Hunt unit · Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
Patoka Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access
The Patoka Unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge in Pike County, IN. It covers approximately 11,527 acres and is listed as “open to hunting” for 2026–2027. Hunting generally follows state seasons and bag limits, along with general refuge rules.
Patoka Unit map
Rules & permits for this unit
Status: Open to hunting
Hunting follows Indiana seasons, bag limits and licensing, plus general National Wildlife Refuge rules.
Game at Patoka 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 Patoka Unit
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Destination: center of the Patoka Unit
- Decimal
38.38327, -87.40984- DMS
38°22′59.8″N 87°24′35.4″W
Nearest towns
- Evansville, IN30 mi N of town
- Terre Haute, IN75 mi S of town
- Louisville, KY90 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 Patoka Unit
*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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 5:48 AM | 6:18 AM | 7:21 PM | 13h 04m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:00 AM | 6:30 AM | 6:59 PM | 12h 30m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:14 AM | 6:44 AM | 6:34 PM | 11h 50m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:27 AM | 6:57 AM | 6:13 PM | 11h 16m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 5:45 AM | 6:15 AM | 4:51 PM | 10h 37m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:00 AM | 6:30 AM | 4:38 PM | 10h 08m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:17 AM | 6:47 AM | 4:30 PM | 9h 43m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 6:29 AM | 6:59 AM | 4:30 PM | 9h 31m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 6:36 AM | 7:06 AM | 4:38 PM | 9h 32m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 6:35 AM | 7:05 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 46m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:25 AM | 6:55 AM | 5:10 PM | 10h 15m |
Computed for 38.383, -87.410 (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 Patoka River NWR
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Mine Preserve | !Special regs | 1,074 | — |
| Cane Ridge | ✕Closed | 482 | — |
| Maxey Marsh | ✕Closed | 62 | — |