Hunt unit · Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

Open Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Open Unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Levy County, FL. It covers approximately 48,105 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 ↗
48,105acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Levy Countycounty

Open 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.

Refuge permit required. Type: Other. Obtain via: Online Other.

Service issued permit is required for all species open to hunting on the station.

🧒 A quota deer hunt for youth is offered.

Game at Lower Suwannee 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 Open Unit

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Destination: center of the Open Unit

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Decimal
29.31409, -83.07549
DMS
29°18′50.7″N 83°04′31.8″W

Nearest towns

  • Crystal River, FL41 mi NW of town
  • Gainesville, FL51 mi SW of town
  • Ocala, FL57 mi W 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 Open 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, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM7:55 PM12h 47m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM7:39 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM7:19 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:02 AM7:32 AM7:03 PM11h 31m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM5:47 PM11h 03m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM5:38 PM10h 43m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM5:34 PM10h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM5:35 PM10h 17m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:56 AM7:26 AM5:44 PM10h 18m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:57 AM7:27 AM5:54 PM10h 27m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM6:09 PM10h 47m

Computed for 29.314, -83.075 (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 Lower Suwannee NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
HQ UnitSpecial regs170Required
Salt Creek UnitSpecial regs933Required
St. Pete UnitSpecial regs430Required
Closed UnitClosed2,233Required

Back to Lower Suwannee NWR →