From ducks and geese in wetlands to desert bighorn on canyon rims, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is known for its variety of hunting opportunities. One such opportunity is for Gambel's quail in the upland areas between the river and canyon rims. In a good year, large coveys are abundant and hunters with strong legs and well-trained dogs can find fantastic hunting. Hunters can expect extremely rugged and often very dry conditions, so they should pack plenty of water for themselves and their dogs. Those who make the effort will be rewarded not only with many flushing quail, but also with the spectacular sandstone cliffs of Topock Gorge. An alert hunter may see Native American petroglyphs, reminders that this desert country has been used by hunters for millennia.
Pintail Slough Waterfowl Hunt - Quota Hunt
Changes for the 2023-24 season
The old refuge office in Needles is no longer refuge headquarters. Lottery applications, fee payments, etc. will not be accepted at that location. Instead, everything must be mailed or physically brought to the Bill Williams River office near Parker. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
Bill Williams River NWR
60911 HWY 95
Parker, AZ 85344
Due to a significant increase in hunter interest, lottery selections will be handled differently this year. Hunters will still be able to select up to 4 blinds for the season during the lottery. However, only 2 of those blinds can be scheduled during prime hunting season (December and January). For example, a hunter may schedule 2 blinds in December and 2 in November or 4 blinds in November. However, a hunter will not be permitted to schedule 4 blinds in December. This rule only pertains to the lottery. If any blinds remain unscheduled at the end of the lottery process, hunters will be allowed to schedule up to 6 additional blinds for the season. The reason for this change is to allow a greater number of hunters the opportunity to have a successful hunt.
Applications
The refuge will be accepting applications for the 2023-2024 waterfowl quota hunt season September 1, 2023 – September 14, 2023 via mail or in person at the Parker office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can reach the office at (928) 667-4144.
User Fees for Quota Hunt
The user fee is $25.00 per blind, per day. Each hunting party may consist of no more than 4 individuals, including the reservation holder, other hunters, and nonhunters. Hunters can reserve a max of 4 hunt dates via the lottery drawing. A maximum of 2 of those dates may be scheduled during the months of December or January. Youth ages 13 and under are not required to pay a fee when accompanied by an adult; however, they are ineligible to participate in the lottery drawing
Waterfowl Quota Hunt Drawing Results
Hunters who decide to participate should send in payment no later than Sept. 14, 2023 (COB) to keep their drawing order. The fee is $25 per hunt and is payable by personal cash, check or money order to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and sent to:
Bill Williams River NWR
60911 HWY 95
Parker, AZ 85344
Checks and money order must be made payable to “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service”.
Payment must be received by the due date or the drawn hunter will be disqualified.
Any remaining Pintail Slough waterfowl blinds will be available for purchase at the Parker office, 60911 HWY 95, Parker, AZ 85344. These remaining blinds are $25 and can be purchased in addition to any blinds purchased through the lottery hunt. These permits will be sold on a first-come first served basis after the lottery process is complete until all Pintail Slough waterfowl blinds are filled. The “prime time” 2-blind limit will no longer apply at this point. Hunters are limited to a max of 10 permits per season at Pintail Slough.
Accessible Hunting
The handicap blind is reserved for CHAMP license hunters with disabilities.
Youth Hunts
Arizona Game & Fish Dept. will be conducting a youth hunter education hunt camp at Pintail Slough the first full weekend of January. Blind reservations will not be available for those dates. For further information about youth participation or opportunities to volunteer as a mentor, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman office at (928) 692-7700.
Pintail Slough will be exclusively open to youth hunters for first weekend after the end of hunt season. Youth hunters must be accompanied by at least one adult mentor. Mentors will not be permitted to hunt during this time. Contact the Pintail Slough at coordinator at (928) 667-4144 to make a youth weekend reservation.
Other Refuge Areas Open for Hunting
Topock Marsh
Designated portions of Topock Marsh are open to hunting.
Other Refuge Lands
Refuge lands and waters south of Blankenship Bend to the north boundary of the city limits of Lake Havasu City.
Areas Closed to Hunting
Topock Marsh
Entry into the Topock Marsh closed area is prohibited from October 1 through the last day of the state waterfowl season (including the youth-only hunt). The only exception is through traffic on the Levee Road and the entrance to the Bermuda goose observation tower parking lot.
Topock Gorge
Hunting is prohibited in Topock Gorge from Blankenship Bend north to Interstate 40, including those refuge lands within a quarter mile of the waters of the Colorado River.
Hunting Opportunities
Migratory Bird Hunting
Migratory Bird Dates, daily bag, and possession limits will be in accordance with respective federal and state regulations. Special conditions apply within the Pintail Slough Management Unit.
Dove Hunting
Dates, daily bag, and possession limits will be in accordance with respective federal and state regulations, except in the Pintail Slough management unit, where the hunting of dove is permitted only by quota hunt permit during the state waterfowl hunt season.
Upland Game Hunting
Within the Pintail Slough Quota Hunt Area, take is only permitted by quota hunt permit during the state waterfowl season. The harvest of desert cottontail rabbit, Eurasian collared-dove, African collared-dove, black-tailed jackrabbit, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, and kit fox is permitted during the refuge specific upland game season September 1 to March 15. Quail may be harvested following regular season dates.
Methods of take permitted on the refuge include shotgun, handgun, pneumatic weapons, archery, crossbow, and muzzleloader, except for quail where the use of muzzleloader is not permitted.