National Wildlife Refuge · Florida · FWS Region 4

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge lies in Wakulla County, Florida, with about 89,982 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 7 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 5 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 49,991 huntable acres.

1 open unit5 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
7hunt units
50Khuntable acres
90KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

St. Marks 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 St. Marks NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing and tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Three of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge’s management units open for quota hunts, based on species and weaponry. All hunts, except small game, are quota based. Applications can be made through MyFWC.com.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

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

Hunt units (7)

Acreage by status
Open: 1,214 (1%)Special regulations: 48,777 (54%)Closed: 40,263 (45%)50Khuntable acres
  • Open1,214 ac 1%
  • Special regulations48,777 ac 54%
  • Closed40,263 ac 45%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Unit
40,263 ac
Panacea Unit
18,215 ac
Wakulla Unit
15,299 ac
Newport Unit
12,183 ac
Port Leon Unit
2,596 ac
Piney Island Unit
1,214 ac
Aucilla Unit
484 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Piney Island Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Open 1,214 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…
Aucilla Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 484 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…
Newport Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 12,183 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…
Panacea Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 18,215 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…
Port Leon Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,596 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…
Wakulla Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 15,299 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…
Closed Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 40,263 Required
Other, Signed Brochure or Similar		 ~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS…

St. Marks NWR by the numbers

With about 49,991 huntable acres, St. Marks NWR ranks #2 of 10 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Florida and #50 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 55% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Panacea Unit (18,215 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Aucilla Unit, covers 484 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 40,263 acres is closed to hunting (Closed Unit). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 89,982 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 1,520 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt St. Marks NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Florida sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

~Quota hunt issued via FWCC (Online: other than FWS website)~Non-quota hunts require signed refuge brochure (FWS website, VC, kiosk, mail)

Type: Other, Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Florida hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at St. Marks NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Refuge waters include 2,000 acres of man-made pools open to bank fishing year-round and to boats (outboard motors not larger than 10 hp), March 15-October 15, in the St. Marks Unit.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to St. Marks NWR

Navigate

Destination: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
30.12384, -84.11084
DMS
30°07′25.8″N 84°06′39.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Tallahassee, FL24 mi SE of town
  • Valdosta, GA69 mi SW of town
  • Panama City, FL93 mi E of town
  • Albany, GA101 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • TLH Tallahassee Intl24 mi
  • JAX Jacksonville Intl147 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 St. Marks NWR

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, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM8:00 PM12h 48m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM7:43 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM7:23 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM7:06 PM11h 29m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:50 PM11h 01m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM5:41 PM10h 40m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM5:36 PM10h 22m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM5:38 PM10h 13m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:02 AM7:32 AM5:46 PM10h 14m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM5:57 PM10h 24m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:57 AM7:27 AM6:11 PM10h 45m

Computed for 30.124, -84.111 (EDT / 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.

Guides for hunting St. Marks NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

St. Marks NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at St. Marks NWR?

Yes. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 6 units (49,991 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt St. Marks NWR?

Yes — St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other and Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, mail, online through fws, online (e.g. recreation.gov), or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at St. Marks NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing and tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is St. Marks NWR located?

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is in Wakulla County, Florida, about 24 miles SE of Tallahassee, FL (straight-line). GPS: 30.12384, -84.11084.

What are legal shooting hours at St. Marks 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

St. Vincent NWR

Gulf County, FL · 68 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🐇🐗🎣

10.9K huntable acres

Lower Suwannee NWR

Dixie County, FL · 81 mi SE

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🐗🎣

49.6K huntable acres

Banks Lake NWR

Lanier County, GA · 86 mi NE

1 closed
🎣

Cedar Keys NWR

FL · 95 mi SE

1 closed
🎣

Okefenokee NWR

Charlton County, GA · 117 mi NE

4 special2 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🐗🎣

3.8K huntable acres

Chassahowitzka NWR

Citrus County, FL · 129 mi SE

2 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

21.8K huntable acres

All refuges in Florida →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.