Hunt unit · Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge

North Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The North Unit is one of 7 mapped hunt units on Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Middlesex County, MA. It covers approximately 393 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 ↗

393acres

Special regsstatus 2026–27

Yesrefuge permit

Middlesex Countycounty

North Unit 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):KML GPX

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.

Hunting

Game at Oxbow 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 North Unit

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Destination: center of the North Unit

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Decimal: 42.56588, -71.60659
DMS: 42°33′57.2″N 71°36′23.7″W

Nearest towns

Worcester, MA23 mi NE of town
Manchester, NH30 mi S of town
Boston, MA31 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 North Unit

Legal light*–

Sunrise–

Sunset–

Pick a date

*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

Date	Shooting light	Sunrise	Sunset	Daylight
Tue, Sep 1, 2026	5:40 AM	6:10 AM	7:23 PM	13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 2026	5:54 AM	6:24 AM	6:58 PM	12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 2026	6:11 AM	6:41 AM	6:29 PM	11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 2026	6:27 AM	6:57 AM	6:06 PM	11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 2026	5:48 AM	6:18 AM	4:41 PM	10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 2026	6:07 AM	6:37 AM	4:25 PM	9h 48m
Tue, Dec 1, 2026	6:26 AM	6:56 AM	4:15 PM	9h 19m
Tue, Dec 15, 2026	6:38 AM	7:08 AM	4:14 PM	9h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 2027	6:46 AM	7:16 AM	4:22 PM	9h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 2027	6:43 AM	7:13 AM	4:36 PM	9h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 2027	6:31 AM	7:01 AM	4:57 PM	9h 57m

Computed for 42.566, -71.607 (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 Oxbow NWR

Unit	Status	Acres	Permit
Hospital Rd. North	Special regs	128	Required
Hospital Rd. South	Special regs	169	Required
Route 2 South	Special regs	714	Required
Sheridan Rd.	Special regs	142	Required
Still River Depot Area	Special regs	126	Required
Closed	Closed	24	Required

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