Hunt unit · Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Waterfowl and Crane Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Waterfowl and Crane unit is one of 6 mapped hunt units on Washita National Wildlife Refuge in Custer County, OK. It covers approximately 849 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. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
849acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Custer Countycounty

Waterfowl and Crane 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 Oklahoma 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.

Refuge permit required. Type: Other. Obtain via: Mail, Other, Visitor Center.

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 Conservation.

Game at Washita 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 Waterfowl and Crane unit

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Destination: center of the Waterfowl and Crane unit

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Decimal
35.59288, -99.26061
DMS
35°35′34.4″N 99°15′38.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Woodward, OK58 mi S of town
  • Lawton, OK84 mi NW of town
  • Alva, OK90 mi S 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 Waterfowl and Crane

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, 20267:08 AM7:38 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 26m

Computed for 35.593, -99.261 (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 Washita NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Closed to Q & R & DoveSpecial regs2,392Required
Open to Q & RSpecial regs1,868Required
Waterfowl and Crane & Q & R & DoveSpecial regs770Required
Foss LakeClosed1,952Required
No Hunting AreaClosed286Required

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