Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Located in Central Montana, CMR is a 1.1 million-acre refuge that contains native prairies, forested coulees, river bottoms, badlands and the 250,000-acre Fort Peck Reservoir, as well as the Missouri Breaks wilderness region. Refuge wildlife includes mule and white-tailed deer, elk, bighorn sheep, antelope, coyote, bobcat, beaver, sharp-tailed grouse and numerous other species.

The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Complex manages Hailstone NWR, Halfbreed Lake NWR, Lake Mason NWR, UL Bend NWR and War Horse NWR.

The refuge has a long history of wildlife/grazing conflicts since its inception by Executive Order in 1936. Prior to 1976, the refuge was jointly administered by the FWS and Bureau of Land Management. Dual management by agencies with differing mandates functioned poorly and in 1976 the FWS received full management authority with the passage of the "Game Range" bill.

The refuge is managed through the refuge headquarters in Lewistown and three field stations located at Fort Peck, Sand Creek and Jordan. A refuge manager stationed in Lewistown is responsible for four waterfowl refuges, two WPA's located north of Billings and farm bill/wildlife extension programs.

Recreational opportunities include educational programs, hiking trails, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Hailstone NWR
Hailstone NWR is part of the Big Lake Complex, a large drainage area beginning with Hailstone to the north and ending at the state-owned and managed Big Lake to the south. This complex is one of the most productive areas in Central Montana for waterfowl. This area was established by Executive Order as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Hailstone NWR is located five miles northeast of Rapelje, Montana. It has a complex ownership and administrative pattern with 160 acres of fee title refuge, 760 acres of refuge easement and 1,828 acres of Waterfowl Production Area (WPA). The habitat component valuable to waterfowl and other wildlife at this site is a 300-acre reservoir.

Historically, the area surrounding this refuge was shortgrass prairie, but over the years it was plowed and planted to wheat. Hailstone NWR was managed as a no-hunting refuge easement from the mid-1930's until 1980 when the WPA was acquired.

Recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing.

Halfbreed Lake NWR
Halfbreed Lake NWR is part of the Big Lake Complex, a large drainage area with Halfbreed being centrally located in the complex. The refuge receives the freshest water and most of the migratory bird use.

Halfbreed Lake NWR is located six miles east of Rapelje, Montana. It was initially managed as a flowage and no-hunting refuge easement. In 1987, 3,246 acres were purchased in fee title, which included most of the original easement. The refuge now includes 3,246 acres in fee title, 640 acres of state land, where FWS has acquired the grazing lease and 400 acres of private land that is still covered by the original refuge easement.

Recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing.

Lake Mason NWR
Lake Mason NWR is located eight miles northwest of Roundup, Montana. Lake Mason is a natural marsh of about 1,300 acres surrounded by rolling shortgrass prairie hills.

Recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing.

UL Bend NWR
Ul Bend NWR is located in Phillips County, Montana. Three sides are adjoined by the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The north boundary is bounded by public domain and private lands.

Fort Peck Reservoir surrounds the southern half of the area. These impounded waters of the Missouri River provide an ecological barrier for wildlife associated with land. Although the water level fluctuates seasonally, the elevation at full pool is 2,250 feet above sea level. Lands above this level were included in the wilderness study.

The refuge provides nesting, resting, and feeding habitat for ducks, geese, swans, and other migratory birds.

Recreational opportunities include boating, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and archaeological/historic sites, as well as access to the Missouri Breaks wilderness region.

War Horse NWR
Warhorse NWR consists of three separate upland units near Winnett, Montana. These units consist of scattered FWS landholdings adjacent to a lake (Wild Horse) or reservoirs (Warhorse and Yellow Water) and are managed for migratory birds.

Recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing.

Contact Details
P.O. Box 110
Lewistown, MT 59457
(406) 538-8706