National Wildlife Refuge · New Mexico · FWS Region 2

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge is located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, within an approved boundary of roughly 57,515 acres. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules and 1 closed, covering about 57,330 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 closed
2hunt units
57.3Khuntable acres
57.5Kboundary acres
2game categories

San Andres 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

Hunting at San Andres NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge lies entirely within the White Sands Missile Range, which restricts public access. The refuge is home to a native herd of desert bighorn sheep.

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Open: 57,330 (100%)Closed: 2.1 (0%)57.3Khuntable acres
  • Open57,330 ac 100%
  • Closed2.1 ac 0%
Units by size (acres)
57,330 ac
Headquarters
2.1 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Open 57,330 —
Headquarters Closed 2.1 —

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 New Mexico hunting license and any required tags or stamps — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at San Andres NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for San Andres NWR.

How to get to San Andres NWR

Navigate

Destination: San Andres National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Decimal
32.69513, -106.53764
DMS
32°41′42.5″N 106°32′15.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Las Cruces, NM29 mi NE of town
  • El Paso, TX65 mi N of town
  • Socorro, NM96 mi S of town
  • Roswell, NM126 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • ELP El Paso Intl62 mi
  • ABQ Albuquerque Sunport162 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 San Andres 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, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM7:32 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM7:14 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM6:52 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:34 PM11h 25m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM5:16 PM10h 54m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM5:06 PM10h 30m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM5:00 PM10h 10m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:01 PM10h 01m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM5:10 PM10h 02m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM5:21 PM10h 13m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:31 AM7:01 AM5:37 PM10h 36m

Computed for 32.695, -106.538 (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.

San Andres NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at San Andres NWR?

Yes. San Andres National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (57,330 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt San Andres NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for San Andres 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 San Andres NWR located?

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge is in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, about 29 miles NE of Las Cruces, NM (straight-line). GPS: 32.69513, -106.53764.

What are legal shooting hours at San Andres 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

Bosque del Apache NWR

Socorro County, NM · 79 mi N

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

47.6K huntable acres

Sevilleta NWR

Socorro County, NM · 115 mi N

4 special
🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

228K huntable acres

Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center

Chaves County, NM · 132 mi E

1 open1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️

449 huntable acres

Bitter Lake NWR

Chaves County, NM · 138 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗

14.3K huntable acres

Valle de Oro NWR

Bernalillo County, NM · 158 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

San Bernardino NWR

Cochise County, AZ · 185 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🐦🕊️🐇

1.3K huntable acres

All refuges in New Mexico →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.