Hunt unit · Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

Kesterson Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Kesterson Unit is one of 7 mapped hunt units on Grasslands Wildlife Management Area in Merced County, CA. It covers approximately 145 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
145acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Merced Countycounty

Kesterson Unit 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 California 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 Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

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 Kesterson Unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Kesterson Unit

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.27576, -120.95234
DMS
37°16′32.7″N 120°57′08.4″W

Nearest towns

  • Los Banos, CA16 mi N of town
  • Modesto, CA25 mi S of town
  • Merced, CA26 mi W 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 Kesterson Unit

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Los Angeles local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:34 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:13 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:48 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:28 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM5:07 PM10h 40m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:54 PM10h 12m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:47 PM9h 48m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:47 PM9h 37m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:55 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:08 PM9h 51m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:26 PM10h 19m

Computed for 37.276, -120.952 (PDT / 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 Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Blue Goose UnitSpecial regs303—
East Bear Creek UnitSpecial regs1,077—
San Luis UnitSpecial regs199—
South Freitas UnitSpecial regs310—
West Bear Creek UnitSpecial regs968—
ClosedClosed12,099—

Back to Grasslands Wildlife Management Area →