Hunt unit · Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Waterfowl Open Hunt Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Waterfowl Open Hunt Area is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It covers approximately 27,504 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 ↗
27,504acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
FLstate

Waterfowl Open Hunt Area map

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
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: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Mail, Online FWS, Other, Visitor Center.

Waterfowl, Big Game, and Fishing/Shellfishing

Game at Merritt Island 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 Waterfowl Open Hunt Area

Navigate

Destination: center of the Waterfowl Open Hunt Area

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
28.75282, -80.73546
DMS
28°45′10.2″N 80°44′07.7″W

Nearest towns

  • Titusville, FL11 mi NE of town
  • Daytona Beach, FL36 mi SE of town
  • Orlando, FL42 mi E 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 Waterfowl Open Hunt 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, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:46 PM12h 46m
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 31m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM5:38 PM11h 04m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM5:30 PM10h 44m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM5:25 PM10h 28m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM5:27 PM10h 20m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM5:36 PM10h 20m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:46 PM10h 30m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM6:00 PM10h 49m

Computed for 28.753, -80.735 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Merritt Island NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Upland Quota Hunt AreaSpecial regs4,954Required
Waterfowl Quota Hunt AreaSpecial regs7,558Required
Closed AreaClosed90,200Required

Back to Merritt Island NWR →