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SWA · CPW-managed ground
Hunt Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area: units, rules and dates
State wildlife area in Morgan County; 1,600 acres.
Photo: Paul L Dineen (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Inside the Brush Prairie Ponds SWA listing
1,600 acres is the figure the CPW SWA page gives for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA. Rank by area: 79th of the 224 state wildlife areas we cover. It is one of 7 state wildlife areas inside Morgan County. It falls in CPW Area 3, Northeast Region, where the Brush/Akron district wildlife manager patrols. For Brush Prairie Ponds SWA, the page gives 970-842-6300 at the Area CPW Office, Brush office. CPW printed deer, pheasant, dove, waterfowl under hunting for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA in the 2026 brochure. Recreation entry: wildlife viewing. No camping icon appears on the Brush Prairie Ponds SWA page.
Species the agency lists here: Deer, Waterfowl, Doves, Pheasant.
Activity icons: Hunting, Nature Viewing.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 7 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area
Access rules on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA
Like every SWA, Brush Prairie Ponds SWA asks people 16 and older for a Colorado hunting or fishing license or the wildlife area pass. Off-road driving is out, and so is camping outside authorized sites. The stand rule is portable equipment only, placed no earlier than 30 days before the season. No shooting a firearm or bow in parking, camping or picnic areas.
Property restrictions for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA:
- Open 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Discharging firearms or bows allowed only while hunting.
- Only hunting allowed September 1 through end of dark-goose season. Mandatory check in and check out at check station.
- From September 1 to November 30, only open for migratory bird hunting within designated hunting areas, and only on Sat., Sun., Wed. and state and federal holidays. Reservations required, valid until sunrise and limited to 3 per hunter annually. See “Reservations: Hunting” (page 1) for details.
- Check in allowed after 4 a.m. Hunters can hunt only the area reserved and may check in on first-come, first-served basis after a hunter checks out or after sunrise if a hunter has not checked in. Maximum of 4 hunters, 2 vehicles per hunting area.
- From September 1−November 30, scouting permitted from 10 a.m.−2 p.m. on Thurs. only. All people scouting must check in and out at check station. Firearms, dogs not allowed during scouting.
- From December 1 through end of dark-goose season, hunters can check in on first-come, first-served basis after 4 a.m. or after a hunter checks out. Five hunting areas available for check in. Properly checked-in hunters may hunt anywhere on property.
- Up to 2 hunting areas reserved annually for residents with a physical address of Brush, CO. Applications for the drawing available at CPW Brush Service Center in mid-August Hunters must have a valid waterfowl hunting license to enter drawing. Hunters may apply for one hunt area per day, but can list multiple requests on one application. All relevant hunting regulations apply.
CPW wording on limits: ['d. From September 1 to November 30, only open for migratory bird hunting within designated hunting areas, and only on Sat., Sun., Wed. and state and federal holidays. Reservations required, valid until sunrise and limited to 3 per hunter annually. See “Reservations: Hunting” (page 1) for details.', 'g. From December 1 through end of dark-goose season, hunters can check in on firstcome, first-served basis after 4 a.m. or after a hunter checks out. Five hunting areas available for check in.
Book through the Hunting Reservation System at 1-800-244-5613 or online, starting at 9 a.m.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder, Big Game brochure, reservations; checked November 5, 2026.
Where Brush Prairie Ponds SWA is and how to get in
Printed directions: From Brush, go S on Clayton Street 2.25 miles to parking area and check station.
Mapped centre: 40.2115, -103.6465.
Directions from the 2026 Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure; map files from the CPW property page; point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid); checked November 5, 2026.
Unit map facts for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA
Check the license against the unit; Brush Prairie Ponds SWA falls in 1 GMU: GMU 99.
No elk antler point rule applies in these units. The lion season closes when group 19 reaches its limit.
There is no property-level harvest figure for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA; GMU 99 topped the 2024 unit tables with 204 deer.
GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.
Brush Prairie Ponds SWA: which hunts are open when
9 big game season rows from the 2026 brochures are valid in the units of Brush Prairie Ponds SWA. Big game here is draw-only. Rows for big game not on the Brush Prairie Ponds SWA list (10) are left out.
| Species | Method | Sex | License | Opens | Closes | Units here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Season choice | doe | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Season choice | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited, late | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | 99 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, late | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | 99 |
Other listed game
| Bird or animal | Season | Zone | First day | Last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant | Season 1 | East of I-25 | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Mourning dove | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 |
| Ducks and coots | Season (split) | Northeast zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Dark geese | Season | except zone | Nov 2, 2026 | Feb 14, 2027 |
Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.
Other public ground within reach of Brush Prairie Ponds SWA
Head 6 miles north and you reach Jean K Tool SWA. Around it on the map: 4 SWAs and 2 trust land parcels.
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean K Tool SWA | SWA | 903 | Morgan | 6 miles | north |
| Brush SWA | SWA | 588 | Morgan | 7 miles | north |
| Cottonwood SWA | SWA | 884 | Morgan | 10 miles | northeast |
| Elliott SWA | SWA | 2,576 | Morgan | 14 miles | northeast |
| Rosener STL | State trust land | 634 | Morgan | 16 miles | southwest |
| Brammer STL | State trust land | 2,918 | Morgan | 18 miles | northeast |
Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
Stores, processors and towns for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA
From the Brush Prairie Ponds SWA point, Fort Morgan sits 8 miles away. Greeley, 61 miles out, is larger, with 114,363 people in 2024. For licenses in person, the Brush CPW office is 5 miles off.
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Morgan | Morgan | 11,835 | 8 miles | west |
| Akron | Washington | 1,745 | 23 miles | east |
| Sterling | Logan | 13,114 | 37 miles | northeast |
| Fleming | Logan | 422 | 53 miles | northeast |
| Greeley | Weld | 114,363 | 61 miles | west |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.
Brush Prairie Ponds SWA sunrise, sunset and shooting times
The CPW brochures print Denver sunrise and sunset tables with town offsets; the times for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA here are worked out with the NOAA solar formula for its own location.
| Date | Opener | Sunrise | Sunset | Elk window | Duck window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:23 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:07 a.m. | 6:14 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 6:14 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:50 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:14 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Classes and banquets near Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area
Near this ground as of November 4, 2026: 1 listing ahead, starting with RMEF High Plains Chapter Banquet.
| Date | Event | Miles off | Where | Sign up | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2027 | RMEF High Plains Chapter Banquet · RMEF banquet in Fort Morgan | 8 | Fort Morgan, Morgan County | Buy tickets | Source |
What the region around Brush Prairie Ponds SWA looks like
Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area hunters: public range plus clubs
For a no-dues line, Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area hunters head 45 miles to North Sterling State Park Archery Range. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Brush Prairie Ponds SWA FAQ from the agency sources
Where should I stay when hunting Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
Fort Morgan is your nearest base, 8 miles off.
Do elk point rules or CWD testing apply on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
None of these units is on the antler point list. These GMUs are not on the 2026 mandatory elk CWD list.
What must I wear on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA during rifle season?
At least 500 square inches of solid orange or pink above the waist and a hat; archers hunting during rifle seasons wear it too.
Whom should I phone with questions about Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
Area CPW Office in Brush, 970-842-6300.
When must I stop shooting on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA each evening?
6:01 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. for big game on November 7, 2026 (Morgan County, NOAA solar formula). See the table above for other dates.
Can I set out bait, salt or grain on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
No bait for big game, turkey, small game or birds; normal agricultural salt and mineral blocks are the only exception for big game.
Is there an authorized camp area on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
Look for a campground nearby; none is listed here.
How do reservations work on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
['d. From September 1 to November 30, only open for migratory bird hunting within designated hunting areas, and only on Sat., Sun., Wed. and state and federal holidays. Reservations required, valid until sunrise and limited to 3 per hunter annually. See “Reservations: Hunting” (page 1) for details.', 'g. From
Which pass must I carry on Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
No separate permit in most cases: a hunting or fishing license (or SWA Pass) for everyone 16+, unless the restrictions here say otherwise.
Where can I read the source for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
Read the official source before each trip.
What counties does Brush Prairie Ponds SWA reach into?
Inside Morgan County.
What size is Brush Prairie Ponds SWA on the agency count?
The CPW SWA page lists 1,600 acres.
Does Brush Prairie Ponds SWA keep set hours or dates?
The restrictions say: Open 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Which GMU numbers does Brush Prairie Ponds SWA fall in?
The ground lies in GMU 99, and a big game license must be valid for the unit.
Which animals does the agency list for Brush Prairie Ponds SWA?
On record: deer, waterfowl, doves and pheasant. Seasons and licenses still decide what is open.
One last look at Brush Prairie Ponds SWA
Snow and mud close roads in Colorado without much notice; check access to Brush Prairie Ponds SWA before the drive.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.
Other photos on this page: lostinfog (CC BY-SA 2.0); Birding for Climate (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).