Sitting in field blinds at Washita National Wildlife Refuge, hunters eagerly await dawn as thousands of geese lift off nearby Foss Lake. Each fall, 50,000 to 100,000 geese can be found on the refuge. These include Canada, snow, white-fronted and Ross’s geese, all of which may be hunted during refuge hunts held on weekends and Wednesdays during dark goose season. Waterfowl hunting is open to the public during state dark goose seasons on a first-come first-served basis on select farm fields. It is recommended that hunters use calling and decoys to lure the geese into range. Sandhill cranes and ducks may be hunted during waterfowl hunting season. The refuge also offers dove, quail, and rabbit hunting in season, and deer and turkey hunts by state drawing. Incidental take of feral hogs (exotics) during other hunts is permitted.
The entire refuge is closed to all entry during the following controlled hunts:
- Youth Deer Hunts: October 6-7, 2023; November 3-4, 2023.
- General Deer Hunt: November 7-8, 2023.
- Youth Turkey Hunt: April 12-14, 2024.
