Hunt unit · Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Cowhouse Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Cowhouse Unit is one of 6 mapped hunt units on Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Ware County, GA. It covers approximately 1,257 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 ↗
1,257acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Ware Countycounty

Cowhouse 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 Georgia 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: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Obtain via: Mail, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

Lottery with permit at Suwannee Canal for deer and incidental take of feral hogs.

🧒 The refuge annually offers hunter safety courses and a hunting skills class, open to hunters of all ages.

Game at Okefenokee 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 Cowhouse Unit

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Destination: center of the Cowhouse Unit

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Decimal
31.05528, -82.24901
DMS
31°03′19.0″N 82°14′56.4″W

Nearest towns

  • Waycross, GA12 mi SE of town
  • Folkston, GA21 mi NW of town
  • Brunswick, GA45 mi W 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 Cowhouse Unit

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, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM7:54 PM12h 50m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:36 PM12h 24m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:15 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM6:58 PM11h 28m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM5:41 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM5:32 PM10h 36m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM5:27 PM10h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM5:28 PM10h 09m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:56 AM7:26 AM5:36 PM10h 10m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:57 AM7:27 AM5:47 PM10h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM6:02 PM10h 42m

Computed for 31.055, -82.249 (EDT / 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 Okefenokee NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Chesser Island UnitSpecial regs557Required
Pocket UnitSpecial regs1,387Required
Suwannee Canal UnitSpecial regs620Required
Closed Area - FLClosed3,523Required
Closed Area - GAClosed399,657Required

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