Hunt unit · Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Lottery Deer Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Lottery Deer unit is one of 10 mapped hunt units on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Sussex County, DE. It covers approximately 733 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
733acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Sussex Countycounty

Lottery Deer map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to Delaware regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Refuge permit required. Type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

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

🧒 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

Game at Prime Hook NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Lottery Deer unit

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Destination: center of the Lottery Deer unit

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Decimal
38.82367, -75.25321
DMS
38°49′25.2″N 75°15′11.6″W

Nearest towns

  • Lewes, DE7.1 mi NW of town
  • Cape May, NJ20 mi SW of town
  • Dover, DE27 mi SE of town

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Lottery Deer

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, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM7:33 PM13h 04m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM7:11 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM6:45 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM6:24 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM5:02 PM10h 35m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:48 PM10h 06m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM4:40 PM9h 40m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM4:40 PM9h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM4:48 PM9h 30m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM5:01 PM9h 44m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:20 PM10h 13m

Computed for 38.824, -75.253 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Prime Hook NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Disabled Regular DeerSpecial regs28Required
Lottery Disabled Waterfowl and Lottery Disabled DeerSpecial regs800Required
Lottery WaterfowlSpecial regs1,804Required
Lottery Waterfowl, Upland Game and Regular DeerSpecial regs412Required
Regular DeerSpecial regs1,418Required
Regular Deer - Boat OnlySpecial regs590Required
Upland Game - No Migratory Birds and Regular DeerSpecial regs1,192Required
ClosedClosed1,917Required
Safety ZoneClosed343Required

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