Hunt unit · Neches River National Wildlife Refuge

Walnut Branch Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Walnut Branch Unit is one of 8 mapped hunt units on Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Cherokee County, TX. It covers approximately 1,356 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 ↗
1,356acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Cherokee Countycounty

Walnut Branch 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 Texas 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 Neches 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 Walnut Branch Unit

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Destination: center of the Walnut Branch Unit

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Decimal
31.88814, -95.39858
DMS
31°53′17.3″N 95°23′54.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Tyler, TX32 mi S of town
  • Dallas, TX102 mi SE of town
  • Waco, TX106 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 Walnut Branch Unit

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, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM7:47 PM12h 51m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM7:29 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM7:07 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM6:50 PM11h 27m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM5:33 PM10h 56m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:23 PM10h 33m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:17 PM10h 14m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM5:19 PM10h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:27 PM10h 06m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:38 PM10h 17m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM5:54 PM10h 39m

Computed for 31.888, -95.399 (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 Neches River NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Aramadillo UnitSpecial regs360—
Dead Water UnitSpecial regs3,015—
Highway 84 UnitSpecial regs2,694—
Railraod UnitSpecial regs249—
Rocky Point UnitSpecial regs361—
Sandy Bluff UnitSpecial regs1,743—
Alligator Lake UnitClosed758—

Back to Neches River NWR →