CDFW News

End-of-Season Deer Hunts Coming to Los Banos, North Grasslands Wildlife Areas

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:08:28 GMT

Hunters must apply by Aug. 3 for one of 11 available access permits

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer hunting access permits at the Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas for the last week of A Zone deer season, September 16 through September 20.

An access permit issued by CDFW is required and only 11 permits (five on Los Banos, three on Salt Slough and three on China Island) will be given to successful applicants. The number of access permits is limited to support healthy deer populations on the wildlife areas.

Hunters can find the application online (PDF) or request an application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications may be submitted via e-mail to LosBanosWA@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635. Possession of a valid 2026 A Zone deer tag at the time of application is not necessary.

The application process for these deer hunts takes place outside of CDFW’s Automated License Data System. Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. August 3, 2026. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. August 4, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the drawing. Results will not be given over the phone.

Each applicant may only apply for one area and must include all required information on the application. If an individual’s name and GOID# appear in the drawing on any other applications, that individual will be disqualified from all drawings. Junior hunting license holders 12 and older may apply if accompanied by an adult 18 or older.

Successful applicants will be allowed access to the area they were drawn for and must have a valid hunting license, A Zone deer tag and follow all hunting regulations. Hunters must also adhere to wildlife area specific regulations regarding parking in designated parking lots, no stopping along roadways and no access other than walking or using non-motorized bicycles. Only legal bucks may be taken. Each hunter is allowed to bring one non-hunting guest. The areas will be closed to all other visitors throughout the week.

Hunters may only use a shotgun with nontoxic slugs as their authorized method of take. All deer harvested must also be validated by wildlife area staff. Biological samples will be taken. CDFW staff is collecting biological samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease, among other conditions. CDFW is testing for and monitoring the disease to protect California’s elk and deer populations as well as hunting opportunities.

For participants new to hunting or looking to try a different style of hunting, visit CDFW’s Hunter Education and R3 (Recruit. Retain. Reactivate.) web pages for more resources and helpful information.

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Media Contacts
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

California Deer Season is in Full Swing

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:37:22 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) celebrated the kickoff of deer season with the Zone A General Season opener August 9, 2025. Most other hunting zones across the state will open in September and October, providing ample opportunity for deer hunters statewide.

Detailed information about the specific zones and their opening dates can be found in CDFW’s approved 2025 deer seasons by zone (PDF).

Hunters looking to purchase deer tags should act promptly, as tag availability varies by zone. A current list of available deer tags (PDF) can be found online. Tags can be purchased through CDFW’s automated license and data system, or in person at a designated license agent. CDFW urges all hunters to familiarize themselves with regulations and to follow them carefully to support sustainable wildlife management and conservation efforts.

As a reminder, it is the responsibility of the hunter to ensure deer tags are properly affixed to the animal and validated before transporting harvested game. Tags can be validated by authorized individuals, including CDFW employees, firefighters, public notaries, peace officers, meat processors, USDA Forest Service staff and other designated state, federal and local agents. Validation is mandatory, the only exception is while the animal is being transported directly to the nearest authorized tag validator.

In response to recent detections of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state, the California Fish and Game Commission has adopted regulations that define a CWD management zone as any deer hunt zone, or county, where CWD has been detected or is within 5 miles of a CWD detection. The regulations also provide the director authority to designate, based on management goals and feasibility, CWD management zones as mandatory sampling or mandatory sampling and handling zones.

For the 2025 hunting season, all hunters who harvest deer within hunt zones D7, X9a, X9b and X9c must have their animal sampled for CWD. All deer specialty hunts that occur within these deer hunt zones are included in the mandatory sampling. Please note that CWD testing is currently delayed. Hunters should continue to submit CWD samples. Testing hunter-harvests is vital to managing this disease and hunters continue to play a key role in CWD surveillance and management. For more information on CWD and how to get your harvest sampled for CWD testing, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/CWD.

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Media Contacts:
Jen Benedet, Office of Communications, Education and Outreach, (916) 202-4465
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

CDFW Taking Applications for Opening Weekend Deer and Pig Hunting Access Permits for Cottonwood Creek, San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Areas

Wed, 21 May 2025 11:22:07 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer and wild pig hunting access permits for opening weekend, Aug. 9 and 10, 2025, in Merced County (Zone A) for the general season. This is not a special hunt; the drawing is to control the number of hunters in these areas on opening weekend only.

Locations for this hunt include Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife areas. Reservations are required for access to wildlife areas and only 30 permits will be issued for each day (Saturday, Aug.9, and Sunday, Aug.10). Hunters can apply online at Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area or San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area pages or request an access permit application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Applications may be submitted via email to Kimberly.Reynoso@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635.

Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. July 3, 2025. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. July 10, 2025. The drawing will be open to the public. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the drawing. Results will not be given over the phone.

Applicants must have a 2025-26 hunting license. If drawn, hunters may take both deer and pig; it is the responsibility of the hunter to have the appropriate deer tag or wild pig validation.

Up to three people may apply as one party by including all the required information on the 2025 Zone A application form. Junior license holders aged 12 and older may also apply if accompanied by an adult hunter.&

Applicants may apply for a one-day hunt, in one area only. A hunter’s name may appear in the drawing only once. If a hunter’s name and GO ID# appears on any other applications, they will be disqualified from all drawings.

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Media Contacts:
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 322-8958

CDFW Offering Waterfowl Hunts at East Bay Ecological Reserve

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:37:00 GMT

Hunters can soon participate in no-fee waterfowl hunts amid restored salt ponds at Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing (formerly Eden Landing Ecological Reserve) in Hayward, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) land. Access to the ecological reserve will be open to 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the following dates:

2024 hunts (5 a.m. check-in)

Thursday, Nov. 21
Saturday, Nov. 30
Thursday, Dec. 5
Saturday, Dec. 14
Thursday, Dec. 19
Saturday, Dec. 28

2025 hunts (5 a.m. check-in)

Thursday, Jan. 2
Saturday, Jan. 11
Thursday, Jan. 16
Saturday, Jan. 25

“Eden Landing is part of the largest wetlands restoration on the West Coast — 15,100 acres in the South Bay — and waterfowl hunts on this land are unique in that there are no fees charged and hunting is offered on some Thursdays when other public waterfowl hunting areas are closed,” said CDFW Wildlife and Unstaffed Lands Manager John Krause. “These hunts typically have a three-bird average per season with northern shoveler and American wigeon being the most common harvest.”

Adult hunters must have a valid California hunting license, Federal Duck Stamp, California Duck Validation and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation. Youth hunters must have a valid Junior Hunting License, a Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation and, if 16 or older, also possess a Federal Duck Stamp. Junior hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older (hunter or non-hunter).

There is a 25-shell limit in the field and nonlead ammunition is required when taking wildlife anywhere in California. A hunting dog is recommended for retrieving birds. A small boat, canoe or other floatation device is also highly recommended to access ponds and blinds. Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing has a boat launch on Mount Eden Creek allowing access to tidal areas. Boaters are advised to consult local tide charts before launching as mud flats can subject vessels to hidden underwater hazards during low tides.

Hunters should also be aware that vehicle access to some areas of Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing may be temporarily limited due to ongoing levee maintenance. Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas.

To access Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing from Interstate 880: Exit at Alvarado Boulevard; continue west and turn right on Union City Boulevard; left on Bettencourt Road (look for Union Sanitary District sign); left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street; right on Veasy Street. Enter at the yellow gate and proceed to the check station.

The hunter check station will be open on the eastern perimeter of the reserve. View a map here: Eden Landing Ecological Reserve Waterfowl Hunting.

Public access opportunities at the reserve in addition to hunting are available. More information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER and South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project at www.southbayrestoration.org.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Garrett Allen, CDFW Bay Delta Region, (707) 415-6126

CDFW Wildlife Areas Prepared to Welcome Dove Hunters Sept. 1

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:03:07 GMT

With select fields plowed, planted, mowed or otherwise primed, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is prepared to welcome dove hunters to many of its wildlife areas for the Sept. 1 season opener.

“Doves key in on bare ground with seeds because 99 percent of their diet is seeds,” said Ian Dwight, an environmental scientist with CDFW’s Upland / Small Game Unit. “This is something our wildlife areas know very well and will often (conduct) mowing practices and grow food plots so that there are ample opportunities in the beginning of the season for dove.”

Safflower, sunflower, wheat, milo and millet are the most common grain crops planted at CDFW wildlife areas in preparation for the dove opener. The crop fields benefit many other wildlife species throughout the fall and winter.

“In September, after fields have been harvested in August by a lot of farmers, doves will be attracted to safflower and sunflower first before they feed out on the winter-planted cereal grains,” Dwight said.

Migratory mourning dove and white-winged dove populations concentrate in California’s agricultural areas in the late summer where seed crops are farmed and harvested in abundance. This makes CDFW wildlife areas in the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Imperial Valley and the Palo Verde Valley prime destinations for public land dove hunters.

Wildlife areas where habitat has been prepared to attract dove in 2024 include, but are not limited to, the Upper Butte Basin, Gray Lodge, Yolo Bypass, Oroville and Spenceville wildlife areas in the Sacramento Valley and the North Grasslands, Mendota and Los Banos wildlife areas in the San Joaquin Valley.

Southern California offers some of the best dove hunting anywhere in the nation. The top public land spots with prepared crop fields include CDFW’s Imperial Wildlife Area, the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, the Palo Verde Ecological Reserve with additional opportunities provided by CDFW and partners at the Imperial County Upland Game Fields (PDF).

Entry procedures can vary as do crop plantings from year to year. Hunters are advised to call ahead in preparing for their public land hunt. Not all CDFW wildlife areas are open to dove hunting Sept. 1. Many CDFW ecological reserves are closed to hunting altogether. To locate wildlife areas to hunt throughout the state, visit CDFW’s Places to Visit web page or Public Lands Viewer.

The Sunday, Sept. 1 dove opener falls on a weekend for the first time in five years, which means the single busiest hunting day of the year in California is likely to see even more kids, first-time hunters, families and groups of hunters afield compared to weekday openers in the recent past.

Hunters can target mourning dove and white-winged dove Sept. 1 through Sept. 15. Spotted doves and ringed turtle doves also become legal game. Mourning dove and white-winged dove have a daily bag limit of 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged dove. The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit. There are no limits on spotted dove and ringed-turtle dove. The invasive Eurasian collared-dove is open year-round with no bag limits. Hunting of Eurasian collared-doves on CDFW Type A wildlife areas is limited to the mourning dove season. A dove identification guide (PDF) is available at CDFW’s website.

Hunters are strongly encouraged to review the dove hunting regulations and those governing CDFW lands available online: 2024-2025 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations (PDF).

The second half of California’s dove season begins Nov. 9 and runs through Dec. 23. Many CDFW wildlife areas are open to dove hunting in the second half of the season on designated waterfowl shoot days when a Type A wildlife area pass will be required to enter.

Additional late-season dove hunts are offered through CDFW’s SHARE program, which provides public hunting opportunities on private farms and ranches throughout the state.

Minimum dove hunting requirements are a valid hunting license and upland game bird validation (validation not required for Junior Hunting License holders), good footwear, a shotgun of almost any gauge, nonlead shotgun shells, a cooler with ice to store birds, and plenty of water for the typically hot weather. Sunscreen and insect repellant are other must-have items for dove hunters.

For more information and resources on dove hunting, CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education (YouTube) program has videos to help. CDFW’s R3 program has additional resources and videos for newcomers to dove hunting.

Dove hunters may also encounter a banded dove. As of Aug. 27, CDFW staff and volunteers throughout the state had banded about 2,700 mourning dove and 127 white-winged dove. Hunters are asked to report their banded birds to the U.S. Geological Survey to help with further dove research.

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Media Contacts:
Ian Dwight, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 261-5334
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858