National Fish Hatchery & Technology Center · New Mexico · FWS Region 2

Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center lies in Chaves County, New Mexico, with about 639 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules and 1 closed, covering about 449 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
449huntable acres
639FWS-owned acres
3game categories

Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center 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 Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center

Hunting opportunities include waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Through a cooperative agreement between the Department of Interior and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, established in 1957 (amended in 1981), Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center continues to provide public easement to…

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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: 449 (70%)Closed: 190 (30%)449huntable acres
  • Open449 ac 70%
  • Closed190 ac 30%
Units by size (acres)
Open to Hunting
449 ac
Closed to Hunting
190 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open to Hunting Open 449 —
Closed to Hunting Closed 190 —

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
  • 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 Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center.

How to get to Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center

Navigate

Destination: Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
33.18990, -104.34458
DMS
33°11′23.6″N 104°20′40.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Roswell, NM17 mi SE of town
  • Carlsbad, NM54 mi N of town
  • Portales, NM90 mi SW of town
  • Clovis, NM106 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • LBB Lubbock Preston Smith149 mi
  • ELP El Paso Intl152 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 Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center

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 AM7:24 PM12h 53m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM7:05 PM12h 26m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM6:43 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM6:25 PM11h 25m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:44 AM6:14 AM5:07 PM10h 52m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM4:56 PM10h 29m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:50 PM10h 08m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM4:51 PM9h 59m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:30 AM7:00 AM5:00 PM9h 60m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:30 AM7:00 AM5:11 PM10h 11m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:23 AM6:53 AM5:27 PM10h 34m

Computed for 33.190, -104.345 (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.

Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center?

Yes. Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center offers hunting in 1 unit (449 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center located?

Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center is in Chaves County, New Mexico, about 17 miles SE of Roswell, NM (straight-line). GPS: 33.18990, -104.34458.

What are legal shooting hours at Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center?

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

Bitter Lake NWR

Chaves County, NM · 28 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗

14.3K huntable acres

Grulla NWR

Roosevelt County, NM · 96 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Muleshoe NWR

Bailey County, TX · 106 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🐦🕊️🐗

2.8K huntable acres

San Andres NWR

Doña Ana County, NM · 132 mi W

1 open1 closed
🦌🐗

57.3K huntable acres

Bosque del Apache NWR

Socorro County, NM · 152 mi W

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

47.6K huntable acres

Las Vegas NWR

San Miguel County, NM · 168 mi N

2 open3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️

7.3K 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.