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.
*** UPDATE*** - "Unit 7" located east of Parking Area # 1 (P1) and west of P4 & P5 is being droughted for a cattail mitigation project for the next 2 years. However, the eastern 1/3 of the unit will have intermitent water throughout the fall water season. (9/20/2022)
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.
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.
