Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Hunting and Fishing

Bosque del Apache NWR is one of over 500 National Wildlife Refuges. The primary objective of the refuge is to provide high quality habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of wildlife. Organized hunting of surplus wildlife species is one tool used to maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible with the available habitat.

General Hunting Regulations

Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges is a privilege, please respect it. These regulations supplement the general regulations that govern hunting on wildlife refuges as set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.We allow hunting of quail, cottontail rabbits, dove, mule deer, and light geese (snow geese and Ross’s geese) with the following regulations:

State and federal hunting regulations regarding methods of take, dates, bag limits, etc., apply to all hunting on the refuge, in addition to refuge specific regulations.

Transportation of weapons across areas closed to hunting is allowed only when weapons are unloaded and cased.

Hunting of species not expressly mentioned is prohibited. No canoeing, boating, or floating is allowed through the refuge.

Hunting dogs may be used to retrieve game, but must be kept on a leash when not hunting.

Youth Spring Turkey Hunt

The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will conduct a 2013 Youth Spring Turkey Hunt for youth hunters (ages 17 and under). Applications will be available in late winter of 2012.

Youth Light Goose Hunt

The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will conduct a 2014 Youth Light Goose Hunt for youth hunters (ages 17 and under). Applications will be available in December of 2013.

Big Game Hunting

Oryx Hunting - Read the press release concerning Oryx Hunting at Bosque del Apache NWR

Hunting for mule deer is permitted during appropriate state hunting seasons. Areas open for mule deer include the following:

Mule Deer Hunts—West Side:
Primitive weapons: State Highway 1 to west boundary, with the exception of Unit 3 and those areas closed to hunting (see map).

Modern firearms: Power-line to west boundary Access on the west side of the railroad tracks is either by State Highway 1, or via Gravel Pit Road.

Mule Deer Hunts—East Side:
All legal weapons: Rio Grande to the east boundary. East side access is by foot or bicycle only.Bicycle access is limited to established service roads only.Access to the east boundary is via San Pedro, off Hwy 380, east of San Antonio.

Park at the gate leading into the refuge, but do not block access to the service road.

Small Game Hunting

Photo credit: USFWS

Hunting for quail, cottontail rabbit, and dove is allowed during concurrent state designated hunting seasons.

West Side:
Areas open for small game hunting are State Highway 1 to west boundary, with the exception of Unit 3 and those areas closed to hunting (see map). Look for signs in this area. No hunting within ½ mile of developed areas, including the Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters area, maintenance areas, Volunteer RV Park.

East Side:
The east side is open to small game hunting from the Rio Grande to the east boundary. Permitted Shot Type for Small Game HuntingNon-toxic shotgun shells required for all small game hunting. Contact the refuge at 575/ 835-1828 for more information.