Hunt unit · Kern National Wildlife Refuge

Free Roam Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Free Roam unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Kern National Wildlife Refuge in Kern County, CA. It covers approximately 2,177 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 ↗
2,177acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Kern Countycounty

Free Roam 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 Kern 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 Free Roam unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Free Roam unit

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
35.73342, -119.59469
DMS
35°44′00.3″N 119°35′40.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Bakersfield, CA41 mi NW of town
  • Fresno, CA70 mi S of town
  • Santa Barbara, CA91 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 Free Roam

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, 20266:09 AM6:39 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 46m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 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 35.733, -119.595 (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 Kern NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Assigned PondsSpecial regs413—
Blind HuntSpecial regs627—
ClosedClosed8,019—

Back to Kern NWR →