National Wildlife Refuge · Virginia · FWS Region 5

James River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

James River National Wildlife Refuge lies in Prince George County, Virginia, with about 4,621 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 3,937 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
3.9Khuntable acres
4.6KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

James River 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 James River NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Hunting is authorized during refuge-specific seasons, for select species, by methods and bounds as outlined in the annual James River National Wildlife Refuge Fact Sheet. Approximately 4,000 acres is open to hunting.

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 turkeySmall 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 Virginia regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 3,937 (85%)Closed: 684 (15%)3.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations3,937 ac 85%
  • Closed684 ac 15%
Units by size (acres)
Hunt Area South
2,296 ac
Hunt Area North
1,641 ac
Closed
684 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Area North
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,641 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting administered through permit from VA DGIF for archery only. Refuge-administerd permit obtained daily for…
Hunt Area South
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,296 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting administered through permit from VA DGIF for archery only. Refuge-administerd permit obtained daily for…
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 684 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 Deer hunting administered through permit from VA DGIF for archery only. Refuge-administerd permit obtained daily for…

James River NWR by the numbers

With about 3,937 huntable acres, James River NWR ranks #4 of 13 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Virginia and #278 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 85% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Hunt Area South (2,296 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Hunt Area North, covers 1,641 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 684 acres is closed to hunting (Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 4,621 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 2.7 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt James River NWR

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

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Deer hunting administered through permit from VA DGIF for archery only. Refuge-administerd permit obtained daily for shotgun and muzzleloader hunting for limited dates.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid Virginia hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Virginia Department of Wildlife 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 James River NWR

    Freshwater fishing is permitted from the ADA-accessible canoe and kayak dock located within the public use area along Powell Creek. Bank fishing is prohibited.

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

    How to get to James River NWR

    Navigate

    Destination: James River National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

    Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
    Decimal
    37.27249, -77.13316
    DMS
    37°16′21.0″N 77°07′59.4″W

    Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

    Nearest towns

    • Richmond, VA25 mi SE of town
    • Tappahannock, VA48 mi S of town
    • Suffolk, VA48 mi NW of town
    • Norfolk, VA55 mi NW of town

    Closest airports

    • RIC Richmond Intl19 mi
    • ORF Norfolk Intl58 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 James River 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, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM7:39 PM13h 01m
    Tue, Sep 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM7:18 PM12h 29m
    Thu, Oct 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM6:53 PM11h 51m
    Thu, Oct 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM6:33 PM11h 18m
    Sun, Nov 1, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM5:12 PM10h 40m
    Sun, Nov 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM4:59 PM10h 12m
    Tue, Dec 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM4:52 PM9h 48m
    Tue, Dec 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM4:52 PM9h 37m
    Fri, Jan 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM5:00 PM9h 38m
    Fri, Jan 15, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:12 PM9h 51m
    Mon, Feb 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM5:31 PM10h 19m

    Computed for 37.272, -77.133 (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.

    Guides for hunting James River 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…

    Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

    Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

    James River NWR FAQ

    Is hunting allowed at James River NWR?

    Yes. James River National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (3,937 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

    Do I need a permit to hunt James River NWR?

    Yes — James River National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit and Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov) or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

    Can you fish at James River NWR?

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

    Where is James River NWR located?

    James River National Wildlife Refuge is in Prince George County, Virginia, about 25 miles SE of Richmond, VA (straight-line). GPS: 37.27249, -77.13316.

    What are legal shooting hours at James River 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

    Harrison Lake NFH

    Charles City County, VA · 5.5 mi NW

    1 closed
    🎣

    Presquile NWR

    Chesterfield County, VA · 9.4 mi NW

    1 special1 closed
    🦌🦃🐇

    1.3K huntable acres

    Plum Tree Island NWR

    Poquoson city, VA · 46 mi E

    1 special1 closed
    🦆

    213 huntable acres

    Rappahannock River Valley NWR

    Richmond County, VA · 49 mi N

    18 special2 closed
    🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

    6.8K huntable acres

    Great Dismal Swamp NWR

    Chesapeake city, VA · 58 mi SE

    11 special3 closed
    🦌🦃🐇🎣

    102K huntable acres

    Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR

    Northampton County, VA · 65 mi E

    3 special1 closed
    🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

    1.1K huntable acres

    All refuges in Virginia →

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