National Wildlife Refuge · Montana · FWS Region 6

War Horse National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Petroleum County, Montana, War Horse National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 2,853 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 3 open under general rules, covering about 2,853 huntable acres.

3 open units
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
2.9Khuntable acres
2.9KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

War Horse 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 War Horse NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, and migratory birds here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Waterfowl hunting can be excellent on the wetlands within War Horse National Wildlife Refuge. But hunters should check carefully before planning a trip here. During drought the wetlands dry up in the fall, and the waterfowl hunting is nonexistent.

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 crane

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Montana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Open: 2,853 (100%)2.9Khuntable acres
  • Open2,853 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Yellow Water
1,291 ac
War Horse Lake
1,119 ac
Wild Horse Lake
443 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
War Horse Lake Open 1,119 —
Wild Horse Lake Open 443 —
Yellow Water Open 1,291 —

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 War Horse NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

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

How to get to War Horse NWR

Navigate

Destination: War Horse National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.89285, -108.48847
DMS
46°53′34.3″N 108°29′18.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lewistown, MT46 mi E of town
  • Billings, MT77 mi N of town
  • Jordan, MT80 mi W of town
  • Malta, MT105 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • BIL Billings Logan75 mi
  • GTF Great Falls Intl141 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 War Horse 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, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:56 PM13h 24m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:28 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:56 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM6:29 PM10h 59m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM5:00 PM10h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:41 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM4:28 PM8h 50m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM4:25 PM8h 34m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:29 AM7:59 AM4:34 PM8h 35m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM4:49 PM8h 55m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:09 AM7:39 AM5:14 PM9h 35m

Computed for 46.893, -108.488 (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.

War Horse NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at War Horse NWR?

Yes. War Horse National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (2,853 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt War Horse NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for War Horse 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 War Horse NWR?

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

Where is War Horse NWR located?

War Horse National Wildlife Refuge is in Petroleum County, Montana, about 46 miles E of Lewistown, MT (straight-line). GPS: 46.89285, -108.48847.

What are legal shooting hours at War Horse 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

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Charles M. Russell NWR

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Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Montana →

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