Hunt unit · Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsYouth opportunity

The Refuge is one of 2 mapped hunt units on Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge in Williams County, ND. It covers approximately 3,260 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 ↗
3,260acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Williams Countycounty

Refuge 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 North Dakota 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.

🧒 A youth gun deer season is held.

Game at Lake Zahl 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 Refuge

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Destination: center of the Refuge

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Decimal
48.58295, -103.64358
DMS
48°34′58.6″N 103°38′36.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Crosby, ND28 mi SW of town
  • Williston, ND30 mi N of town
  • Plentywood, MT44 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 Refuge

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, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM8:39 PM13h 29m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM8:10 PM12h 40m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM7:36 PM11h 44m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:42 AM8:12 AM7:07 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 1, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM5:36 PM9h 58m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM5:17 PM9h 15m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:55 AM8:25 AM5:02 PM8h 38m
Tue, Dec 15, 20268:09 AM8:39 AM4:59 PM8h 20m
Fri, Jan 1, 20278:16 AM8:46 AM5:08 PM8h 22m
Fri, Jan 15, 20278:11 AM8:41 AM5:24 PM8h 42m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:55 AM8:25 AM5:50 PM9h 25m

Computed for 48.583, -103.644 (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 Lake Zahl NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Closed UnitClosed514—

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