National Wildlife Refuge · Florida · FWS Region 4

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge lies in Palm Beach County, Florida, with about 3,829 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 144,641 huntable acres.

4 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
145Khuntable acres
3.8KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 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 Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge offers surprisingly uncrowded hunting opportunities, given that the refuge lies in South Florida within 70 miles of 6 million people.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

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

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 144,641 (100%)Closed: 610 (0%)145Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations144,641 ac 100%
  • Closed610 ac 0%
Units by size (acres)
Non Motorized Watercraft Zone
102,445 ac
Motorized and Non-Motorized Watercraft Zone
38,260 ac
Strazzulla Unit
2,592 ac
HQ Unit
1,344 ac
South Unit Closed
610 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
HQ Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,344 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 1. Waterfowl (Duck and Coot only) Hunting 2. Alligator Hunting3. White-tailed Deer and Incidental Take Feral Hog Hunting
Motorized and Non-Motorized Watercraft Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 38,260 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 1. Waterfowl (Duck and Coot only) Hunting 2. Alligator Hunting3. White-tailed Deer and Incidental Take Feral Hog Hunting
Non Motorized Watercraft Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 102,445 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 1. Waterfowl (Duck and Coot only) Hunting 2. Alligator Hunting3. White-tailed Deer and Incidental Take Feral Hog Hunting
Strazzulla Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,592 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 1. Waterfowl (Duck and Coot only) Hunting 2. Alligator Hunting3. White-tailed Deer and Incidental Take Feral Hog Hunting
South Unit Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 610 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 1. Waterfowl (Duck and Coot only) Hunting 2. Alligator Hunting3. White-tailed Deer and Incidental Take Feral Hog Hunting

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR by the numbers

With about 144,641 huntable acres, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR ranks #1 of 10 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Florida and #27 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 Non Motorized Watercraft Zone (102,445 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, HQ Unit, covers 1,344 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 610 acres is closed to hunting (South Unit Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Florida 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, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

1. Waterfowl (Duck and Coot only) Hunting 2. Alligator Hunting3. White-tailed Deer and Incidental Take Feral Hog Hunting

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Florida hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 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 Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include the 58-mile perimeter canal, the A, B and C impoundments, and the refuge interior. Numerous shallow, open marsh areas of approximately 143,000 acres are open to fishing. Fishing season is year-round.

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

How to get to Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR

Navigate

Destination: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
26.50574, -80.33667
DMS
26°30′20.7″N 80°20′12.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • West Palm Beach, FL23 mi SW of town
  • Miami, FL52 mi N of town
  • Vero Beach, FL78 mi S of town
  • Naples, FL93 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • PBI Palm Beach Intl19 mi
  • FLL Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood32 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 Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 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, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:42 PM12h 42m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM7:27 PM12h 21m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:08 PM11h 56m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM6:54 PM11h 34m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM5:39 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:32 PM10h 52m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM5:28 PM10h 37m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM5:31 PM10h 29m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM5:39 PM10h 30m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:49 PM10h 39m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:36 AM7:06 AM6:02 PM10h 56m

Computed for 26.506, -80.337 (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 Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 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…

Feral Hog Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

Why many refuges allow — and encourage — feral hog hunting, how refuge rules handle hogs, safe shot placement, disease…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR?

Yes. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (144,641 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR?

Yes — Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained online through fws, online (e.g. recreation.gov), or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR?

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

Where is Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR located?

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is in Palm Beach County, Florida, about 23 miles SW of West Palm Beach, FL (straight-line). GPS: 26.50574, -80.33667.

What are legal shooting hours at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 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

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1 closed
🎣

Florida Panther NWR

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1 special1 closed
🦃

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Ten Thousand Islands NWR

Collier County, FL · 86 mi SW

1 special1 closed
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5.6K huntable acres

Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area

Okeechobee County, FL · 87 mi NW

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

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Crocodile Lake NWR

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1 closed
No hunting listed

Pelican Island NWR

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1 closed
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All refuges in Florida →

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