Hunt unit · Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Area 1 Hunt Unit Map & Access
The Area 1 unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Sheridan County, MT. It covers approximately 4,033 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.
Area 1 map
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.
🧒 A two-day waterfowl hunt is held.
Game at Medicine 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 Area 1 unit
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Destination: center of the Area 1 unit
- Decimal
48.53780, -104.20591- DMS
48°32′16.1″N 104°12′21.3″W
Nearest towns
- Plentywood, MT23 mi SE of town
- Williston, ND38 mi NW of town
- Crosby, ND49 mi SW 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 Area 1
*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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 5:42 AM | 6:12 AM | 7:41 PM | 13h 29m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:01 AM | 6:31 AM | 7:12 PM | 12h 40m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:24 AM | 6:54 AM | 6:38 PM | 11h 44m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:44 AM | 7:14 AM | 6:09 PM | 10h 55m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:11 AM | 6:41 AM | 4:39 PM | 9h 58m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:33 AM | 7:03 AM | 4:19 PM | 9h 15m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:57 AM | 7:27 AM | 4:05 PM | 8h 38m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:11 AM | 7:41 AM | 4:01 PM | 8h 20m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:18 AM | 7:48 AM | 4:10 PM | 8h 22m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:14 AM | 7:44 AM | 4:26 PM | 8h 43m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:57 AM | 7:27 AM | 4:52 PM | 9h 26m |
Computed for 48.538, -104.206 (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.