Hunt unit · Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Lower Wells Open Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Lower Wells Open unit is one of 28 mapped hunt units on Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in York County, ME. It covers approximately 489 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 ↗
489acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
York Countycounty

Lower Wells Open 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 Maine 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: Special Use Permit. Obtain via: Online Other.

Big game, small game and migratory game bird hunting.

🧒 Some areas are designated for youth only.

Game at Rachel Carson 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 Lower Wells Open unit

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Destination: center of the Lower Wells Open unit

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Decimal
43.31571, -70.57232
DMS
43°18′56.6″N 70°34′20.4″W

Nearest towns

  • Portsmouth, NH19 mi NE of town
  • Portland, ME28 mi SW of town
  • Newburyport, MA38 mi NE 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 Lower Wells Open

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, 20265:35 AM6:05 AM7:20 PM13h 15m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM6:54 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM6:25 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM6:01 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:46 AM6:16 AM4:35 PM10h 19m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM4:19 PM9h 45m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM4:08 PM9h 14m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM4:07 PM8h 60m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM4:15 PM9h 02m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM4:30 PM9h 18m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM4:51 PM9h 53m

Computed for 43.316, -70.572 (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 Rachel Carson NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Brave Boat HarborSpecial regs637Required
Brave Boat YouthSpecial regs66Required
Goose Rocks - No Migratory BirdsSpecial regs254Required
Goose Rocks OpenSpecial regs207Required
Goose Rocks YouthSpecial regs12Required
Goosefare Open - No Migratory BirdsSpecial regs462Required
Little River OpenSpecial regs203Required
Lower Wells Open - No Migratory BirdsSpecial regs279Required
Lower Wells YouthSpecial regs44Required
Mousam River OpenSpecial regs242Required
Mousam River Open - No Migratory BirdsSpecial regs220Required
Spurwink River OpenSpecial regs283Required
Spurwink River Open - No Migratory BirdsSpecial regs213Required
Upper Wells OpenSpecial regs139Required
Upper Wells Open - No Migratory BirdsSpecial regs268Required
York River OpenSpecial regs91Required
Biddeford Pool ClosedClosed174Required
Brave Boat ClosedClosed39Required
Goose Rocks ClosedClosed81Required
Goosefare ClosedClosed42Required
Little River ClosedClosed173Required
Lower Wells ClosedClosed216Required
Moody ClosedClosed400Required
Mousam River ClosedClosed60Required
Spurwink River ClosedClosed86Required
Upper Wells ClosedClosed324Required
York River ClosedClosed76Required

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