National Wildlife Refuge · Arkansas · FWS Region 4

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge lies in Crittenden County, Arkansas, with about 8,464 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations, covering about 5,653 huntable acres.

2 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
5.7Khuntable acres
8.5KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Wapanocca 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 Wapanocca NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, upland birds, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge offers a great public hunting opportunity just 20 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. The refuge is an oasis for wildlife in a sea of agricultural development.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall 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 Arkansas regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 5,653 (100%)5.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations5,653 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Cactus Ridge
3,205 ac
Waterfowl Sanctuary
2,448 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Cactus Ridge Special regs 3,205 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Upland, small game and big game
Waterfowl Sanctuary Special regs 2,448 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Upland, small game and big game

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Upland, small game and big game

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Arkansas hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Wapanocca NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include Wapanocca Lake (600 acres), with an average depth of four feet. Fishing season is March 15-October 31, during daylight hours only. Available species include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish.

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

How to get to Wapanocca NWR

Navigate

Destination: Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
35.34751, -90.21957
DMS
35°20′51.0″N 90°13′10.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Memphis, TN17 mi NW of town
  • Jonesboro, AR43 mi SE of town
  • Helena-West Helena, AR60 mi N of town
  • Dyersburg, TN66 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • MEM Memphis Intl25 mi
  • LIT Little Rock Clinton National121 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 Wapanocca 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, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:29 PM12h 57m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:09 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM6:46 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM6:27 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:51 AM6:21 AM5:07 PM10h 46m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM4:55 PM10h 20m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM4:49 PM9h 58m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM4:49 PM9h 48m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM4:58 PM9h 49m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM5:09 PM10h 01m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:30 AM7:00 AM5:27 PM10h 26m

Computed for 35.348, -90.220 (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.

Wapanocca NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Wapanocca NWR?

Yes. Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (5,653 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, upland birds, 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 Wapanocca NWR?

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

Can you fish at Wapanocca NWR?

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

Where is Wapanocca NWR located?

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge is in Crittenden County, Arkansas, about 17 miles NW of Memphis, TN (straight-line). GPS: 35.34751, -90.21957.

What are legal shooting hours at Wapanocca 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

Lower Hatchie NWR

Lauderdale County, TN · 27 mi NE

6 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.5K huntable acres

Big Lake NWR

Mississippi County, AR · 40 mi N

2 special1 closed
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10.4K huntable acres

Chickasaw NWR

Lauderdale County, TN · 46 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

26.7K huntable acres

Hatchie NWR

Haywood County, TN · 58 mi E

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.2K huntable acres

Bald Knob NWR

White County, AR · 77 mi W

4 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

15.4K huntable acres

Cache River NWR

Monroe County, AR · 78 mi SW

10 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

75.2K huntable acres

All refuges in Arkansas →

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