Hunt unit · Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge

Open Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Open Area is one of 2 mapped hunt units on Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham County, GA. It covers approximately 2,146 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 ↗
2,146acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Chatham Countycounty

Open 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 Georgia 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: Online Other.

All hunters must have annual hunt permit.

Game at Wassaw 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 Open Area

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Destination: center of the Open Area

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Decimal
31.87440, -80.98463
DMS
31°52′27.8″N 80°59′04.7″W

Nearest towns

  • Savannah, GA15 mi SE of town
  • Beaufort, SC43 mi SW of town
  • Brunswick, GA58 mi NE 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 Open Area

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, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM7:49 PM12h 51m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM7:31 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM7:10 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:52 PM11h 27m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM5:35 PM10h 56m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM5:25 PM10h 33m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM5:20 PM10h 14m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM5:21 PM10h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:53 AM7:23 AM5:29 PM10h 06m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:40 PM10h 17m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM5:56 PM10h 39m

Computed for 31.874, -80.985 (EDT / 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 Wassaw NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Closed AreaClosed8,082Required

Back to Wassaw NWR →