National Wildlife Refuge · Iowa · FWS Region 3

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is located in Jasper County, Iowa, with about 6,179 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 4,645 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
4.6Khuntable acres
6.2KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Neal Smith 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 Neal Smith NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, 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.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge has the unprecedented task to reconstruct the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, which includes native wildlife, grasses and wildflowers.

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 craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 4,645 (75%)Closed: 1,533 (25%)4.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations4,645 ac 75%
  • Closed1,533 ac 25%
Units by size (acres)
Refuge
4,645 ac
Closed
1,533 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Special regs 4,645 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All
Closed Closed 1,533 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • ✉️ By mail
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Iowa hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Iowa Department of Natural 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 Neal Smith NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

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

How to get to Neal Smith NWR

Navigate

Destination: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.56446, -93.27616
DMS
41°33′52.1″N 93°16′34.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Des Moines, IA18 mi E of town
  • Ames, IA37 mi SE of town
  • Cedar Rapids, IA88 mi W of town
  • Mason City, IA110 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • DSM Des Moines Intl20 mi
  • CID Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa84 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 Neal Smith 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, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM7:48 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM7:24 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM6:56 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM6:33 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM5:09 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM4:54 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM4:44 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:02 AM7:32 AM4:43 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:09 AM7:39 AM4:52 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM5:06 PM9h 29m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:55 AM7:25 AM5:26 PM10h 01m

Computed for 41.564, -93.276 (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.

Neal Smith NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Neal Smith NWR?

Yes. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (4,645 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Neal Smith NWR?

Yes — Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, mail, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Neal Smith NWR?

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

Where is Neal Smith NWR located?

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is in Jasper County, Iowa, about 18 miles E of Des Moines, IA (straight-line). GPS: 41.56446, -93.27616.

What are legal shooting hours at Neal Smith 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.

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Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Iowa →

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