National Wildlife Refuge · Florida · FWS Region 4

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located in Brevard County, Florida, with about 925 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 40,016 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
40Khuntable acres
925FWS-owned acres
3game categories

Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island NWR

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

Overlaying John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in August 1963 to provide a buffer zone for NASA. Approximately one-half the refuge's 140,000 acres consist of brackish estuaries and marshes.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsFeral & 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 Florida regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 40,016 (31%)Closed: 90,200 (69%)40Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations40,016 ac 31%
  • Closed90,200 ac 69%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Area
90,200 ac
Waterfowl Open Hunt Area
27,504 ac
Waterfowl Quota Hunt Area
7,558 ac
Upland Quota Hunt Area
4,954 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Upland Quota Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 4,954 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Waterfowl, Big Game, and Fishing/Shellfishing
Waterfowl Open Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 27,504 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Waterfowl, Big Game, and Fishing/Shellfishing
Waterfowl Quota Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 7,558 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Waterfowl, Big Game, and Fishing/Shellfishing
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 90,200 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Waterfowl, Big Game, and Fishing/Shellfishing

Merritt Island NWR by the numbers

With about 40,016 huntable acres, Merritt Island NWR ranks #4 of 10 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Florida and #68 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 31% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Waterfowl Open Hunt Area (27,504 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Upland Quota Hunt Area, covers 4,954 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 90,200 acres is closed to hunting (Closed Area). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Merritt Island NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Florida sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Waterfowl, Big Game, and Fishing/Shellfishing

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Florida hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Merritt Island NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Freshwater fishing is limited to about 100 acres of borrow pits. Banks fishing for saltwater species is available from many dike roads, Patillo Creek, Eddy Creek and Haulover Canal.

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

How to get to Merritt Island NWR

Navigate

Destination: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
28.58574, -80.68795
DMS
28°35′08.7″N 80°41′16.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Titusville, FL7.6 mi E of town
  • Melbourne, FL35 mi N of town
  • Orlando, FL42 mi E of town
  • Daytona Beach, FL48 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • MCO Orlando Intl39 mi
  • TPA Tampa Intl120 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 Merritt Island 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 AM7:45 PM12h 45m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM7:29 PM12h 22m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM7:09 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM6:54 PM11h 32m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM5:38 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM5:30 PM10h 45m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM5:26 PM10h 28m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM5:27 PM10h 20m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM5:36 PM10h 21m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:46 PM10h 30m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM6:00 PM10h 50m

Computed for 28.586, -80.688 (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.

Guides for hunting Merritt Island NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Feral Hog Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

Why many refuges allow — and encourage — feral hog hunting, how refuge rules handle hogs, safe shot placement, disease…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Merritt Island NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Merritt Island NWR?

Yes. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (40,016 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Merritt Island NWR?

Yes — Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, mail, online through fws, other, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Merritt Island NWR?

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

Where is Merritt Island NWR located?

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is in Brevard County, Florida, about 8 miles E of Titusville, FL (straight-line). GPS: 28.58574, -80.68795.

What are legal shooting hours at Merritt Island 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

St. Johns NWR

Brevard County, FL · 12 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Archie Carr NWR

FL · 42 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Lake Woodruff NWR

Volusia County, FL · 56 mi NW

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐗🎣

12.5K huntable acres

Pelican Island NWR

Indian River County, FL · 56 mi S

1 closed
🎣

Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area

Okeechobee County, FL · 68 mi S

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

7K huntable acres

Welaka NFH

Putnam County, FL · 83 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Florida →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.