Hunt unit · Stewart B. Mckinney National Wildlife Refuge

Great Meadows Open Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Great Meadows Open unit is one of 13 mapped hunt units on Stewart B. Mckinney National Wildlife Refuge in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT. It covers approximately 174 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 ↗
174acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Greater Bridgeport Planning Regioncounty

Great Meadows 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 Connecticut 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: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Online FWS, Visitor Center.

Signed brochures required for all hunting

Game at Stewart B. Mckinney 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 Great Meadows Open unit

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Destination: center of the Great Meadows Open unit

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Decimal
41.16027, -73.13736
DMS
41°09′37.0″N 73°08′14.5″W

Nearest towns

  • New Haven, CT15 mi SW of town
  • Riverhead, NY30 mi NW of town
  • Hartford, CT48 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 Great Meadows 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, 20265:48 AM6:18 AM7:27 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM7:04 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM6:36 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM6:13 PM11h 11m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM4:49 PM10h 27m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM4:35 PM9h 55m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:25 PM9h 27m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:24 PM9h 14m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:33 PM9h 16m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:46 PM9h 31m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:07 PM10h 03m

Computed for 41.160, -73.137 (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 Stewart B. Mckinney NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Calf IslandSpecial regs32Required
Chimon IslandSpecial regs81Required
Salt Meadow OpenSpecial regs134Required
Sheffield IslandSpecial regs75Required
Falkner IslandClosed5.9Required
Goose IslandClosed16Required
Great Meadows ClosedClosed260Required
Menunketesuck IslandClosed2.9Required
Milford PointClosed9.6Required
Outer IslandClosed5.1Required
Peach IslandClosed1.7Required
Salt Meadow ClosedClosed233Required

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