National Wildlife Refuge · Oklahoma · FWS Region 2

Washita National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Custer County, Oklahoma, Washita National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 13 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 5,878 huntable acres.

4 with special regs2 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
5.9Khuntable acres
13FWS-owned acres
7game categories

Washita 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 Washita 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. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Sitting in field blinds at Washita National Wildlife Refuge, hunters eagerly await dawn as thousands of geese lift off nearby Foss Lake. Each fall, 50,000 to 100,000 geese can be found on the refuge.

Youth hunting

Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

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 Oklahoma regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 5,878 (72%)Closed: 2,238 (28%)5.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations5,878 ac 72%
  • Closed2,238 ac 28%
Units by size (acres)
Closed to Q & R & Dove
2,392 ac
Foss Lake
1,952 ac
Open to Q & R
1,868 ac
Waterfowl and Crane
849 ac
Waterfowl and Crane & Q & R & Dove
770 ac
No Hunting Area
286 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Closed to Q & R & Dove Special regs 2,392 Required
Other		 Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.
🧒 Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife…
Open to Q & R Special regs 1,868 Required
Other		 Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.
🧒 Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife…
Waterfowl and Crane Special regs 849 Required
Other		 Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.
🧒 Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife…
Waterfowl and Crane & Q & R & Dove Special regs 770 Required
Other		 Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.
🧒 Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife…
Foss Lake Closed 1,952 Required
Other		 Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.
🧒 Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife…
No Hunting Area Closed 286 Required
Other		 Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.
🧒 Two deer hunts for youth hunters are issued by lottery by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife…

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Geese, Duck, and Sandhill Crane are drawn via refuge lottery system.

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Oklahoma hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
  • 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 Washita NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Available species are largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, sunfish, walleye, crappie and channel catfish. Refuge waters include 1,900 acres of Foss Lake (8,000 acres) and the Washita River.

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

How to get to Washita NWR

Navigate

Destination: Washita National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
35.61494, -99.26267
DMS
35°36′53.8″N 99°15′45.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Woodward, OK57 mi S of town
  • Lawton, OK86 mi NW of town
  • Alva, OK88 mi S of town
  • Enid, OK94 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • OKC Oklahoma City Will Rogers95 mi
  • AMA Rick Husband Amarillo140 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 Washita 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, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM8:06 PM12h 58m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM7:46 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM7:22 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM7:03 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM5:43 PM10h 45m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM5:31 PM10h 19m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM5:24 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM5:25 PM9h 46m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:33 PM9h 47m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:15 AM7:45 AM5:45 PM9h 60m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM6:02 PM10h 25m

Computed for 35.615, -99.263 (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.

Washita NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Washita NWR?

Yes. Washita National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (5,878 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 Washita NWR?

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

Can you fish at Washita NWR?

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

Where is Washita NWR located?

Washita National Wildlife Refuge is in Custer County, Oklahoma, about 57 miles S of Woodward, OK (straight-line). GPS: 35.61494, -99.26267.

What are legal shooting hours at Washita 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

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Comanche County, OK · 70 mi SE

10 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🐗🎣

53.3K huntable acres

Salt Plains NWR

Alfalfa County, OK · 98 mi NE

11 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.6K huntable acres

Optima NWR

Texas County, OK · 130 mi NW

1 special
🦌🦃🐦🕊️🐇

4.3K huntable acres

Tishomingo NFH

Johnston County, OK · 169 mi SE

1 closed
🎣

Buffalo Lake NWR

Randall County, TX · 169 mi W

3 special2 closed
🦌🐦🕊️🐗

6.7K huntable acres

Quivira NWR

Stafford County, KS · 173 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

8.2K huntable acres

All refuges in Oklahoma →

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