National Wildlife Refuge · Delaware · FWS Region 5

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Sussex County, Delaware, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 9,238 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 10 mapped hunt units: 8 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 6,979 huntable acres.

8 with special regs2 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts

View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗

10hunt units

7Khuntable acres

9.2KFWS-owned acres

5game categories

Prime Hook 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 Prime Hook NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, 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.

Migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting were expanded in 2015. Ducks Unlimited consistently ranks Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge as one of the top five waterfowl hunting spots in the United States. It is easy to see why.
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, read the full hunting overview ↗

Youth hunting

In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction in safety and shooting ethics, followed by a refuge hunt. The hunt coincides with the date of the state youth waterfowl hunt. A youth deer hunt is also offe.

All refuges with youth hunts →

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammals WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and coots Upland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridge Migratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane Small 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 Delaware regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (10)

Acreage by status

Special regulations6,979 ac 76%
Closed2,261 ac 24%

Units by size (acres)

Closed

1,917 ac

Lottery Waterfowl

1,804 ac

Regular Deer

1,418 ac

Upland Game - No Migratory Birds and Regular Deer

1,192 ac

Lottery Disabled Waterfowl and Lottery Disabled Deer

800 ac

Lottery Deer

733 ac

Regular Deer - Boat Only

590 ac

Lottery Waterfowl, Upland Game and Regular Deer

412 ac

Safety Zone

343 ac

Disabled Regular Deer

28 ac

Unit	Status	Acres	Permit	Details
Disabled Regular Deer	Special regs	28	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Lottery Deer	Special regs	733	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Lottery Disabled Waterfowl and Lottery Disabled Deer	Special regs	800	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Lottery Waterfowl	Special regs	1,804	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Lottery Waterfowl, Upland Game and Regular Deer	Special regs	412	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Regular Deer	Special regs	1,418	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Regular Deer - Boat Only	Special regs	590	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Upland Game - No Migratory Birds and Regular Deer	Special regs	1,192	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Closed	Closed	1,917	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…
Safety Zone	Closed	343	Required Signed Brochure or Similar	Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January… 🧒 In the early fall, a "young waterfowler's course" is offered on the refuge, featuring instruction…

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Migratory game birds, upland game and general deer hunting. Free applications for the November 17, 2018 and January 19, 2019 early and late season deer hunts in the Headquarters area must be received in person at the refuge office. No permit for fishing

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
💻 Online (FWS)
🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

A valid Delaware hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
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 Prime Hook NWR

🐟 Freshwater fishing
🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Fishing is allowed in non-tidal waters of Prime Hook Creek and Turkle and Fleetwood ponds and brackish tidal waters of Petersfield Ditch and Slaughter Canal.
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, fishing details ↗

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

How to get to Prime Hook NWR

Navigate

Destination: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Decimal: 38.84270, -75.26311
DMS: 38°50′33.7″N 75°15′47.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KML GPX

Nearest towns

Lewes, DE8.3 mi NW of town
Cape May, NJ20 mi W of town
Dover, DE26 mi SE of town
Salisbury, MD38 mi NE of town

Closest airports

SBY Salisbury–Ocean City37 mi
ACY Atlantic City Intl56 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 Prime Hook NWR

Legal light*–

Sunrise–

Sunset–

Pick a date

*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

Date	Shooting light	Sunrise	Sunset	Daylight
Tue, Sep 1, 2026	5:59 AM	6:29 AM	7:33 PM	13h 04m
Tue, Sep 15, 2026	6:11 AM	6:41 AM	7:11 PM	12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 2026	6:25 AM	6:55 AM	6:45 PM	11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 2026	6:39 AM	7:09 AM	6:24 PM	11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 2026	5:57 AM	6:27 AM	5:02 PM	10h 35m
Sun, Nov 15, 2026	6:13 AM	6:43 AM	4:48 PM	10h 06m
Tue, Dec 1, 2026	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	4:40 PM	9h 40m
Tue, Dec 15, 2026	6:42 AM	7:12 AM	4:40 PM	9h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 2027	6:49 AM	7:19 AM	4:48 PM	9h 29m
Fri, Jan 15, 2027	6:47 AM	7:17 AM	5:01 PM	9h 43m
Mon, Feb 1, 2027	6:37 AM	7:07 AM	5:20 PM	10h 13m

Computed for 38.843, -75.263 (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.

Prime Hook NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Prime Hook NWR?

Yes. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 8 units (6,979 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, 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 Prime Hook NWR?

Yes — Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, 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 Prime Hook NWR?

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

Where is Prime Hook NWR located?

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is in Sussex County, Delaware, about 8 miles NW of Lewes, DE (straight-line). GPS: 38.84270, -75.26311.

What are legal shooting hours at Prime Hook 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

Bombay Hook NWR

Kent County, DE · 31 mi N

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Cape May NWR

Cape May County, NJ · 38 mi NE

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Blackwater NWR

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Eastern Neck NWR

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Supawna Meadows NWR

Salem County, NJ · 54 mi N

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Chincoteague NWR

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All refuges in Delaware →

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