National Wildlife Refuge · Massachusetts · FWS Region 5

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 1,696 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 7 mapped hunt units: 6 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,672 huntable acres.

6 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
7hunt units
1.7Khuntable acres
1.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Oxbow 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 Oxbow NWR

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

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge consists of approximately 1,667 acres of upland, southern New England flood-plain forest and wetland communities along nearly eight miles of the Nashua River corridor.

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 mammals

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

Hunt units (7)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,672 (99%)Closed: 24 (1%)1.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,672 ac 99%
  • Closed24 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
Route 2 South
714 ac
North Unit
393 ac
Hospital Rd. South
169 ac
Sheridan Rd.
142 ac
Hospital Rd. North
128 ac
Still River Depot Area
126 ac
Closed
24 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hospital Rd. North Special regs 128 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting
Hospital Rd. South Special regs 169 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting
North Unit Special regs 393 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting
Route 2 South Special regs 714 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting
Sheridan Rd. Special regs 142 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting
Still River Depot Area Special regs 126 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting
Closed Closed 24 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Hunting

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Hunting

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Massachusetts hunting license and any required tags or stamps — MassWildlife
  • 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 Oxbow NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is allowed on the Nashua River and along its banks within the refuge. Fishing is not permitted in refuge wetland pools, ponds or streams. State fishing regulations and license requirements are in force on the refuge.

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

How to get to Oxbow NWR

Navigate

Destination: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.51030, -71.62234
DMS
42°30′37.1″N 71°37′20.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Worcester, MA20 mi NE of town
  • Boston, MA30 mi W of town
  • Manchester, NH34 mi S of town
  • Newburyport, MA43 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • MHT Manchester–Boston30 mi
  • BOS Boston Logan33 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 Oxbow 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, 20265:40 AM6:10 AM7:23 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM6:58 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM6:30 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:06 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:48 AM6:18 AM4:41 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM4:25 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:15 PM9h 19m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM4:14 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:22 PM9h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM4:36 PM9h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:31 AM7:01 AM4:58 PM9h 57m

Computed for 42.510, -71.622 (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.

Oxbow NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Oxbow NWR?

Yes. Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 6 units (1,672 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Oxbow NWR?

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

Can you fish at Oxbow NWR?

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

Where is Oxbow NWR located?

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge is in Worcester County, Massachusetts, about 20 miles NE of Worcester, MA (straight-line). GPS: 42.51030, -71.62234.

What are legal shooting hours at Oxbow 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

Assabet River NWR

Middlesex County, MA · 10 mi SE

4 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.3K huntable acres

Great Meadows NWR

Middlesex County, MA · 15 mi SE

12 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

3.4K huntable acres

Nashua NFH

Hillsborough County, NH · 19 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Merrimack River Atlantic Salmon Smolt Release Site

Hillsborough County, NH · 22 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Wapack NWR

Hillsborough County, NH · 29 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

North Attleboro NFH

Bristol County, MA · 39 mi SE

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Massachusetts →

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