Ridgefield NWR鈥檚 waterfowl hunt program offers a quality duck and goose hunting experience with a maximum of 21 spaced blinds on 760 acres. Hunters can enter a pre-season lottery system to obtain reservations for priority check-in or attend as a stand-by hunter to occupy remaining blinds. Various blind options are offered, including pit and box blinds and two accessible blinds for hunters with disabilities. Northern shovelers account for a large percentage of bagged birds, but hunters also take good numbers of green-winged teal, mallard, American wigeon, gadwall, and northern pintail.
Ridgefield NWR Waterfowl Hunt Season Oct-Jan
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is run in accordance with all Washington State Regulations. To understand how to hunt at Ridgefield you will need to know and understand the Washington state rules and regulations for waterfowl hunting.
See Resource below for Ridgefield NWR specific regulations and processes.
Optional Reservation Lottery
Reservations give hunters first blind pick during the morning check-in but are not required to hunt.
Link to apply for the lottery be posted here Monday August 11th and will be open through Monday September 8th.
The lottery system is run with each day as a separate randomized lottery. It is NOT first-come first-served, so entering anytime during the open period gives you the same chance as anyone else.
Reservations lost due to a Refuge closure (dangerous weather conditions, safety issues, emergency, or government shutdown) will not be reissued or refunded. Reservations are non-transferable.
New this year:
- Hunters may apply for up to 10 days or 鈥減icks鈥� per season. Anyone who applies for more than 10 picks will be disqualified from all lotteries.
- Reservations sent out per day have been reduced to 8 to reflect this year鈥檚 anticipated water levels.
- November 11th will be a Veterans-Only hunting lottery. Reservation holders must be US Veterans and be able to carry ID or paperwork proving such. See below for more information about the 2025 Veteran鈥檚 Day hunt.
Youth Hunt November 1st - Preregistered Youth ONLY until noon
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge works with the Washington Waterfowl Association to provide this early-season experience for hunters ages 15 and under. Whether they are working to refine their skills or are new to the activity, this special hunt gives youth a chance to have the area to themselves without the pressure of hunting among experienced adults.
Only reservations for youth (15 and under) will be issued for this day. Adults accompanying youth to mentor or observe will not be allowed to hunt until noon. General hunting will resume at noon with a ping-pong ball lottery to assign any blinds that remain available. Fees are waived for youth participating in the youth hunt, however, they must still possess applicable licenses.
Link to the lottery will be available through the same reservation link in the "Optional Reservation Lottery" above.
Veteran's Hunt November 11th 鈥� Hunt ends @ 1:00
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge works with the Washington Waterfowl Association to provide this experience for Veteran鈥檚 and up to two non-Veteran guests. The 2025 event will be open to Veteran鈥檚 through an optional reservation lottery, or standby during morning check-in. There will be no 10 am check in. See refuge hunt procedures for more information on the check in process.
Veteran鈥檚 may bring up to two additional guests to hunt with them in the same blind. The guests, who do not have to have Veteran鈥檚 status. One person in each hunt party must be a Veteran and carry identifying card or paperwork. Hunting will stop at 1pm and all hunters must be checked out by 2pm.
Link to the lottery will be available through the same reservation link in the "Optional Reservation Lottery" above.
Youth, Veteran's, and Activity Duty Military State Hunt - Saturday, January 31st.
On this state-selected day, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge will have a stand-by-only hunt opportunity available for anyone that qualifies. Please bring appropriate documentation. For more information about this and other state-regulated days please see:
