Buenos Aires NWR 2020 Hunt Plan

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Migratory Bird, Upland Game, Big

Game, Predator, and Fur-Bearing

Mammal Hunt Plan

July 2020

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 109

Sasabe, AZ 85633

Submitted By:

Concurrence:

Regional Historic Preservation Officer Signature

Date:

Concurrence:

Refuge Supervisor Signature

Date:

Approved:

Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System Signature

Date:

iii

Table of Contents

I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

II. Statement of Objectives ............................................................................................................. 3

III. Description of Hunting Program ............................................................................................... 4

Areas to be Opened to Hunting ............................................................................................ 4

Species to be Taken, Hunting Periods, Hunting Access ...................................................... 6

Hunter Permit Requirements (if applicable) ...................................................................... 11

Consultation and Coordination with the State ................................................................... 11

Law Enforcement ............................................................................................................... 12

Funding and Staffing Requirements .................................................................................. 12

IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program ............................................................................................ 13

A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures (if applicable) ..... 13

B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations ............................................................................... 13

C. Relevant State Regulations ................................................................................................ 14

D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting ............................................................. 14

V. Public Engagement .................................................................................................................. 15

A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program ...................................... 15

B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program........................................................ 15

C. How Hunters Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations ................................ 16

VI. Compatibility Determination .................................................................................................. 16

References ..................................................................................................................................... 17

List of Figures

Figure 1. Refuge hunt map showing refuge boundaries, roads, and no hunt zones. ..................... 4

Figure 2. Buenos Aires NWR and associated Arizona Game Management Units ....................... 5

I. Introduction

National wildlife refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge

System (NWRS), the purposes of an individual refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)

policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife

Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System

Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of

Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/refuge) was established on August 1, 1985, under

the authority of the Federal Property and Administrative Service Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471-

535), as amended; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934 (16 U.S.C. 661-666c) as

amended; Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a-742j Stat. 1119) as amended; the Act

of May 19, 1948, Public Law 80-537 (16 U.S.C. 667b-667d; 62 Stat. 240) as amended; and The

National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 as amended by the National

Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee). “…to conserve

(A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species… or (B)

plants…” 16 U.S.C. 1534 (Endangered Species Act of 1973) and for the “…development,

advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources…” 16

U.S.C. 742(a)(4) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956).

The primary purpose of the refuge is to establish a breeding population of endangered masked

bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus ridgwayi) and to protect a grassland ecosystem unique to

south-central Arizona. Other refuge objectives are to preserve the natural diversity of wildlife

native to southeast Arizona and to provide for wildlife-oriented recreation and education.

In the 1978 Recovery Plan for the Masked Bobwhite Quail (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1978), it was recommended that the Buenos Aires Ranch be purchased for the reestablishment of

the species. Congress approved the $4,900,000 needed to purchase the central part of the ranch

under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Fish and Wildlife Act of

1956. Since the ranch owners would only sell the entire ranch, an additional $4,000,000 was

approved in 1984. The purchase was finalized in August 1985, when Buenos Aires National

Wildlife Refuge was officially established in the Altar Valley of Pima County, Arizona.

Approximately 21,000 acres were received in fee title and 90,000 acres were in state leases. In

1991, the state lease lands were exchanged for federal lands. Three tracts of land remained under

the administration of the Arizona State Land Department. The refuge eventually acquired these

state leases, including the 801-acre El Cazador Ranch, half of which was under state lease.

The mission of the NWRS, as outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration

Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16

U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), is:

“... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation,

management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources

and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future

generations of Americans.”

The NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the System to (16 U.S.C.

668dd(a)(4):

• Provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats within the

NWRS;

• Ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the NWRS are

maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans;

• Ensure that the mission of the NWRS described at 16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(2) and the

purposes of each refuge are carried out;

• Ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining

refuges and the fish and wildlife agency of the States in which the units of the NWRS are

located;

• Assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the

mission of the NWRS and the purposes of each refuge;

• Recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public

uses of the NWRS through which the American public can develop an appreciation for

fish and wildlife;

• Ensure that opportunities are provided within the NWRS for compatible wildlife-

dependent recreational uses; and

• Monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge.

Therefore, it is a priority of the Service to provide wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities,

including hunting and fishing, when those opportunities are compatible with the purposes for

which the refuge was established and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The refuge is located in a region of high biological diversity, with influences from the

Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Madrean geographic provinces. The refuge has documented more

than 330 species of birds and has recorded 61 species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles, and 12

species of amphibians. Buenos Aires Ranch comprised much of the present-day refuge. Hunting

was permitted by the Buenos Aires Ranch owners, and hunting activities continued uninterrupted

after 1985. An initial Hunt Plan was written in 1988, allowing the take of duck, geese, coot,

snipe, white-winged dove, mourning dove, white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, feral hog,

mountain lion, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, kit fox, gray fox, ringtail, skunk (striped, hooded,

spotted, and hog-nosed), bobcat, coyote, coati, badger, weasel, and raccoon. The refuge was

open to hunting from September 1 to March 31 with hunt seasons conforming to state regulations

within those dates. No hunting was allowed from April 1 to August 31.

Refuge hunting regulations were amended in 1994 to restrict hunted species to duck, goose, coot,

mourning and white-winged dove, cottontail rabbit, white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, and

feral hog. All predator (coyote and skunk) hunting was ceased except by Special Use Permit

(SUP). Feral hogs were only allowed to be taken during other permitted big game hunts and did

not have a bag limit. These changes occurred in conjunction with a new compatibility

determination (CD), environmental assessment (EA), and associated finding of no significant

impact (FONSI). Refuge regulations remained unchanged from 1995 to 2002 (no record of

regulation changes). In the refuge hunting regulations in 2003, there was no mention of feral

hogs or skunks, and coyote was by SUP only.

In 2006, the SUP restriction for coyotes and skunks was lifted and predator hunting was open

year round in accordance with state regulations. In 2008, refuge hunting regulations listed

Eurasian collared-doves as a legal species for the first time. In 2012, the refuge included

jackrabbit as a legal species. No opening package was completed for any of these actions.

In 2019, the refuge aligned season dates and method of take for cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits

with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) regulations. We also removed the restriction

that feral hogs may only be taken during other permitted big game hunts.

This updated hunt plan is being completed as part of a large opening package to bring the refuge

into alignment with state regulations for species, method of take, and season dates to the extent

practicable as a result of the Service-wide hunt and fish assessment in an effort to comply with

Secretarial Order 3356. It is also to update old hunt plans and bring species that were added later

only through CFR changes into compliance with Service hunt policy. This plan modifies the

existing CCP.

II. Statement of Objectives

The objectives of a migratory bird, upland game, big game, predator and fur-bearing mammals

hunting program on Buenos Aires NWR are to provide:

1. The public with a recreational experience on refuge lands, including wildlife viewing and

sport hunting opportunities unique to the refuge and south-central Arizona.

2. Wildlife-dependent public recreation as mandated by law and according to Service policy

(National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997).

3. Maintenance of wildlife populations at levels compatible with the refuge habitat.

4. To foster support of refuge goals and objectives by working in close association with the

public, AZGFD, and other agencies and land managers to manage wildlife and its

supporting habitat on the refuge.

Hunting is consistent with the refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan’s (CCP)larger goal to

provide hunting opportunities on approximately 90 percent of the refuge in cooperation with

AZGFD. This Hunt Plan modifies the CCP as described in the Attached CCP Minor Revision

Memo.

III. Description of Hunting Program

Areas to be Opened to Hunting

Approximately 89 percent of the refuge is open to hunting, totaling 105,113 acres. The refuge

hunt zone is located in the semi-desert grassland of the Altar Valley and the uplands on the

eastern edge of the refuge. Hunting is permitted throughout the refuge except in high public use

areas such as the Brown Canyon and Arivaca Management Units, the headquarters area,

Pronghorn Drive, near residences, and in the vicinity of the quail breeding facility. These No

Hunt Zones total 12,544 acres, which is approximately 11 percent of the entire refuge (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Refuge hunt map showing refuge boundaries, roads, and no hunt zones.

The No-Hunt Zones include all Service property east of the cattle guard just east of milepost 8.1

of Arivaca-Sasabe Road within the Arivaca Creek Management Area, all Service property in

Brown Canyon, all Service property within

⁄

mile (0.4 kilometer) of refuge residences, and the

posted No-Hunt Zone encompassing refuge headquarters and area bounded by the 10-mile (16

kilometer) Pronghorn Drive auto tour loop.

The refuge is comprised of portions of three separate state game management units (GMU)

(Fig. 2):

GMU 36A = 617.24 square miles, 80.46 square miles on refuge

GMU 36B = 560.80 square miles, 72.50 square miles on refuge

GMU 36C = 314.95 square miles, 23.28 square miles on refuge

Figure 2. Buenos Aires NWR and associated Arizona Game Management Units

Species to be Taken, Hunting Periods, Hunting Access

Methods of take follow Arizona Revised Statute R 12-4-304 (Lawful Methods for Taking Wild

Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles) and R 12-4-216 (Crossbow Permit)(Refer to the State of Arizona

Hunting Regulations for a complete list) . Three exceptions are trapping, pursuit with dogs, and

falconry, which are not authorized methods of take for any hunt on Buenos Aires National

Wildlife Refuge. Hunting is allowed refuge-wide, except for posted “No Hunting” areas closed

to all hunting. All bag and possession limits are in accordance with State regulations.

Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, snipe, common

moorhens (gallinule), mourning dove, Eurasian collared-dove and white-winged dove on

designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations.

WATERFOWL (ducks, mergansers, coots, and common moorhens (gallinules))

Hunting Period: Late October through most of January.

Method of take: 10-gauge shotgun or smaller, capable of holding no more than three

shells, crossbow, or bow and arrow. Steel or other approved nontoxic shot required, no

lead shot.

GEESE (white geese (snow, blue, and Ross’s) and dark geese (Canada and white-fronted))

Hunting Period: Late October through January.

Method of take: 10-gauge shotgun or smaller, capable of holding no more than three

shells, crossbow, or bow and arrow. Steel or other approved nontoxic shot required, no

lead shot.

YOUTH-ONLY WATERFOWL (ducks, coots, white geese, and dark geese and common

moorhens (gallinules)).

Hunting Period: First weekend in February.

Method of take: 10-gauge shotgun or smaller, capable of holding no more than three

shells, crossbow, or bow and arrow. Steel or other approved nontoxic shot required, no

lead shot.

SNIPE

Hunting Period: Late October through most of January.

Method of take: 10-gauge shotgun or smaller, capable of holding no more than three

shells, crossbow, or bow and arrow.

DOVE (mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared-dove)

Mourning, White-winged

Hunting Period:

Early Dove Season: September 1–15 (mourning and white-winged doves)

Late Dove Season: late November – the first week of January (mourning doves

only)

Method of take: 10-gauge or smaller shotgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

Eurasian Collared

Hunting Period: Open year-round.

Method of take: 10-gauge or smaller shotgun, bow and arrow, crossbow or pneumatic

weapons

Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of black-tailed and antelope jackrabbits, and

cottontail rabbits on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations.

RABBIT (cottontail rabbit, and jackrabbit (black-tailed and antelope)).

Hunting Period: Open year-round.

Method of take: Lawful methods as described in R12-4-301 and R12-4-304. This

includes centerfire and rim-fire rifles and handguns, shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles or

rifle shooting black powder, black powder handgun, handgun shooting shot, crossbow,

bow and arrow, pneumatic weapons, and slingshots. Trapping and falconry are not

allowed.

Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of mule and white-tailed deer, mountain lion, javelina,

and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations.

DEER (antlered mule deer and antlered white-tailed deer)

Antlered mule deer

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: Two periods in November, lasting one week each.

Antlered white-tailed deer

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: Four periods in October, November and December, lasting from one to

three weeks each.

Method of take for general deer hunt: Any firearm, pre-charged pneumatic weapon .35

and larger, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304. This includes

centerfire rifles, muzzle-loading rifles, other rifles using black powder, centerfire

handguns, handguns using black powder and shotguns shooting slugs.

Youth-Only Deer

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Any antlered deer.

Hunting Period: One week in October and one week in November.

Method of take: Any firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304

and R12-4-216. This includes centerfire rifles, muzzle-loading rifles, other rifles using

black powder, centerfire handguns, handguns using black powder and shotguns shooting

slugs.

Archery-Only Deer

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Nonpermit-tag required, any antlered deer.

Hunting Period: 3 weeks in August–September and six weeks in December–January.

Method of take for archery deer hunt: Bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304 and/or

crossbow as allowed under R12-4-216.

JAVELINA

No more than one permit-tag shall be issued per hunter through the initial draw.

Youth-Only Javelina (population management seasons)

GMUs 36A and 36B.

Hunting Period: One week in November.

General Spring Javelina

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: One week in February.

Youth-Only Spring Javelina

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: One week late January – early February.

Method of take for general hunt and youth-only hunt: Any firearm, crossbow, or bow and

arrow as prescribed in R12-4-104 and R12-4-114. This includes centerfire rifle or

handgun, muzzle-loading rifle, or rifle shooting black powder, black powder handgun,

and shotgun shooting slugs.

Spring Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (HAM) Javelina

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: 10 days in February.

Method of take for HAM javelina hunts: Handguns, muzzle-loading rifles, muzzle-

loading handguns, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304.

Archery-Only Spring Javelina

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: During most of January.

Method of take for archery-only hunt: Bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304, and

crossbow as prescribed in R12-4-216.

MOUNTAIN LION

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: Late August – May 31st.

Method of take: Any firearm, pre-charged pneumatic weapon, crossbow, or bow and

arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304.

The refuge is in Mountain Lion Management Zone 15, which has an annual harvest

threshold of 68 lions. When the number of mountain lions equaling the harvest threshold

for a particular mountain lion management zone has been reached, that zone will close to

hunting with the intent to kill a mountain lion at sundown the Wednesday immediately

following for the remainder of the mountain lion hunting season. Hunters are responsible

for calling 1-877-438-0447 before hunting to determine if any mountain lion

management zones are closed.

FERAL HOG

AZGFD does not regulate feral hog hunting. Populations are low and may be zero.

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: Open year-round.

Method of take: Any firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow. This includes centerfire and

rim-fire rifles and handguns, shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles or rifle shooting black

powder, black powder handgun, handgun shooting shot, crossbow, bow and arrow, and

pneumatic weapons.

Predator and Fur-bearing Mammal Hunting. We allow hunting of badger, bobcat, coati,

coyote, fox, raccoon, ringtail, and skunk on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with

State regulations.

COYOTE and SKUNK (coyotes and hog-nosed, hooded, spotted, and striped skunks)

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: Open year-round. Daylight shooting hours only.

Method of take: Lawful methods as described in R12-4-301 and R12-4-304. This

includes centerfire and rim-fire rifles and handguns, shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles or

rifle shooting black powder, black powder handgun, handgun shooting shot, crossbow,

bow and arrow, and pneumatic weapons. Trapping and pursuit with dogs are not

allowed.

BADGER, BOBCAT, COATI, FOX, RACCOON, and RINGTAIL

GMUs 36A, 36B, and 36C.

Hunting Period: August 1–March 31. Daylight shooting hours only.

Method of take: Lawful methods as described in R12-4-301 and R12-4-304. This

includes centerfire and rim-fire rifles and handguns, shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles or

rifle shooting black powder, black powder handgun, handgun shooting shot, crossbow,

bow and arrow, and pneumatic weapons. Trapping, pursuit with dogs, and falconry are

not allowed.

Hunting Access

The refuge is accessible every day of the year, 24 hours a day, with the exception of nature trails

(Arivaca Cienega, Arivaca Creek), which are open dawn to dusk. Some refuge property in the

Arivaca area is not open to the public and is posted accordingly.

Visitors may arrive at the refuge from the east via Arivaca Road or the north by using State

Highway 286. Access is paved on these routes and on the entrance road to headquarters. The

refuge may also be accessed by forest roads from the Coronado National Forest and across State

Trust lands from Arivaca. More than 260 miles of dirt roads network the refuge, remaining from

ranching days. These roads are available to visitors; high clearance vehicles are recommended.

Hunt zones are generally accessed from Arivaca Road or Arizona State Route 286. Hunters can

access the mountain areas to the east of the refuge from refuge roads. Alternatively, eastern

portions of the refuge can be entered by primitive roads from those uplands.

Campsite use requires no reservation or fee and are available on a first-come first-served basis.

The refuge features 86 primitive campsites in a variety of terrain. Many sites are placed on good

roads with no wash or arroyo crossings, in order to be accessible to cars, recreational vehicles, or

vehicles hauling trailers (Figure 1). Motorized travel is restricted to refuge roads. Hunters on

horseback or foot may travel cross country.

The No-Hunt Zones include all Service property east of the cattle guard just east of milepost 8.1

of Arivaca-Sasabe Road within the Arivaca Creek Management Area, all Service property in

Brown Canyon, all Service property within 1⁄4 mile (0.4 kilometer) of refuge residences, and the

posted No-Hunt Zone encompassing refuge headquarters and area bounded by the 10-mile (16

kilometer) Pronghorn Drive auto tour loop.

Hunter Permit Requirements (if applicable)

No refuge permit or registration is required. A valid Arizona state hunting license and state-

issued permit is required to hunt big game species. In addition to a hunting license, a Migratory

Game Bird Stamp is necessary to hunt doves and waterfowl. Additionally, a federal Duck Stamp

is also required by hunters 16 years and older to hunt waterfowl. Public use and hunt regulations

are available at various locations on the refuge.

Consultation and Coordination with the State

The AZGFD determines regulations for taking game species on the refuge. They set the number

of permits or tags for state GMUs. The number of permits is influenced by game species

population status and trends, including sex ratios and number of young of the year.

The refuge reviewed the operations and regulations for neighboring State wildlife management

areas and refuges to find consistency where possible. Refuge management met with state

biologists on July 12, 2018 to determine which additional species to open for hunting on Service

lands in accordance with State regulations. These new openings are part of the Service wide

effort to align refuge and State regulations in compliance with SO 3356. Coordination with

AZGFD is ongoing and occurring at the Regional Office level.

The refuge and the AZGFD law enforcement officers work closely together regarding patrols

and game violations during peak hunting periods. The refuge provides law enforcement patrols

year-round.

Law Enforcement

The refuge is funded to support three full-time law enforcement officers. AZGFD wildlife

managers are also available for enforcement of state wildlife laws. The following methods are

used to control and enforce hunting regulations:

a. Refuge and hunt area boundaries are posted. Some of the refuge perimeter is not

posted, but efforts are underway to post those unsigned areas.

b. The refuge provides maps to visitors with hunt areas clearly marked.

c. The refuge provides publications that detail hunting, camping, and public use

regulations.

d. AZGFD provides publications regarding hunt regulations, game laws, and permit

application process.

e. Service law enforcement officers check hunters for compliance with Federal and

State laws as well as refuge-specific regulations pertinent to the hunt, including

compatibility stipulations.

f. Service law enforcement personnel conduct deer decoy operations on the refuge.

g. Service law enforcement officers coordinate with the AZGFD, U.S. Border Patrol,

Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and other law enforcement agencies. Refuge law

enforcement personnel conduct routine joint patrols with AZGFD.

h. Information and regulations are available for the public at refuge headquarters.

Funding and Staffing Requirements

Administering the refuge hunting program is accomplished by current staff and does not require

any additional facilities on the refuge.

Current budget expectations are sufficient to manage a hunting program. The refuge is funded to

support three full-time law enforcement officers. A portion of their duties are enforcement of

hunting regulations, and this enforcement takes most of his their time from September through

February. The overall cost to run the program is approximately $81,000, which is approximately

6 percent of the total funding for the refuge each year. Costs include, but are not limited to,

hunt-related portions of law enforcement staff salaries; vehicle maintenance and repair; fuel; sign

maintenance and replacement; and printing of brochures.

Annually the refuge hosts approximately 4,000 hunters who participate in the hunting programs

offered on the refuge. Total number of big game (deer and javelina) permits in 2019 was 8,765

for GMUs 36A, B, and C combined. An estimated 3,357 of those permit holders hunted on the

refuge in 2018.

IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program

A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures (if applicable)

Hunters must possess a valid hunt or combination hunt and fish license, plus any required hunt

permit-tags, non-permit-tags, or stamps. Hunters should refer to the AZGFD annual Arizona

Hunting and Trapping Regulations for information about drawing a big game permit. The hunt

permit-tag is obtained through the application and draw process as prescribed in R12-4-104 and

R12-4-114. Neither a Class H three-day nonresident hunting license nor an apprentice hunting

license is valid for big game. See state regulation tables for resident and nonresident license fees.

Hunters can apply for big game hunts and bonus points at www.azgfd.gov prior to deadline.

Refer to the Arizona Game and Fish Department website for additional application and

registration procedures. Guide service providers must obtain a Commercial Special Use Permit

from the refuge before conducting business on refuge lands.

B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations

Listed below are refuge-specific regulations that pertain to hunting on Buenos Aires NWR as of

the date of this plan. These regulations may be modified as conditions change or if refuge

expansion continues/occurs.

The refuge provides hunting opportunities in designated areas in accordance with all applicable

State of Arizona regulations. Listed below are regulations that pertain specifically to the refuge,

as of the date of this plan (50 CFR 32.22).

(b) Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow

hunting of goose, duck, coot, merganser, moorhen (gallinule), common snipe, and mourning,

white-winged, and Eurasian-collared dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

(i) We allow portable or temporary blinds and stands, but you must remove them at the

end of each day’s hunt (see §27.93 of this chapter).

(ii) We prohibit falconry.

(iii) We allow dogs only for the retrieval of birds.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of black-tailed and antelope jackrabbit;

cottontail rabbit; badger; bobcat; coati; kit and gray fox; raccoon; ringtail; coyote; and hog-

nosed, hooded, spotted, and striped skunk on designated areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraph (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iii) of this section apply.

(ii) We prohibit night hunting from ½ hour after legal sunset until ½ hour before legal

sunrise the following day.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of mule and white-tailed deer, javelina,

mountain lion, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section apply.

(ii) We prohibit the use of dogs when hunting big game.

(4) [Reserved]

C. Relevant State Regulations

Hunter Safety Training – No one under the age of 14 may hunt big game without having

completed a hunter education course. No one under age 10 may hunt big game in Arizona. To

hunt big game, anyone 10 to 13 years of age must have a valid hunt or combination hunt and fish

license in their possession, a valid hunter education course completion card, plus any required

permit tags and stamps.

D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting

1. We prohibit the use of flagging tape, reflective tape, or other signs or markers used to

identify paths or to mark tree stands, blinds, or other areas.

2. The No-Hunt Zones include all Service property east of milepost 8 of Arivaca Road

within the Arivaca Creek Management Area, all Service property in Brown Canyon, all

Service property within ¼ mile (0.4 km) of refuge residences, and the posted No-Hunt

Zone encompassing refuge headquarters and area bounded by the 10-mile (16 kilometer)

Pronghorn Drive auto tour loop.

3. The refuge is closed to all quail hunting to protect the endangered masked bobwhite

quail.

4. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited.

5. Mechanized vehicles (including bicycles, ebikes, scooters, etc.) may only be operated on

designated public roadways. Roads are designated on published refuge maps. All

vehicle travel off these designated roads is prohibited.

6. All motor vehicles, including OHVs and motorcycles, must be licensed, insured, and

equipped to legally operate on state highways. OHVs and motorcycles registered in

Arizona must have valid Arizona motorcycle (MC) plates and display a valid OHV decal.

Many states do not allow for the modification of OHVs for legal operation on state

highways and cannot be legally operated on national wildlife refuges.

7. Motor vehicle operators must possess a valid driver’s license and insurance.

8. The speed limit on refuge roads is 25 miles per hour unless posted otherwise.

9. We require that all pets be under owner control at all times. While in areas of high public

use (Arivaca Cienega, Arivaca Creek, refuge headquarters, and all public trails) pets must

be on a leash no more than 6 feet in length. No pets are allowed in Brown Canyon.

10. Groups using four or more horses must possess and carry a refuge permit. Groups using

horses must provide their own water and weed-free feed and clean the campsite of horse

manure.

11. All accidents involving injury to persons or wildlife and/or property damage must be

reported to an on-duty refuge official within 24 hours of the accident.

12. Persons under the age of 21 years may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages on the

refuge. Providing alcoholic beverages to persons under age 21 is also prohibited.

Exceptions to State regulations:

- Dogs may only be used to recover downed game. No pursuit of wildlife with dogs is

allowed.

- Hunting at night is not allowed on the refuge.

- Falconry is not allowed on the refuge. Deliberately flying a raptor over endangered

species falls within the definition of ‘take’ as identified in the Endangered Species Act.

V. Public Engagement

A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program

The refuge maintains a mailing list for news release purposes to local newspapers, radio, and

websites. Special announcements and articles may be released in conjunction with hunting

seasons. Refuge announcements and hunt publications are posted online, at the visitor center,

and at kiosks near the north and east entry to the refuge. Hunt information is available in the

Arizona Hunting Regulations booklet distributed each year by the AZGFD.

B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program

Hunting has been allowed on Buenos Aires NWR for more than 30 years and little negative

public reaction is expected. Hunting is an important economic and recreational use of Arizona’s

public lands.

C. How Hunters Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations

Literature and information regarding hunting and other public uses can be obtained by contacting

the refuge at 520-823-4251 or Buenos Aires NWR, P.O. Box 109, Sasabe, AZ 85633.

Hunt information is provided at entrance kiosks, in brochure boxes at several locations on the

refuge, and at the headquarters/visitor center, located approximately 7 miles north of Sasabe,

Arizona, on Highway 286.

Refuge hunting information is also disseminated via Facebook and the refuge website. The

public also may contact the refuge manager or a refuge law enforcement officer at 520-823-

4251.

Information about hunting in Arizona can be obtained from the AZGFD by visiting AZGFD.com

or calling 602-942-3000. Hunting regulations are published annually and are available online, at

Department offices and license retailers throughout the state.

VI. Compatibility Determination

A compatibility determination has been completed in conjunction with this hunt plan and the

Environmental Assessment. Hunting and all associated program activities proposed in this plan

have been found compatible with the purposes of the refuge.

References

Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2017. Hunt Arizona 2017 Edition. Phoenix, Arizona.

Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2018. 2018-19 Arizona Hunting Regulations. Phoenix,

Arizona

Klima, K. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager. Personal

conversation via telephone 8/29/2017.

Public Law 105-57: National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 111 Stat. 1251-

1260, 9 Oct 1997.

Subpart B – Refuge-Specific Regulations for Hunting and Fishing, 50 CFR 32.22 (2018)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1978 Recovery Plan for the Masked Bobwhite Quail. 24 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1988. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Hunt Plan.

Sasabe, Arizona, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, Albuquerque, NM.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Final

Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment. Sasabe, Arizona,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, Albuquerque, NM.