National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

Kern National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Kern National Wildlife Refuge is located in Kern County, California, with about 11,236 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 3,217 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
3.2Khuntable acres
11.2KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Kern NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Kern NWR

Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

This area once was covered with the largest marsh west of the Mississippi, but that habitat was quickly drained after settlement. Kern National Wildlife Refuge was established to re-create habitat through a series of constructed wetlands.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow California regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 3,217 (29%)Closed: 8,019 (71%)3.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations3,217 ac 29%
  • Closed8,019 ac 71%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
8,019 ac
Free Roam
2,177 ac
Blind Hunt
627 ac
Assigned Ponds
413 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Assigned Ponds Special regs 413 —
Blind Hunt Special regs 627 —
Free Roam Special regs 2,177 —
Closed Closed 8,019 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid California hunting license and any required tags or stamps — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Kern NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Kern NWR.

How to get to Kern NWR

Navigate

Destination: Kern National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
35.75346, -119.61380
DMS
35°45′12.5″N 119°36′49.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Bakersfield, CA43 mi NW of town
  • Fresno, CA69 mi S of town
  • Santa Barbara, CA92 mi N of town
  • Ventura, CA103 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • BFL Bakersfield Meadows38 mi
  • FAT Fresno Yosemite71 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Kern NWR

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, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM7:27 PM12h 58m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:07 PM12h 28m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM6:43 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:24 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM5:04 PM10h 45m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM4:52 PM10h 19m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM4:45 PM9h 56m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM4:46 PM9h 45m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM4:54 PM9h 47m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:06 PM9h 59m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:29 AM6:59 AM5:24 PM10h 25m

Computed for 35.753, -119.614 (PDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

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

Kern NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Kern NWR?

Yes. Kern National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (3,217 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Kern NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Kern NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Kern NWR located?

Kern National Wildlife Refuge is in Kern County, California, about 43 miles NW of Bakersfield, CA (straight-line). GPS: 35.75346, -119.61380.

What are legal shooting hours at Kern NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Pixley NWR

Tulare County, CA · 17 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Blue Ridge NWR

Tulare County, CA · 56 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Bitter Creek NWR

Kern County, CA · 57 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes NWR

San Luis Obispo County, CA · 77 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Hopper Mountain NWR

Ventura County, CA · 99 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Merced NWR

Merced County, CA · 113 mi NW

2 special1 closed
🦆🕊️

1.9K huntable acres

All refuges in California →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.