Hunt unit · Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Migratory Bird Hunting Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Migratory Bird Hunting Unit is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Garden County, NE. It covers approximately 15,039 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 ↗
15,039acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Garden Countycounty

Migratory Bird Hunting Unit 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 Nebraska 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 Crescent 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 Migratory Bird Hunting Unit

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Destination: center of the Migratory Bird Hunting Unit

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Decimal
41.72123, -102.34002
DMS
41°43′16.4″N 102°20′24.1″W

Nearest towns

  • Alliance, NE38 mi SE of town
  • Scottsbluff, NE69 mi E of town
  • North Platte, NE91 mi NW 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 Migratory Bird Hunting Unit

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, 20265:44 AM6:14 AM7:25 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM7:01 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM6:33 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM6:09 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM4:45 PM10h 25m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM4:30 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:20 PM9h 24m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:19 PM9h 11m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM4:28 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM4:41 PM9h 28m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM5:02 PM10h 00m

Computed for 41.721, -102.340 (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 Crescent Lake NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Hunt UnitSpecial regs26,867—
Closed UnitClosed4,806—

Back to Crescent Lake NWR →