National Wildlife Refuge · Missouri · FWS Region 3

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Holt County, Missouri, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 7,412 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 7,442 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
7.4Khuntable acres
7.4KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Loess Bluffs 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 Loess Bluffs NWR

Hunters can pursue big game and waterfowl here, 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.

The mix of wetlands, grasslands and forests on Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge creates perfect cover for the deer population.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and coots

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 7,442 (93%)Closed: 536 (7%)7.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations7,442 ac 93%
  • Closed536 ac 7%
Units by size (acres)
Refuge
7,442 ac
Closed to Hunting
536 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Special regs 7,442 Required
Other, Special Use Permit		 Disabled hunt through the state for 8 muzzleloader only. Require permit and check in and out with refuge. Must call…
Closed to Hunting Closed 536 Required
Other, Special Use Permit		 Disabled hunt through the state for 8 muzzleloader only. Require permit and check in and out with refuge. Must call…

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Disabled hunt through the state for 8 muzzleloader only. Require permit and check in and out with refuge. Must call refuge to apply

Type: Other, Special Use Permit

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Missouri hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Missouri Department of Conservation
  • 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 Loess Bluffs NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Major species include carp and bullhead. Fishing is allowed only from the banks.

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

How to get to Loess Bluffs NWR

Navigate

Destination: Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
40.08882, -95.24912
DMS
40°05′19.8″N 95°14′56.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • St. Joseph, MO31 mi NW of town
  • Topeka, KS75 mi N of town
  • Kansas City, MO77 mi NW of town
  • Council Bluffs, IA87 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • MCI Kansas City Intl62 mi
  • OMA Omaha Eppley90 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 Loess Bluffs 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, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM7:54 PM13h 07m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:31 PM12h 31m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM7:05 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM6:43 PM11h 13m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:20 PM10h 31m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM5:05 PM10h 00m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM4:56 PM9h 33m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:05 AM7:35 AM4:56 PM9h 21m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:12 AM7:42 AM5:04 PM9h 22m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:11 AM7:41 AM5:18 PM9h 37m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:00 AM7:30 AM5:37 PM10h 08m

Computed for 40.089, -95.249 (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.

Loess Bluffs NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Loess Bluffs NWR?

Yes. Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (7,442 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Loess Bluffs NWR?

Yes — Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other and Special Use Permit. Permits can be obtained mail, other, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Loess Bluffs NWR?

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

Where is Loess Bluffs NWR located?

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is in Holt County, Missouri, about 31 miles NW of St. Joseph, MO (straight-line). GPS: 40.08882, -95.24912.

What are legal shooting hours at Loess Bluffs 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

Boyer Chute NWR

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Flint Hills NWR

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Marais des Cygnes NWR

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1 special1 closed
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Neal Smith NWR

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1 special1 closed
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All refuges in Missouri →

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