Hunt unit · Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

Fort River Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The Fort River unit is one of 28 mapped hunt units on Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Hampshire County, MA. It covers approximately 251 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 ↗
251acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Hampshire Countycounty

Fort River 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 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.

Game at Silvio O. Conte NFWR

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 Fort River unit

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Destination: center of the Fort River unit

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Decimal
42.34283, -72.55976
DMS
42°20′34.2″N 72°33′35.1″W

Nearest towns

  • Springfield, MA17 mi N of town
  • Brattleboro, VT35 mi S of town
  • Pittsfield, MA36 mi E 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 Fort River

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, 20265:44 AM6:14 AM7:26 PM13h 12m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM7:02 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM6:33 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:10 PM11h 09m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM4:45 PM10h 23m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM4:29 PM9h 50m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM4:19 PM9h 20m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM4:18 PM9h 06m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM4:27 PM9h 08m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM4:40 PM9h 24m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:02 PM9h 58m

Computed for 42.343, -72.560 (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 Silvio O. Conte NFWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Nulhegan BasinOpen26,815—
PutneyOpen285—
West RiverOpen3,386—
Blueberry SwampSpecial regs1,261—
Dead BranchSpecial regs100—
Deadman's SwampSpecial regs79—
FairgroundsSpecial regs48—
HatfieldSpecial regs20—
Honey PotSpecial regs21—
MaromasSpecial regs24—
MascomaSpecial regs9,373—
Mill RiverSpecial regs254—
Mt. TobySpecial regs29—
Mt. TomSpecial regs141—
PondicherrySpecial regs6,452—
Roger Tory PetersonSpecial regs56—
Saddle IslandSpecial regs1.2—
Salmon RiverSpecial regs912—
Third IslandSpecial regs3.5—
Westfield RiverSpecial regs555—
Whalebone CoveSpecial regs127—
Fannie StebbinsClosed130—
Fort River Safety ZoneClosed75—
Ompompanoosuc RiverClosed803—
Salmon River ClosedClosed84—
SeldenClosed45—
WissatinnewagClosed21—

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