National Wildlife Refuge · Oregon · FWS Region 1

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge lies in Benton County, Oregon, with about 5,708 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 5,550 huntable acres.

4 with special regs2 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
5.5Khuntable acres
5.7KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

William L. Finley 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 William L. Finley NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, and migratory birds, 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.

The beautiful oak woodlands and rolling hills of western Oregon provide a scenic backdrop for hunters pursuing black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 5,550 (97%)Closed: 182 (3%)5.5Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations5,550 ac 97%
  • Closed182 ac 3%
Units by size (acres)
Zone 1
4,697 ac
Zone 2
548 ac
SBB Zone 1
254 ac
Safety Zones
113 ac
SBB No Hunt
69 ac
SBB Zone 2
51 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
SBB Zone 1 Special regs 254 Required
Other		 Elk Hunting
SBB Zone 2 Special regs 51 Required
Other		 Elk Hunting
Zone 1 Special regs 4,697 Required
Other		 Elk Hunting
Zone 2 Special regs 548 Required
Other		 Elk Hunting
Safety Zones Closed 113 Required
Other		 Elk Hunting
SBB No Hunt Closed 69 Required
Other		 Elk Hunting

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Elk Hunting

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail

You'll also need

  • A valid Oregon hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • 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 William L. Finley NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Because many of the refuge’s wetlands are seasonal and dry up during the summer months, there is no fishing at on the refuge’s main Finley Unit. There are fishing opportunities at the Snag Boat Bend Unit, east of the main refuge.

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

How to get to William L. Finley NWR

Navigate

Destination: William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
44.40543, -123.31542
DMS
44°24′19.5″N 123°18′55.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Corvallis, OR11 mi S of town
  • Eugene, OR27 mi NW of town
  • Salem, OR39 mi S of town
  • Newport, OR40 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • EUG Eugene Airport20 mi
  • PDX Portland Intl89 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 William L. Finley NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM7:52 PM13h 17m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:26 PM12h 36m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:56 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:31 PM11h 04m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:04 PM10h 15m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM4:47 PM9h 39m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM4:36 PM9h 07m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM4:34 PM8h 52m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:19 AM7:49 AM4:43 PM8h 54m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM4:57 PM9h 11m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:02 AM7:32 AM5:20 PM9h 48m

Computed for 44.405, -123.315 (PDT / 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.

William L. Finley NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at William L. Finley NWR?

Yes. William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (5,550 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt William L. Finley NWR?

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

Can you fish at William L. Finley NWR?

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

Where is William L. Finley NWR located?

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is in Benton County, Oregon, about 11 miles S of Corvallis, OR (straight-line). GPS: 44.40543, -123.31542.

What are legal shooting hours at William L. Finley 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

Ankeny NWR

Marion County, OR · 29 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Baskett Slough NWR

Polk County, OR · 39 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦆

1.1K huntable acres

Siletz Bay NWR

Lincoln County, OR · 48 mi NW

1 open1 special2 closed
🦆🎣

205 huntable acres

Nestucca Bay NWR

Tillamook County, OR · 61 mi NW

2 open1 closed
🦆🎣

131 huntable acres

Wapato Lake NWR

Washington County, OR · 71 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️

270 huntable acres

Tualatin River NWR

Washington County, OR · 71 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️

232 huntable acres

All refuges in Oregon →

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