Hunt unit · Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge

Bushley Bayou Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Bushley Bayou unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge in Catahoula Parish, LA. It covers approximately 17,846 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.

17,846acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Catahoula Parishcounty

Bushley Bayou map

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
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 Louisiana 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: Other, Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Mail, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

All approved huntable & fishable species

Game at Catahoula 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 Bushley Bayou unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Bushley Bayou unit

Decimal
31.64850, -91.95443
DMS
31°38′54.6″N 91°57′15.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Natchez, MS33 mi W of town
  • Alexandria, LA37 mi NE of town
  • Monroe, LA60 mi S 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 Bushley Bayou

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:33 PM12h 51m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:15 PM12h 24m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM6:54 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:36 PM11h 27m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:53 AM6:23 AM5:19 PM10h 56m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM5:09 PM10h 34m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:04 PM10h 15m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM5:05 PM10h 06m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:14 PM10h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:25 PM10h 18m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:31 AM7:01 AM5:40 PM10h 40m

Computed for 31.648, -91.954 (CDT / 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 Catahoula NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
HeadquartersSpecial regs6,871Required
Closed to HuntingClosed466Required

Back to Catahoula NWR →