Hunt unit · Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

Waterfowl Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Waterfowl unit is one of 6 mapped hunt units on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Ravalli County, MT. It covers approximately 598 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 ↗
598acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Ravalli Countycounty

Waterfowl 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 Montana 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 Lee Metcalf 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 Waterfowl unit

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Destination: center of the Waterfowl unit

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Decimal
46.54464, -114.08347
DMS
46°32′40.7″N 114°05′00.5″W

Nearest towns

  • Stevensville, MT2.4 mi N of town
  • Missoula, MT23 mi S of town
  • Butte, MT83 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 Waterfowl

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, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM8:18 PM13h 23m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:50 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM7:18 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM6:51 PM10h 60m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM5:23 PM10h 07m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM5:04 PM9h 27m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:29 AM7:59 AM4:52 PM8h 53m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:43 AM8:13 AM4:49 PM8h 36m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:50 AM8:20 AM4:58 PM8h 38m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:46 AM8:16 AM5:13 PM8h 57m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:31 AM8:01 AM5:37 PM9h 37m

Computed for 46.545, -114.083 (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 Lee Metcalf NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
ArcheryOpen1,493—
River WestOpen38—
Open RiverSpecial regs174—
Safety ZoneClosed390—
Wildlife ViewingClosed125—

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