Hunting
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) contains more than 16,000 acres of uplands and tidelands around Willapa Bay. The Refuge is divided into several management units. Hunting is permitted on some, but not all, of the management units. All state regulations apply, in addition to special Refuge regulations. All form of trapping is prohibited. UNITS AND SPECIES NOT LISTED ARE CLOSED TO HUNTING. A hunting overview map can be found here (1.04 MB PDF). Download a copy of the 2012 - 2013 Hunting Regulations (650 KB PDF). Mainland Units (GMU 681-Teal Slough South to Bear River)LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Big Game License and applicable Tag(s) for Deer and Elk. Teal Slough south to the Bear River is open to elk and deer hunting. Refuge Headquarters and immediately north of Bear River, where Refuge quarters are located, are closed. There is private property north of Greenhead Slough to Omera Point. Access to the southeastern most portion of the Refuge requires boat access. The Riekkola, Lewis, Porter Point, Tarlatt and Leadbetter Units are all CLOSED to big game hunting. DEER
ELK
BEAR
Long Island (GMU 699)LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Refuge hunting permit, WDFW Big Game License and applicable Tag(s) for Deer, Elk, and Bear using ARCHERY. Small game license required to hunt Grouse. Long Island is an ARCHERY ONLY hunting area. WDFW State and Refuge rules and regulations must be followed. Hunting permits are required and available at no cost from the Refuge Headquarters parking lot orientation panel. The following are prohibited on Long Island:
Access: Visitors must provide their own boat transportation to and from Long Island. Access is best at a higher tide (6 foot or higher). For safety, know the local tide conditions. Camping: A camping permit is required during, and one week prior to, the early elk archery season. Self-issue camping permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Refuge Headquarters parking lot orientation panel. Camping permits are required for both hunters and non-hunters. No more than 5 people per camp site, and camping is limited to 14 consecutive days (determined by the first member of the camping party’s arrival). Camping is allowed in designated sites only. Only downed wood may be used for firewood. Campers are encouraged to camp bear friendly and exercise “Leave No Trace” practices. Click Here for a more detailed map of Long Island. DEER
ELK
BEAR
FOREST GROUSE (Ruffed & Sooty)
***Hunters may hunt during the modern firearm season, but they must possess a valid modern firearm big game license and use archery equipment. Shellfish Harvesting: State owned tidelands are open to public clamming on the western side of Long Island. You must possess a permit to harvest during season established by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Be mindful of boundaries as many privately owned tidelands surround Long Island and are closed to the public. Waterfowl HuntingPresidential Proclamation Area. The waters surrounding Long Island and much of southern Willapa Bay are closed to all waterfowl hunting by Presidential Proclamation. Please check Refuge maps for exact boundaries. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: WDFW Small game license, federal duck stamp (signed), and state migratory bird validation. Additional harvest report cards may be required for some species/areas. WDFW State and Refuge regulations must be observed. Waterfowl hunting is permitted 7 days/week at the Leadbetter, Potshot, North Potshot, and Stanley Peninsula Units. A Washington State Discover Pass is required to access the Leadbetter Unit from Stackpole Road. The Porter Point is open to free-roam waterfowl and coot hunting on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays during the season. The Riekkola Unit can be accessed by 67th Place from Sandridge Road in Long Beach. No hunting from roads or dikes. Car-top boats are allowed to access the Porter Point Unit. Electric motors only. Lewis Unit is closed. 2012-2013 Season Dates:
**Planning to hunt the September 22-23 Youth Waterfowl Hunt at the refuge? The moist soil vegetation has not yet set seed which will delay the filling of the Porter Point fresh water impoundment. This delay will limit hunting opportunities in this unit. Youth hunters are encouraged to explore hunt opportunities on the salt water side of Porter Point Dike and within the Leadbetter Point Unit (note that the Snowy Plover Closure is in effect through September 30)
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Goose Hunting (Zone 2B)Last updated:
March 12, 2013
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