Hunting
Hunting is a management tool used on many National Wildlife Refuges throughout the United States of America to manage wildlife populations for the benefit of the native ecosystems within the refuge boundaries. Many surveys, species behavior, land area, and habitat types are considered before a hunt is opened on refuge for the benefit of the wildlife and the American people. For more information about refuge hunts, please contact the refuge at 505-425-3581.
Hunts on Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
Created for waterfowl looking for areas to rest and recuperate before continuing migration, the refuge playa lakes, ponds, and marshes are managed to attract the birds. These wetland areas, located where shallow depression wetlands have traditionally occurred, are managed for water depth and size to provide a mix of habitats for waterfowl and other birds. Irrigated agricultural fields on the refuge also provide food for ducks, geese and cranes.
2026 Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Goose Hunt Information and Dates
Goose hunts are hosted every Thursday and limited Tuesdays in November and December, EXCLUDING Thanksgiving and Christmas from one hour before legal shooting time to 1:00 pm, during the Statewide season.
2026 Dates
Thursday, November 5th
Thursday, November 12th
Thursday, November 19th
Tuesday, November 24th
Thursday, December 3rd
Thursday, December 10th
Thursday, December 17th
Tuesday, December 29th
Refuge assigns a bag limit of 6 in aggregate not to exceed State species limit. Ag Field West and Ag Field East. Hunters are required to purchase a hunt date and select a pit blind. Refuge hunters permit (FWS 3-2439) and hunter orientation (virtual or in person) are required for all hunters in the hunt party. Federally approved non-toxic shot only.
*Geese species of take: Dark geese (Canada geese, Cackling geese, Greater white-fronted geese), Light geese (Ross’s goose, Snow geese).
Application Information:
Hunters will apply for permits through the Recreation.gov website after September 1st, 2026, at a first come first served basis. To apply, please click here. Any permit purchased on this website will not be subject to refund. For a hunters permit form click here.
Hunting period:
As a management tool, bag limits, hunt day/dates, and the species allowed to be taken are subject to change annually and are more restrictive than the state. The refuge conducts up to eight 1-day permit hunts for geese during the State of New Mexico’s goose hunting season. These hunts are conducted in November and December.
Access:
Parking areas and access locations are conspicuously marked on the ground. If needed, hunters are provided directions and clarification to parking areas, access locations and hunting blind locations during orientation. Hunters may only enter the hunting areas on foot. If a hunter informs refuge staff in advance, that he/she has special needs, every reasonable effort is made to accommodate a hunter. A non-hunting assistant may accompany a hunter with disabilities if needed. Refuge employees strive to accommodate access to all hunters with disabilities.
Fees:
Hunters will only be able to purchase one group permit at a time, with a one-time reservation fee of $6.00 and each hunter recreation fee of $9.00 each. All hunters MUST submit a hunters permit to the hunt coordinator at alyssa_lu@fws.gov by two weeks before their hunt date or they are subject to cancellation of their hunts. Please be sure to read all sections on the website before purchasing their permits. No refunds will be issued at any time.
Prohibited Activities:
• Hunting or taking any species other than Canada goose, cackling goose, greater white-fronted goose, snow goose, and Ross’s goose.
• Hunting on any area not designated as the Goose Hunt Area.
• Shooting while outside of the assigned blinds.
• Possessing more than 25 shells while in the hunt area.
• Target shooting/practice.
• Hunting by falconry.
• Possessing shells containing toxic shot while in the hunt area.
• Hunters or retrieval 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.
*Click Here for an online version of the hunting brochure. Click Here for the Hunters Permit Application Form to submit for a valid hunt on the refuge. This will contain all necessary information you will need to know before goose hunting on Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
Dates: September 1 – September 30, every year.
Species of take: mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared dove, desert cottontail rabbit, and eastern cottontail rabbit.
All species are subject to a maximum of 30 days for hunting, NMDOW state regulation apply for bag limits, hunters can hunt in the Agricultural Field and Range Unit 9. Legal migratory sporting arms and federally approved non-toxic shot is required.
Access:
Parking areas and hunter access are via county road C22C. Maps of the hunt units showing unit boundaries, access points, and parking areas are posted at the refuge office, kiosks and on the refuge website. Hunting access is by foot via access points/entrances to the hunt unit; parking areas are conspicuously marked on the ground. One of the access points has a gate allowing access for off-road wheelchairs. If a hunter informs refuge staff, in advance, that he/she has special needs, every reasonable effort is made to address those concerns so the person can fully participate and have an enjoyable experience. A non-hunting assistant may accompany a hunter with disabilities if needed. Refuge employees strive to accommodate access to all hunters with disabilities.
Hunting Information:
Dove and Upland Game Hunt Permits will be on the back of the hunting brochure. There is no fee for dove and upland game hunting, only a self-permit process. Please read all instructions on the brochure to properly self-permit. Hunting dogs are allowed for bird retrieval and are required to be under close control of their handlers at all times. Shooting hours are ½ hour before legal sunrise to sunset.
Prohibited Activities:
• Hunting or taking any species other than mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared-dove, desert cottontail rabbit, or eastern cottontail rabbit.
• Hunting on any area not designated as the Dove and Upland Game Hunt Area.
• Hunting from a designated State or County road rights-of-way.
• Shooting within 75 yards of sprinklers, pivot centers, and motors.
• Shooting within 50 yards of the hunt area perimeter fence.
• Possessing shells containing toxic shot while in the hunt area.
• Target shooting/practice.
• Hunters or retrieval 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.
• Dove plucking, gutting or littering of any kind.
• Rabbit field dressing, gutting or littering of any kind.
*Click Here for an online version of the hunting brochure. Click Here for the Dove and Upland Game Hunt Response Form. This will contain all necessary information you will need to know before Dove and Upland Game hunting on Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge*
Elk Hunt Information:
Elk (COW ONLY)
State regulation for game management Unit 46 apply. Hunters must attend a refuge orientation in person or virtually.
Elk hunts are conducted by lottery system through New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s (NMDOW) elk population management list. You must apply through the state drawing system in the spring to potentially be chosen for a hunt at Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge. Persons applying for New Mexico youth hunts need to be 17 years of age or younger on opening day of the hunt. They must also possess a hunter education number issued by New Mexico or another state. As a management tool, bag limits, seasons, and hunt type are subject to change and are coordinated with the NMDOW.
Hunt Documents
Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Activities
Las Vegas, NM 87701-9714