Hunt unit · Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Pelham Island Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Pelham Island unit is one of 14 mapped hunt units on Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Middlesex County, MA. It covers approximately 376 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 ↗
376acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Middlesex Countycounty

Pelham Island 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 Massachusetts 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: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Obtain via: Online Other.

permit required for all hunting opportunities

Game at Great 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 Pelham Island unit

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Destination: center of the Pelham Island unit

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Decimal
42.35764, -71.38277
DMS
42°21′27.5″N 71°22′58.0″W

Nearest towns

  • Boston, MA16 mi W of town
  • Worcester, MA22 mi E of town
  • Providence, RI37 mi N 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 Pelham Island

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:39 AM6:09 AM7:22 PM13h 12m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM6:57 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM6:29 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:05 PM11h 09m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:47 AM6:17 AM4:40 PM10h 23m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM4:25 PM9h 50m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM4:14 PM9h 20m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM4:13 PM9h 06m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM4:22 PM9h 08m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM4:36 PM9h 24m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:29 AM6:59 AM4:57 PM9h 58m

Computed for 42.358, -71.383 (EDT / 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 Great Meadows NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
BedfordSpecial regs271Required
CarlisleSpecial regs259Required
Concord River WaterfowlSpecial regs108Required
KinellySpecial regs53Required
North of Sherman Bridge Rd.Special regs295Required
South of Heard PondSpecial regs105Required
South of S.R. 225Special regs484Required
Stone BridgeSpecial regs303Required
Sudbury River WaterfowlSpecial regs274Required
Water RowSpecial regs611Required
Wolbach-StrandSpecial regs237Required
ClosedClosed109Required
Concord ImpoundmentsClosed345Required

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