Hunting

Changes for the 2008-2009 season

1. Pintail Slough will be open to waterfowl hunting this year. Hunters may reserve a blind by calling (760) 326-3853 ext 21. Hunters calling to reserve a blind must have their hunting license number available for 2008 and 2009.
2. The goose fields will be open to hunting on Sundays only on a random drawing process. A hunter may only hunt once, as permit holder or hunting partner.
3. Quail hunting is permitted in Pintail Slough during quail season except during waterfowl season (including the Juniors'-only waterfowl season). Legal hunt days for quail in Pintail Slough this season are October 3 to October 17, 2008;  and February 2 to February 8, 2009. Hunting hours for quail are sunrise to sunset.
4. Area designated "Closed Area" in Topock Marsh is closed to all entry from October 1, 2008 through the last day of the state quail season (February 8, 2009). The only exception is through traffic on Levee Road and the entrance to Bermuda Pasture observation tower parking lot. The west boundary of the Topock Marsh "Closed Area" is the Arizona shoreline of the Colorado River.  Fishing is permitted from the shoreline of the river.
5. The Pintail Slough habitat improvement project is complete. The project has expanded the amount of seasonal wetlands and native forests and provided a new water delivery system that has enhanced the Refuge's ability to manage water. New roads, parking areas, and walking trails are available for easier blind access. Seasonal wetlands west of the existing slough will be closed to hunting. A basic map of the renovation is available in pdf format: Pintail Slough Map.

Press Releases summarizing the 2008-2009 hunting season:
September 10th Press Release (Announcing the opening of Pintail Slough to duck hunting, 70 KB)

Hunting brochures available as .pdf files for download:

General Hunting (97 KB)
Changes to the 08 Hunt Regulations
Pintail Slough Hunting Brochure (319 KB)
Final Harvest Report 2007/2008
2006/2007 Hunting Results Report ( 94 KB)
Arizona Waterfowl & Snipe Regulations 2007-2008 (1.2M)

Pintail Slough Hunt Start Time and Schedule 2008/2009

General Regulations

Public hunting on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is permitted in specified areas. All species of animals and plants are protected. Only species listed in these regulations may be taken in accordance with State law. Hunting shall be in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations, along with the following special regulations and conditions (note that lengths and hours of some hunting seasons may vary from those designated by the States):

1. Non-toxic shot is required for all hunting on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. Possession of lead shot on the Refuge is prohibited.

2. NO ALCOHOL. Possession of alcohol is prohibited while hunting on Refuge lands.

3. We prohibit the use of all air-thrust boats, air-cooled and closed liquid-cooled, propulsion engines, including floating aircraft.

4. Falconry is prohibited.

5. Feral hog hunting is not open to the public at this time.

6. Only shotguns and bow and arrows are permitted for migratory bird and small game hunting. Shotguns must be 10-gauge or smaller.

7. While waterfowl and dove hunting, shotguns must be plugged so the magazine is incapable of holding more than two (2) shells.

8. Firearms carried in vehicles and boats must be unloaded and encased or dismantled.

9. Firearms properly unloaded and encased or dismantled may be transported through closed areas in vehicles on designated routes (Levee Road).

10. Firearms are permitted on the Refuge only during the refuge hunting season.

11. Target shooting or discharge of a weapon except to hunt is prohibited.

12. Neither hunters nor dogs may enter closed areas to retrieve game.

13. Pits/permanent blinds are prohibited. Temporary blinds must be removed at the end of each day's hunt.

14. Decoys and all other personal items must be removed at the end of each day.

15. Hunting on refuge property is prohibited within 50 yards of any road, dike, occupied dwelling, or concession operation.

16. "Closed Areas" are closed to ALL entry, including (but not limited to) hunting, fishing, foot traffic, and boats.

17. Camping is permitted only at the Fivemile Landing concession.  Call 928-768-2473 for more information.

18. Fires are prohibited.

19. Guide service providers must obtain a Special Use Permit from the refuge.

Closed Areas
Topock Marsh
Entry is prohibited from October 1 through the last day of the State quail season (February 8, 2009). The east boundary on the marsh is marked by regulation buoys and signs. The west boundary of the Topock Marsh closed area is the Arizona shoreline of the Colorado River. Fishing is permitted from the shoreline of the river. The only exception is through traffic on Levee Road and the entrance to the Bermuda goose observation tower parking lot.

Topock Gorge (from Castle Rock Bay north to Interstate 40)
Hunting is prohibited in the waters of the Colorado River, those refuge lands within 1/4 mile of the waters of the Colorado River, and those lands in California.

Open Areas
Lake Havasu City

We allow hunting on refuge lands and waters south of Castle Rock Bay to the north boundary of the Lake Havasu City limits.

Pintail Slough
Pintail Slough is made up of all refuge lands north of the North Dike and west of Mohave County Road 1.
1. Reference the Pintail Slough Hunting Brochure annually for specific regulations (if available). The waterfowl hunt season is from Oct. 18, 2008 to Jan. 25, 2009. Limit to 3 hunters per blind, and limit to one reservation per hunter within the season.
2.Junior hunts is schedule for Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2009, youth hunt only once and not both days.
3. Permits are required for waterfowl hunting in Pintail Slough Unit according to refuge regulations.  This year (2008/09), reservation hunts are $20.00 per person and $15.00 per youth, exact cash only.  There are 15 scheduled waterfowl hunts and 2 hunts for youth.  A reserved hunt consists of three days:  the weekend (Saturday & Sunday) plus the following Wednesday.  Call Refuge Headquarters to reserve a hunt permit at (760) 326-3853 ext 21. or show up on a scheduled hunt as a standby.
4. Dove hunting is permitted only in the September state season. Hunting hours for dove are one-half hour before sunrise to noon MST (except Juniors, which is sunrise to sunset).
5 . Cottontail hunting is permitted only during the September quail and dove hunts during hours that are legal for those species.
6. Entrance to the Pintail Slough Unit is permitted only from the Pintail Slough Unit parking area.
7. Goose hunts is available at Pintail Slough on Sundays only on a random drawing process, no reservations will be taken. Hunters and their partners can only hunt once within the season. Limit to 3 hunters for the one time hunt. Cost is the same as mentioned earlier, exact cash only.