Hunt unit · Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Schwob Marsh Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Schwob Marsh unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA. It covers approximately 260 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.

260acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Kossuth Countycounty

Schwob Marsh map

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
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 Iowa 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 Union Slough 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 Schwob Marsh unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Schwob Marsh unit

Decimal
43.32042, -94.12047
DMS
43°19′13.5″N 94°07′13.7″W

Nearest towns

  • Mason City, IA48 mi W of town
  • Spencer, IA53 mi E of town
  • Mankato, MN58 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 Schwob Marsh

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, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM7:54 PM13h 15m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM7:29 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM6:59 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM6:35 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM5:09 PM10h 19m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM4:53 PM9h 45m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM4:42 PM9h 14m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:11 AM7:41 AM4:41 PM8h 60m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM4:50 PM9h 01m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:04 PM9h 18m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM5:26 PM9h 53m

Computed for 43.320, -94.120 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Union Slough NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Buffalo Creek BottomsSpecial regs381—
Core AreaSpecial regs2,114—
No Hunting AreaClosed79—

Back to Union Slough NWR →