Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:

  • Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information
  • Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick


Around the Refuge

2020 Hunting Regulations

Black Lab

Hunting regulations for the 2020-2021 Seasons will be posted as they become available. Follow the link below to the Visitor Activities Page to find hunting regulations.

Visitor Activities: Hunting

Final Hunting & Fishing Plan Released

Hunting Lg

Hunting and fishing are two of the six public uses encouraged and facilitated on national wildlife refuges. In August, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a final hunting and fishing plan for the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. If you have trouble reading this PDF file, you have two options: 1) You can follow the instructions that pop up to get a free upgrade to Adobe Reader X; or 2) Right-click the link, and download a copy of the plan to your computer; you can also right click and choose Save As to save the file to your computer. You can then read the file using the existing Adobe software already on your computer.

Montezuma NWR FINAL Hunting & Fishing Plan 2020
What's Happening

Hours & Trail Openings/Closings

Fishing on the refuge - USFWS.

The Wildlife Drive is OPEN for the season!! Please visit responsibly... Walking and bicycling on the Summertime Bike & Hike Trail/Wildlife Drive is now prohibited (this activity is permitted Memorial Day Weekend through mid-August only). PLEASE STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE ALONG THE DRIVE UNTIL YOU REACH THE BINOCULAR SIGNS, INDICATING THAT YOU MAY GET OUT FOR CLOSER OBSERVATION. WALKING ALONG THE DRIVE AND ON THE DIKES/IN THE WATER IS NOT PERMITTED. Dogs & other pets are NOT PERMITTED outside of vehicles along the Drive; you may walk your dog, on-leash, along the Seneca Trail. Hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The Drive is ONE WAY. It ends on State Route 89. A left onto Rte 89 takes you back to US Route 20. A right onto Rte. 89 takes you to viewing areas and ultimately to the Montezuma Audubon Center. The Visitor Center (including the sun room) and Nature Store, as well as the outdoor restrooms, will remain closed until further notice. Walking trails and viewing areas are open from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Please do your part to keep your refuge clean and safe for the wildlife and for other visitors. Follow Leave No Trace and Carry in/Carry out practices as best as you can! Check out our Visitor Activities page to learn more!

Visitor Activities

About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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