National Wildlife Refuge · Washington · FWS Region 1

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge lies in Spokane County, Washington, with about 20,849 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 8 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 5 open with special regulations, and 2 closed, covering about 8,654 huntable acres.

1 open unit5 with special regs2 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
8hunt units
8.7Khuntable acres
20.8KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Turnbull 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 Turnbull NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

In an area of northeastern Washington known as the Channeled Scablands, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is an unusual mix of habitats, including wetlands, shrub-steppe, and aspen and ponderosa pine forests.

Youth hunting

The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few locations along Upper Turnbull Lake. Youth waterfowl hunting is also open on Saturday and Sunday starting with the regular duck, goose, and coot hunting seas.

All refuges with youth hunts →
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 turkeyMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (8)

Acreage by status
Open: 3,978 (19%)Special regulations: 4,676 (22%)Closed: 12,568 (59%)8.7Khuntable acres
  • Open3,978 ac 19%
  • Special regulations4,676 ac 22%
  • Closed12,568 ac 59%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Area
9,319 ac
Southwest
3,978 ac
Public Use Area
3,249 ac
Long Lake
1,893 ac
Northeast
1,365 ac
Northwest
857 ac
Helm's
330 ac
Upper Turnbull Slough
231 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Southwest
Show on map · Directions		 Open 3,978 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Helm's
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 330 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Long Lake
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,893 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Northeast
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,365 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Northwest
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 857 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Upper Turnbull Slough
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 231 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 9,319 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…
Public Use Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 3,249 Required
Other		 Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt
🧒 The refuge also is open during the state youth waterfowl season (under 16 years of age) at a few…

Turnbull NWR by the numbers

With about 8,654 huntable acres, Turnbull NWR ranks #6 of 14 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Washington and #213 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 41% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Southwest (3,978 acres), while the smallest, Upper Turnbull Slough, covers 231 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

2 units totaling 12,568 acres are closed to hunting (Closed Area and Public Use Area). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 20,849 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 45 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Turnbull NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Washington 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, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Migratory Birds
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Youth waterfowl huntElk Hunt - special access hunt

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail

You'll also need

  • A valid Washington hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Washington 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 Turnbull NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Turnbull NWR.

How to get to Turnbull NWR

Navigate

Destination: Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.42186, -117.57022
DMS
47°25′18.7″N 117°34′12.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Spokane, WA18 mi S of town
  • Coeur d'Alene, ID41 mi SW of town
  • Lewiston, ID74 mi N of town
  • Colville, WA80 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • GEG Spokane Intl14 mi
  • LWS Lewiston–Nez Perce77 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 Turnbull 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, 20265:37 AM6:07 AM7:33 PM13h 26m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM7:05 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM6:32 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM6:04 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM4:35 PM10h 03m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM4:16 PM9h 22m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:02 PM8h 46m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM4:00 PM8h 29m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM4:08 PM8h 31m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM4:24 PM8h 51m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:49 PM9h 32m

Computed for 47.422, -117.570 (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.

Guides for hunting Turnbull 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…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

Turnbull NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Turnbull NWR?

Yes. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 6 units (8,654 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Turnbull NWR?

Yes — Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained mail. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Turnbull NWR located?

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is in Spokane County, Washington, about 18 miles S of Spokane, WA (straight-line). GPS: 47.42186, -117.57022.

What are legal shooting hours at Turnbull 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

Little Pend Oreille NWR

Stevens County, WA · 72 mi N

4 special4 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

39.6K huntable acres

Columbia NWR

Adams County, WA · 89 mi SW

3 special1 closed
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13.5K huntable acres

Hanford Reach National Monument

Grant County, WA · 99 mi SW

3 special3 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🎣

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Kootenai NWR

Boundary County, ID · 104 mi NE

1 open2 special3 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🎣

1.5K huntable acres

Mcnary NWR

Walla Walla County, WA · 111 mi SW

2 open11 special5 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🎣

13.1K huntable acres

Entiat NFH

Chelan County, WA · 130 mi W

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Washington →

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