Hunt unit · Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Open Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsYouth opportunity

The Open unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County, NE. It covers approximately 28,872 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
28,872acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Cherry Countycounty

Open map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to Nebraska regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

🧒 Offered for deer and waterfowl.

Game at Valentine NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Open unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Open unit

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Decimal
42.52782, -100.63127
DMS
42°31′40.2″N 100°37′52.6″W

Nearest towns

  • Valentine, NE24 mi S of town
  • Martin, SD71 mi SE of town
  • North Platte, NE98 mi N of town

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Open

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 AM8:19 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:54 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM7:26 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM7:02 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM5:37 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM5:21 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM5:11 PM9h 19m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:34 AM8:04 AM5:10 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:42 AM8:12 AM5:18 PM9h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:39 AM8:09 AM5:32 PM9h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:54 PM9h 57m

Computed for 42.528, -100.631 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Valentine NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
UplandSpecial regs41,992—
ClosedClosed1,485—

Back to Valentine NWR →