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Home › Oklahoma › Public land › Washita NWR

Custer County · Wildlife refuge

Washita National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma hunting

Where, when and how to hunt this national wildlife refuge, 8,088 acres, in Custer County.

Get driving directionsAll Custer County spots

Taken on Washita NWR: Two white-tailed deer fawns bedded in grass at Washita National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Washita National Wildlife Refuge

  • Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
  • Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 6.6 mi from the centreDirections
  • Boat rampBoat ramp · 6.7 mi from the centreDirections

Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.

The Washita NWR file

Expect about 8,088 acres of ground at Washita NWR, going by the USFWS refuge layer. Rank by size in Custer County: 1st of 4. It is run by US Fish and Wildlife Service, ODWC Southwest Region.

Custer County holds 5,624 acres of public land on the GIS layers.

(580) 664-2205Hunting phone
8,075ODWC page acres

Open game on Washita NWR: Waterfowl, Doves, Sandhill crane, Rabbits, Quail, Deer, Turkey, Feral hogs.

From the agency record (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); checked November 3, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Washita County Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 25 mi from Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Directions
Roger Mills County

County · 28 mi from Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Directions
Black Kettle National Grassland (Oklahoma)

Public land · 28 mi from Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Directions
Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 29 mi from Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Directions
Custer County OLAP Walk-In Hunting Area H002

Public land · 30 mi from Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Directions
Dewey County Wildlife Management Area

Public land · 30 mi from Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Directions

Washita NWR: the county rules that apply

RuleCuster County
Antlerless zone7 (91%), 8 (9%)
Elk zoneNorthwest, Southwest
Bear areaNo
PronghornNo season
Fall gun turkeyOpen
PheasantNo season
Duck datesZones 1 and 2
Crane, jackrabbitWest of I-35
CWD surveillanceOutside
ODWC regionSouthwest
Warden districtNo. 7

Antlerless limits around Washita NWR: Zone 7 (Muzzleloader 4, gun 4). ODWC draws the lines on roads and publishes them only as a map (ODWC antlerless zone map). All zones share the same dates and the six-deer combined limit, with no more than two bucks. Custer County counts toward the Northwest Zone (quota 8) and Southwest Zone (quota 30); check the quota online before an elk hunt. Fall gun turkey is open in Custer County, one of the 64 open counties. West of I-35 rules reach Custer County: cranes and jackrabbits may be hunted there.

Custer CountyAll deer zonesElk zone list

ODWC antlerless deer zones, elk zones, bear area, fall turkey counties, CWD rules; checked November 3, 2026.

Federal and state rules on Washita NWR

For Washita NWR, 50 CFR 32.55 names migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting; the rest of the refuge stays closed. The ODWC draw lists a federal fee for Washita NWR: deer $20 (no fee for youth).

Washita NWR: migratory game bird hunting

We allow hunting of duck, goose, merganser, sandhill crane, mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

  • We require hunters to carry a signed refuge hunt brochure while hunting duck, goose, merganser, and sandhill crane.
  • Duck, goose, merganser, and sandhill crane hunters must hunt only in designated fields on specified days at specified hours.
  • We prohibit bringing natural vegetation from outside the refuge onto the refuge to construct temporary blinds. You must remove temporary blinds, decoys, and other hunting equipment from the refuge at the end of each hunt day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

Washita NWR: upland game hunting

We allow hunting of bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, and black-tailed jackrabbit on designated areas of the refuge.

Washita NWR: big game hunting

We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, and Rio Grande wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

  • We allow deer and feral hog hunting during the special refuge season. We will hold turkey hunts during the State spring turkey season.
  • You must check in and out of hunt areas daily at the refuge office or check station.
  • You must take bagged deer, hog, and/or turkey to the refuge check station.
  • We will determine bag limits on deer and turkey annually.
  • We prohibit using handguns for hunting.

Mapped units of Washita NWR

AreaHuntable?AcresPermit
Closed to Q & R & DoveSpecial Regulations Apply2,392Yes
Open to Q & RSpecial Regulations Apply1,868Yes
Waterfowl and CraneSpecial Regulations Apply849Yes
Waterfowl and Crane & Q & R & DoveSpecial Regulations Apply770Yes
Foss LakeNo1,952Yes
No Hunting AreaNo286Yes

Washita NWR in the ODWC special regulations

  • All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot.

Controlled hunt closures: Oct. 9-10, 2026; Nov. 6-7, 2026; Nov. 10-11, 2026; Apr. 9-11, 2027.

SeasonHereRestriction
Deer ArcheryClosed–
Deer GunClosed–
Deer MuzzleloaderClosed–
Youth Deer GunClosed–
Holiday Antlerless Deer GunClosed–
Turkey Fall ArcheryClosed–
Turkey Fall GunClosed–
Turkey SpringClosed–
Youth Turkey SpringClosed–
RailClosed–
SnipeClosed–
GallinuleClosed–
CootsClosed–
WoodcockClosed–
CrowClosed–
SquirrelClosed–
Pursuit with Hounds for FurbearersClosed–
Predator/Furbearer CallingClosed–
TrappingClosed–
DoveRestrictedClosed during controlled deer hunts. Contact the refuge for controlled hunt dates and special restrictions. Quail is closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.
RabbitRestrictedClosed during controlled deer hunts. Contact the refuge for controlled hunt dates and special restrictions. Quail is closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.
QuailRestrictedClosed during controlled deer hunts. Contact the refuge for controlled hunt dates and special restrictions. Quail is closed to non-resident hunting February 1-15.
WaterfowlRestrictedGoose, Duck, Merganser. Contact the refuge for designated days and special restrictions.
Refuge hunting pageRefuge regulationODWC area pageAll federal ground

Sources: source, source, source, source. Checked November 3, 2026.

Controlled hunts on Washita NWR

Washita NWR appeared 3 times in the 2025 controlled hunt results (deer, youth deer and youth turkey). For 2026 the controlled hunt application period was Apr 1, 2026 to May 20, 2026.

HuntODWC area namePermitsHunters
DeerWashita NWR5 Antlerless Only4
Youth deerWashita NWR20 Antlerless Only17
Youth turkeyWashita NWR Youth Exemption2 – 1 Tom2
How the draw works

ODWC 2025 controlled hunt results, ODWC controlled hunts; checked November 3, 2026.

Washita NWR and county harvest numbers

ODWC's public-area table credits "Washita NWR" with 17 deer in 2025-26. 924 deer came out of Custer County in 2025-26 (WMA harvest excluded), placing it 62nd statewide. Split: gun 731, bow 155, muzzleloader 38.

SeasonAreaArcheryMuzzleloaderGunDeer
2024Washita NWR001313
2025Washita NWR001717
Custer County reported deer harvest by season (WMA harvest excluded).03006009001,2002016: 669 deer on the county row66920162017: 658 deer on the county row65820172018: 730 deer on the county row73020182019: 829 deer on the county row82920192020: 891 deer on the county row89120202021: 668 deer on the county row66820212022: 823 deer on the county row82320222023: 851 deer on the county row85120232024: 984 deer on the county row98420242025: 924 deer on the county row9242025

ODWC 2025-26 Big Game Harvest Report and earlier ODWC harvest reports (harvest.json); checked November 3, 2026.

Dated seasons covering Washita NWR

Ducks run on Panhandle dates or Zone 1 and 2 dates, and cranes and jackrabbits only west of I-35, which is why the area column matters for Washita NWR.

QuarrySegmentZone or areaBeginsEndsOpen now?
White-tailed deerArcheryZone 2, 7, 8Oct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth gunZone 2, 7, 8Oct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
White-tailed deerMuzzleloaderZone 2, 7, 8Oct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
White-tailed deerGunZone 2, 7, 8Nov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
White-tailed deerHoliday antlerlessZone 2, 7, 8Dec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
Mule deerAll deer seasonsStatewideOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkArcheryNorthwest elk zoneOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkYouth elk gunNorthwest elk zoneOct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
ElkMuzzleloaderNorthwest elk zoneOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
ElkGunNorthwest elk zoneNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
ElkHoliday antlerless elkNorthwest elk zoneDec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
ElkArcherySouthwest elk zoneOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
ElkYouth elk gunSouthwest elk zoneOct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
ElkMuzzleloaderSouthwest elk zoneOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026
ElkGunSouthwest elk zoneNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
ElkHoliday antlerless elkSouthwest elk zoneDec 18, 2026Dec 31, 2026
Wild turkeyYouth fall turkeyOpen countiesOct 16, 2026Oct 18, 2026
Wild turkeyFall GunOpen countiesOct 31, 2026Nov 20, 2026
Wild turkeyFall ArcheryStatewideOct 1, 2026Jan 15, 2027
Wild turkeyYouth SpringStatewideApr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027
Wild turkeySpringStatewideApr 16, 2027May 16, 2027
Feral hogsPrivate landPrivate landJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
QuailSeasonStatewideNov 14, 2026Feb 15, 2027
RabbitsSeasonStatewideOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
JackrabbitSeasonWest of I-35Oct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
SquirrelsSeasonStatewideMay 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
DovesSegment 1StatewideSep 1, 2026Oct 31, 2026
DovesSegment 2StatewideDec 1, 2026Dec 29, 2026
TealSeptember TealStatewideSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026
DucksYouth and veteran dayZones 1 and 2Nov 7, 2026Nov 7, 2026
DucksRegular segment 1Zones 1 and 2Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026
DucksRegular segment 2Zones 1 and 2Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksYouth and veteran dayZones 1 and 2Feb 6, 2027Feb 6, 2027
Canada geeseSeptember Canada gooseStatewideSep 12, 2026Sep 21, 2026
Dark geeseSegment 1StatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Dark geeseSegment 2StatewideDec 12, 2026Feb 14, 2027
SpecklebelliesSegment 1StatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026
SpecklebelliesSegment 2StatewideDec 12, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Light geeseSegment 1StatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026
Light geeseSegment 2StatewideDec 12, 2026Feb 14, 2027
Light geeseConservation orderStatewideFeb 15, 2027Mar 30, 2027
Sandhill craneSeasonWest of I-35Oct 17, 2026Jan 17, 2027
WoodcockSeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Dec 21, 2026
CoyoteYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
BobcatFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Gray foxFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Red foxFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
RaccoonYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
Prairie dogYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
BeaverYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
NutriaYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
Striped skunkYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
BullfrogsYear-roundStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027
RailsSeasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026
GallinulesSeasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026
SnipeSeasonStatewideSep 26, 2026Jan 10, 2027
CrowsSegment 1StatewideOct 10, 2026Nov 16, 2026
River otterFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
BadgerFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
MinkFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
MuskratFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
OpossumFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
WeaselFurbearer seasonStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
CrowsSegment 2StatewideDec 9, 2026Mar 4, 2027
RattlesnakesSeasonStatewideMar 1, 2027Jun 30, 2027

Waterfowl on Wetland Development Units ends at 1 p.m.

From the ODWC hunting regulations and the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), checked November 3, 2026.

Washita NWR on the map with its neighbors

The table starts with Washita County WMA (25 mi, southeast). OLAP access is 30 mi away at Custer OLAP tract H002.

Public landTypeAcresCountyDistanceDirection
Washita County WMAWMA240Washita25 misoutheast
Black Kettle National GrasslandNational grassland30,688Roger Mills28 miwest
Packsaddle WMAWMA19,659Ellis29 minorthwest
Dewey County WMAWMA212Dewey30 minortheast
Black Kettle WMAWMA30,710Roger Mills35 miwest
Lake VanderworkDepartment lake446Washita39 misoutheast

Points: USFWS Interest layer (fee and secondary-jurisdiction refuge land) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.

Washita NWR: nearest towns, offices and shops

Hammon sits 6.9 mi from Washita NWR in a straight line. Sayre is the largest of these towns, with 4,841 people in 2024. Nearby Census places: Butler (4.5 mi, 207 people) and Foss (13 mi, 103 people). Area warden contacts: (580) 695-3642 (Custer).

Nearest townsCountyPopulationMilesHeading
HammonRoger Mills4636.9 miwest
ArapahoCuster66217 mieast
CheyenneRoger Mills73623 miwest
New CordellWashita2,74427 misoutheast
SayreBeckham4,84130 misouthwest
Headquarters

ODWC office · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County · about 99 mi away

(405) 521-3721DriveWeb
4B Archery Outfitters

sporting goods · Elk City, Beckham County · about 16 mi away

(580) 303-4549Drive
Gun Vault

sporting goods · Clinton, Custer County · about 17 mi away

(580) 331-5114Drive
Dick Smalley Taxidermy Studio

taxidermy · Weatherford, Custer County · about 31 mi away

(580) 772-2885DriveWeb
Ty's Taxidermy and Processing

deer processing · Sayre, Beckham County · about 34 mi away

(580) 339-2606Drive
Ty's Taxidermy and Processing

taxidermy · Sayre, Beckham County · about 34 mi away

(580) 339-2606Drive

Towns from places.json and census_places.json (Census 2024); offices and businesses from services.json; warden numbers from the ODWC area page or warden directory; straight-line miles. Checked November 3, 2026.

Washita National Wildlife Refuge: the WMA bench nearest it, then clubs

For a license-only bench, Washita National Wildlife Refuge hunters head 30 miles to Packsaddle WMA Shooting Range. Nearby clubs fill the other cards.

Packsaddle WMA Shooting Range
ODWC WMA range

Durham, Ellis County · 30 mi

On site: 100 yd rifle, trap

Public, license needed · wildlifedepartment.com, checked Nov 2, 2026

Shooting Sports Association
gun club

Elk City, Beckham County · 15 mi

Access not stated · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 2, 2026

Native Arrow Archery
archery range

Arapaho, Custer County · 16 mi

On site: archery, 3D archery

Access not stated · findarcheryranges.com, checked Nov 2, 2026

From ODWC’s WMA shooting range list and WMA pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 3, 2026.

When legal light begins in Washita NWR

The Panhandle sees the sun up to half an hour later than the Arkansas line, so use the times worked out for Washita NWR.

DateSeason pointSunriseSunsetBig gameWaterfowlQuail
Oct 1, 2026Archery deer opens7:30 a.m.7:21 p.m.7:00 a.m. to 7:51 p.m.7:00 a.m. to 7:21 p.m.7:30 a.m. to 7:21 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Muzzleloader opens7:49 a.m.6:51 p.m.7:19 a.m. to 7:21 p.m.7:19 a.m. to 6:51 p.m.7:49 a.m. to 6:51 p.m.
Nov 21, 2026Gun deer opens7:17 a.m.5:27 p.m.6:47 a.m. to 5:57 p.m.6:47 a.m. to 5:27 p.m.7:17 a.m. to 5:27 p.m.
Dec 6, 2026Gun deer closes7:31 a.m.5:23 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 5:53 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 5:23 p.m.7:31 a.m. to 5:23 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:42 a.m.5:26 p.m.7:12 a.m. to 5:56 p.m.7:12 a.m. to 5:26 p.m.7:42 a.m. to 5:26 p.m.
Jan 15, 2027Archery closes7:45 a.m.5:44 p.m.7:15 a.m. to 6:14 p.m.7:15 a.m. to 5:44 p.m.7:45 a.m. to 5:44 p.m.
Apr 16, 2027Spring turkey7:03 a.m.8:09 p.m.6:33 a.m. to 8:39 p.m.6:33 a.m. to 8:09 p.m.7:03 a.m. to 8:09 p.m.

Waterfowl on Wetland Development Units ends at 1 p.m.

Hours rules from the ODWC big game regulations and the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Central Time); checked November 3, 2026. Legal hours for every county.

Oklahoma views around Washita NWR

Sandhill crane flying low with wings raised
Sandhill crane flying low with wings raised
Small flock of sandhill cranes flying across a blue sky
Small flock of sandhill cranes flying across a blue sky
White-tailed buck leaping through tall prairie grass
White-tailed buck leaping through tall prairie grass

Calendar dates at and around Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Near this property on November 3, 2026: 3 upcoming listings. Count 3 draw-only controlled hunts among them.

Still on the calendar

DaysWhatDistancePlaceGoFrom
Oct 9–Nov 7, 2026Washita NWR youth deer huntHereEvent details
next Nov 6–7
10 permits
gun
15 and under
Source, checked 11/2/2026
Nov 10–11, 2026Washita NWR deer controlled huntHereEvent details
next Nov 10–11
10 permits
gun
age 18+
Source, checked 11/2/2026
Apr 9–11, 2027Washita NWR youth spring turkey huntHereEvent details
next Apr 9–11
2 permits
shotgun
15 and under
Source, checked 11/2/2026
The whole state, every dateODWC Controlled HuntsYouth Hunts

An Oklahoma date missing around here? Tell us

If Washita NWR is full, try these

National grassland

Black Kettle National Grassland

30,688 ac, 28 mi

Wildlife refuge

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

58,227 ac, 68 mi

Wildlife refuge

Salt Plains NWR

32,464 ac, 98 mi

Wildlife refuge

Optima NWR

4,383 ac, 130 mi

Federal hunting landAll public landCorps and ODWC lakes

Washita NWR answers from the sources

Which game birds and animals are open at Washita NWR?

Listed game: waterfowl, doves, sandhill crane, rabbits, quail, deer, turkey and feral hogs.

Who owns and runs Washita NWR?

It falls under the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunting line: (580) 664-2205.

Where is a backup spot near Washita NWR?

Washita County WMA (25 mi away).

Do archers wear orange on Washita NWR?

During big game firearm seasons, 400 square inches for gun hunters and an orange head covering or upper garment for most others.

At what hour does hunting end on Washita NWR?

Thirty minutes either side of sunrise and sunset; November 21, 2026: 6:47 a.m. to 5:57 p.m.

How many deer did Washita NWR give up last season?

2025-26: 17 deer, 3 antlered.

When do I apply for drawn hunts at Washita NWR?

Through the random draw with preference points; 2026 applications ran Apr 1, 2026 to May 20, 2026.

Can I take an elk at Washita NWR?

Elk zones (Northwest Zone and Southwest Zone here) cover private land; public elk come only through the draw.

When does deer season run at Washita NWR?

Archery Oct 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027; gun Nov 21, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026. Check the area table.

What corner of the state is Washita NWR in?

The record puts it in Custer County, ODWC Southwest Region. Hammon lies roughly 6.9 mi from it.

How much ground does Washita NWR take in?

About 8,088 acres (the USFWS refuge layer).

Is a Land Access Permit or other pass needed for Washita NWR?

State license, then the refuge permit named in the federal rules.

Heading to Washita NWR?

Report a violation on Washita NWR to the game warden numbers on this page.

All areas mappedOklahoma land indexCuster CountyFederal hunting landOfficial site

Sources: source · source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations. Checked November 3, 2026.

Other photos on this page: John Fowler (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).