National Wildlife Refuge · New York · FWS Region 5

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge lies in Seneca County, New York, with about 9,808 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 33 mapped hunt units: 10 open under general rules, 18 open with special regulations, and 5 closed, covering about 9,757 huntable acres.

10 open units18 with special regs5 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
33hunt units
9.8Khuntable acres
9.8KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Montezuma NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Montezuma NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

The area once known as the Montezuma Marshes drew tens of thousands of waterfowl making their annual fall migration.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow New York regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (33)

Acreage by status
Open: 1,839 (18%)Special regulations: 7,918 (78%)Closed: 414 (4%)9.8Khuntable acres
  • Open1,839 ac 18%
  • Special regulations7,918 ac 78%
  • Closed414 ac 4%
Units by size (acres)
Main Pool
1,227 ac
Tschache Pool
1,192 ac
Unit 17
924 ac
Maple Island
827 ac
Hidden Marsh West
619 ac
May's Point Pool
595 ac
Sandhill Crane Unit
495 ac
Main Pool Forest
474 ac
Tschache-Clyde Corridor
434 ac
Esker Brook
399 ac
Hidden Marsh East
262 ac
Wright
261 ac
Knox-Marsellus Marsh
247 ac
Kipp Island
242 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Beech Maple Knoll
Show on map · Directions		 Open 80 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Cerulean Forest
Show on map · Directions		 Open 215 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Hidden Marsh East
Show on map · Directions		 Open 262 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Jackson
Show on map · Directions		 Open 170 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Main Pool Forest
Show on map · Directions		 Open 474 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Nash 1
Show on map · Directions		 Open 143 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Noble
Show on map · Directions		 Open 91 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Syron
Show on map · Directions		 Open 229 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Triangle
Show on map · Directions		 Open 8.0 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Wilgoose
Show on map · Directions		 Open 168 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Avery
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 58 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Clark's Ridge
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 136 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Esker Brook
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 399 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Furman
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 186 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Headquarters Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 74 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Hidden Marsh West
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 619 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Kipp Island
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 242 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Knox-Marsellus Marsh
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 247 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Main Pool
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,227 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Maple Island
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 827 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
May's Point Pool
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 595 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Puddler Marsh
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 104 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Sandhill Crane Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 495 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Stowell
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 68 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Tschache Pool
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,192 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Tschache-Clyde Corridor
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 434 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Unit 17
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 924 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Waugh
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 90 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Lawrence
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 64 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Nash 2
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 15 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Nash 3
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 34 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Waugh III
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 40 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.
Wright
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 261 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.

Montezuma NWR by the numbers

With about 9,757 huntable acres, Montezuma NWR ranks #2 of 6 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in New York and #198 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 96% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Main Pool (1,227 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Triangle, covers 8.0 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

5 units totaling 414 acres are closed to hunting (Lawrence, Nash 2, Nash 3, Waugh III, and Wright). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 9,808 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 27 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Montezuma NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. New York sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

all hunting opportunities require a permit; no permit for fishing.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid New York hunting license and any required tags or stamps — New York State DEC
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Montezuma NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is year-round. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, catfish and northern pike. No boating is allowed on refuge pools. The use of non-toxic tackle is required.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Montezuma NWR

Navigate

Destination: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.97040, -76.75139
DMS
42°58′13.4″N 76°45′05.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Seneca Falls, NY4.8 mi NE of town
  • Syracuse, NY31 mi W of town
  • Rochester, NY45 mi E of town
  • Batavia, NY73 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • SYR Syracuse Hancock34 mi
  • BUF Buffalo Niagara100 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Montezuma NWR

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, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM7:44 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:19 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM6:50 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM6:26 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:00 PM10h 21m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:45 PM9h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM4:34 PM9h 17m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM4:33 PM9h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM4:41 PM9h 04m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:05 AM7:35 AM4:55 PM9h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM5:17 PM9h 55m

Computed for 42.970, -76.751 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Montezuma NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

Montezuma NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Montezuma NWR?

Yes. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 28 units (9,757 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Montezuma NWR?

Yes — Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Montezuma NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Montezuma NWR located?

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is in Seneca County, New York, about 5 miles NE of Seneca Falls, NY (straight-line). GPS: 42.97040, -76.75139.

What are legal shooting hours at Montezuma NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Iroquois NWR

Genesee County, NY · 82 mi W

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

10.1K huntable acres

Lamar NFH and Northeast Fishery Center

Clinton County, PA · 142 mi S

1 closed
🎣

Shawangunk Grasslands NWR

Ulster County, NY · 159 mi SE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦃

165 huntable acres

Cherry Valley NWR

Monroe County, PA · 162 mi SE

3 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

5K huntable acres

Wallkill River NWR

Sussex County, NJ · 165 mi SE

3 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

4.9K huntable acres

Great Thicket NWR

Dutchess County, NY · 183 mi SE

1 open1 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

192 huntable acres

All refuges in New York →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.