Hunt unit · Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge

Beaver Island Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Beaver Island unit is one of 10 mapped hunt units on Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge in Randolph County, IL. It covers approximately 256 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 Official hunt info ↗
256acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Randolph Countycounty

Beaver Island 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 Illinois 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 Middle Mississippi River 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 Beaver Island unit

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Destination: center of the Beaver Island unit

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Decimal
37.96308, -89.92868
DMS
37°57′47.1″N 89°55′43.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Carbondale, IL42 mi NW of town
  • St. Louis, MO48 mi S of town
  • Cape Girardeau, MO50 mi NW 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 Beaver Island

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM7:31 PM13h 03m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:09 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM6:44 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM6:23 PM11h 17m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM5:02 PM10h 38m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM4:49 PM10h 10m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:41 PM9h 45m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM4:41 PM9h 33m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:49 PM9h 35m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM5:02 PM9h 48m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:21 PM10h 16m

Computed for 37.963, -89.929 (CDT / 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 Middle Mississippi River NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Crains Island - ILSpecial regs641—
Crains Island - MOSpecial regs103—
Harlow IslandSpecial regs1,191—
Horse IslandSpecial regs2,049—
Meissner IslandSpecial regs103—
Rockwood IslandSpecial regs1,263—
Wilkinson Island - ILSpecial regs1,928—
Wilkinson Island - MOSpecial regs715—
Closed UnitClosed179—

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