National Wildlife Refuge · Idaho · FWS Region 1

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge lies in Boundary County, Idaho, with about 2,766 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 2 open with special regulations, and 3 closed, covering about 1,546 huntable acres.

1 open unit2 with special regs3 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
1.5Khuntable acres
2.8KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Kootenai 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 Kootenai NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Just 20 miles south of the Canadian border, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is in the wild heart of Idaho’s northern forests. Grizzly bears, woodland caribou and wolverines still roam the Selkirk Mountains to the west.

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 crane

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

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Open: 172 (6%)Special regulations: 1,375 (50%)Closed: 1,220 (44%)1.5Khuntable acres
  • Open172 ac 6%
  • Special regulations1,375 ac 50%
  • Closed1,220 ac 44%
Units by size (acres)
waterfowl
848 ac
wetlands
750 ac
uplands
527 ac
closed to hunting
291 ac
forest
179 ac
turkey/grouse/big game
172 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
turkey/grouse/big game Open 172 Required
Other		 Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites
uplands Special regs 527 Required
Other		 Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites
waterfowl Special regs 848 Required
Other		 Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites
closed to hunting Closed 291 Required
Other		 Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites
forest Closed 179 Required
Other		 Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites
wetlands Closed 750 Required
Other		 Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Deer hunting for Hunters with disabilites

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid Idaho hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Idaho 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 Kootenai NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is allowed on Myrtle Creek and Deep Creek during Idaho state seasons. Bank fishing and wading only are permitted. The most popular species include rainbow and brook trout, and recently, burbot.

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

How to get to Kootenai NWR

Navigate

Destination: Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
48.71583, -116.40373
DMS
48°42′57.0″N 116°24′13.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Bonners Ferry, ID4.2 mi NW of town
  • Colville, WA70 mi E of town
  • Coeur d'Alene, ID74 mi N of town
  • Spokane, WA87 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • GEG Spokane Intl92 mi
  • FCA Glacier Park Intl102 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 Kootenai NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:31 AM6:01 AM7:30 PM13h 29m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM7:01 PM12h 41m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM6:27 PM11h 44m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:58 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM4:27 PM9h 57m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:07 PM9h 14m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM3:53 PM8h 37m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:01 AM7:31 AM3:49 PM8h 19m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:08 AM7:38 AM3:58 PM8h 20m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM4:14 PM8h 41m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM4:41 PM9h 25m

Computed for 48.716, -116.404 (PDT / 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.

Kootenai NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Kootenai NWR?

Yes. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (1,546 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Kootenai NWR?

Yes — Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained mail or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Kootenai NWR?

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

Where is Kootenai NWR located?

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is in Boundary County, Idaho, about 4 miles NW of Bonners Ferry, ID (straight-line). GPS: 48.71583, -116.40373.

What are legal shooting hours at Kootenai 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

Little Pend Oreille NWR

Stevens County, WA · 60 mi W

4 special4 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

39.6K huntable acres

Lost Trail NWR

Flathead County, MT · 79 mi SE

1 open1 closed
🦌🦃🐦

3.2K huntable acres

Turnbull NWR

Spokane County, WA · 104 mi SW

1 open5 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️

8.7K huntable acres

Creston NFH

Flathead County, MT · 111 mi E

1 closed
No hunting listed

Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

Flathead County, MT · 113 mi E

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.2K huntable acres

Pablo NWR

Lake County, MT · 128 mi SE

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Idaho →

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