Hunt unit · Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Wilderness Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Wilderness Area is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Morris County, NJ. It covers approximately 3,397 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. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
3,397acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Morris Countycounty

Wilderness 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 New Jersey 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 OMB-Approved Permit. Obtain via: Online Other.

Deer hunting.

Game at Great Swamp 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 Wilderness Area

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Destination: center of the Wilderness Area

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Decimal
40.71739, -74.46055
DMS
40°43′02.6″N 74°27′38.0″W

Nearest towns

  • Newark, NJ15 mi W of town
  • New York City, NY24 mi W of town
  • Trenton, NJ38 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 Wilderness Area

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, 20265:53 AM6:23 AM7:32 PM13h 09m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM7:09 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM6:41 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM6:19 PM11h 12m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM4:55 PM10h 29m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM4:41 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM4:32 PM9h 30m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM4:31 PM9h 17m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM4:39 PM9h 18m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM4:53 PM9h 33m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM5:13 PM10h 05m

Computed for 40.717, -74.461 (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 Great Swamp NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Management AreaSpecial regs3,366Required
ClosedClosed1,090Required

Back to Great Swamp NWR →