Hunt unit · Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting Area A Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Hunting Area A unit is one of 6 mapped hunt units on Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Essex County, MA. It covers approximately 871 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 ↗
871acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Essex Countycounty

Hunting Area A 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 Massachusetts 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.

Deer hunting, night fishing and shellfishing permit required.

🧒 Each year, the refuge sponsors a special youth waterfowling course and hunt with a local sportsmen's group.

Game at Parker 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 Hunting Area A unit

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Destination: center of the Hunting Area A unit

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Decimal
42.77019, -70.82635
DMS
42°46′12.7″N 70°49′34.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Newburyport, MA3.9 mi SE of town
  • Portsmouth, NH21 mi S of town
  • Boston, MA31 mi NE 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 Hunting Area A

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, 20265:36 AM6:06 AM7:20 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:51 AM6:21 AM6:55 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM6:26 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM6:02 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:46 AM6:16 AM4:37 PM10h 21m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM4:21 PM9h 47m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:11 PM9h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:10 PM9h 04m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM4:18 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM4:32 PM9h 22m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM4:54 PM9h 56m

Computed for 42.770, -70.826 (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 Parker River NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Hunting Area BSpecial regs384Required
Hunting Area CSpecial regs463Required
Hunting Area DSpecial regs65Required
Plum IslandSpecial regs2,667Required
ClosedClosed125Required

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