National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

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

Red River National Wildlife Refuge lies in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, with about 18,337 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 10,921 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
10.9Khuntable acres
18.3KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Red 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 Red River NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Red River National Wildlife Refuge provides hunting opportunities on over 12,000 acres of land on its Bayou Pierre, Spanish Lake Lowlands and Lower Cane River Units.

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 mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Louisiana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 10,921 (72%)Closed: 4,266 (28%)10.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations10,921 ac 72%
  • Closed4,266 ac 28%
Units by size (acres)
Open to Hunting
10,921 ac
Closed to Hunting
4,266 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open to Hunting Special regs 10,921 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting and fishing
Closed to Hunting Closed 4,266 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting and fishing

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting and fishing

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

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

You'll also need

  • A valid Louisiana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
  • 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 Red River NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is offered during certain times of the year at the refuge. Available species include largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. The refuge's facilities for anglers include bank fishing and small boat access.

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

How to get to Red River NWR

Navigate

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

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
31.53141, -92.82123
DMS
31°31′53.1″N 92°49′16.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Alexandria, LA27 mi NW of town
  • Monroe, LA79 mi SW of town
  • Natchez, MS84 mi W of town
  • Shreveport, LA88 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • SHV Shreveport Regional87 mi
  • LFT Lafayette Regional104 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 Red River NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM7:36 PM12h 50m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM7:18 PM12h 24m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:57 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM6:40 PM11h 27m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM5:23 PM10h 57m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM5:13 PM10h 35m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM5:08 PM10h 16m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:09 PM10h 07m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:18 PM10h 08m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:28 PM10h 18m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:44 PM10h 40m

Computed for 31.531, -92.821 (CDT / 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.

Red River NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Red River NWR?

Yes. Red River National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (10,921 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Red River NWR?

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

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

Where is Red River NWR located?

Red River National Wildlife Refuge is in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, about 27 miles NW of Alexandria, LA (straight-line). GPS: 31.53141, -92.82123.

What are legal shooting hours at Red 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

Natchitoches NFH

Natchitoches Parish, LA · 21 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Grand Cote NWR

Avoyelles Parish, LA · 50 mi SE

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

3.4K huntable acres

Catahoula NWR

Catahoula Parish, LA · 52 mi E

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

24.7K huntable acres

Lake Ophelia NWR

Avoyelles Parish, LA · 60 mi E

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

12.3K huntable acres

Bayou Cocodrie NWR

Concordia Parish, LA · 69 mi E

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

15.1K huntable acres

D'Arbonne NWR

Ouachita Parish, LA · 81 mi NE

3 special
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

17.6K huntable acres

All refuges in Louisiana →

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