; the closest is Souris WPA (80 acres, 12 miles NW).

When to hunt J. Clark Salyer NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. North Dakota 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, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

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 North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
  • 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 J. Clark Salyer NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is allowed in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on national wildlife refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, State regulations, and the Refuge-specific regulations in this brochure.

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

How to get to J. Clark Salyer NWR

Navigate

Destination: J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
48.59274, -100.68179
DMS
48°35′33.9″N 100°40′54.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Bottineau, ND20 mi SW of town
  • Rugby, ND35 mi NW of town
  • Minot, ND38 mi NE of town
  • Kenmare, ND64 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • MOT Minot Intl36 mi
  • BIS Bismarck Municipal126 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 J. Clark Salyer 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, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM8:27 PM13h 29m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM7:58 PM12h 41m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM7:24 PM11h 44m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:30 AM8:00 AM6:55 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM5:25 PM9h 58m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:20 AM7:50 AM5:05 PM9h 15m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:43 AM8:13 AM4:50 PM8h 38m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:58 AM8:28 AM4:47 PM8h 20m
Fri, Jan 1, 20278:04 AM8:34 AM4:56 PM8h 22m
Fri, Jan 15, 20278:00 AM8:30 AM5:12 PM8h 42m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:43 AM8:13 AM5:38 PM9h 25m

Computed for 48.593, -100.682 (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 J. Clark Salyer 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…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

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…

J. Clark Salyer NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at J. Clark Salyer NWR?

Yes. J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (58,943 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt J. Clark Salyer NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for J. Clark Salyer 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 J. Clark Salyer NWR?

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

Where is J. Clark Salyer NWR located?

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is in McHenry County, North Dakota, about 20 miles SW of Bottineau, ND (straight-line). GPS: 48.59274, -100.68179.

What are legal shooting hours at J. Clark Salyer 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

J. Clark Salyer WMD

McHenry County, ND · 2.7 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

34K huntable acres

Upper Souris NWR

Renville County, ND · 42 mi W

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

32K huntable acres

Lake Nettie NWR

McLean County, ND · 69 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

2.1K huntable acres

Shell Lake NWR

Mountrail County, ND · 71 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Des Lacs NWR

Burke County, ND · 72 mi W

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

14K huntable acres

Audubon NWR

McLean County, ND · 73 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

3.2K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

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