National Wildlife Refuge · Massachusetts · FWS Region 5

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Nantucket County, Massachusetts, Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 21 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season, all 1 mapped hunt unit are listed as closed to hunting.

1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
1hunt units
0huntable acres
21FWS-owned acres
0game categories

Nantucket 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 Nantucket NWR

  • Big Game
  • Waterfowl
  • Wild Turkey
  • Upland Birds
  • Migratory Birds
  • Small Game
  • Feral & Exotic
  • Fishing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not list any hunting opportunities for this station. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Closed: 21 (100%)0huntable acres
  • Closed21 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Closed 21 —

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 Massachusetts hunting license and any required tags or stamps — MassWildlife
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Nantucket NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Fishing season is year-round. Available species include striped bass and bluefish. Boat or RV is required for access.

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

How to get to Nantucket NWR

Navigate

Destination: Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

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Decimal
41.39043, -70.04980
DMS
41°23′25.5″N 70°02′59.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Hyannis, MA22 mi SE of town
  • New Bedford, MA49 mi E of town
  • Newport, RI66 mi E of town
  • Providence, RI76 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • PVD Providence T.F. Green75 mi
  • BOS Boston Logan83 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 Nantucket 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, 20265:35 AM6:05 AM7:15 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM6:51 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM6:24 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM6:01 PM11h 11m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:40 AM6:10 AM4:37 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM4:22 PM9h 54m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:12 PM9h 26m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:11 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:36 AM7:06 AM4:20 PM9h 14m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM4:33 PM9h 30m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:22 AM6:52 AM4:54 PM10h 02m

Computed for 41.390, -70.050 (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.

Nantucket NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Nantucket NWR?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not currently list hunting opportunities at Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge. All mapped units are closed to hunting.

Do I need a permit to hunt Nantucket NWR?

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

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

Where is Nantucket NWR located?

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge is in Nantucket County, Massachusetts, about 22 miles SE of Hyannis, MA (straight-line). GPS: 41.39043, -70.04980.

What are legal shooting hours at Nantucket 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

Monomoy NWR

MA · 14 mi N

1 open1 closed
🦆🎣

3.2K huntable acres

Mashpee NWR

Barnstable County, MA · 26 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

301 huntable acres

Nomans Land Island NWR

MA · 41 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Massasoit NWR

Plymouth County, MA · 46 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Sachuest Point NWR

Newport County, RI · 62 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🐇🎣

141 huntable acres

John H. Chafee NWR

Washington County, RI · 73 mi W

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

440 huntable acres

All refuges in Massachusetts →

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