Maps to this hotspot can be misleading. To get into the W.S. Huey Waterfowl Management Area (WMA), you must come up Haldeman Road from the south. There is a small sign at the corner of Mill and Haldeman, but that gate is always closed; follow Haldeman north from there and you will soon see the large public entrance gate.

Once through the gate, the road (initially gravel, but quickly turning to dirt) heads north then east. Directly past the irrigated fields on the south side, drive slowly as you descend to the two large water impoundments; in winter, waterfowl may be between the northwest shoreline and the road. If the weather has been dry, you can pull out on the north side of the road just after it begins its descent. Driving the levee forming the south end of the impoundments, look for Rock Wren in the riprap. The “auto tour route” continues east across a culvert over the Pecos, then Ts north-south. There is a parking area immediately north of where the road Ts, as well as parking and turnarounds at the north and south ends of the T “crossbar”. 

The linked New Mexico Game and Fish map states “Auto Tour Route closed until further notice due to public health restrictions being enacted statewide.” Although it is the most current (January 2023) map, this notice reflects CoViD pandemic restrictions are no longer in effect;  the WMA is actually open from sunrise to sunset (or possibly a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset). 

Visitors should be aware that this is an actively hunted property. Hunting is typically restricted to Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from a half hour before sunrise to 1:00 pm. Dove season begins in early September. Waterfowl season runs from mid-October through the end of January. Deer and special youth pheasant hunting, which may not be restricted to only three days of the week, occur mid-November through December. While hunters are therefore most likely present September through January, April also sees a short turkey season. 

Sandhill Crane

The William S. Huey Wildlife Area, 2880 acres, is located on the Pecos River between Artesia and Carlsbad. The wildlife area was dedicated in 1986 to mitigate habitat loss caused by Brantley Dam.

The William S. Huey Wildlife Area covers land on both sides of the Pecos River in southern New Mexico. This area contains flat farmland, grazing land, and a river bosque.

Wildlife watchers may see deer and turkey, various songbirds, quail, and waterfowl year-round. Good binoculars are important. The best time to view wildlife is at dawn or dusk.