Hunt unit · Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Carter Ponds Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Carter Ponds unit is one of 6 mapped hunt units on Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Yazoo County, MS. It covers approximately 629 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 ↗
629acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Yazoo Countycounty

Carter Ponds 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 Mississippi 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. Obtain via: Online FWS, Online Other, Visitor Center.

All hunters and anglers on TR Complex must purchase $15 permit through Rec access ($5 fee for online) or at the refuge office. Other opportunities require additional limited draw permits.

🧒 A general-access youth waterfowl hunt is offered, usually in late December.

Game at Panther Swamp 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 Carter Ponds unit

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Destination: center of the Carter Ponds unit

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Decimal
33.01798, -90.41586
DMS
33°01′04.7″N 90°24′57.1″W

Nearest towns

  • Yazoo City, MS11 mi N of town
  • Greenville, MS46 mi SE of town
  • Jackson, MS51 mi N 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 Carter Ponds

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, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM7:28 PM12h 53m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:09 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM6:47 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM6:29 PM11h 25m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:48 AM6:18 AM5:11 PM10h 53m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM5:01 PM10h 29m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:55 PM10h 09m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:56 PM9h 59m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:04 PM10h 00m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:16 PM10h 12m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:27 AM6:57 AM5:32 PM10h 35m

Computed for 33.018, -90.416 (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 Panther Swamp NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Lower TwistSpecial regs2,576Required
RefugeSpecial regs18,463Required
Waterfowl Hunt Unit 1Special regs8,996Required
Waterfowl Hunt Unit 2Special regs10,785Required
Closed to HuntingClosed347Required

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