National Wildlife Refuge · Wyoming · FWS Region 6

Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge is located in Natrona County, Wyoming, with about 2,570 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 16,851 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
16.9Khuntable acres
2.6KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge conserves habitat around a Bureau of Reclamation reservoir in a remote area of Wyoming, about 50 miles from Casper.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall 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 Wyoming regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 16,851 (100%)16.9Khuntable acres
  • Open16,851 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Open 16,851 —

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 Wyoming hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • 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 Pathfinder NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

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

How to get to Pathfinder NWR

Navigate

Destination: Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.52361, -106.98837
DMS
42°31′25.0″N 106°59′18.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Casper, WY42 mi SW of town
  • Riverton, WY78 mi SE of town
  • Laramie, WY110 mi NW of town
  • Walden, CO129 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • CPR Casper/Natrona County38 mi
  • JAC Jackson Hole204 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 Pathfinder NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM7:44 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM7:20 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:51 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM6:27 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:02 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:47 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM4:36 PM9h 19m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM4:35 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM4:44 PM9h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:05 AM7:35 AM4:58 PM9h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM5:19 PM9h 57m

Computed for 42.524, -106.988 (MDT / 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.

Pathfinder NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Pathfinder NWR?

Yes. Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (16,851 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Pathfinder NWR?

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

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

Where is Pathfinder NWR located?

Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge is in Natrona County, Wyoming, about 42 miles SW of Casper, WY (straight-line). GPS: 42.52361, -106.98837.

What are legal shooting hours at Pathfinder 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

Saratoga NFH

Carbon County, WY · 71 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Bamforth NWR

Albany County, WY · 102 mi SE

2 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

1.2K huntable acres

Mortenson Lake NWR

Albany County, WY · 109 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Wyoming Toad Conservation Area

Albany County, WY · 112 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Hutton Lake NWR

Albany County, WY · 114 mi SE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🐇

1.7K huntable acres

Arapaho NWR

Jackson County, CO · 138 mi S

2 special3 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

15.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Wyoming →

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