Hunt unit · Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge

Housatonic Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Housatonic unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge in Dutchess County, NY. It covers approximately 144 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
144acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Dutchess Countycounty

Housatonic 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 York 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 Great Thicket 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 Housatonic unit

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Destination: center of the Housatonic unit

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Decimal
41.72894, -73.57603
DMS
41°43′44.2″N 73°34′33.7″W

Nearest towns

  • New Haven, CT45 mi NW of town
  • Hartford, CT46 mi W of town
  • Pittsfield, MA53 mi S 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 Housatonic

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, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM7:30 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:06 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM6:38 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM6:14 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM4:50 PM10h 25m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:35 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM4:25 PM9h 24m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM4:24 PM9h 11m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM4:33 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM4:46 PM9h 28m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:07 PM10h 00m

Computed for 41.729, -73.576 (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 Thicket NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Berkwick-YorkOpen48—
Closed - CTClosed230—
Closed - MEClosed208—

Back to Great Thicket NWR →