Hunt unit · Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Middle Tract - Open Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Middle Tract - Open unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Chaves County, NM. It covers approximately 831 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 ↗
831acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Chaves Countycounty

Middle Tract - Open 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 New Mexico 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 Bitter 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 Middle Tract - Open unit

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Destination: center of the Middle Tract - Open unit

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Decimal
33.42296, -104.39982
DMS
33°25′22.7″N 104°23′59.4″W

Nearest towns

  • Roswell, NM7.3 mi E of town
  • Carlsbad, NM70 mi N of town
  • Portales, NM81 mi SW 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 Middle Tract - Open

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Denver local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM7:24 PM12h 54m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:05 PM12h 26m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM6:43 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:25 PM11h 24m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:45 AM6:15 AM5:06 PM10h 51m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM4:56 PM10h 28m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM4:50 PM10h 07m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:51 PM9h 57m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:31 AM7:01 AM4:59 PM9h 58m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:31 AM7:01 AM5:11 PM10h 10m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:24 AM6:54 AM5:27 PM10h 33m

Computed for 33.423, -104.400 (MDT / 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 Bitter Lake NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
North TractSpecial regs12,269—
South TractSpecial regs1,186—
Middle Tract - ClosedClosed10,575—

Back to Bitter Lake NWR →