U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Public Use and Hunting Regulations 2019-2020 Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

General Information “King of Arizona Mine,” which produced 3.5 to 4.0 Animal and Plant Life Geocaching No wood may be removed from the refuge. Wood Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was million dollars in gold between 1897 and 1910. The Collecting, possessing, molesting, disturbing, Geocaching is prohibited on the refuge. In is very scarce; please consider bringing your own established in 1939 and is managed by the United Kofa Mountains are a contraction from the name of injuring, destroying, removing or transporting any addition, because most of Kofa NWR is designated firewood. States Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge the “King Of Arizona” gold mine. plant or animal or part thereof (alive or dead) is wilderness, nothing man-made may be left behind. encompasses 666,641 acres of Sonoran desert prohibited (except for legally taken game). Stargazing habitat and is home to the desert bighorn sheep, Most refuge roads are not maintained. Many are Pets Many clear nights, relatively unobstructed by city Sonoran pronghorn and the California fan palm. passable only by four-wheel drive vehicles. Some Firearms and Explosives Pets are permitted only if they are confined or lights, make the refuge an excellent location for Other notable wildlife species found in the area roads may be passable by two-wheel drive, high Carrying, possessing, or discharging explosives leashed. Dogs may be off-leash when they are amateur astronomy and stargazing. include white-winged dove, desert tortoise, desert clearance vehicles (see map). Vehicles may be (including fireworks) on the refuge is prohibited. participating in quail and cottontail hunting. mule deer, and desert kit fox. A wide variety of plant damaged by brush or rocks, or may become stuck in Persons may possess, carry, and transport firearms, Hunting Regulations life is found throughout the refuge. sandy areas. Private lands (inholdings) occur within in accordance with all Federal and state laws. Wildlife Observation, Photography, Interpretation, Regulated hunting is permitted for quail, bighorn the refuge and may be posted. Before traveling on Unauthorized discharge of firearms ortarget and Education sheep, mule deer, cottontail rabbit, coyote, and gray Bighorn sheep are found primarily in the two the refuge, visitors should contact refuge visitor practice is prohibited. For additional information These activities are permitted on all areas of fox. All other wildlife is protected. Hunters must mountain ranges that dominate the refuge center to learn about current road conditions. There see the Hunting Regulations section. the refuge except closed areas, patented mining follow all Public Use Regulations and the following landscape—the Kofa and Castle Dome Mountains. are no facilities on the refuge for towing, gasoline, claims and other private inholdings. The use of any Hunting Regulations: Although these mountains are not especially high, sanitation, or drinking water. Cellular phone Weapons Other than Firearms automatic or remotely-controlled cameras (trail they are extremely rugged and rise sharply from coverage is absent over most of the refuge. Visitors Use or possession of other weapons, such as cameras) on the refuge is prohibited. continued on other side the surrounding desert plains, providing excellent are advised to let someone know where they going crossbows, bows and arrows, and airguns is only CAUTION: Entering any mine (or cave) on Rockhounding and Rock Collecting bighorn sheep habitat. Endangered Sonoran and when they plan to return. permitted in conjunction with authorized and any National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited. Recreational (noncommercial) rock or mineral pronghorn were reintroduced in 2011 to a semi- permitted hunting activities. This regulation is in effect for public safety and collecting is restricted to the 1.5 square mile captive breeding pen on the refuge. The first Public Use Regulations to reduce the spread of white-nose syndrome, a Disposal of Waste Crystal Hill Area north and east of Junction Sonoran pronghorn on Kofa were released into the The following is a summary of refuge regulations. deadly fungus affecting bats. Abandoned mines Littering and the dumping of sewage or liquid #77 (see map). Possession of rocks is limited to 10 wild in 2013; they now roam free on Kofa NWR and For additional detail or clarification, contact the are extremely dangerous due to the possibility wastes on the refuge are prohibited. Do not bury specimens or 10 pounds (whichever occurs first) in adjacent lands. The wild population has grown to refuge visitor center. All public access, use or of collapse. about 75 animals through successful reproduction recreational activity, unless specifically authorized, trash—wildlife will dig it up! Do not burn cans or any 12 month period. Rock or mineral collection is and additional releases. is prohibited. plastic—please pack it out. Bury all human waste limited to materials that are exposed and collectable If you enter old buildings and/or historical and burn toilet paper or pack it out. Please “leave no without the use of tools (metal detectors are structures on Kofa NWR, you do so at your Water is scarce in the desert. By improving natural Wilderness trace.” Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. considered tools). Digging, including the use of own risk. Exposure to airborne disease-causing water holes and creating new ones, refuge managers Passage of the 1990 Arizona Desert Wilderness simple hand tools, is prohibited. The collection pathogens is possible. have increased the availability and reliability of Act included 547,700 acres of the Kofa NWR. Government Property of any rocks or minerals is prohibited on the water for wildlife. Wilderness status acknowledges the relatively Destruction, injury, defacement, disturbance, or remainder of the Kofa NWR. Kofa NWR was included in the desert military pristine character of the refuge and dictates some removal of any government property is prohibited. training exercises conducted by General Many wildlife species have benefitted from these management restrictions. No vehicular travel, Accidents involving damage to property, personal or Persons are prohibited from searching for or Patton during World War II. Unexploded water developments. A long-term average of including bicycles, is permitted into wilderness public; injury to the public or wildlife that occurs on removing objects of antiquity, Indian artifacts, or ordnance may be encountered. DO NOT PICK approximately 400-800 desert bighorn sheep live areas. Only foot or horseback travel is permitted. the refuge should be reported as soon as possible to: paleontological objects anywhere on the refuge. UP anything that appears to be military on the refuge. Beginning in the 1950s, the refuge 800/637-9152. hardware. Note the location of the object and Camping has provided over 560 desert bighorn sheep Vehicles report it to refuge headquarters or the Phoenix Commercial Activity Campers may select their own campsites. However, for transplanting to other parts of Arizona and Vehicular traffic is limited to designated roads which Interagency Law Enforcement Dispatch at No commercial activities are allowed on the refuge camping within 1/4 mile of water is prohibited by neighboring states. can be identified by numbered markers at junctions. 1/800-637-9152. Off-road vehicle travel is strictly prohibited. without a special use permit. The refuge is also State law. Vehicles must remain within 100 feet of Palm Canyon, at the west end of the Kofa Vehicles may pull off and park only up to 100 feet closed to mineral entry. Prospecting, removal, or designated roads. Camping is limited to 14 days in Rock climbing is hazardous and is generally Mountains, is well known for its stand of California from designated roads. No vegetation or other disturbance of sand, rock, gravel, or minerals is any 12-month period. discouraged. If you choose to rock climb, you do fan palms, the only native palm species in Arizona. refuge features may be damaged. This includes all prohibited. so at your own risk. Remember that your safety Fires Fewer than 100 trees remain in Palm Canyon; these motorized or wheeled vehicles, such as ATVs, UTVs, on Kofa NWR is your responsibility. Leaving Disturbance of the Peace Campfires are permitted, but onlydead, down, and palms are probably remnants from an era when this quadratracs, motorcycles, bicycles etc. All motor climbing hardware such as screws, bolts or Disturbance of the peace or other disorderly detached wood may be used. However, collecting area was wetter and cooler. vehicle operators must be licensed and insured for webbing in the wilderness is prohibited. highway driving. Speed is limited to 25 MPH, or conduct on the refuge is prohibited. No person who wood from wilderness lands is prohibited. Uprooting In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, numerous less as posted. is intoxicated shall enter or remain upon the refuge. dead stumps, trees, and bushes is also prohibited. Occasional storms on the refuge will cause flash silver, gold and lead mines were established flooding in low-lying areas and washes; please throughout the refuge. The most notable was the use CAUTION when in these areas. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• State hunting licenses (for all hunting) and permits (for deer and desert bighorn sheep) are required.

• Bag limits for predatory animals, quail and Military Reservation Restricted Area Restricted Reservation Military

Bureau of Land Management Land of Bureau Military Reservation Boundary Reservation Military cottontail are per State regulations. Hunting and collecting of reptiles and amphibians is X

8 prohibited.

I-10 8 Miles 8 I-10 • Individuals may not be under the influence 71

Charco 4 of alcohol while hunting. Shooting from a M T N S Red Raven Well

48 vehicle is prohibited. Discharge of firearms is Neversweat 4-Wheel Drive Recommended Refuge Boundary Any High-Clearance Vehicle Waters Moutain Outline Junction Numbers For Reference Only A, B, & C Hunt Units Hunt Unit Boundary Wilderness Areas Ridge Closed Area (for Pronghorn) not permitted within 1/4 mile of an occupied 14

Road structure. Frenchman Tank • Deer may be taken by bow and arrow or rifle Pass T A N K X Craven Well

Courthouse Mtn. depending on the hunting season.

8 Engesser X 45 Hoodoo Well • The use of a game cart to retrieve a harvested 36 47 34 62 Cholla Tank

X animal is permitted only in non-wilderness Kofa Cabin Manganese 45B Red Rock Dam 16 areas of the refuge. Red Rock Pass X

Kofa • Cottontail, coyotes and gray foxes may only be 3

Wash hunted during the quail season. High Tank 12 Charlie Died Tank New Water Well

Moonshine Tank • Trapping is not permitted on the refuge. Wilkinson Seep Miles

Owl Head Dam • Hunting is allowed near water sources. KOFA Dam KOFA Alamo Spring Kofa Butte

10 Individuals should respect other hunters’

Hoodoo privileges and leave the area if other hunters KOFA Monument Holly Seep Raven Tank arrive at a water source first. King Well 21

K O F A Military Reservation Boundary X V A L L E Y Charco 3 8

Yaqui Tanks Yaqui • Hunting seasons for the refuge are listed in Geyser Dam

Four Peaks Dam current Arizona Game and Fish Department Road Drill Hole Mid Well hunting regulations. North Star Mine X 6 King of Arizona Mine

65 • Recreational livestock permitted on the refuge Bighorn Pass Wilbanks Well X 31 63 Jasper Spring include horses, mules and burros. The use of 7 High Tank Tank 3,624' 38 Red Tank Chain Tank

High Tank High Tank 2 Spring feeding containers is required and water must Pipeline 00 Junction 79

4 be packed in. All waste must be removed from Burnt Wagon Tank De La Osa Well

M O U N T A I N S Salton Tanks the refuge and all surface disturbances at X 25 Polaris Mountain

Red Hill Tank campsites must be restored. Use of pelletized Scott Well High 8 Tank

N E W W A T E R MTNS 2 Squaw Tank feed is highly recommended to reduce potential Road 2 24 45A

X introduction of invasive species. Livestock 6 Tunnel Spring 1 High Road Castle Rock Dam Tank Tank 76 Squaw Peak 1 may not be tethered directly to trees or other Adams Well Cereus Tank vegetation. K I N G Valley Dixon Spring 45C 0 X Big Eye Mine Please report any hunting violations you observe Signal Peak 4,877'

Canyon M O U N T A I N S to the Phoenix Interagency Law Enforcement Scale MST & T Tower Dispatch at 1/800-637-9152 or to Arizona Game and 22

King Tunnel Mine Tunnel Spring Thumb Butte X 7 Fish Department Operation Game Thief Hotline at 56

Crystal Hill Rock Collection Area Road

Ketcherside Dam Saguaro Tank 77 Queen Castle Dome Peak 3,780' 1/800-352-0700. Little White Tanks Twelve 60 Blue Rock Tank Mile Well Modesti Tank 53

McPherson Tank For More Information 19 Figueroa Tank Copper Cup Mine Doc Carter Spring

Road Kofa Canyon D O M E Crystal Hill Please contact refuge headquarters for additional Ladder Tank

75 information about other programs and activities, to report all injuries or accidents, or any unusual Palm Grey Tanks

Arch Tank

Land Management Land incidents or observations. Bureau of of Bureau Hidden Valley Tank C A S T L E 42 Horse Tanks

MST & T Bandy Tank Hanging Tank Military Reservation Boundary 40 Robin Tank For inquiries about the program, contact: Chuckwalla Tank 95 95 Refuge Manager 95

Mile Kofa National Wildlife Refuge 92

85 Black Tank

Quartzsite 8 Miles 8 Quartzsite Mile Hollow Rock Tank

Mile Boundary Reservation Military

Stone Cabin Management Land 9300 East 28th Street Bureau of of Bureau Military Reservation Boundary Reservation Military

76 Yuma, AZ 85365 Mile

928/783-7861 Office Military Reservation Boundary Reservation Military

To Yuma 40 Miles Yuma To 928/783-8611 Fax

N www.fws.gov/refuge/kofa/ 55 Mile August 2019