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 for all species open during Montana seasons, so there are opportunities to hunt even in dry years. The best bet is for sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse that live in the grasslands along the wetlands. Hunters should plan on covering a lot of terrain to find these birds, which can be scattered over large areas. The use of well-trained dogs helps a great deal in covering the vast terrain in these areas.
Hunting on the satellite refuges is subject to Federal and State regulations and a Montana hunting license is required. Halfbreed Lake NWR and the north half of the Lake Mason Unit of Lake Mason NWR are closed to hunting.
Big Game Hunting
Mule deer and antelope are found throughout the Complex and numbers will vary from year to year. White-tailed deer and elk have been seen on some refuges but sightings are rare.
Waterfowl and Upland Bird Hunting
Waterfowl, sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and grey partridge can occur on the Refuges. Bird numbers fluctuate considerably from year-to-year, depending on winter survival, spring nesting conditions and water levels.