The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning and white-winged dove in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow only shotguns for hunting. We limit all shotguns to a maximum three-shell capacity, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells (see Sec. 20.21(b) of this chapter).
2. You may possess only nontoxic shot while hunting in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
3. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of any building, road, or levee open to public use.
4. We allow hunting/angling on the refuge only in those areas posted or designated as open. The public hunting area is generally described as south of the Bill Williams Road and east of Arizona State Rt. 95 plus the south half of Section 35, T 11N-R 17W as posted. We close the isolated grow-out cove near the visitor center to fishing as posted.
5. We allow hunting/angling in accordance with State regulations only for the listed species.
6. You may retrieve fish or game from an area closed to hunting or entry only upon specific consent from an authorized refuge employee.
7. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter).
8. Anyone for hire to assist or guide a hunter or angler must first obtain, possess, and carry a valid Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
9. We prohibit the construction or use of any pits, permanent blinds, or other structures (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
10. All refuge visitors must remove all personal items from the refuge at the end of each day's activity, i.e., boats, equipment, cameras, temporary blinds, stands, etc. (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
11. Hunters must report accidents involving property damage or personal injury to the refuge manager or authorized Service personnel (see Sec. 25.72 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and cottontail rabbit in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A11 apply.
2. We only allow hunting of cottontail rabbit from September 1 to the close of the State quail season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of desert bighorn sheep in Arizona Wildlife Management Areas 16A and 44A in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A4 through A11 apply.
2. In Arizona Wildlife Management Unit 44A, we allow hunting on the refuge only in those areas south of the Bill Williams River Road and east of Arizona State Rt. 95 plus the south half of Section 35, T 11N-R 17W as posted.
3. In Arizona Wildlife Management Unit 16A, we allow hunting for desert bighorn sheep only in those areas north of the Bill Williams River.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A4 through A11 apply.
2. We prohibit personal watercraft (PWC as defined by State law), air boats, and hovercraft on all waters within the boundaries of the refuge.
3. We designate all refuge waters as wakeless speed zones (as defined by State law).
4. The nonmotorized watercraft launch and Central Arizona Project (CAP) peninsula are day-use only areas and are open from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise to \1/2\ hour after legal sunset. We allow fishing and the launching of watercraft at these and other areas 24 hours a day.
5. We prohibit the possession or consumption of open containers of alcohol or the possession of glass beverage containers in improved areas, including the nonmotorized watercraft launch and the CAP peninsula.
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, and dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow portable or temporary blinds and stands, but you must remove them at the end of each hunt day.
2. We prohibit the use of flagging tape, reflective tape, or other signs or markers used to identify paths or to mark tree stands, blinds, or other areas.
3. The No-Hunt Zones include all Service property east of milepost 7 of Arivaca Road within the Arivaca Creek Management Area, all Service property in Brown Canyon, all Service property within \1/4\ mile (.4 km) of refuge residences, and the posted No-Hunt Zone encompassing refuge headquarters and area bounded by the 10-mile (16 km) Pronghorn Drive auto tour loop.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of rabbit, coyote, and skunk on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following condition: Conditions A1 through A3 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of mule and white-tailed deer, javelina, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You may only hunt feral hog during big game seasons. Each hunter must possess and carry a valid hunting license and big game permit for the season in progress. There is no bag limit.
2. Conditions A1 through A3 apply.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of desert bighorn sheep is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Entry permits are required.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots, moorhens, common snipe, and mourning and white-winged doves on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow only shotguns.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. You must obtain a permit to enter the Island Unit.
4. You must pay a hunt fee in portions of the refuge. Consult refuge hunting leaflet for locations.
5. We do not allow pit or permanent blinds.
6. You may hunt only during seasons, dates, times, and areas posted by signs and/or indicated on refuge leaflets, special regulations, and maps available at the refuge office.
7. You must remove all temporary blinds, boats, and decoys from the refuge following each day's hunt.
8. We do not allow hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of any public roads or levees.
9. We close Farm Unit 2 to all hunting except goose hunting during the Arizona waterfowl season.
10. Consult the refuge hunt leaflet for the shot limit.
11. The area known as Pretty Water is open to waterfowl hunting from \1/2\ hour before sunrise to 3:00 p.m. MST during the Arizona and California waterfowl seasons.
12. The Hart Mine Marsh area is open to hunting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily during goose season.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and cottontail rabbit on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow only shotguns and bows and arrows.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
3. You may hunt cottontail rabbit from September 1 through the last day of the respective State's quail season.
4. During the Arizona waterfowl season, you may not hunt quail and rabbit in Farm Unit 2.
5. You may not hunt within 50 yards (45 m) of any public road.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of mule deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. For units open to mule deer hunting, refer to current Big Game hunt brochure.
2. You may not hunt within 50 yards (45 m) of any public road.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing and frogging subject to the following condition: Cibola Lake is open to fishing and frogging from March 15 through Labor Day.
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds. We allow hunting of mourning and whitewinged dove, duck, coot, moorhen, goose, and common snipe on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit falconry.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
3. You may not hunt within 50 yards (45m) of any building or public road.
4. We prohibit target shooting or the discharge of any weapon except to hunt.
5. We prohibit possession of firearms except while hunting.
6. We prohibit the construction or use of pits and permanent blinds (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
7. You must remove temporary blinds, boats, hunting equipment, and decoys from the refuge following each day's hunt (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit retrieving game from closed areas. You may retrieve game from areas closed to hunting, but otherwise open to entry, as long as you possess no firearms or other means of take.
9. Anyone hired to assist or guide hunter(s) must obtain, possess, and carry a valid Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
10. We prohibit hunting on those refuge lands within the Lake Havasu City limits.
11. The following conditions apply only to Pintail Slough (all refuge lands north of North Dike):
i. We require a fee for waterfowl hunting. You must possess proof of payment (refuge permit) while hunting.
ii. Waterfowl hunters must hunt within 25 feet (7.5 m) of the numbered post of their assigned blind.
iii. We limit the number of persons at each waterfowl hunt blind to three. Observers cannot hold shells or guns unless in possession of a valid State hunting license and stamps.
iv. We limit the number of shells a waterfowl hunter may possess to 25.
v. Waterfowl hunters must possess at least 12 decoys per blind.
vi. You may use only dead vegetation or materials brought from off refuge for making or fixing hunt blinds. We prohibit the cutting, pulling, marking or removing vegetation (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter).
vii. Waterfowl hunters must be at their blind at least 45 minutes before legal shoot time and not leave their blind until 10:00 am MST.
viii. We allow waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Waterfowl hunting ends at 12:00 p.m. (noon) MST. Hunters must be out of the slough area by 1:00 p.m. MST.
ix. We allow hunting in the juniors-only waterfowl season.
x. We allow dove hunting only during the September season.
12. The following conditions apply to all waters of the lower Colorado River within the Havasu NWR:
i. We close designated portions of Topock Marsh to all entry from October 1 through the last day of the waterfowl hunt season (including the State junior waterfowl hunt). These areas are indicated in refuge brochures and identified by buoys and/or signs.
ii. We prohibit hunting in the waters of the Colorado River and on those refuge lands within \1/4\ mile (.4 km) of the waters of the Colorado River from and including Castle Rock Bay north to Interstate 40.
iii. We allow hunting on refuge lands and waters south of Castle Rock Bay to the north boundary of the Lake Havasu City limits.
13. We prohibit the use of all air-thrust boats and/or air-cooled propulsion engines, including floating aircraft.
14. Hunting dogs must be under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and cottontail rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A10, A11vi., and A12 apply.
2. We prohibit the possession or use of rifles.
3. We allow hunting of quail in Pintail Slough prior to and following the State waterfowl season (The State waterfowl season includes the State general waterfowl season, the days between the juniors-only waterfowl hunt and the general State waterfowl season, and the juniors-only waterfowl hunt.).
4. We allow hunting of cottontail rabbit in Pintail Slough prior to and following the State waterfowl season (The State waterfowl season includes the State general waterfowl season, the days between the juniors-only waterfowl hunt and the general State waterfowl season, and the juniors-only waterfowl hunt.).
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of bighorn sheep on those refuge lands in Arizona Wildlife Management Area 16B in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A9 and A12ii apply.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations (Colorado River specific regulations apply) subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the use of all air-thrust boats or air-cooled propulsion engines, including floating aircraft.
2. We prohibit overnight boat mooring and shore anchoring unless actively fishing as defined by State regulations (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Anyone hired to assist or guide anglers must obtain, possess, and carry a valid Special Use Permit issued by the refuge manager.
4. The following apply only on Topock Marsh:
i. We close designated portions to all entry from October 1 through the last day of the waterfowl hunt season (including the State junior waterfowl hunt).
ii. We close designated portions to all entry from April 1 through August 31. These areas are indicated in refuge brochures and identified by buoys and or signs.
iii. We prohibit personal watercraft (PWC, as defined by State law).
5. The following apply to all waters of the Colorado River within Havasu NWR from the south regulatory buoy line to the north regulatory buoy line at Interstate 40 (approximately 17 miles [27.2 km]).
i. We prohibit personal watercraft (PWC, as defined by State law) as indicated by signs or regulatory buoys in all backwaters.
ii. We limit watercraft speed as indicated by signs or regulatory buoys to no wake (as defined by State law) in all backwaters.
iii. We prohibit water-skiing, tubing, wake boarding, or other recreational-towed devices.
6. The following apply to the improved areas within Havasu NWR. Improved areas consist of the Mesquite Bay areas, Castle Rock, the Diving Cliffs, Catfish Paradise, Five Mile Landing and North Dike.
i. We prohibit entry of all motorized watercraft in all three bays of the Mesquite Bay area as indicated by signs or regulatory buoys.
ii. Improved areas are day-use only and are open from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise to \1/2\ hour after legal sunset. Fishing and the launching of watercraft are permitted at these and other areas 24 hours a day.
iii. We prohibit the possession or consumption of open containers of alcohol or the possession of glass beverage containers in improved areas.
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds. We allow hunting of mourning and white-winged dove, duck, coot, moorhen, goose, and common snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Pits and permanent blinds are not allowed.
2. Temporary blinds, boats and decoys must be removed from the refuge following each day's hunt.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail, cottontail rabbit, coyote, and fox on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Allowed methods of take for quail and cottontail rabbit are shotgun and bow and arrow.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting quail and cottontail rabbit (see Sec. 32.2(k).
3. We allow cottontail rabbit hunting from September 1 to the close of the State quail season.
4. We allow coyote and fox hunting only during the State quail season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of mule deer and desert bighorn sheep on designated areas of the refuge.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and frogging for bullfrog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We close posted portions of Martinez Lake and Ferguson Lake to entry from October 1 through the last day of February.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunting of quail, cottontail rabbit, coyote, and fox is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunting of coyote, fox, and cottontail rabbit is permitted during the State quail season only, except as provided below.
2. Hunting of coyote and fox is not permitted during the deer season except that deer hunters with valid Unit 45A, 45B, and 45C deer permits may take these predators until a deer is taken.
3. Allowed method of take of cottontail rabbits is shotgun only.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of mule deer and desert bighorn sheep is permitted on designated areas of the refuge.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning and white-winged dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow only shotguns.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and cottontail rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. Cottontail rabbit season shall open on September 1 and close on the last day of the State quail season.
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved] [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 29073, May 18, 1993; 59 FR 6688, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55183, Nov. 3, 1994; 60 FR 62040, Dec. 4, 1995; 62 FR 47376, Sept. 9, 1997; 65 FR 30777, May 12, 2000; 66 FR 46353, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58943, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54365, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54159, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33167, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45679, Sept. 3, 2009; 76 FR 3946, Jan. 21, 2011; 76 FR 56064, Sept. 9, 2011; 77 FR 56036, Sept. 11, 2012; 80 FR 51887, Aug. 26, 2015]