National Wildlife Refuge · Colorado · FWS Region 6

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge lies in Jackson County, Colorado, with about 22,531 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 3 closed, covering about 15,387 huntable acres.

2 with special regs3 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
15.4Khuntable acres
22.5KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Arapaho NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Arapaho NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge was established to help offset the loss of wetlands throughout the prairies of the Midwest and today provides important habitat for waterfowl in Colorado.

Youth hunting

The refuge is open to youth hunters during the state youth waterfowl weekend.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Colorado regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 15,387 (62%)Closed: 9,396 (38%)15.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations15,387 ac 62%
  • Closed9,396 ac 38%
Units by size (acres)
B
8,266 ac
C
7,121 ac
A
4,649 ac
D
2,506 ac
Chandler
2,240 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
B
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 8,266 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Elk hunting during all 4 rifle seasons.
🧒 The refuge is open to youth hunters during the state youth waterfowl weekend.
C
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 7,121 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Elk hunting during all 4 rifle seasons.
🧒 The refuge is open to youth hunters during the state youth waterfowl weekend.
A
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 4,649 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Elk hunting during all 4 rifle seasons.
🧒 The refuge is open to youth hunters during the state youth waterfowl weekend.
Chandler
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 2,240 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Elk hunting during all 4 rifle seasons.
🧒 The refuge is open to youth hunters during the state youth waterfowl weekend.
D
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 2,506 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Elk hunting during all 4 rifle seasons.
🧒 The refuge is open to youth hunters during the state youth waterfowl weekend.

Arapaho NWR by the numbers

With about 15,387 huntable acres, Arapaho NWR ranks #2 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Colorado and #137 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 62% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is B (8,266 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, C, covers 7,121 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

3 units totaling 9,396 acres are closed to hunting (A, Chandler, and D). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 22,531 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 568 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Arapaho NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Colorado sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Elk hunting during all 4 rifle seasons.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Colorado hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Arapaho NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The refuge offers fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The Illinois River is the only area on the refuge open to fishing. The refuge is closed to fishing June 1-July 31 to reduce impact on nesting birds.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Arapaho NWR

Navigate

Destination: Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
40.58661, -106.33566
DMS
40°35′11.8″N 106°20′08.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Walden, CO10 mi S of town
  • Laramie, WY63 mi SW of town
  • Craig, CO64 mi E of town
  • Fort Collins, CO66 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • DEN Denver Intl101 mi
  • COS Colorado Springs150 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Arapaho NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Denver local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM7:39 PM13h 08m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:16 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM6:49 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM6:26 PM11h 12m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM5:03 PM10h 29m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM4:49 PM9h 58m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:39 PM9h 31m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM4:39 PM9h 18m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:58 AM7:28 AM4:47 PM9h 19m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:56 AM7:26 AM5:01 PM9h 34m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM5:21 PM10h 05m

Computed for 40.587, -106.336 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Arapaho NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

Arapaho NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Arapaho NWR?

Yes. Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (15,387 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Arapaho NWR?

Yes — Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained mail or online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Arapaho NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Arapaho NWR located?

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is in Jackson County, Colorado, about 10 miles S of Walden, CO (straight-line). GPS: 40.58661, -106.33566.

What are legal shooting hours at Arapaho NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Mortenson Lake NWR

Albany County, WY · 51 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Hutton Lake NWR

Albany County, WY · 52 mi NE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🐇

1.7K huntable acres

Wyoming Toad Conservation Area

Albany County, WY · 53 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Bamforth NWR

Albany County, WY · 62 mi NE

2 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

1.2K huntable acres

Saratoga NFH

Carbon County, WY · 67 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Rocky Flats NWR

Jefferson County, CO · 77 mi SE

1 special1 closed
🦌

3.1K huntable acres

All refuges in Colorado →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.