Facility Activities

Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge is an unstaffed satellite refuge and is part of the Charles M. Russell Complex. The refuge is open to hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation. In addition to compliance with all applicable state hunting regulations, non-toxic shot must be used to harvest waterfowl and upland game birds.

Waterfowl hunting can be good on the creek, mudflat and floodplain within Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge. Hunters should check carefully before planning a trip here. During drought the wetlands dry up in the fall, and the waterfowl hunting is nonexistent. These areas do offer public hunting...

Most satellite refuge wetlands are either within closed basins, are too intermittent in nature, or are too far away from perennial lakes, rivers, or streams to support fisheries. The exception is Yellow Water Reservoir on the Yellow Water Unit of War Horse NWR where Montana Fish, Wildlife and...

Many species of mammals and birds have been observed on the satellite refuges. Bird watching provides opportunities to see many northern prairie grassland species such as western meadowlarks, mountain plovers, chestnut-collared longspurs, and prairie falcons. Black-tailed prairie dogs are...

Hiking is allowed anywhere on the satellite refuges except Grass Lake NWR and the north half of the Lake Mason Unit of Lake Mason NWR. These units are closed to all public access to reduce disturbance to migrating waterfowl.