National Wildlife Refuge · Indiana · FWS Region 3

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge lies in Jennings County, Indiana, with about 7,826 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 5,202 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
5.2Khuntable acres
7.8KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Muscatatuck 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 Muscatatuck NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Gently rolling hills, woodlands and fields of Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge provide a haven for game and a quiet, uncrowded place for hunters to enjoy a public hunt in southern Indiana.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Indiana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 5,202 (66%)Closed: 2,625 (34%)5.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations5,202 ac 66%
  • Closed2,625 ac 34%
Units by size (acres)
Unit A
4,455 ac
Closed
2,625 ac
Unit B
747 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Unit A Special regs 4,455 —
Unit B Special regs 747 —
Closed Closed 2,625 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Indiana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife
  • 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 Muscatatuck NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Stanfield Lake is open to fishing from hand-powered boats and canoes year-round. Other areas may be open from time to time. Boats may be launched only from the designated boat ramp. No motors are allowed.

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

How to get to Muscatatuck NWR

Navigate

Destination: Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
38.93397, -85.80273
DMS
38°56′02.3″N 85°48′09.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Seymour, IN5.0 mi E of town
  • Louisville, KY47 mi N of town
  • Indianapolis, IN61 mi S of town
  • Cincinnati, OH70 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • SDF Louisville Muhammad Ali53 mi
  • IND Indianapolis Intl60 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 Muscatatuck NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM8:15 PM13h 05m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM7:53 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM7:27 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:21 AM7:51 AM7:06 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM5:44 PM10h 35m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM5:30 PM10h 05m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM5:22 PM9h 40m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:24 AM7:54 AM5:22 PM9h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:31 AM8:01 AM5:30 PM9h 29m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:30 AM8:00 AM5:43 PM9h 43m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:20 AM7:50 AM6:02 PM10h 12m

Computed for 38.934, -85.803 (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.

Muscatatuck NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Muscatatuck NWR?

Yes. Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (5,202 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Muscatatuck NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Muscatatuck NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Muscatatuck NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Muscatatuck NWR located?

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is in Jennings County, Indiana, about 5 miles E of Seymour, IN (straight-line). GPS: 38.93397, -85.80273.

What are legal shooting hours at Muscatatuck 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

Big Oaks NWR

Ripley County, IN · 21 mi E

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

27.3K huntable acres

Patoka River NWR

Pike County, IN · 90 mi SW

1 open1 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.6K huntable acres

Green River NWR

Henderson County, KY · 117 mi SW

3 closed
No hunting listed

Ohio River Islands NWR

Adams County, OH · 121 mi E

22 special8 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

2.9K huntable acres

Wolf Creek NFH

Russell County, KY · 147 mi S

1 closed
🎣

Dale Hollow NFH

Clay County, TN · 166 mi S

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Indiana →

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