(ii) We allow airboats only in Refuge Unit 9 and Block C. T Crestone, CO 81131 View Details Driving Directions The Baca NWR office is located approximately 10.5 miles east of Highway 17 on the south side of County Road T. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? The Baca National Wildlife Refuge is home to an impressive herd of American Elk that exceeds 1500 head of animals at any given time of the year. VALLEY Beginning this fall, the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in the San Luis Valley will be open to hunters with a valid public-land elk license for Game Management Unit 82. Fish and Wildlife Service says parts of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in southern Colorado could be open to hunting for the first time to help manage. MONTE VISTA Elk hunting is allowed on three national wildlife refuges in the San Luis Valley. About AES The mission of the Arizona Elk Society is to benefit elk and other wildlife by generating resources for habitat conservation and restoration, and to preserve our hunting heritage for present and future generations. Hunting is only allowed within the designated elk hunting areas. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! Young hunters aged 12-17 who have an unfilled Wyoming 2022 full-price youth elk license are eligible to participate. The Galloping Goose Historical Society in Dolores works on restoring five rail cars that ran on area rialroad tracks. ), First published on July 13, 2016 / 9:57 AM. We allow hunting of light goose on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) We allow hunting of light geese only during the spring conservation order season. An access permit is no longer required. *** Potential bidders must attend a pre-bid onsite briefing and formal inspection tour to have their bids considered. Fish and Wildlife Service says parts of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in southern Colorado could be open to hunting for the first time to help manage elk, other big game and migratory game birds. riparian This Refuge was set aside not only as a haven for migratory birds and resident wildlife, but also as an important piece in a broader conservation effort to protect the wildlife, habitat, and water of the north and eastern portions of the San Luis Valley. National forest and national park preserve, where hunting is allowed, abuts the park and refuge so when hunting pressure starts deer and elk move down quickly to the safe havens. 2023 News Media Corporation. Updated: 4 years ago / Posted Aug 3, 2018. Hunters must continue to follow all Colorado hunting regulations, as well as the federal rules listed below. . Get a free account to view the details! Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Nearly 45,000 acres are available for elk hunting on the Refuge. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. View southeast from the northwest corner of the original Luis Maria Baca Grant #4, now included in the Baca NWR, the, "Settlement ends lawsuit over drilling at Baca refuge:U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. Some hunting is already allowed on those two refuges as well as about 330 others nationwide. Learn more about the 92,500 acres of land on the Refuge and stay tuned for the next . Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. . Learn more about riparian The Refuge also contains rich archeological artifacts, telling of over 12,000 years of use by humans, including the extensive history of the famed Baca Grant Ranch. To protect these sensitive habitats from the pressures of growing elk herds, as well as to provide a high quality wildlife dependent recreational opportunity, the U.S. Interested applicants should read all requirements and flexibilities outlined in this package and complete the application as thoroughly as possible. Dogs are not allowed for elk hunting on the refuge. Elk Viewing Workshop; Learn to Hunt; Sporting Clays Tournament 100 Big Bangs for Freedom; Ways to Give; . The mineral rights to the lands of the Baca NWR are owned by a third party, Lexam Explorations (U.S.A.) Inc. (Lexam). Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle. ATV, OHV, snowmobile or any other motorized vehicles are not permitted in designated elk hunting areas. If an elk is taken in a hay meadow, the entire carcass must be removed to assure that farm equipment is not damaged. To apply to hunt at the Monte Vista refuge hunters must hold a license for GMU 80; for the Alamosa refuge hunters must hold a license for GMU 83. The 93,000 acre Baca National Wildlife Refuge is located in the northeastern part of the San Luis Valley. Baca National Wildlife Refuge (719) 256-5527 69812 County Rd. Hunters with disabilities related to mobility should consult with the refuge manager for additional allowed methods of retrieval. 5892: Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012, H.R. Antelope Bison Elk Whitetail Deer The comment period ends Aug. 15. Hunting is a refuge management tool to help reach population numbers identified in the Bison and Elk Management Plan. The refuge complex consists of the Alamosa, Monte Vista, and Baca National Wildlife Refuges in southcentral Colorado. https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/2018%20Elk%20Hunting%20Area%20Map.pdf. 3680: Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012, H.R. Weather can vary by elevation. The establishment of the refuge and national park was part of complex land transfers undertaken by the federal government in cooperation with the Nature Conservancy and the State of Colorado. (Postmarked by Friday, February 24, 2023, if mailed), Dean_Lee@fws.gov with subject line 2023-2027 Sheep Grazing. Sealed applications will be opened starting on February 27, 2023, and selected operators will be notified starting on Monday, March 6, 2023. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. Many bird species such as the kestrel, great horned owl, northern flicker, robin, yellow warbler, and Bullock's oriole roam in the riparian areas of this refuge. This grazing fee is based on average grazing fee rates published by USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for Colorado for 2022. The sounds of elk bugling and cranes calling overhead during their fall rendezvous. The 93,000 acre Baca National Wildlife Refuge is a highly diverse combination of shrublands, grasslands, wet meadows, playa wetlands, and riparian areas. Hunters may be accompanied by a reasonable amount of helpers (4-5) for retrieval of downed animals. Baca National Wildlife Refuge. Second and third rifle: Over-the-counter antlered elk, Muzzleloader: Game management unit 82, antlered and antlerless elk, First and fourth rifle: GMU 82, antlered elk for the first and fourth rifle, All rifle seasons: GMU 82, antlerless elk, Navajo Nation reports three new COVID-19 cases, but no deaths, Navajo Nation reports 12 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, Supporters clash on New Mexico recreational pot legalization. The wildlife refuge is located on the lands of the Luis Maria Baca Grant No. Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas. Baca National Wildlife Refuge: In designated areas, the refuge is open to hunters with a valid public . Starting February 1st, 2023, the U.S. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Douglas County appeals Sterling Ranch ruling that has stalled development, Drought news: Fort Collins hints at watering restrictions in the spring #COdrought, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, 51st State Initiative (North Colorado Secession), Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority, Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, Colorado Wyoming Cooperative Water Supply Project, H.R. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023. Litigation by the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council contesting the environmental assessment with respect to the drilling of two exploratory wells resulted in a settlement in September, 2010 requiring preparation of a new assessment by the U.S. Beginning this fall, the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in the San Luis Valley will be open to hunters with a valid public-land elk license for Game. July 13, 2016 / 9:57 AM Hunting is prohibited in Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge which are located within this unit . Posted Aug 3, 2018. Mark Gordon, will make nonresidents wait . The Baca National Wildlife Refuge is a 78,697-acre (31,848ha)[1] United States National Wildlife Refuge located in southern Colorado. Bounded on N by Poncha Pass; on N and E by Rio Grande-Arkansas River divide; on S by Alamosa-Costilla County line and US Highway 160; on W by County Highway 17 and US Highway 285. Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas. By the terms of a Federal District Court settlement the final environmental assessment is due April 1, 2011.[6]. For more information, please reach out to Dean Lee at 1-719-589-4021 ext. National forest and national park preserve, where hunting is allowe. Wed like to keep as many tools in the toolbox as we can, said Mike Blenden, who oversees the valleys three refuges. The collecting, taking, possession, or searching for artifacts, fossils and animal parts including antler sheds, is prohibited. It's located in Crestone at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It was an informational open house with a presentation by the Fish and Wildlife Service followed by a question-and-answer session. 2023 News Media Corporation. One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. Fish were stocked during spring, summer, and fall at 203 locations statewide. 29% Private, 71% Public, 19% USFS, 10% BLM, 3% State, 23% Wilderness, 20% NPS, 21% Other. Hunters need to be aware that Private Land Only (PLO) licenses will not be valid for use on the refuge. The area is scattered, lying both north and south of U.S. Route 224. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Please call Baca National Wildlife Refuge Office at 719-256-5527 with any questions or concerns. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. JACKSON, Wyo. National Elk Refuge Hunting. Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented an elk hunting program. 2nd and 3rd Rifle: Over-the-counter Antlered Elk, Muzzleloader: GMU 82 specific, Antlered and Antlerless Elk, 1st and 4th Rifle: GMU 82 specific, Antlered Elk for the 1st and 4th rifle, All Rifle Seasons: GMU 82 specific, Antlerless Elk. 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