National Wildlife Refuge · Nebraska · FWS Region 6

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Cherry County, Nebraska, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 72,350 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 70,865 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closedYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
70.9Khuntable acres
72.4KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Valentine 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 Valentine NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge has become a destination for upland bird hunters who enjoy pursuing different species. This refuge is one of the few areas in the country where sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens can be hunted in the same place.

Youth hunting

Offered for deer and waterfowl.

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 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 Nebraska regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 70,865 (98%)Closed: 1,485 (2%)70.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations70,865 ac 98%
  • Closed1,485 ac 2%
Units by size (acres)
Upland
41,992 ac
Open
28,872 ac
Closed
1,485 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Special regs 28,872 — 🧒 Offered for deer and waterfowl.
Upland Special regs 41,992 — 🧒 Offered for deer and waterfowl.
Closed Closed 1,485 — 🧒 Offered for deer and waterfowl.

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 Nebraska hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
  • 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 Valentine NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Nine refuge lakes are open to fishing. Perch, bluegill, northern pike and largemouth bass are most sought. Accessible boat docks are located on seven refuge lakes. Ice fishing is very popular. Frozen or dead smelt is approved as bait.

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

How to get to Valentine NWR

Navigate

Destination: Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.48983, -100.54269
DMS
42°29′23.4″N 100°32′33.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Valentine, NE26 mi S of town
  • Martin, SD76 mi SE of town
  • North Platte, NE95 mi N of town
  • Lake Andes, SD112 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • PIR Pierre Regional131 mi
  • GRI Central Nebraska Regional156 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 Valentine 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, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM8:18 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM7:54 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM7:25 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM7:01 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM5:37 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:02 AM7:32 AM5:21 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:21 AM7:51 AM5:11 PM9h 19m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:34 AM8:04 AM5:10 PM9h 06m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:41 AM8:11 AM5:18 PM9h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:39 AM8:09 AM5:32 PM9h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:26 AM7:56 AM5:53 PM9h 57m

Computed for 42.490, -100.543 (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.

Valentine NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Valentine NWR?

Yes. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (70,865 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 Valentine NWR?

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

Can you fish at Valentine NWR?

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

Where is Valentine NWR located?

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is in Cherry County, Nebraska, about 26 miles S of Valentine, NE (straight-line). GPS: 42.48983, -100.54269.

What are legal shooting hours at Valentine 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

Fort Niobrara NWR

Cherry County, NE · 28 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

5.1K huntable acres

John W. and Louise Seier NWR

Rock County, NE · 52 mi SE

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

2.4K huntable acres

Lacreek NWR

Bennett County, SD · 68 mi NW

7 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.4K huntable acres

Crescent Lake NWR

Garden County, NE · 104 mi SW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

41.9K huntable acres

Karl E. Mundt NWR

Gregory County, SD · 108 mi E

1 special2 closed
🦌

697 huntable acres

Lake Andes WMD

Charles Mix County, SD · 116 mi NE

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

15.1K huntable acres

All refuges in Nebraska →

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