Hunt unit · Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge

Cooks Lake Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Cooks Lake Area is one of 17 mapped hunt units on Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas County, AR. It covers approximately 1,810 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 ↗
1,810acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Arkansas Countycounty

Cooks Lake Area 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 Arkansas 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. Obtain via: Online FWS, Visitor Center.

Annual Public Use Permit, which costs $20 for 16 years and older; Free if you?re 15 and under (But must still have on your person)

Game at Dale Bumpers White 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 Cooks Lake Area

Navigate

Destination: center of the Cooks Lake Area

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
34.50507, -91.27507
DMS
34°30′18.3″N 91°16′30.3″W

Nearest towns

  • Stuttgart, AR16 mi E of town
  • Helena-West Helena, AR39 mi W of town
  • Pine Bluff, AR46 mi NE 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 Cooks Lake Area

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, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM7:33 PM12h 56m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM7:13 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:50 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:32 PM11h 23m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM5:12 PM10h 48m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM5:01 PM10h 24m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:55 PM10h 02m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM4:56 PM9h 52m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM5:04 PM9h 53m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM5:16 PM10h 05m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM5:33 PM10h 30m

Computed for 34.505, -91.275 (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 Dale Bumpers White River NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Demonstration AreaSpecial regs1,943Required
Dry Lake AreaSpecial regs1,680Required
Jacks Bay Hunt AreaSpecial regs9,350Required
Kansas Lake AreaSpecial regs2,892Required
Levee Hunt AreaSpecial regs1,818Required
North UnitSpecial regs49,176Required
Outlying Tracts with No Public AccessSpecial regs803Required
Outlying Tracts with Public AccessSpecial regs1,169Required
South UnitSpecial regs78,972Required
Surround Fields AreaSpecial regs990Required
Trusten Holder WMA TractsSpecial regs2,768Required
Turner Tract AreaSpecial regs209Required
Farm UnitClosed1,433Required
Moore TractClosed1,191Required
Office AreaClosed524Required
Walker Cypress TractClosed159Required

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