Hunt unit · Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Bellrose Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Bellrose unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Pulaski County, IL. It covers approximately 1,179 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.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
1,179acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Pulaski Countycounty

Bellrose map

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
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 Illinois 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.

Game at Cypress Creek 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 Bellrose unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Bellrose unit

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.29039, -89.13477
DMS
37°17′25.4″N 89°08′05.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Cape Girardeau, MO21 mi E of town
  • Carbondale, IL31 mi S of town
  • Marion, IL32 mi S 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 Bellrose

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, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM7:27 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM7:06 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM6:41 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:21 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM5:00 PM10h 40m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM4:47 PM10h 12m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM4:40 PM9h 48m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM4:40 PM9h 37m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM4:48 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM5:00 PM9h 51m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:30 AM7:00 AM5:19 PM10h 19m

Computed for 37.290, -89.135 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

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

Other units at Cypress Creek NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
OpenSpecial regs15,256—
ClosedClosed238—

Back to Cypress Creek NWR →