Hunt unit · Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Special Hunt Hunt Unit Map & Access
The Special Hunt unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Morrison County, MN. It covers approximately 479 acres and is listed as “open to hunting” for 2026–2027. Hunting generally follows state seasons and bag limits, along with general refuge rules. A refuge permit is required.
Special Hunt map
Rules & permits for this unit
Status: Open to hunting
Hunting follows Minnesota seasons, bag limits and licensing, plus general National Wildlife Refuge rules.
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 Special Hunt unit
Navigate
Destination: center of the Special Hunt unit
- Decimal
45.93427, -94.25111- DMS
45°56′03.4″N 94°15′04.0″W
Nearest towns
- St. Cloud, MN26 mi N of town
- Brainerd, MN30 mi S of town
- Alexandria, MN54 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 Special Hunt
*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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:06 AM | 6:36 AM | 7:58 PM | 13h 21m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:23 AM | 6:53 AM | 7:31 PM | 12h 37m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:43 AM | 7:13 AM | 6:59 PM | 11h 46m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 7:02 AM | 7:32 AM | 6:33 PM | 11h 01m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:26 AM | 6:56 AM | 5:05 PM | 10h 09m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:46 AM | 7:16 AM | 4:47 PM | 9h 31m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 7:07 AM | 7:37 AM | 4:34 PM | 8h 57m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:21 AM | 7:51 AM | 4:32 PM | 8h 41m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:28 AM | 7:58 AM | 4:41 PM | 8h 43m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:24 AM | 7:54 AM | 4:56 PM | 9h 01m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 7:10 AM | 7:40 AM | 5:20 PM | 9h 40m |
Computed for 45.934, -94.251 (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.