Hunt unit · Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge

Hunt Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Hunt Area is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in Oktibbeha County, MS. It covers approximately 43,240 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 ↗
43,240acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Oktibbeha Countycounty

Hunt Area 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: Mail, Online FWS, Online Other, Visitor Center.

Waterfowl and deer hunters require a quota permit

🧒 General-access youth hunts are offered for deer, turkey and squirrel. A special youth waterfowl workshop is held in conjunction with Mississippi State University; participants are selected by lottery. The workshop concludes with a special hunt the first

Game at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee 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 Hunt Area

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Destination: center of the Hunt Area

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Decimal
33.29596, -88.87084
DMS
33°17′45.5″N 88°52′15.0″W

Nearest towns

  • Columbus, MS29 mi SW of town
  • Tupelo, MS67 mi S of town
  • Tuscaloosa, AL75 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 Hunt Area

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 AM7:22 PM12h 54m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM7:03 PM12h 26m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM6:41 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:23 PM11h 25m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:43 AM6:13 AM5:05 PM10h 52m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM4:54 PM10h 28m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM4:48 PM10h 08m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM4:49 PM9h 58m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM4:57 PM9h 59m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM5:09 PM10h 10m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:21 AM6:51 AM5:25 PM10h 34m

Computed for 33.296, -88.871 (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 Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Noxubee WildernessSpecial regs1,466Required
Closed AreaClosed461Required
Connecting People with NatureClosed2,505Required
Mobility Impaired Hunt AreaClosed667Required

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