Browns Park

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Browns Park Hunting Regulations Table Hunting is in accordance with State regulations. In addition, Refuge-specifc regulations must be followed, and are listed in the table below and described in this brochure. National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Activity Season Dates and Harvest Other Regulations Elk, moose, mule deer, pronghorn antelope State season and regulations apply Coot, duck, goose, merganser State season and regulations apply Hunter access is allowed 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset. The Refuge spans Colorado Hunting Units 1 and 201, which are limited quota areas and may not be hunted with a general deer or elk license. Hunter access is allowed 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset. Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Butch Cassidy and Hog Lake wetlands. A section of the Butch Cassidy wetland crosses the Utah State line and requires a Utah State hunting license. The Green River is also open to waterfowl hunting except in the closed areas. Hunters must be within 20 yards of the riverbank. Cottontail rabbit, mourning dove State season and regulations apply Hunter access is allowed 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset. Only approved non-toxic shot may be possessed and used in the feld. See map for hunting areas The goose is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands and waters managed for the beneft of wildlife and people. Welcome Welcome to Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Established in 1963, Browns Park NWR contains 12,150 acres of wetland, grassland, and upland habitat along the Green River in northwest Colorado. Browns Park NWR is managed to provide sanctuary for migratory birds, conserve endangered and threatened species, and offer wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities for people. Safety The Refuge is located in a remote and rugged area with no public services. Cell phone coverage is extremely limited. Visitors are highly encouraged to bring extra supplies in case of an emergency, including water, food, and fuel. Gas stations are located 60 miles away in Maybell, Colorado, and 37 miles away in Dutch John, Utah. Prohibited Activities • All commercial guiding and outftting activities. • Carrying, possessing, or discharging freworks or explosives. Special Shot Restrictions Only approved non-toxic shot may be possessed and used in the feld while hunting waterfowl, cottontail rabbits, and mourning doves. When hunting designated species with frearms other than shotgun, non-toxic bullets are highly encouraged to eliminate lead poisoning of wildlife. Horses Horseback riding is permitted. Use of certifed weed-free hay is required to minimize further introduction of invasive plants on the Refuge. Horses are not permitted in the campgrounds. If the corrals by the Swinging Bridge campground are not being used by local ranchers, horses may be kept in these corrals. Vehicles To protect wildlife from disturbance and minimize habitat damage, all motorized vehicles, off-road vehicles (ORVs), and bicycles must stay on developed roads. The speed limit on all Refuge roads is 25 mph unless posted otherwise. Driving off-road by any type of vehicle is prohibited. Watch for seasonal road closure signs March 1 - July 31. Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate in and beneft from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Offce of Equal Opportunity, https://www.doi.gov/ pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights. Parking Vehicles must park in pull-outs or within 10 feet of the road. Overnight parking is not permitted except for campers in the designated campgrounds. Overnight parking for river foaters is allowed with prior approval from the Refuge staff. Government Property Individuals altering or destroying government property, including cutting or altering boundary fences to access the Refuge, will be prosecuted. Check with the Refuge staff for availability and location of horse or stock gates. • Collecting, possessing, or destroying any plant, or animal or part thereof (alive or dead). Camping Camping is permitted in designated sites only at the campgrounds and is limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. The use of generators is allowed only from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. • Collection of shed antlers. • Pack out all your trash. Firearms Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying frearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) frearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specifc refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32.) • Campfres are allowed only in the metal fre rings provided at the campgrounds. • Target shooting. • Use or possession of alcohol while hunting. • Campfres should never be left unattended and must be completely extinguished. • Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are available nearby at Irish Canyon and at the Taylor Flats Bridge. Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge 1318 Highway 318 Maybell, CO 81640 970-365-3613 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ browns_park For State Transfer Relay Service TTY / Voice: 711 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov For Refuge Information 1-800-344-WILD September 2020 Hunting and Fishing Regulations Hunting and fshing are permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Hunting and fshing are allowed on the Refuge in accordance with State regulations and the Refuge-specifc regulations in this brochure. Hunting Regulations Some areas are closed to hunting – be familiar with regulations and boundaries. Hunting is permitted in designated areas for elk, moose, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, duck, coot, goose, merganser, mourning dove, and cottontail rabbit. Hunting or trapping of all other species is prohibited. Hunting of designated species is restricted to current State seasons only. Hours The Refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. During hunting season, the refuge is open from 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset. During closed hours, public activity is limited to the campgrounds by campers in designated sites. The Refuge headquarters is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Blinds and Stands Portable or temporary blinds constructed from dead vegetation may be used. No tree stands, cutting live vegetation, or digging pit blinds is permitted. Personal Equipment All personal equipment, including decoys and portable blinds, must be removed daily. Dogs The use of dogs for hunting and retrieving small game is encouraged. Dogs must be under the owner’s control at all times. Fishing Regulations Fishing is permitted on the Green River and in Beaver Creek in accordance with State fshing regulations. To protect breeding and migrating birds, fshing is prohibited on any Refuge wetland. Colorado pikeminnow, an endangered species, must be released immediately. Use of spears, crossbows, and bows and arrows for taking or attempting to take fsh is prohibited.