National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

Merced National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Merced National Wildlife Refuge is located in Merced County, California, with about 3,821 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,902 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
1.9Khuntable acres
3.8KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Merced 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 Merced NWR

Hunters can pursue waterfowl and migratory birds here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Merced National Wildlife Refuge is an important wintering destination for ducks, geese, sandhill cranes and other waterbirds traveling the Pacific Flyway.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory 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 (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,902 (50%)Closed: 1,921 (50%)1.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,902 ac 50%
  • Closed1,921 ac 50%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
1,921 ac
Lonetree Unit
1,242 ac
Merced Unit
660 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Lonetree Unit Special regs 1,242 —
Merced Unit Special regs 660 —
Closed Closed 1,921 —

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 Merced NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Merced NWR.

How to get to Merced NWR

Navigate

Destination: Merced National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.17768, -120.63082
DMS
37°10′39.6″N 120°37′51.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Merced, CA12 mi SW of town
  • Los Banos, CA15 mi NE of town
  • Modesto, CA38 mi SE of town
  • Fresno, CA55 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • FAT Fresno Yosemite57 mi
  • SJC San Jose Mineta73 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 Merced 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, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:33 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:12 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:47 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:27 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM5:06 PM10h 40m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM4:53 PM10h 13m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM4:46 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM4:46 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:54 PM9h 39m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM5:07 PM9h 52m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:35 AM7:05 AM5:25 PM10h 19m

Computed for 37.178, -120.631 (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.

Merced NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Merced NWR?

Yes. Merced National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (1,902 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Merced NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Merced 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 Merced NWR located?

Merced National Wildlife Refuge is in Merced County, California, about 12 miles SW of Merced, CA (straight-line). GPS: 37.17768, -120.63082.

What are legal shooting hours at Merced 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

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

Merced County, CA · 6.5 mi NW

6 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

3K huntable acres

San Luis NWR

Merced County, CA · 16 mi NW

6 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

10.1K huntable acres

San Joaquin River NWR

Stanislaus County, CA · 45 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Stanislaus County, CA · 45 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Ellicott Slough NWR

Santa Cruz County, CA · 69 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

Salinas River NWR

Monterey County, CA · 71 mi SW

1 open1 closed
🦆

60 huntable acres

All refuges in California →

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