Hunt unit · Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge

Bow Creek Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Bow Creek unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge in Phillips County, KS. It covers approximately 2,818 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 ↗
2,818acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Phillips Countycounty

Bow Creek 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 Kansas 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: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Obtain via: Mail, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

Archery deer

Game at Kirwin 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 Bow Creek unit

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Destination: center of the Bow Creek unit

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Decimal
39.62779, -99.16697
DMS
39°37′40.0″N 99°10′01.1″W

Nearest towns

  • Hays, KS52 mi N of town
  • Holdrege, NE57 mi S of town
  • Kearney, NE74 mi S 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 Bow Creek

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 AM7:21 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, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM5:13 PM9h 36m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:19 AM7:49 AM5:13 PM9h 24m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:22 PM9h 25m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM5:34 PM9h 39m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:15 AM7:45 AM5:54 PM10h 10m

Computed for 39.628, -99.167 (CDT / 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 Kirwin NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Solomon RiverSpecial regs2,096Required
UplandsSpecial regs902Required
Kirwin ReservoirClosed4,064Required
North ShoreClosed896Required

Back to Kirwin NWR →