National Wildlife Refuge · Rhode Island · FWS Region 5

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge lies in Newport County, Rhode Island, with about 244 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 141 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
141huntable acres
244FWS-owned acres
2game categories

Sachuest Point 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 Sachuest Point NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Hosting more than 325,000 recreational visitors each year, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is a popular area for hiking, fishing and watching wildlife.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsSmall 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 Rhode Island regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 141 (58%)Closed: 103 (42%)141huntable acres
  • Special regulations141 ac 58%
  • Closed103 ac 42%
Units by size (acres)
Mentored Hunt
141 ac
Closed to Hunting
103 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Mentored Hunt
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 141 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit, Special Use Permit		 Night-time fishing.
Closed to Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 103 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit, Special Use Permit		 Night-time fishing.

Sachuest Point NWR by the numbers

With about 141 huntable acres, Sachuest Point NWR ranks #4 of 5 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Rhode Island and #403 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 58% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Mentored Hunt (141 acres, special regulations). Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 103 acres is closed to hunting (Closed to Hunting). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Sachuest Point NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Rhode Island sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Night-time fishing.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit, Special Use Permit

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Rhode Island hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Rhode Island DEM Fish & Wildlife
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Sachuest Point NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is renowned for its fishing opportunities –- among avid saltwater fly fishers and families enjoying an afternoon together alike.

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

How to get to Sachuest Point NWR

Navigate

Destination: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.48152, -71.24388
DMS
41°28′53.5″N 71°14′38.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Newport, RI3.5 mi E of town
  • New Bedford, MA20 mi SW of town
  • Providence, RI25 mi S of town
  • Westerly, RI31 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • PVD Providence T.F. Green19 mi
  • BOS Boston Logan62 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 Sachuest Point 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, 20265:40 AM6:10 AM7:20 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM6:56 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM6:28 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM6:05 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:45 AM6:15 AM4:41 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM4:26 PM9h 54m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM4:16 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM4:16 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM4:24 PM9h 14m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM4:38 PM9h 29m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:27 AM6:57 AM4:58 PM10h 02m

Computed for 41.482, -71.244 (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.

Guides for hunting Sachuest Point NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Hunting Safety on Public Land: Cold Water, Tree Stands, Crowds and Weather

The safety habits that matter most on refuges and WPAs — firearm rules, blaze orange, tree-stand harnesses, cold-water…

Sachuest Point NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Sachuest Point NWR?

Yes. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (141 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Sachuest Point NWR?

Yes — Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit and Special Use Permit. Permits can be obtained online through fws or online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Sachuest Point NWR?

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

Where is Sachuest Point NWR located?

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is in Newport County, Rhode Island, about 3 miles E of Newport, RI (straight-line). GPS: 41.48152, -71.24388.

What are legal shooting hours at Sachuest Point 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

John H. Chafee NWR

Washington County, RI · 12 mi W

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

440 huntable acres

Trustom Pond NWR

Washington County, RI · 19 mi W

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🎣

368 huntable acres

Ninigret NWR

Washington County, RI · 23 mi W

2 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

852 huntable acres

Block Island NWR

RI · 25 mi SW

2 open3 special
🦌🦆🎣

129 huntable acres

Nomans Land Island NWR

MA · 27 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

North Attleboro NFH

Bristol County, MA · 36 mi N

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Rhode Island →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.