National Wildlife Refuge · Alabama · FWS Region 4

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is located in Jackson County, Alabama, with about 266 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open with special regulations, covering about 266 huntable acres.

1 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
266huntable acres
266FWS-owned acres
2game categories

Sauta Cave NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Sauta Cave NWR

Hunting opportunities include upland birds and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Upland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Alabama regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 266 (100%)266huntable acres
  • Special regulations266 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Main Hunt Area Special regs 266 Required
Other		 All species open to hunting on the station

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All species open to hunting on the station

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

Fishing at Sauta Cave NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Sauta Cave NWR.

How to get to Sauta Cave NWR

Navigate

Destination: Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
34.61315, -86.13193
DMS
34°36′47.3″N 86°07′54.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Huntsville, AL27 mi E of town
  • Decatur, AL48 mi E of town
  • Chattanooga, TN56 mi SW of town
  • Birmingham, AL85 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • CHA Chattanooga Metro61 mi
  • BHM Birmingham–Shuttlesworth81 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Sauta Cave NWR

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, 20265:46 AM6:16 AM7:12 PM12h 56m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM6:53 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM6:30 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM6:11 PM11h 22m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:34 AM6:04 AM4:52 PM10h 48m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:47 AM6:17 AM4:40 PM10h 23m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM4:34 PM10h 02m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM4:35 PM9h 51m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:21 AM6:51 AM4:43 PM9h 52m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:21 AM6:51 AM4:55 PM10h 04m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:13 AM6:43 AM5:12 PM10h 29m

Computed for 34.613, -86.132 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

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

Sauta Cave NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Sauta Cave NWR?

Yes. Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (266 acres) during 2026–2027 for upland birds and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Sauta Cave NWR?

Yes — Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained kiosk, online (e.g. recreation.gov), or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Sauta Cave NWR located?

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is in Jackson County, Alabama, about 27 miles E of Huntsville, AL (straight-line). GPS: 34.61315, -86.13193.

What are legal shooting hours at Sauta Cave NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Fern Cave NWR

Jackson County, AL · 11 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Paint Rock River NWR

Franklin County, TN · 30 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Wheeler NWR

Limestone County, AL · 43 mi W

3 special2 closed
🦌🐦🐇🐗🎣

27.6K huntable acres

Mountain Longleaf NWR

Calhoun County, AL · 67 mi S

2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

3.3K huntable acres

Key Cave NWR

Lauderdale County, AL · 95 mi W

1 special
🦌🐦🕊️🐇🐗

1.1K huntable acres

Watercress Darter NWR

Jefferson County, AL · 98 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Alabama →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.