Hunt unit · Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Laurel Bay Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Laurel Bay Unit is one of 8 mapped hunt units on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in Dare County, NC. It covers approximately 1,732 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
1,732acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Dare Countycounty

Laurel Bay Unit map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to North Carolina regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Refuge permit required. Type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

Just hunting, not fishing.

Game at Alligator River NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Laurel Bay Unit

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Destination: center of the Laurel Bay Unit

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Decimal
35.87060, -75.94516
DMS
35°52′14.2″N 75°56′42.6″W

Nearest towns

  • Manteo, NC16 mi W of town
  • Elizabeth City, NC34 mi SE of town
  • Plymouth, NC45 mi E of town

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

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Laurel Bay Unit

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, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM7:33 PM12h 58m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:12 PM12h 28m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:49 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:29 PM11h 20m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM5:09 PM10h 44m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM4:57 PM10h 18m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM4:50 PM9h 55m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:51 PM9h 45m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM4:59 PM9h 46m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:11 PM9h 58m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:29 PM10h 24m

Computed for 35.871, -75.945 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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

Other units at Alligator River NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
BOpen33,485Required
COpen74,248Required
Gum Swamp UnitOpen39,586Required
Lower Creef UnitSpecial regs590Required
Twiford UnitSpecial regs1,836Required
Upper Creef UnitSpecial regs1,701Required
No Hunt UnitClosed398Required

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