Hunt unit · Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge

Big Timber Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Big Timber unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA. It covers approximately 1,803 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 ↗
1,803acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Louisa Countycounty

Big Timber map

Loading interactive map…
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 Iowa 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 Port Louisa 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 Big Timber unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Big Timber unit

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.28193, -91.10666
DMS
41°16′54.9″N 91°06′24.0″W

Nearest towns

  • Davenport, IA32 mi SW of town
  • Cedar Rapids, IA56 mi SE of town
  • Havana, IL87 mi NW 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 Big Timber

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, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM7:39 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:15 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM6:48 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM6:25 PM11h 11m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM5:01 PM10h 27m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM4:46 PM9h 55m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:37 PM9h 27m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM4:36 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:59 AM7:29 AM4:44 PM9h 15m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:57 AM7:27 AM4:58 PM9h 30m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:18 PM10h 02m

Computed for 41.282, -91.107 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Port Louisa NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Horseshoe BendSpecial regs2,541—
Iowa River CorridorSpecial regs9,471—
KeithsburgSpecial regs1,539—
LouisaClosed2,602—

Back to Port Louisa NWR →