Hunt unit · Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Open Hunt Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Open Hunt unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Morrison County, MN. It covers approximately 1,555 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 ↗
1,555acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Morrison Countycounty

Open Hunt 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 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.

Refuge permit required. Type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Online FWS, Visitor Center.

All hunting requires signed brochure

Game at Crane Meadows 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 Open Hunt unit

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Destination: center of the Open Hunt unit

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Decimal
45.95593, -94.22949
DMS
45°57′21.3″N 94°13′46.2″W

Nearest towns

  • St. Cloud, MN28 mi N of town
  • Brainerd, MN28 mi S of town
  • Alexandria, MN55 mi E 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 Open Hunt

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, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM7:58 PM13h 22m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM7:30 PM12h 37m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM6:59 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:01 AM7:31 AM6:33 PM11h 01m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM5:05 PM10h 09m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:47 PM9h 31m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM4:34 PM8h 57m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:21 AM7:51 AM4:32 PM8h 41m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:28 AM7:58 AM4:41 PM8h 43m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:24 AM7:54 AM4:56 PM9h 01m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:10 AM7:40 AM5:20 PM9h 40m

Computed for 45.956, -94.229 (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 Crane Meadows NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Special HuntOpen479Required
ClosedSpecial regs160Required

Back to Crane Meadows NWR →