National Wildlife Refuge · Alaska · FWS Region 7

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge lies in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, with about 1,316,257 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 1,316,244 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
1.3Mhuntable acres
1.3MFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Kanuti 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 Kanuti NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing.

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, about the size of Delaware, is rich in game, including black bear, brown bear, caribou, moose, wolf, wolverine and waterfowl. But aside from hunters from local villages, few visit the refuge.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall 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 Alaska regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 1,316,244 (100%)1.3Mhuntable acres
  • Open1,316,244 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Open 1,316,244 —

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 Alaska hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • 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 Kanuti NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge features numerous rivers, sloughs, ponds and lakes. The largest rivers are the Koyukuk and the Kanuti. Fishing is year-round (salmon are the exception). Excellent pike fishing is available.

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

How to get to Kanuti NWR

Navigate

Destination: Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
66.35362, -151.51888
DMS
66°21′13.0″N 151°31′08.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Fairbanks, AK151 mi NW of town
  • Fort Yukon, AK174 mi W of town
  • Galena, AK191 mi NE of town
  • McGrath, AK264 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • FAI Fairbanks Intl149 mi
  • OTZ Kotzebue Ralph Wien306 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 Kanuti NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Anchorage local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM9:36 PM14h 59m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM8:40 PM13h 18m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:43 AM8:13 AM7:37 PM11h 24m
Thu, Oct 15, 20268:29 AM8:59 AM6:43 PM9h 44m
Sun, Nov 1, 20268:30 AM9:00 AM4:38 PM7h 38m
Sun, Nov 15, 20269:24 AM9:54 AM3:47 PM5h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 202610:26 AM10:56 AM2:53 PM3h 57m
Tue, Dec 15, 202611:11 AM11:41 AM2:20 PM2h 39m
Fri, Jan 1, 202711:14 AM11:44 AM2:33 PM2h 49m
Fri, Jan 15, 202710:37 AM11:07 AM3:21 PM4h 14m
Mon, Feb 1, 20279:39 AM10:09 AM4:29 PM6h 20m

Computed for 66.354, -151.519 (AKDT / 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.

Kanuti NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Kanuti NWR?

Yes. Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (1,316,244 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Kanuti NWR?

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

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Kanuti NWR located?

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge is in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, about 151 miles NW of Fairbanks, AK (straight-line). GPS: 66.35362, -151.51888.

What are legal shooting hours at Kanuti 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

Nowitna NWR

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK · 135 mi SW

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Koyukuk NWR

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Arctic NWR

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Selawik NWR

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Innoko NWR

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All refuges in Alaska →

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