Hunting at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Woman dressed warmly in camouflage and standing in marsh reeds aims a shotgun into the air

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge affords hunters the opportunity to pursue nearly every game species available in New York. Hunting is a primary public use of the refuge and an important wildlife management tool. Hunting can provide a quality recreational experience when pursued responsibly and instill a unique understanding and appreciation of wildlife.

In the fall, hunters at the refuge can pursue white-tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl, coot, pheasant, ruffed grouse, woodcock, snipe, rail, gallinule, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, woodchuck, fox, coyote, raccoon, opossum and skunk. Waterfowl hunts are limited to a lottery drawings on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with the first two Saturday's being reserved hunts (see Waterfowl Hunting below). Coyote hunting closes at the end of February on the refuge, all other hunting is open as state seasons allow. Waterfowl are plentiful because a large portion of the refuge is wetland habitat. Deer hunting is available during regular, bowhunting, muzzleloading and early antlerless seasons. When spring arrives, turkeys roam the refuge, and many hunters see them or signs of them. Hunters drawn for the month-long hunt in May can expect wary birds scattered throughout the 10,828-acre refuge. (See more under Turkey Hunting below)

Hunting is permitted from sunrise to sunset unless otherwise limited by refuge or state hunting regulations.

For hunters with disabilities

Some areas are more accessible than others. Mowed dikes between the impoundments and service lands generally have packed soil and sometimes gravel surfaces. When dry, these areas may be accessible to wheelchairs. ATV's and other vehicles are not permitted. 
Hunters possessing a New York State Non-Ambulatory Hunting Permit may shoot a firearm from their motorized vehicles, in accordance with state permit restrictions, along all public roadways that pass through the refuge as well as the section of Feeder Road that is open to vehicle traffic.
There are two areas reserved for use by non-ambulatory deer hunters. To access these areas, a hunter must first obtain a Refuge Non-Ambulatory Hunting Access Permit, which must be displayed in the windshield of his/her vehicle. Permits may be obtained from the refuge office, 1101 Casey Road, Alabama, NY 14013.  There is no fee for the permit.
One waterfowl hunt blind is available for hunters with a permanent disability who possess or qualify for an America the Beautiful Access Pass.
- Hunters with disabilities who wish to be in the lottery draw for the accessible waterfowl hunt blind for the first two Saturdays, should complete and mail a Waterfowl Hunt Accessible Blind applicationto the refuge office at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013. Please indicate “Accessible Blind” at the top of the application. Applications will be accepted from Aug. 15 - Sept. 15. You can get the application from the refuge office or print it at home. (A PDF of the application is available in the Reference section below)
- To be eligible for the accessible waterfowl hunt blind on all other hunt days, hunters must call the refuge office and submit their name by 12:00 pm the day prior to the hunt. If more than one hunter submits their name, a lottery will be held and the selected individual will be notified that day prior to close of business. The permit allows for two helpers who may also hunt.

Visitors can participate in the following hunting activities on the refuge:

Deer Hunting

Possession of a Refuge permit is not required, but hunters are still required to know and follow all refuge specific regulations which can be found on the Deer Hunting Fact Sheet. Deer hunting is permitted during the state of New York regular bowhunting, muzzleloading, and early anterless seasons. Information on the fact sheets may change year to year. Please check back periodically to make sure you are in compliance. We offer a non-ambulatory hunt permit which allows the use of two off-road parking sites. Additional regulations apply. (See References below.)

Upland Small Game/Other Migratory Bird Hunting

Possession of a refuge permit is not required, hunters are still required to know and follow all Refuge specific regulations, which can be found on the Upland Small Game & Other Migratory Bird Hunting Fact Sheet. We allow upland game hunting and migratory bird hunting other than waterfowl, including ringneck pheasant, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, grey squirrel, coyote, raccoon, skunk, opossum, fox, woodcock, snipe, rail, and gallinule on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State laws and refuge specific regulations. Additional regulations apply. For information, contact the refuge office, pick up an Upland Small Game/Other Migratory Bird Hunting Fact Sheet at the headquarters, or See References below..

Waterfowl Hunting

We allow hunting of geese, ducks and coots in accordance with State laws and Refuge specific regulations. Season dates and bag limits are set by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Refuge allows waterfowl hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For information, please contact the Refuge office, pick up a Waterfowl Hunting Fact Sheet at the headquarters, or download the online fact sheet in the Reference section below. Fact sheets are updated from year to year so please check back periodically for updates.

A permit is required to hunt waterfowl on the refuge. The refuge is not open to waterfowl hunting during the State's nuisance goose season in September.

Waterfowl Lottery Applications are now online! The application process opens on August 15 and runs until September 15. To apply, please go to ourRecAccess page. If selected, hunters need to bring a copy of their lottery win receipt with them the morning of the hunt to the blind selection.
Waterfowl Hunt Stands: As the season approaches and habitat conditions change, we will try to provide more information regarding how many, and which stands will be open on our RecAccess page. You can also check the locations of the stands in the attached pdf on this page.
Permit fees are $10 on Saturday and $5 on Tuesday and Thursday. Up to three hunters can share each permit. In addition, there is a $5 online application fee to cover administrative costs.

See References below.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting

The Refuge offers a Youth Waterfowler's Program which consists of an orientation day in September or October, and the hunt, which is the Saturday of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Youth Hunt Weekend. The hunt is open to junior hunters (12-15 years of age) in the state of New York. There is no fee to participate, however, a permit is required for all youth hunt programs on the Refuge. Participants must pre-register to be included in the hunt.

The Youth Waterfowl Hunt Fact Sheet provides rules, regulations, general information and instructions on permitting. (See References below) Please see the Waterfowl Hunting Fact Sheet for updates on the morning blind draw for both regular season and the youth hunt.
Youth Waterfowl Permits are now online! To apply, please go to our RecAccess page.

Turkey Hunting

Fall turkey hunting is now offered on the Refuge in alignment with NY State regulations. A refuge permit is required for spring turkey hunting on the Refuge. The Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet provides rules, regulations, and general hunting information for the Refuge. (See Reference section below)

Spring Turkey Lottery Applications are now online! Please go to our RecAccess page to apply.

See References below.

Youth Turkey Hunts

The refuge hosts the Youth Turkey Hunt in accordance with New York State's Youth Hunt days. Space is limited to 25 participants issued on a first come, first serve basis. It is open to junior hunters (12-15 years of age) in the state of New York. There is no fee to participate, however, a permit is required for all youth hunt programs on the refuge. For more information, please contact the refuge office, pick up a Youth Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet at the headquarters, or download the online fact sheet.