Hunt unit · Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Safety Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Safety Area is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK. It covers approximately 22,316 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 ↗
22,316acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Kenai Peninsula Boroughcounty

Safety 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 Alaska 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: Special Use Permit. Obtain via: Other.

Hunting Black Bears over bait stations, Hunting Black Bears with aid or use of a dog

Game at Kenai 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 Safety Area

Navigate

Destination: center of the Safety Area

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Decimal
60.75616, -150.84435
DMS
60°45′22.2″N 150°50′39.7″W

Nearest towns

  • Soldotna, AK20 mi N of town
  • Kenai, AK20 mi NE of town
  • Anchorage, AK45 mi SW 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 Safety Area

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM9:13 PM14h 19m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM8:29 PM13h 02m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:36 AM8:06 AM7:39 PM11h 33m
Thu, Oct 15, 20268:11 AM8:41 AM6:56 PM10h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20267:56 AM8:26 AM5:07 PM8h 41m
Sun, Nov 15, 20268:34 AM9:04 AM4:32 PM7h 28m
Tue, Dec 1, 20269:13 AM9:43 AM4:01 PM6h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20269:37 AM10:07 AM3:49 PM5h 42m
Fri, Jan 1, 20279:43 AM10:13 AM3:59 PM5h 46m
Fri, Jan 15, 20279:28 AM9:58 AM4:25 PM6h 27m
Mon, Feb 1, 20278:53 AM9:23 AM5:09 PM7h 46m

Computed for 60.756, -150.844 (AKDT / 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 Kenai NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
SkilakOpen38,468Required
Swanson RiverOpen95,730Required
RefugeSpecial regs1,781,872Required
AdministrativeClosed4,735Required

Back to Kenai NWR →