Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1991 to protect and enhance habitat for dusky Canada geese and Aleutian cackling geese. The refuge works under cooperative agreement with local farmers to manage pasture habitat for forage for wintering geese.
Species: Waterfowl hunting is the only hunting allowed at the Refuge, this includes ducks, geese and coots.
Location: Waterfowl hunting is permitted on a total of 141 acres: specifically 108 acres of Brooten Marsh and 33 acres of tidal marsh at the mouth of Little Nestucca River.
Hunt Days: Hunting is open seven days a week in fall and winter, check ODFW for regulations.
Access: Brooten Marsh can be accessed by boat or foot. Access to the Little Nestucca River is by boat only. There are three public boat launches nearby. Hunters can access refuge lands two hours before sunrise and up to one hour after sunset.
Dogs used for hunting: Hunters may bring retrievers.
Best hunting months: Most good duck hunting at Nestucca Bay is in November and December. Tides influence hunting times and access. In January, ducks often disperse to privately owned flooded pastures or move farther inland.
Check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl/Game Bird Hunting Regulations for restrictions, bag limits, season dates and hunt times.
