National Wildlife Refuge · North Carolina · FWS Region 4

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Hyde County, North Carolina, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 152,723 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 8 mapped hunt units: 3 open under general rules, 4 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 153,178 huntable acres.

3 open units4 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
8hunt units
153Khuntable acres
153KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Alligator River NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Alligator River NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing and tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge contains approximately 160,000 acres, most of which are open to hunting. There are more than 150 miles of old logging roads that provide hunting access, some for vehicles and some on foot.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow North Carolina regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (8)

Acreage by status
Open: 147,319 (96%)Special regulations: 5,859 (4%)Closed: 398 (0%)153Khuntable acres
  • Open147,319 ac 96%
  • Special regulations5,859 ac 4%
  • Closed398 ac 0%
Units by size (acres)
C
74,248 ac
Gum Swamp Unit
39,586 ac
B
33,485 ac
Twiford Unit
1,836 ac
Laurel Bay Unit
1,732 ac
Upper Creef Unit
1,701 ac
Lower Creef Unit
590 ac
No Hunt Unit
398 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
B
Show on map · Directions		 Open 33,485 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
C
Show on map · Directions		 Open 74,248 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
Gum Swamp Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Open 39,586 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
Laurel Bay Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,732 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
Lower Creef Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 590 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
Twiford Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,836 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
Upper Creef Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,701 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.
No Hunt Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 398 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Just hunting, not fishing.

Alligator River NWR by the numbers

With about 153,178 huntable acres, Alligator River NWR ranks #1 of 9 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in North Carolina and #26 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 100% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is C (74,248 acres), while the smallest, Lower Creef Unit, covers 590 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 398 acres is closed to hunting (No Hunt Unit). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 152,723 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 8.1 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Alligator River NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. North Carolina sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Just hunting, not fishing.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid North Carolina hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Alligator River NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Waters available for fishing include East Lake, South Lake, Whipping Creek Lake, Sawyer Lake and Swan Lake.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Alligator River NWR

Navigate

Destination: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
35.65975, -75.95911
DMS
35°39′35.1″N 75°57′32.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Manteo, NC24 mi SW of town
  • Elizabeth City, NC46 mi S of town
  • Plymouth, NC47 mi E of town
  • New Bern, NC72 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • ORF Norfolk Intl86 mi
  • ILM Wilmington Intl146 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Alligator River NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM7:33 PM12h 58m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:12 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:49 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:29 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM5:09 PM10h 45m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM4:58 PM10h 19m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM4:51 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM4:51 PM9h 46m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:00 PM9h 47m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM5:12 PM9h 59m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:29 PM10h 25m

Computed for 35.660, -75.959 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Alligator River NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

Alligator River NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Alligator River NWR?

Yes. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 7 units (153,178 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Alligator River NWR?

Yes — Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Alligator River NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing and tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Alligator River NWR located?

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is in Hyde County, North Carolina, about 24 miles SW of Manteo, NC (straight-line). GPS: 35.65975, -75.95911.

What are legal shooting hours at Alligator River NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Mattamuskeet NWR

Hyde County, NC · 17 mi SW

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🎣

48.8K huntable acres

Pocosin Lakes NWR

Tyrrell County, NC · 23 mi W

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

107K huntable acres

Pea Island NWR

Dare County, NC · 26 mi E

1 closed
🎣

Swanquarter NWR

Hyde County, NC · 29 mi SW

1 open2 closed
🦆

6.4K huntable acres

Edenton NFH

Chowan County, NC · 47 mi NW

1 closed
🎣

Cedar Island NWR

Carteret County, NC · 53 mi SW

1 open1 closed
🦆

463 huntable acres

All refuges in North Carolina →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.