National Wildlife Refuge · North Carolina · FWS Region 4

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge lies in Dare County, North Carolina, with about 4,984 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 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
1hunt units
0huntable acres
5KFWS-owned acres
0game categories

Pea Island 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 Pea Island 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. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Closed: 4,984 (100%)0huntable acres
  • Closed4,984 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Closed 4,984 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Nighttime surf fishing permit / signed brochure required

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Nighttime surf fishing permit / signed brochure required

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid North Carolina hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Pea Island NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Fishing at the refuge is subject to North Carolina state and local regulations, licensing requirements, seasons and bag limits. The refuge is open dawn to dusk and has excellent fishing year-round.

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

How to get to Pea Island NWR

Navigate

Destination: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

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Decimal
35.69976, -75.49489
DMS
35°41′59.1″N 75°29′41.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Manteo, NC18 mi SE of town
  • Elizabeth City, NC59 mi SE of town
  • Plymouth, NC71 mi E of town
  • Virginia Beach, VA84 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • ORF Norfolk Intl91 mi
  • RIC Richmond Intl161 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 Pea Island 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, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:31 PM12h 58m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:11 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM6:47 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM6:27 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:53 AM6:23 AM5:08 PM10h 45m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM4:56 PM10h 19m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:49 PM9h 56m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM4:49 PM9h 46m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM4:58 PM9h 47m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM5:10 PM9h 59m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM5:27 PM10h 25m

Computed for 35.700, -75.495 (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.

Pea Island NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Pea Island NWR?

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

Do I need a permit to hunt Pea Island NWR?

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

Can you fish at Pea Island NWR?

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

Where is Pea Island NWR located?

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is in Dare County, North Carolina, about 18 miles SE of Manteo, NC (straight-line). GPS: 35.69976, -75.49489.

What are legal shooting hours at Pea Island 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

Alligator River NWR

Hyde County, NC · 26 mi W

3 open4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

153K huntable acres

Mattamuskeet NWR

Hyde County, NC · 42 mi W

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🎣

48.8K huntable acres

Pocosin Lakes NWR

Tyrrell County, NC · 49 mi W

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

107K huntable acres

Swanquarter NWR

Hyde County, NC · 53 mi W

1 open2 closed
🦆

6.4K huntable acres

Currituck NWR

Currituck County, NC · 57 mi N

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐗

3.8K huntable acres

Mackay Island NWR

Currituck County, NC · 62 mi NW

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

8.7K huntable acres

All refuges in North Carolina →

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