Mortenson Lake NWR
Albany County, WY · 12 mi S
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Bamforth 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 Bamforth NWR
- Big Game
- Waterfowl
- Wild Turkey
- Upland Birds
- Migratory Birds
- Small Game
-
Feral & Exotic -
Fishing
Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.
Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge is in a high-plains ecosystem known as the Laramie Basin. It is a high-elevation, dry grassland surrounded by mountains in the southern part of the Laramie Plains.
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland 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 Wyoming regulations plus refuge-specific rules.
Hunt units (2)
- Open1,171 ac 100%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Unit | ✓Open | 703 | — | |
| Migratory Bird Unit | ✓Open | 469 | — |
Permits & licenses
Refuge permit
Not listed
USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.
You'll also need
- A valid Wyoming hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Wyoming Game and Fish Department
- 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 Bamforth NWR
USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Bamforth NWR.
How to get to Bamforth NWR
Navigate
Destination: Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
41.37116, -105.74241- DMS
41°22′16.2″N 105°44′32.7″W
Nearest towns
- Laramie, WY9.0 mi NW of town
- Cheyenne, WY51 mi W of town
- Walden, CO52 mi NE of town
- Fort Collins, CO64 mi NW of town
Closest airports
- CPR Casper/Natrona County112 mi
- DEN Denver Intl119 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 Bamforth 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 | 5:58 AM | 6:28 AM | 7:38 PM | 13h 10m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:12 AM | 6:42 AM | 7:14 PM | 12h 33m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:28 AM | 6:58 AM | 6:46 PM | 11h 49m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:43 AM | 7:13 AM | 6:23 PM | 11h 11m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:03 AM | 6:33 AM | 4:59 PM | 10h 26m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:20 AM | 6:50 AM | 4:44 PM | 9h 54m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:39 AM | 7:09 AM | 4:35 PM | 9h 26m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 6:51 AM | 7:21 AM | 4:34 PM | 9h 13m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 6:58 AM | 7:28 AM | 4:42 PM | 9h 14m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 6:56 AM | 7:26 AM | 4:56 PM | 9h 30m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:45 AM | 7:15 AM | 5:17 PM | 10h 02m |
Computed for 41.371, -105.742 (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.
Bamforth NWR FAQ
Is hunting allowed at Bamforth NWR?
Yes. Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (1,171 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Bamforth NWR?
FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Bamforth NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.
Where is Bamforth NWR located?
Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge is in Albany County, Wyoming, about 9 miles NW of Laramie, WY (straight-line). GPS: 41.37116, -105.74241.
What are legal shooting hours at Bamforth 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
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Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.