National Wildlife Refuge · New York · FWS Region 5

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge lies in Suffolk County, New York, with about 2,671 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 12 mapped hunt units: 5 open with special regulations and 7 closed, covering about 1,718 huntable acres.

5 with special regs7 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
12hunt units
1.7Khuntable acres
2.7KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Wertheim 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 Wertheim NWR

Hunters can pursue big game and wild turkey here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is entirely within Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven. Approximately 1,600 acres of the 2,550-acre refuge provide habitat for white-tailed deer and are open to hunting November through January.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkey

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

Hunt units (12)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,718 (64%)Closed: 952 (36%)1.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,718 ac 64%
  • Closed952 ac 36%
Units by size (acres)
Unit 3
738 ac
Carmans River and Bay
352 ac
Unit 6
334 ac
Unit 4
276 ac
Unit 3a
252 ac
West Cove
177 ac
HQ - Smith Road
145 ac
Sayville
128 ac
Unit 5
118 ac
Montauk Hwy 1
105 ac
Montauk Hwy 2
43 ac
Gardiners Point
2.5 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Unit 3
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 738 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Unit 3a
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 252 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Unit 4
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 276 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Unit 5
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 118 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Unit 6
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 334 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Carmans River and Bay
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 352 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Gardiners Point
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 2.5 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
HQ - Smith Road
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 145 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Montauk Hwy 1
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 105 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Montauk Hwy 2
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 43 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
Sayville
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 128 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game
West Cove
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 177 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Big game

Wertheim NWR by the numbers

With about 1,718 huntable acres, Wertheim NWR ranks #3 of 6 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in New York and #334 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 64% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Unit 3 (738 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Unit 5, covers 118 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

7 units totaling 952 acres are closed to hunting (Carmans River and Bay, Gardiners Point, HQ - Smith Road, Montauk Hwy 1, and Montauk Hwy 2, …). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 2,671 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 0.5 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Wertheim NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. New York 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, Wild Turkey
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Big game

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail

You'll also need

  • A valid New York hunting license and any required tags or stamps — New York State DEC
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Wertheim NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Fishing from a boat is permitted in the Carmans River, except in Big Fish Creek Pond. Boat landing is not permitted on the shore.

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

How to get to Wertheim NWR

Navigate

Destination: Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
40.77608, -72.88929
DMS
40°46′33.9″N 72°53′21.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Riverhead, NY16 mi SW of town
  • New Haven, CT37 mi S of town
  • New London, CT58 mi SW of town
  • New York City, NY59 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • JFK New York JFK48 mi
  • EWR Newark Liberty67 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 Wertheim NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:47 AM6:17 AM7:26 PM13h 09m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM7:02 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM6:35 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:13 PM11h 12m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM4:49 PM10h 29m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM4:34 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:25 PM9h 30m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM4:24 PM9h 17m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:33 PM9h 18m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM4:46 PM9h 33m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM5:07 PM10h 05m

Computed for 40.776, -72.889 (EDT / 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 Wertheim 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…

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…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Hunting Safety on Public Land: Cold Water, Tree Stands, Crowds and Weather

The safety habits that matter most on refuges and WPAs — firearm rules, blaze orange, tree-stand harnesses, cold-water…

Wertheim NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Wertheim NWR?

Yes. Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (1,718 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and wild turkey. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Wertheim NWR?

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

Can you fish at Wertheim NWR?

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

Where is Wertheim NWR located?

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is in Suffolk County, New York, about 16 miles SW of Riverhead, NY (straight-line). GPS: 40.77608, -72.88929.

What are legal shooting hours at Wertheim 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

Seatuck NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 17 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🎣

108 huntable acres

Conscience Point NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 27 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Stewart B. Mckinney NWR

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT · 30 mi NW

5 special8 closed
🦌🦆🦃

496 huntable acres

Target Rock NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 30 mi W

1 closed
🎣

Elizabeth Alexandra Morton NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 31 mi NE

1 closed
🎣

Oyster Bay NWR

Nassau County, NY · 33 mi W

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in New York →

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