National Wildlife Refuge · Kansas · FWS Region 6

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge lies in Phillips County, Kansas, within an approved boundary of roughly 10,789 acres. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 5,817 huntable acres.

3 with special regs2 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
5.8Khuntable acres
10.8Kboundary acres
6game categories

Kirwin 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 Kirwin NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Each spring and fall, Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge attracts hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl to the heart of the Central Flyway, making the refuge a great duck and goose hunting destination.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

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

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 5,817 (54%)Closed: 4,961 (46%)5.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations5,817 ac 54%
  • Closed4,961 ac 46%
Units by size (acres)
Kirwin Reservoir
4,064 ac
Bow Creek
2,818 ac
Solomon River
2,096 ac
Uplands
902 ac
North Shore
896 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Bow Creek Special regs 2,818 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Archery deer
Solomon River Special regs 2,096 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Archery deer
Uplands Special regs 902 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Archery deer
Kirwin Reservoir Closed 4,064 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Archery deer
North Shore Closed 896 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Archery deer

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Archery deer

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Kansas hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
  • 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 Kirwin NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include a 1,000-acre lake. Available species include "wipers" (hybrid white/striped bass), white bass, walleye, largemouth bass, crappie and flathead and channel catfish.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Kirwin NWR

Navigate

Destination: Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
39.65628, -99.15538
DMS
39°39′22.6″N 99°09′19.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Hays, KS54 mi N of town
  • Holdrege, NE55 mi S of town
  • Kearney, NE72 mi S of town
  • Great Bend, KS92 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • GRI Central Nebraska Regional101 mi
  • LNK Lincoln Airport151 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 Kirwin NWR

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, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM8:10 PM13h 06m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM7:47 PM12h 31m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:01 AM7:31 AM7:20 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM6:59 PM11h 14m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:36 PM10h 32m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM5:22 PM10h 02m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM5:13 PM9h 36m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:19 AM7:49 AM5:13 PM9h 23m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:21 PM9h 25m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM5:34 PM9h 39m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:15 AM7:45 AM5:54 PM10h 09m

Computed for 39.656, -99.155 (CDT / 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.

Kirwin NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Kirwin NWR?

Yes. Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (5,817 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Kirwin NWR?

Yes — Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained mail, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Kirwin NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Kirwin NWR located?

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge is in Phillips County, Kansas, about 54 miles N of Hays, KS (straight-line). GPS: 39.65628, -99.15538.

What are legal shooting hours at Kirwin 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

Rainwater Basin WMD

Phelps County, NE · 60 mi N

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

24.9K huntable acres

Quivira NWR

Stafford County, KS · 116 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

8.2K huntable acres

John W. and Louise Seier NWR

Rock County, NE · 177 mi N

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

2.4K huntable acres

Flint Hills NWR

Coffey County, KS · 198 mi SE

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.6K huntable acres

Salt Plains NWR

Alfalfa County, OK · 207 mi S

11 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.6K huntable acres

Valentine NWR

Cherry County, NE · 209 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

70.9K huntable acres

All refuges in Kansas →

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