National Wildlife Refuge · Montana · FWS Region 6

Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Hill County, Montana, Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 84 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 84 huntable acres.

1 open unitPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
1hunt units
84huntable acres
84FWS-owned acres
5game categories

Creedman Coulee NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Creedman Coulee NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Montana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 84 (100%)84huntable acres
  • Open84 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Open 84 Required
Special Use Permit		 Coyote and Fox

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Coyote and Fox

Type: Special Use Permit

How to get it:

  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Montana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Creedman Coulee NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Creedman Coulee NWR.

How to get to Creedman Coulee NWR

Navigate

Destination: Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
48.95898, -109.76026
DMS
48°57′32.3″N 109°45′36.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Havre, MT28 mi N of town
  • Malta, MT96 mi NW of town
  • Great Falls, MT123 mi NE of town
  • Lewistown, MT132 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • GTF Great Falls Intl126 mi
  • FCA Glacier Park Intl210 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Creedman Coulee NWR

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, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM8:04 PM13h 30m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM7:34 PM12h 41m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM7:00 PM11h 44m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM6:31 PM10h 54m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:00 PM9h 56m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM4:40 PM9h 13m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:20 AM7:50 AM4:25 PM8h 35m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:35 AM8:05 AM4:22 PM8h 16m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:42 AM8:12 AM4:31 PM8h 18m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:37 AM8:07 AM4:47 PM8h 40m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:20 AM7:50 AM5:13 PM9h 23m

Computed for 48.959, -109.760 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Creedman Coulee NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Creedman Coulee NWR?

Yes. Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (84 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Creedman Coulee NWR?

Yes — Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Special Use Permit. Permits can be obtained visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Creedman Coulee NWR located?

Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is in Hill County, Montana, about 28 miles N of Havre, MT (straight-line). GPS: 48.95898, -109.76026.

What are legal shooting hours at Creedman Coulee NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Lake Thibadeau NWR

Hill County, MT · 16 mi SE

1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

24 huntable acres

Black Coulee NWR

Blaine County, MT · 64 mi E

1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

643 huntable acres

Bowdoin WMD

Phillips County, MT · 101 mi E

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

8.3K huntable acres

Hewitt Lake NWR

Phillips County, MT · 102 mi E

1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

720 huntable acres

Bowdoin NWR

Phillips County, MT · 103 mi E

1 open2 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🐇

15.4K huntable acres

Benton Lake WMD

Cascade County, MT · 114 mi SW

2 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.8K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Montana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.