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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges
Hunting Regulation

NATIONAL WILDLIFE SYSTEM CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF CONSERVATION

Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge [image: map of Alamosa Refuge]

Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge [image: map of Monte Vista Refuge]

Welcome to the Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges
Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) are two of over 540 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This Refuge System is a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. It is a living heritage, conserving wildlife and habitat for people today and generations to come.

The mission of Alamosa and Monte Vista NWRs is to provide food, cover, and migration and breeding habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Both Alamosa and Monte Vista NWRs conserve and enhance the mixture of wetland and desert habitats found in the area to accomplish these goals. The 11,169-acre Alamosa NWR, containing wetlands of various depths and sizes, is located primarily within the Rio Grande flood plain. The artificially created wetlands of the 14,804-acre Monte Vista NWR are intensively managed to provide habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl and other water birds.

General Hunting Regulations
All Federal and State hunting regulations apply. Hunters must possess all applicable Federal and State licenses.

The Refuges are open daily from dawn to dusk. Hunting hours follow those set in the Colorado State hunting regulations.

Only waterfowl and small game hunting are permitted on a portion of each Refuge according to State regulations and the following special Refuge regulations. All hunting on both Refuges is permitted only during waterfowl season as set by Federal and State regulations.

It is our desire to prevent violations rather than to prosecute violators. Please respect other hunters who may be hunting in close proximity to you. Please handle firearms carefully. The cooperation of all sportsmen is respectfully requested.

When in doubt about any of the hunting regulations, please contact a Refuge officer.

Special Refuge Hunting Regulations
Hunting during the first and second weekends of the first duck hunting split is by permit only. All hunters who receive permits are required to check in at the Monte Vista NWR Office or at the Alamosa NWR Parking Area One prior to entering the field each day. During these days, each hunter must possess a valid Refuge permit in the field.

Hunting Areas
Hunting is only allowed in the designated hunting areas posted and shown on the maps. Access to Refuge hunting areas must be from designated hunter parking areas.

Weapons
Rifles and handguns are strictly prohibited.

Non-toxic Shot
Non-toxic shot must be used for all hunting on the Refuge. It is illegal to use or possess lead shot while in the field.

Decoys
Decoys cannot be left unattended and must be removed from the water daily.

Blinds
Blinds used for the purpose of hunting must be removed each day.

Hunting Dogs
The use of dogs for hunting and retrieving is permitted.

Alcoholic Beverages
It is illegal to use or possess alcoholic beverages while in the field.

Littering
Littering is prohibited. Please remove all trash, including spent shell casings, from the Refuge.

Fires
No fires of any type are permitted within the Refuge.

Safety Warning
Hunters are warned to be on alert for "boggy" areas and deep, abrupt channels. Please be very careful where you step.

Accessibility
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 7-1-1 for a free connection to the State transfer relay service for TTY and voice calls to and from the speech and hearing impaired. For more information or to address accessibility needs, please contact Refuge staff at 719 / 589 4021 or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Alamosa-Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges
9383 El Rancho Lane Alamosa, CO 81101 719 / 589 4021
719 / 587 0595 fax alamosa@fws.gov  http://alamosa.fws.gov
For State transfer relay service TTY / Voice: 711

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge Information 1 800 / 344 WILD
September 2003