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South Republican State Wildlife Area: where and how to hunt
State wildlife area in Yuma County and Kit Carson County, 18,365 acres listed.
Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to South Republican State Wildlife Area
South Republican SWA by the numbers
Acreage on record for South Republican SWA: 18,365, from the CPW SWA page. The parcel layer and the page disagree, since GIS gives 21,999 acres. In a size ranking of 224 state wildlife areas, South Republican SWA lands at 4th. Yuma County holds 7 state wildlife areas in this guide, South Republican SWA among them. CPW manages it within Area 14 of the Southeast Region, in the Burlington district. CPW lists the Area CPW Office, Colorado Springs office at 719-227-5200 for this property. Brochure hunting entry: deer, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, pheasant, bobwhite quail, dove, waterfowl, snipe. The brochure adds fishing (warm-water lake). Visitors also come for camping, wildlife viewing. Camping: yes, by the CPW page icons.
Game named for this ground: Deer, Wild turkey, Waterfowl, Doves, Pheasant, Bobwhite, Rabbits, Squirrels, Snipe.
The page shows: Hunting, Fishing, Nature Viewing Facilities Restrooms.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 26 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around South Republican State Wildlife Area
South Republican SWA: units, rules and 2024 harvest
Hunt codes for South Republican SWA follow its 2 units: GMU 103, GMU 109.
None of the units on South Republican SWA carries the elk antler point restriction. Lion group: 19.
| Unit | County | Special rules |
|---|---|---|
| GMU 103 | Yuma | lion group 19, spring turkey OTC private only, plains unit |
| GMU 109 | Kit Carson, Yuma, Washington | lion group 19, spring turkey OTC private only, plains unit |
Unit-wide 2024 results, all manners of take; top line: GMU 103, 123 deer.
| Unit | Game | 2024 harvest | Hunters | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 103 | Deer | 123 | 385 | 32% |
| GMU 109 | Elk | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| GMU 109 | Deer | 121 | 449 | 27% |
| GMU 109 | Pronghorn | 18 | 50 | 36% |
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.
South Republican SWA entry and conduct rules
No license, no entry: on South Republican SWA every visitor aged 16 or up holds a hunting or fishing license or an SWA Pass. Motor vehicles belong on open roads only, and overnight camping needs CPW authorization. Stands and blinds: portable only, never more than 30 days before opening day. Keep guns and bows quiet in lots, camps and picnic areas.
Lettered restrictions:
- Parking and access from designated areas only.
- Field trials may be authorized February, March, August and September No more than 2 trials may be authorized February to March. Only 1 trial may be authorized August to September
- Waterfowl hunting access prohibited on downstream face of dam and as posted.
- Camping allowed in designated and established camping areas.
- Fires allowed within established containment structure in designated areas.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.
Licenses and dates for South Republican SWA
19 rows below cover elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, lion and turkey where valid. 1 rows are over the counter (wild turkey), with no draw needed. 2 rows limited to private land are excluded. Big game the property does not list (9 rows) stays off the table. CPW has not released spring 2027 turkey dates; the row is the 2026 season.
| Quarry | Weapon | Sex | License | Begins | Ends | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | doe | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 103 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, late | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | either sex | Limited, late | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | 109 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, late | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | 103, 109 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | Limited draw | Apr 11, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | Limited, youth | Apr 11, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | OTC | Apr 11, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | Limited draw | May 2, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Wild turkey | Fall | – | Limited, late | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | 103, 109 |
| Wild turkey | Fall | – | Limited, youth | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | 103, 109 |
Bird and small game dates
| Species | Season | Applies in | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant | Season 1 | East of I-25 | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Quail | Season 2 | East of I-25 | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 3, 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 |
| Snipe | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 |
| Fox squirrel | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
| Cottontail | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
| Abert's squirrel | Season | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 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.
South Republican SWA: next-nearest hunting ground
Nearest neighbour on the map: Landsman Creek STL, 5 miles southwest. The neighbour mix: 6 trust land parcels.
| Place | Type | Acres | County | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landsman Creek STL | State trust land | 332 | Yuma | 5 miles | southwest |
| Bonny Creek STL | State trust land | 630 | Yuma | 5 miles | east |
| Spring Valley STL | State trust land | 960 | Kit Carson | 10 miles | southwest |
| Hay Gulch Overlook STL | State trust land | 640 | Yuma | 13 miles | northwest |
| South Fork Spring Canyon STL | State trust land | 640 | Yuma | 14 miles | northwest |
| Sandy Bluffs STL | State trust land | 3,682 | Yuma | 14 miles | northwest |
Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
Route and map files for South Republican SWA
How CPW says to get there: From Burlington, go 21 miles N on Highway 385 to CR 1, then go 3 miles E Go 2 miles N and 2 miles E.
The record point for South Republican SWA is 39.6251, -102.1709, the centre of the mapped parcel.
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 of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.
Shooting-light table for South Republican SWA
Deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and lion may be hunted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; turkey, small game and waterfowl stop at sunset.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Big game | Small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:17 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 5:47 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 5:47 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:01 a.m. | 6:09 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:09 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:43 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:08 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 4:27 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.
Resupply and services around South Republican SWA
Idalia is the closest town on this site to South Republican SWA, 8 miles as the crow flies. Of the five, Burlington is the biggest at 3,171 residents (2024 estimate). CPW staff closest to South Republican SWA work from Brush (89 miles).
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idalia | Yuma | – | 8 miles | northwest |
| Burlington | Kit Carson | 3,171 | 23 miles | south |
| Wray | Yuma | 2,363 | 32 miles | north |
| Cheyenne Wells | Cheyenne | 720 | 57 miles | south |
| Holyoke | Phillips | 2,296 | 66 miles | north |
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.
Pictures for planning a South Republican SWA hunt
Public and private ranges before South Republican State Wildlife Area
Logan County holds the CPW-listed range nearest South Republican State Wildlife Area: North Sterling State Park Archery Range (99 miles).
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
South Republican SWA in brief, question by question
Can I spend the night on South Republican SWA?
CPW lists camping.
Who publishes the rules for South Republican SWA?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, on its website.
Do I need anything beyond a hunting license for South Republican SWA?
A valid Colorado hunting or fishing license, or the SWA Pass, covers entry for visitors 16 and up; your game license covers the hunt.
How many acres of hunting ground is South Republican SWA?
18,365 acres, by the CPW SWA page.
Which county sheriff and county roads serve South Republican SWA?
GIS puts it in Yuma County and Kit Carson County.
What are the GMU numbers for South Republican SWA?
Units on the map for this ground: GMU 103 and GMU 109.
What access limits apply on South Republican SWA?
Per the property rules, parking and access from designated areas only.
What species are listed for South Republican SWA?
Listed game here: deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, doves, pheasant, bobwhite, rabbits, squirrels and snipe.
Do I need to test an elk from South Republican SWA for CWD?
CWD testing is voluntary here ($25), since no unit is on the mandatory elk list. Bull elk here are not under the point rule.
Which town makes the best base for South Republican SWA?
Idalia, about 8 miles away in a straight line.
Which office should I call before visiting South Republican SWA?
Try Area CPW Office in Colorado Springs, 719-227-5200.
Is pink allowed instead of orange on South Republican SWA?
Fluorescent pink counts the same as orange; firearm big game hunters wear 500 square inches plus a hat.
May I use food lures for bear on South Republican SWA?
No. Food-scented sticks are illegal for bear, and knowingly luring bears with food breaks C.R.S. 33-6-131.
From what time can I take a shot on South Republican SWA?
On November 7, 2026, roughly 5:55 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. for big game in Yuma County; bird and small game hours end at sunset.
South Republican SWA: double-check list
Sign and attach your carcass tag right after the kill, and keep your license and hunter education card with you on South Republican SWA.
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: Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0).