Monte Vista NWR
Rio Grande County, CO · 31 mi SW
✓1 open!1 special✕1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇
11.2K huntable acres
Baca 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.
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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
Hunting at Baca NWR
- Big Game
-
Waterfowl -
Wild Turkey -
Upland Birds -
Migratory Birds -
Small Game -
Feral & Exotic -
Fishing
Hunting opportunities include big game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.
At nearly 90,000 acres, the large open landscape of Baca National Wildlife Refuge supports hundreds of Rocky Mountain elk.
Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Colorado regulations plus refuge-specific rules.
Hunt units (3)
- Open29,530 ac 32%
- Special regulations15,423 ac 17%
- Closed47,414 ac 51%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk | ✓Open | 29,530 | Required Special Use Permit |
Permit is coordinated by the CPW and is limited number of hunters (10 hunters at any given time during the rifle… |
| Archery Elk | !Special regs | 15,423 | Required Special Use Permit |
Permit is coordinated by the CPW and is limited number of hunters (10 hunters at any given time during the rifle… |
| Closed | ✕Closed | 47,414 | Required Special Use Permit |
Permit is coordinated by the CPW and is limited number of hunters (10 hunters at any given time during the rifle… |
Permits & licenses
Refuge permit
Required
Permit is coordinated by the CPW and is limited number of hunters (10 hunters at any given time during the rifle season.)
Type: Special Use Permit
How to get it:
- 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
- 📋 Other (see refuge)
You'll also need
- A valid Colorado hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Hunter education certification where your state requires it
- The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)
Fishing at Baca NWR
USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Baca NWR.
How to get to Baca NWR
Navigate
Destination: Baca National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
37.86852, -105.80324- DMS
37°52′06.7″N 105°48′11.7″W
Nearest towns
- Alamosa, CO28 mi N of town
- Pueblo, CO70 mi W of town
- Colorado Springs, CO85 mi SW of town
- Raton, NM100 mi NW of town
Closest airports
- COS Colorado Springs88 mi
- DEN Denver Intl150 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 Baca 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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:02 AM | 6:32 AM | 7:34 PM | 13h 02m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:13 AM | 6:43 AM | 7:13 PM | 12h 29m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:27 AM | 6:57 AM | 6:48 PM | 11h 51m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:40 AM | 7:10 AM | 6:27 PM | 11h 17m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 5:57 AM | 6:27 AM | 5:05 PM | 10h 38m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:13 AM | 6:43 AM | 4:53 PM | 10h 10m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:29 AM | 6:59 AM | 4:45 PM | 9h 45m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 6:41 AM | 7:11 AM | 4:45 PM | 9h 34m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 6:48 AM | 7:18 AM | 4:53 PM | 9h 35m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 6:47 AM | 7:17 AM | 5:06 PM | 9h 48m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:38 AM | 7:08 AM | 5:24 PM | 10h 17m |
Computed for 37.869, -105.803 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.
7-day hunting weather
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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.
Baca NWR FAQ
Is hunting allowed at Baca NWR?
Yes. Baca National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (44,953 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.
Do I need a permit to hunt Baca NWR?
Yes — Baca National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Special Use Permit. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov) or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.
Where is Baca NWR located?
Baca National Wildlife Refuge is in Saguache County, Colorado, about 28 miles N of Alamosa, CO (straight-line). GPS: 37.86852, -105.80324.
What are legal shooting hours at Baca 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
Alamosa NWR
Alamosa County, CO · 32 mi S
✓1 open!1 special✕1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🎣
6.8K huntable acres
Leadville NFH
Lake County, CO · 99 mi N
✓1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣
3.1K huntable acres
Maxwell NWR
Colfax County, NM · 112 mi SE
✕1 closed
🎣
Hotchkiss NFH
Delta County, CO · 123 mi NW
✕1 closed
🎣
Mora NFH
Mora County, NM · 132 mi S
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.