Hunt unit · San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

North Freitas Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The North Freitas Unit is one of 7 mapped hunt units on San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in Merced County, CA. It covers approximately 2,318 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.

2,318acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Merced Countycounty

North Freitas Unit 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 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 San Luis 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 North Freitas Unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the North Freitas Unit

Decimal
37.27482, -120.88011
DMS
37°16′29.4″N 120°52′48.4″W

Nearest towns

  • Los Banos, CA15 mi N of town
  • Merced, CA22 mi W of town
  • Modesto, CA26 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 North Freitas Unit

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, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:34 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:13 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:48 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:28 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM5:07 PM10h 40m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:54 PM10h 12m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:47 PM9h 48m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:47 PM9h 37m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:55 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:07 PM9h 51m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:26 PM10h 19m

Computed for 37.275, -120.880 (PDT / 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 San Luis NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Blue Goose UnitSpecial regs85—
Kesterson UnitSpecial regs4,381—
San Luis UnitSpecial regs2,565—
South Freitas UnitSpecial regs126—
Upland Freitas UnitSpecial regs671—
ClosedClosed7,670—

Back to San Luis NWR →