Handicapped duck blind access on Higel State Wildlife Area

MONTE VISTA – A newly constructed duck blind at the Higel State Wildlife Area in the San Luis Valley provides an accessible location for hunters who are handicapped.


The blind, located on the Rio Grande, provides an ideal spot for hunters, explained Dave Mason, a property technician for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The blind is located less than a half-mile from the parking lot and the trail is designed for wheelchair accessibility. A concrete ramp leads into the structure and inside is a moveable bench that can be adjusted to accommodate left-handed and right-handed shooters.


The $2,600 project was funded by Great Outdoors Colorado. Mason and volunteers worked together to build the blind.


The 2,200-acre Higel State Wildlife area is located in Alamosa County. Those who want to use this blind can access the wildlife area from Alamosa County Road 104.


Entrance to the area is limited each day to just 25 people from Sept. 1 through Feb. 14. Entry permits must be obtained by sending an email to: [email protected]


Reservations for weekends may be made up to 14 days in advance, but not less than two days before the Saturday of the weekend requested. Reservations for Wednesdays and holidays may be made up to 14 days in advance but not less than two days before the date requested. Waterfowl season starts Oct. 3 and continues on a variety of dates through Feb. 14.


For the dates, see the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at https://cpw.state.co.us
The wildlife area is closed from Feb. 15 through July 15 to protect nesting waterfowl and other wildlife.