Some of the best waterfowl hunting in Colorado can be found here. Hunters can find good hunting, particularly early in the season, within the many wetlands located throughout the refuge. Typically by late October and early November, wetlands will start freezing up.
* Waterfowl Hunting Areas - Water Condition 9/25/2025
* “The Series Ponds” located just east and south of Parking Area #1 (P1) are full and holding good numbers of waterfowl.
* “Unit 7” located east of P1 and west of P4 & P5, is full in the western 2/3’s of the unit. The eastern 1/3 is dry.
* “Unit 15” located west and north of P2, is in good condition with many of the bottom areas being full. Good numbers of waterfowl are using these bottoms for feeding.
* Areas northwest and northeast from P5, are mostly dry.
* “Parker Pond” located east of P4 and north of P3, is dry.
Monte Vista Refuge Hunting Brochure
Limited small game hunting is offered as well. Doves, Wilson's snipes, cottontail hares, and jackrabbits are allowed to be hunted on the Refuge. See the Refuge's hunting brochure for more information.
Limited Elk hunting is also permitted on the refuge, but only with a Special Refuge Access Elk Permit. These permits are issued through a lottery draw held by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Please refer to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Big Game Hunting brochure for more information. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (state.co.us)
As a reminder, there are other users on the Refuge, so please be respectful around other visitors that are enjoying the Refuge. For more information about hunting on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, please refer to the Monte Vista Refuge Hunting Brochure , or call the Refuge office at 719-589-4021.
