The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunting of geese, ducks, coots, snipe and mourning doves is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Snipe and dove hunting are permitted only during the waterfowl hunting season.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunting of pheasant, cottontail rabbit, black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbit is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: Hunting is permitted only when the respective State season coincides with the refuge waterfowl hunting season.
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, coot, merganser, Canada goose, snipe, Virginia and Sora rail, and mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State and Federal regulations, subject to the following conditions:
1. All migratory bird hunting closes annually on December 31.
2. We prohibit use of, or hunting over, bait (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
3. We allow use of only portable stands and blinds that the hunter must remove following each day's hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
4. Hunters must retrieve spent shotgun shells.
5. We prohibit hunting 200 feet (60 m) from any public use road, designated parking area, or designated public use facility located within the hunt area.
6. Method of take for migratory game birds must comply with State regulations.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, and sage grouse on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations, subject to the following conditions:
1. All upland game hunting closes annually on December 31.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
3. Conditions A2, A4, and A5 apply.
4. Method of take for upland game must comply with State regulations.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of antelope and elk on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A2, A3, and A5 apply.
2. Hunters must use only firearms and ammunition allowed by State law for legal hunting of elk or antelope.
3. Hunters must follow State law for use of hunter orange.
4. Elk hunters:
i. Must possess a refuge-specific license (State license) to hunt elk.
ii. Must attend a scheduled prehunt information meeting prior to hunting.
iii. Youth hunters must be age 12 by the hunt date but not yet age 18 at the time of the hunt application.
iv. Disabled hunters must meet Colorado State Department of Wildlife (CDOW) criteria for, and be on the State's list of, hunters with disabilities.
v. We will make selections via the CDOW hunt selection process. Hunters holding valid tags (controlled by the State) for the unit the refuge is located within may write requesting a special tag to hunt within the refuge.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge on the Illinois River in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit fishing between June 1 and July 31 each year.
2. We allow fishing only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We prohibit ice fishing on the refuge (there is no specific date, but when the river freezes over, fishing closes).
4. Fishing is closed in Unit C when the refuge is open to big game rifle hunting.
5. Lead sinkers and live bait are not allowed for fishing.
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunters may hunt geese, ducks, coots, and mourning doves only in designated areas of the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt cottontail rabbits only in designated areas of the refuge.
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt mule deer and elk only in designated areas of the refuge.
D. Sport Fishing. Anglers may fish only in designated areas of the refuge.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunting of geese, ducks, coots, snipe and mourning doves is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Snipe and dove hunting are permitted only during the waterfowl hunting season.
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunting of pheasant, cottontail rabbit, black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbit is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Hunting is permitted only when the respective State season coincides with the refuge waterfowl hunting season.
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Rocky Mountain Arsenal
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing at designated times and on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require a valid State fishing license and valid refuge fishing permit for all anglers age 16 and older. You must obtain and display a daily refuge fishing badge while fishing.
2. We only allow the use of rod and reel with one hook or lure per line.
3. We only allow catch and release fishing.
4. We only allow barbless hooks.
5. We only allow artificial flies or lures.
6. We prohibit the use of live bait. [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 6685, Feb. 11, 1994; 60 FR 62041, Dec. 4, 1995; 62 FR 47376, Sept. 9, 1997; 65 FR 30780, May 12, 2000; 69 FR 54362, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54163, Sept. 13, 2005; 76 FR 56065, Sept. 9, 2011; 79 FR 14825, Mar. 17, 2014; 79 FR 21874, Apr. 18, 2014]