National Wildlife Refuge · Massachusetts · FWS Region 5

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge lies in Essex County, Massachusetts, with about 4,572 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: 5 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 4,450 huntable acres.

5 with special regs1 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
4.5Khuntable acres
4.6KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Parker River 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 Parker River NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

It is well known that duck hunters are picky about their methods. Whether they prefer hunting by boat or walking into a hunting area, using decoys or jump shooting, staking out large salt marshes or hunting small creeks, waterfowlers can suit their…

Youth hunting

Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local sportsmen's group.

All refuges with youth hunts →
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 (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 4,450 (97%)Closed: 125 (3%)4.5Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations4,450 ac 97%
  • Closed125 ac 3%
Units by size (acres)
Plum Island
2,667 ac
Hunting Area A
871 ac
Hunting Area C
463 ac
Hunting Area B
384 ac
Closed
125 ac
Hunting Area D
65 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunting Area A Special regs 871 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.
🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local…
Hunting Area B Special regs 384 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.
🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local…
Hunting Area C Special regs 463 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.
🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local…
Hunting Area D Special regs 65 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.
🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local…
Plum Island Special regs 2,667 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.
🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local…
Closed Closed 125 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.
🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local…

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

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 Parker River NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Refuge waters include 6.5 miles of beachfront and a large estuary. Available species include bluefish, flounder, striped bass, mackerel, tautog and cod, as well as various shellfish.

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

How to get to Parker River NWR

Navigate

Destination: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.74196, -70.79538
DMS
42°44′31.1″N 70°47′43.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Newburyport, MA6.4 mi SE of town
  • Portsmouth, NH23 mi S of town
  • Boston, MA30 mi NE of town
  • Manchester, NH38 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • BOS Boston Logan29 mi
  • MHT Manchester–Boston35 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 Parker River 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, 20265:36 AM6:06 AM7:20 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:51 AM6:21 AM6:55 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM6:26 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM6:02 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:46 AM6:16 AM4:37 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM4:21 PM9h 48m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:11 PM9h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:10 PM9h 04m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM4:18 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM4:32 PM9h 22m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM4:54 PM9h 56m

Computed for 42.742, -70.795 (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.

Parker River NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Parker River NWR?

Yes. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (4,450 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 Parker River NWR?

Yes — Parker River National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained mail, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Parker River NWR?

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

Where is Parker River NWR located?

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is in Essex County, Massachusetts, about 6 miles SE of Newburyport, MA (straight-line). GPS: 42.74196, -70.79538.

What are legal shooting hours at Parker River 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

Thacher Island NWR

Essex County, MA · 13 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Great Bay NWR

Rockingham County, NH · 24 mi N

1 special
🦌🦆🦃

1.1K huntable acres

Rachel Carson NWR

York County, ME · 26 mi N

17 special11 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

4.1K huntable acres

Merrimack River Atlantic Salmon Smolt Release Site

Hillsborough County, NH · 35 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Nashua NFH

Hillsborough County, NH · 36 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Great Meadows NWR

Middlesex County, MA · 38 mi SW

12 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

3.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Massachusetts →

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