National Wildlife Refuge · Georgia · FWS Region 4

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge is located in McIntosh County, Georgia, with about 2,755 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 2,500 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
2.5Khuntable acres
2.8KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Harris Neck 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 Harris Neck NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, wild turkey, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Two managed deer hunts are conducted on the refuge each year. The first, in early fall, is a three-day archery hunt; the second, in November, is a three-day hunt with shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, air bows and air rifles – .30 caliber or larger as…

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall 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 Georgia regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 2,500 (91%)Closed: 255 (9%)2.5Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations2,500 ac 91%
  • Closed255 ac 9%
Units by size (acres)
Open Area
2,500 ac
Closed Area
255 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Area Special regs 2,500 Required
Other		 All hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
Closed Area Closed 255 Required
Other		 All hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Georgia hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Harris Neck NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Saltwater fishing is permitted year-round in the estuarine waters adjacent to the refuge. Bank fishing into estuarine waters is permitted year-round, from sunrise to sunset.

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

How to get to Harris Neck NWR

Navigate

Destination: Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
31.63332, -81.26861
DMS
31°37′60.0″N 81°16′07.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Savannah, GA33 mi S of town
  • Brunswick, GA36 mi N of town
  • Beaufort, SC65 mi SW of town
  • Waycross, GA70 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • SAV Savannah/Hilton Head35 mi
  • JAX Jacksonville Intl83 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 Harris Neck NWR

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, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:50 PM12h 51m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM7:32 PM12h 24m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM7:11 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM6:54 PM11h 27m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:36 PM10h 56m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM5:27 PM10h 34m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM5:21 PM10h 15m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM5:23 PM10h 06m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:31 PM10h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:42 PM10h 18m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:48 AM7:18 AM5:58 PM10h 40m

Computed for 31.633, -81.269 (EDT / 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.

Harris Neck NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Harris Neck NWR?

Yes. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (2,500 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, 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 Harris Neck NWR?

Yes — Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Harris Neck NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Harris Neck NWR located?

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge is in McIntosh County, Georgia, about 33 miles S of Savannah, GA (straight-line). GPS: 31.63332, -81.26861.

What are legal shooting hours at Harris Neck 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

Blackbeard Island NWR

McIntosh County, GA · 9.8 mi SE

1 special1 closed
🦌🐗🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Wolf Island NWR

McIntosh County, GA · 20 mi S

1 closed
🎣

Wassaw NWR

Chatham County, GA · 25 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🐗🎣

2.1K huntable acres

Tybee NWR

SC · 35 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Savannah NWR

Jasper County, SC · 39 mi N

9 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

29.8K huntable acres

Pinckney Island NWR

Beaufort County, SC · 52 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🎣

2.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Georgia →

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