Final winter wildlife tours set at Bosque del Apache

Visitors still have time to catch a behind-the-scenes look at winter wildlife at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge before the season wraps up at the end of February.

Amanda Walker, lead park ranger at the refuge, said the popular “Wildlife Tracks” tours will continue through Feb. 28, offering guests a unique opportunity to explore areas not typically open to the public.

Each tour is limited to eight passengers, so advance sign-up is encouraged. Visitors can reserve a spot by calling the refuge Visitor Center at 575-835-1828 or by stopping in to check availability.

“These are behind-the-scenes tours of the refuge, led by volunteers,” Walker said. “They run twice a day — from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. — and they’re offered seven days a week through the 28th.”

That leaves just over a week of tours remaining this winter season.

The free, three-hour tours take place aboard a refuge van, departing from and returning to the Visitor Center. There is no walking involved, making the experience accessible to a wide range of visitors. Tour routes vary depending on wildlife activity and visitor interests, but typically include portions of the main loop as well as select back-road areas closed to general traffic.

“What’s special about these tours is that they go beyond the public tour loop,” Walker explained. “Visitors get to see some of the areas that aren’t normally accessible.”

Wildlife sightings remain strong as winter winds down. Guests are still spotting migrating sandhill cranes and the remaining overwintering flocks, along with large numbers of ducks. Coyotes, bobcats, mule deer and javelina have also been active across the refuge. Birders may also catch glimpses of small raptors and bald eagles.

The tours have been running daily since November and have drawn 768 people so far. Meanwhile, the visitor center has seen about 11,378 guests. 

“The tours have been really popular all winter long,” Walker said. “We’ve had people on virtually every tour.”

Walker said the experience offers more than just wildlife viewing.

“A reason to go on the tours, especially this time of year, is to learn about the background and history of the refuge and to get a feel for the breadth of the work that happens here,” she said. “Our tour leaders are passionate wildlife watchers, and visitors really get to share in that energy.”

With the winter migration season nearing its close, the final days of Wildlife Tracks tours provide one last chance to experience the refuge’s seasonal spectacle from a deeper perspective.