Hunt unit · Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Main Refuge Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Main Refuge is one of 8 mapped hunt units on Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Chariton County, MO. It covers approximately 8,767 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 ↗
8,767acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Chariton Countycounty

Main Refuge 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 Missouri 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. Obtain via: Other.

Waterfowl

Game at Swan Lake 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 Main Refuge

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Destination: center of the Main Refuge

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Decimal
39.60652, -93.18790
DMS
39°36′23.5″N 93°11′16.4″W

Nearest towns

  • Chillicothe, MO23 mi SE of town
  • Columbia, MO65 mi NW of town
  • Kansas City, MO82 mi NE 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 Main Refuge

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, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:46 PM13h 06m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM7:23 PM12h 31m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM6:57 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM6:35 PM11h 14m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:12 PM10h 32m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:58 PM10h 02m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM4:50 PM9h 36m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM4:49 PM9h 24m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM4:58 PM9h 25m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:01 AM7:31 AM5:11 PM9h 39m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:30 PM10h 10m

Computed for 39.607, -93.188 (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 Swan Lake NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
BatesSpecial regs230Required
North EntranceSpecial regs305Required
PerimeterSpecial regs973Required
Truman ReservoirSpecial regs446Required
Yellow Creek BottomSpecial regs901Required
Yellow Creek TriangleSpecial regs51Required
ClosedClosed37Required

Back to Swan Lake NWR →