Hunt unit · Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area

Arbuckle Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Arbuckle Unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area in Polk County, FL. It covers approximately 397 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.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
397acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Polk Countycounty

Arbuckle Unit 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 Florida 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.

Game at Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area

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 Arbuckle Unit

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Destination: center of the Arbuckle Unit

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Decimal
27.70985, -81.49572
DMS
27°42′35.5″N 81°29′44.6″W

Nearest towns

  • Orlando, FL58 mi S of town
  • Melbourne, FL60 mi SW of town
  • Tampa, FL61 mi E 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 Arbuckle Unit

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, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM7:48 PM12h 44m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM7:32 PM12h 22m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM7:13 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM6:57 PM11h 33m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM5:42 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM5:34 PM10h 48m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM5:31 PM10h 32m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM5:33 PM10h 24m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:41 PM10h 25m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM5:51 PM10h 34m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM6:05 PM10h 52m

Computed for 27.710, -81.496 (EDT / 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 Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Hatchineha UnitSpecial regs1,458—
Kissimmee Bend UnitSpecial regs3,322—
Okeechobee UnitSpecial regs1,863—
Closed UnitClosed10—

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