National Wildlife Refuge · Alabama · FWS Region 4

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge is located in Barbour County, Alabama, with about 24 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Georgia. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 12 mapped hunt units: 9 open with special regulations and 3 closed, covering about 10,588 huntable acres.

9 with special regs3 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
12hunt units
10.6Khuntable acres
24FWS-owned acres
5game categories

Eufaula 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 Eufaula NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, migratory birds, small game, 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.

Hunters can pursue a variety of game species here, but the quota waterfowl hunts remain the most popular draw. Hunters travel from as far away as Montgomery, Atlanta and Tallahassee to hunt waterfowl at Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge.

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 Alabama regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (12)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 10,588 (96%)Closed: 418 (4%)10.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations10,588 ac 96%
  • Closed418 ac 4%
Units by size (acres)
Alabama General
3,991 ac
Georgia General
2,044 ac
Houston Unit
1,378 ac
Bradley Unit
1,063 ac
Davis-Clark Unit
746 ac
Kennedy Unit
487 ac
Molnar Unit
415 ac
Alabama Sanctuary
269 ac
Closed Area
217 ac
Georgia Sanctuary
196 ac
No Hunt Zone - AL
190 ac
No Hunt Zone - GA
11 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Alabama General
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,991 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Alabama Sanctuary
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 269 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Bradley Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,063 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Davis-Clark Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 746 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Georgia General
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,044 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Georgia Sanctuary
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 196 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Houston Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,378 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Kennedy Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 487 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Molnar Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 415 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 217 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
No Hunt Zone - AL
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 190 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.
No Hunt Zone - GA
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 11 Required
Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.

Eufaula NWR by the numbers

With about 10,588 huntable acres, Eufaula NWR ranks #2 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Alabama and #183 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 96% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Alabama General (3,991 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Georgia Sanctuary, covers 196 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

3 units totaling 418 acres are closed to hunting (Closed Area, No Hunt Zone - AL, and No Hunt Zone - GA). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 24 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 1,193 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Eufaula NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Alabama 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, Migratory Birds, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters must have signed brochure. Waterfowl hunters must have specific permit in addition to signed brochure.

Type: Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Alabama hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
  • 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 Eufaula NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Over 4,500 acres of Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Reservoir) lie within refuge boundaries. Year-round fishing is allowed. Refuge impoundments also are open to fishing. The most common species include largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and bream.

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

How to get to Eufaula NWR

Navigate

Destination: Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
31.96849, -85.09964
DMS
31°58′06.6″N 85°05′58.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Columbus, GA35 mi S of town
  • Dothan, AL54 mi N of town
  • Albany, GA61 mi NW of town
  • Montgomery, AL76 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • TLH Tallahassee Intl117 mi
  • ATL Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta122 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 Eufaula 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, 20265:45 AM6:15 AM7:06 PM12h 51m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:53 AM6:23 AM6:48 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM6:26 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM6:09 PM11h 27m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:26 AM5:56 AM4:51 PM10h 56m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:38 AM6:08 AM4:41 PM10h 33m
Tue, Dec 1, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM4:36 PM10h 14m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM4:37 PM10h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:10 AM6:40 AM4:46 PM10h 06m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:10 AM6:40 AM4:57 PM10h 16m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:04 AM6:34 AM5:12 PM10h 39m

Computed for 31.968, -85.100 (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.

Guides for hunting Eufaula 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…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters

What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…

Eufaula NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Eufaula NWR?

Yes. Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 9 units (10,588 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 Eufaula NWR?

Yes — Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other, Other OMB-Approved Permit, and Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, mail, online through fws, other, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Eufaula NWR?

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

Where is Eufaula NWR located?

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge is in Barbour County, Alabama, about 35 miles S of Columbus, GA (straight-line). GPS: 31.96849, -85.09964.

What are legal shooting hours at Eufaula 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

Warm Springs NFH

Meriwether County, GA · 68 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Bond Swamp NWR

Bibb County, GA · 104 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🐇🐗🎣

8.6K huntable acres

Piedmont NWR

Jasper County, GA · 112 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🐗🎣

38.2K huntable acres

Mountain Longleaf NWR

Calhoun County, AL · 126 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

3.3K huntable acres

Banks Lake NWR

Lanier County, GA · 134 mi SE

1 closed
🎣

Cahaba River NWR

Bibb County, AL · 137 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🐗🎣

4.7K huntable acres

All refuges in Alabama →

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