Browns ParkHunting and Fishing |
Hunting and Fishing at Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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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.