Hunt unit · Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsYouth opportunity

The Refuge is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Phillips County, MT. It covers approximately 931,398 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 ↗
931,398acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Phillips Countycounty

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 Montana 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.

🧒 Annual youth and deer hunts open two days before the regular state of Montana seasons.

Game at Charles M. Russell 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 Refuge

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Destination: center of the Refuge

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Decimal
47.63562, -108.38282
DMS
47°38′08.2″N 108°22′58.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Malta, MT55 mi SW of town
  • Lewistown, MT63 mi NE of town
  • Jordan, MT72 mi W 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 Refuge

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, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM7:57 PM13h 26m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM7:28 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:55 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM6:27 PM10h 57m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:58 PM10h 02m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM4:38 PM9h 21m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM4:25 PM8h 45m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:24 AM7:54 AM4:22 PM8h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:31 AM8:01 AM4:31 PM8h 29m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM4:46 PM8h 49m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:11 AM7:41 AM5:12 PM9h 31m

Computed for 47.636, -108.383 (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 Charles M. Russell NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
AdministrativeClosed1,286—
Elk ViewingClosed966—

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