Hunt unit · Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Hunt Unit A Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Hunt Unit A unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle County, MN. It covers approximately 5,686 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.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
5,686acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Lac qui Parle Countycounty

Hunt Unit A 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 Minnesota 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 Big Stone 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 Hunt Unit A unit

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Destination: center of the Hunt Unit A unit

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Decimal
45.24147, -96.34722
DMS
45°14′29.3″N 96°20′50.0″W

Nearest towns

  • Morris, MN32 mi SW of town
  • Watertown, SD44 mi NE of town
  • Marshall, MN61 mi NW 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 Hunt Unit A

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, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM8:05 PM13h 20m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM7:39 PM12h 37m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:08 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM6:42 PM11h 03m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:14 PM10h 12m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM4:57 PM9h 35m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM4:45 PM9h 02m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:27 AM7:57 AM4:43 PM8h 46m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:34 AM8:04 AM4:52 PM8h 48m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:30 AM8:00 AM5:07 PM9h 06m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:30 PM9h 44m

Computed for 45.241, -96.347 (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 Big Stone NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Hunt Unit BSpecial regs3,888—
ClosedClosed2,083—

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