National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge lies in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, with about 17,639 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations, covering about 17,639 huntable acres.

3 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
17.6Khuntable acres
17.6KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

D'Arbonne 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 D'Arbonne NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, 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.

D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge is well-known by local hunters for its excellent deer and waterfowl opportunities. The 17,000-acre refuge floods in some years, creating excellent habitat for puddle ducks, which flock to the flooded timber.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & 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 Louisiana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 17,639 (100%)17.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations17,639 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Refuge Open
11,877 ac
Unit C
2,927 ac
Unit B
2,835 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Open Special regs 11,877 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting
Unit B Special regs 2,835 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting
Unit C Special regs 2,927 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Signed brochure for all approved species for hunting

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

You'll also need

  • A valid Louisiana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
  • 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 D'Arbonne NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is year-round, although in certain areas boats are not permitted in winter. Available fishing opportunities include bait casting for largemouth bass; jig or shiners for crappie; and cane pole fishing for bream.

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

How to get to D'Arbonne NWR

Navigate

Destination: D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
32.58552, -92.21247
DMS
32°35′07.9″N 92°12′44.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Monroe, LA7.5 mi NW of town
  • El Dorado, AR51 mi SE of town
  • Vicksburg, MS79 mi W of town
  • Natchez, MS85 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • SHV Shreveport Regional95 mi
  • JAN Jackson–Evers126 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 D'Arbonne NWR

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, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:35 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM7:16 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:55 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:37 PM11h 26m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM5:19 PM10h 54m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM5:09 PM10h 31m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM5:03 PM10h 11m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:04 PM10h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:13 PM10h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:24 PM10h 13m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM5:40 PM10h 36m

Computed for 32.586, -92.212 (CDT / 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.

D'Arbonne NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at D'Arbonne NWR?

Yes. D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (17,639 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt D'Arbonne NWR?

Yes — D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at D'Arbonne NWR?

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

Where is D'Arbonne NWR located?

D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge is in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, about 7 miles NW of Monroe, LA (straight-line). GPS: 32.58552, -92.21247.

What are legal shooting hours at D'Arbonne 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

Black Bayou Lake NWR

Ouachita Parish, LA · 11 mi E

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

3.8K huntable acres

Upper Ouachita NWR

Morehouse Parish, LA · 25 mi NE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

43.8K huntable acres

Felsenthal NWR

Union County, AR · 37 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

77.3K huntable acres

Overflow NWR

Ashley County, AR · 45 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

13.4K huntable acres

Tensas River NWR

Tensas Parish, LA · 57 mi SE

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

75.1K huntable acres

Catahoula NWR

Catahoula Parish, LA · 66 mi S

2 special1 closed
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24.7K huntable acres

All refuges in Louisiana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.