National Wildlife Refuge · Montana · FWS Region 6

UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Phillips County, Montana, UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 39,120 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open with special regulations, covering about 55,790 huntable acres.

1 with special regs
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
55.8Khuntable acres
39.1KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

UL Bend 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 UL Bend NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

For avid elk hunters, it’s no secret: Elk thrive in the Missouri Breaks country of UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge, and they grow large antlers. The habitat here is ideal for elk and, unlike elk elsewhere, these animals don’t migrate.

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 turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall 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 Montana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 55,790 (100%)55.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations55,790 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Special regs 55,790 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Montana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
  • 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 UL Bend NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

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

How to get to UL Bend NWR

Navigate

Destination: UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.59367, -107.93859
DMS
47°35′37.2″N 107°56′18.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Jordan, MT52 mi W of town
  • Malta, MT53 mi S of town
  • Glasgow, MT73 mi SW of town
  • Lewistown, MT79 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • BIL Billings Logan126 mi
  • GTF Great Falls Intl160 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 UL Bend NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Denver local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM7:55 PM13h 26m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM7:26 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM6:53 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM6:26 PM10h 57m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM4:56 PM10h 02m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM4:37 PM9h 21m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM4:23 PM8h 45m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM4:20 PM8h 28m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:29 AM7:59 AM4:29 PM8h 30m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM4:45 PM8h 50m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:09 AM7:39 AM5:10 PM9h 31m

Computed for 47.594, -107.939 (MDT / 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.

UL Bend NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at UL Bend NWR?

Yes. UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (55,790 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt UL Bend NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for UL Bend NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at UL Bend NWR?

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

Where is UL Bend NWR located?

UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge is in Phillips County, Montana, about 52 miles W of Jordan, MT (straight-line). GPS: 47.59367, -107.93859.

What are legal shooting hours at UL Bend 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

War Horse NWR

Petroleum County, MT · 55 mi SW

3 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🎣

2.9K huntable acres

Bowdoin WMD

Phillips County, MT · 56 mi N

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

8.3K huntable acres

Bowdoin NWR

Phillips County, MT · 57 mi N

1 open2 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🐇

15.4K huntable acres

Charles M. Russell NWR

Garfield County, MT · 63 mi E

1 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

931K huntable acres

Hewitt Lake NWR

Phillips County, MT · 67 mi N

1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

720 huntable acres

Black Coulee NWR

Blaine County, MT · 79 mi N

1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

643 huntable acres

All refuges in Montana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.