Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Goose Hunt
Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
As one of over 570 National Wildlife Refuges across the United States and its territories, Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge was established in August of 1965 under the Migratory Bird Act to provide important stopover habitat for different migratory birds on the Central Flyway. Today, the physical footprint of the refuge holds 8,672 acres of habitat consisting of grasslands, the Gallinas River, and playa lakes under the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This distinct landscape, diversity of communities, and secluded location are inherent characteristics that contribute to the refuge’s value as a natural haven. The refuge provides wonderful opportunities for visitors to observe wildlife species like migratory waterfowl and elk, take photography, hike in areas of the refuge, and hunt during state regulated seasons.
For more information on Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge please visit our website. Be sure to check out all recreational opportunities and events throughout the year offered by refuge staff and volunteers.
Permit & Season Information
This Goose Hunting Permit allows the permit holder and their group (max size 3) to do the following on their permitted hunt day:
- All hunters must follow current NMDGF waterfowl hunting regulations.
- Limited harvest of the follow geese species: Canada, Cackling, Greater white-fronted, Ross’s, and Snow geese.
- The use of dogs to hunt and retrieve migratory waterfowl game is permitted but dogs must be always under control.
- Neither hunters nor their dogs may exit hunt areas to retrieve game in closed areas.
- The ability to hunt in only their permitted pivot and blind.
- Shoot during the hours from ½ hour before legal sunrise until 1 p.m. local time.
- Follow the aggregate bag limit of 6.
- Possess only shells in quantities of 25 or less while in the field.
- Use of ONLY federal approved non-toxic shot.
All Hunters within the group MUST have a Hunters Permit submitted to Hunt Coordinator, state hunting license information, a federal duck stamp, and a refuge hunters orientation on their hunt day.
Need to Know
Permits and Required Documents
All Hunters within the group MUST have a Hunters Permit submitted to Hunt Coordinator, state hunting license information, a federal duck stamp, and a refuge hunters orientation on their hunt day. Hunters must also carry the above on their person or electronically the day of the hunt.
Accessing the Refuge
- On designated hunt days staff will be within the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center by 5:30 am for mandatory refuge hunter orientation and to loan out decoys. Up to two dozen goose shell decoys per blind can be borrowed.
- Only hunters possessing a valid hunt permit may enter the designated hunt area assigned to them on the day of their hunt from only designated parking areas.
- Vehicles may only be operated on HWY 281 and County Road C22C and the designated parking areas outlined on the Goose Hunt Map Area.
- All decoys, hunt gear and supplies must be carried in on foot and packed out by the end of the hunt day.
- Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge may close all or part of the hunt areas including parking areas without notice to safeguard refuge resources or for safety reasons. Refunds will not be given in the event of this occurrence.
Accessibility
For hunters that need hunting accommodations due to a disability, please provide the Hunt Coordinator with a reasonable accommodation. Please contact your Hunt Coordinator (alyssa_lu@fws.gov or 505-398-6481) if a non-hunting assistant is needed to accompany a hunter with accessibility needs during their hunt.
Purchasing a hunt permit for a hunt day requires a New Mexico Game and Fish Hunters License Number with the management and access validation designation. All Hunters must have a valid New Mexico Hunting License, if not able to submit upon permit purchase please email the information to the Hunt Coordinator.
Rules and Regulations
- Limited harvest of the follow geese species: Canada geese, Cackling geese, Greater white-fronted geese, Ross’s goose, and Snow geese.
- Dogs can be used during the hunt, but only under handler control always.
- Neither hunters nor their dogs may exit hunt areas to retrieve game in closed areas.
- Hunter can only hunt within their designated pit blind.
- Shooting hours are from ½ hour before legal sunrise until 1 pm local time.
- Follow the aggregate bag limit of 6 not to exceed State species limits.
- Each hunter may only possess shells in quantities of 25 or less while in the field.
- Use of ONLY federally approved non-toxic shot.
Prohibited Activities
- Hunting or taking any species other than the designated species above in rules and regulations.
- Hunting on any area not designated as a Goose Hunt Area.
- No non-permitted guests allowed with any hunter, unless needed for a reasonable accommodation.
- Shooting while outside of designated hunt pit blind.
- Possessing more than six shells, possessing shells with toxic shot while in hunt area and using a shotgun with the capability of holding more than 3 shell unless plugged.
- Target shooting/practice.
- Hunting by Falconry.
- Hunters or dogs entering closed areas to retrieve birds.
- Dogs off leash when not hunting.
- The use or possession of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants while hunting.
- Goose plucking or gutting; or littering of any kind.
- No camping or open fires of any kind permitted on refuge at any time.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee: To reserve the blind on a pivot, one hunter will pay $15 dollars ($9 recreation fee, $6 reservation fee) and all other subsequent additions to the group are an additional $9 recreation fee per hunter. Each hunter is only allowed to purchase up to two hunt dates regardless of hunt group association. If there is a violation of this rule, violator will be subject to immediate cancellation with no refund for additional purchases and may be barred from any future hunts on refuge.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy: In lieu of a cancellation, please contact the Hunt Coordinator. A hunt reservation can only be cancelled at least 7 days in advanced, there will be no reimbursement for cancelled hunts.
Change Policy: In lieu of a change needed for a hunter's reservation of a blind, please contact the Hunt Coordinator. This can be approved or denied at the manager's discretion.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
435 NM Highway 281, Mile Marker 4 Las Vegas NM 87701-9714
Phone Number
To contact your Hunt Coordinator please call the refuge at (505) 425-3581, (505)398-6481, or email alyssa_lu@fws.gov.
