Hunt unit · Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Garth Slough Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Garth Slough unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Morgan County, AL. It covers approximately 2,034 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 ↗
2,034acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Morgan Countycounty

Garth Slough 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 Alabama 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: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

All species open to hunting on the station

Game at Wheeler 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 Garth Slough unit

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Destination: center of the Garth Slough unit

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Decimal
34.56225, -86.87015
DMS
34°33′44.1″N 86°52′12.5″W

Nearest towns

  • Decatur, AL7.1 mi SE of town
  • Huntsville, AL20 mi SW of town
  • Birmingham, AL72 mi N 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 Garth Slough

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, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM7:15 PM12h 56m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM6:56 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM6:33 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM6:14 PM11h 23m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:36 AM6:06 AM4:55 PM10h 48m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM4:44 PM10h 23m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM4:37 PM10h 02m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:38 PM9h 52m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:24 AM6:54 AM4:46 PM9h 53m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:23 AM6:53 AM4:58 PM10h 05m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:15 AM6:45 AM5:15 PM10h 29m

Computed for 34.562, -86.870 (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 Wheeler NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Flint Creek WestSpecial regs1,646Required
Main Hunt AreaSpecial regs23,948Required
Administrative AreaClosed626Required
Redstone ArsenalClosed5,623Required

Back to Wheeler NWR →