National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is located in San Diego County, California, with about 12,487 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 under general rules and 1 closed, covering about 161 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
161huntable acres
12.5KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

San Diego 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 San Diego NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall 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 California regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Open: 161 (1%)Closed: 12,427 (99%)161huntable acres
  • Open161 ac 1%
  • Closed12,427 ac 99%
Units by size (acres)
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
12,427 ac
Otay Hunt Unit
161 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Otay Hunt Unit Open 161 —
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Closed 12,427 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid California hunting license and any required tags or stamps — California Department 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 San Diego NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for San Diego NWR.

How to get to San Diego NWR

Navigate

Destination: San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
32.68783, -116.96681
DMS
32°41′16.2″N 116°58′00.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • San Diego, CA11 mi E of town
  • El Centro, CA82 mi W of town
  • Palm Springs, CA83 mi S of town
  • Los Angeles, CA119 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • SAN San Diego Intl13 mi
  • PSP Palm Springs Intl83 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 San Diego NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM7:14 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM6:55 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM6:34 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM6:16 PM11h 25m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:34 AM6:04 AM4:58 PM10h 54m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:47 AM6:17 AM4:47 PM10h 30m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM4:42 PM10h 10m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:43 PM10h 01m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:19 AM6:49 AM4:51 PM10h 02m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:19 AM6:49 AM5:03 PM10h 13m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:13 AM6:43 AM5:19 PM10h 36m

Computed for 32.688, -116.967 (PDT / 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.

San Diego NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at San Diego NWR?

Yes. San Diego National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (161 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, 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 San Diego NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for San Diego NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is San Diego NWR located?

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is in San Diego County, California, about 11 miles E of San Diego, CA (straight-line). GPS: 32.68783, -116.96681.

What are legal shooting hours at San Diego 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

San Diego Bay NWR

San Diego County, CA · 10 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Tijuana Slough NWR

San Diego County, CA · 13 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR

Imperial County, CA · 81 mi NE

2 special3 closed
🦆🎣

827 huntable acres

Coachella Valley NWR

Riverside County, CA · 85 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Seal Beach NWR

Orange County, CA · 97 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Imperial NWR

La Paz County, AZ · 136 mi E

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

22.4K huntable acres

All refuges in California →

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