CDFW News

Hunter Input Sought on Yolo Bypass and Grizzly Island Hunting Programs

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:11:28 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold an online outreach meeting Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. to hear comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding Yolo Bypass and Grizzly Island wildlife area hunting opportunities.

During this meeting CDFW staff will also discuss completed and ongoing habitat enhancement/restoration projects, habitat conditions for the 2026-27 waterfowl season, hunting opportunity highlights and changes, updates on local waterfowl and pheasant production, and fall flood-up predictions, including anticipated hunter quotas for opening day of waterfowl season.

Interested participants can email GrizzlyIsland@wildlife.ca.gov to receive a link to the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting and instructions for submitting comments and questions.

CDFW annually offers opportunities through public meetings and outreach for licensed hunters to comment on hunting programs and provides anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season.

###

Media Contacts:
Garrett Spaan, CDFW Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, (530) 757-2461
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Prime Wetland Conditions Awaiting Waterfowl Hunters at State-Operated Public Hunt Areas

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 11:31:05 GMT

California’s statewide waterfowl season opens Saturday, Oct. 26, and waterfowl hunters headed to public hunting areas this season will encounter some of the best habitat and wetland conditions in years.

“Overall, it should be a great year to get out and enjoy your public wildlife areas and refuges,” said Jeff Kohl, Wetland Conservation Program Habitat Coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). “The majority of wetlands in California received close to a full water allocation this year, so hunters should generally expect habitat conditions across the state to be in pretty good shape for this fall.”

Opening and closing dates of waterfowl seasons vary by zone. Waterfowl season for the Balance of the State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California zones all open Oct. 26 and extend through Jan. 31, 2025. The Colorado River Zone opened Oct. 23 while the Northeastern Zone kicked off on Oct. 5.

CDFW waterfowl biologists and habitat specialists offered the following highlights of wetland conditions at some of California’s most popular waterfowl hunting areas throughout the state:

Sacramento Valley

Thanks to significant upgrades and improvements to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area’s water conveyance infrastructure in recent years, CDFW was able to irrigate close to 2,000 acres of seasonal wetlands this summer, particularly on the east side.

At the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa refuges received 100 percent of their base water allocations, which allowed staff to irrigate close to 6,000 acres. Flooding wetlands seasonally, particularly in the spring and summer months, can stimulate food growth and provide habitat for waterfowl broods.

Suisun Marsh/Delta

Hunters will notice significant improvements at the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in the Suisun Marsh, starting with a long-overdue sprucing up and facelift of the hunter check station. Several habitat projects have been completed over the past couple of years, including the complete rebuild of Pond 12, several levee and water infrastructure improvements and a new water lift station that will be able to flood acres in the hunting zones that haven’t seen water in over two decades. Grizzly Island should be close to fully flooded for the opener.

At the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, staff were able to flood up the landscape much earlier than normal, which should allow for more hunter opportunities earlier in the season than in the past. Staff were able to irrigate close to 1,000 acres this spring and summer.

San Joaquin Valley/Southern California

Habitat conditions in the San Joaquin Valley have recovered nicely after a multiyear drought and last year’s flooding events. Having received 100 percent of their water allocations, the North Grasslands, Los Banos and Mendota wildlife areas were able to irrigate several thousand acres of seasonal wetlands collectively. Favorite duck foods such as watergrass and smartweed responded well. Habitat conditions at the San Luis and Merced national wildlife refuges are mostly positive with significant food growth in units that were disced recently.

Farther south, CDFW staff and California Waterfowl have been working together on a major overhaul of wetland units at the Imperial Wildlife Area in Imperial County to produce more wetland acreage and improve habitat quality overall.

California waterfowl hunters are reminded to obtain a HIP Validation, California Duck Validation and a signed Federal Duck Stamp along with a valid hunting license before entering the field or visiting a state-operated wildlife area to hunt.

A wildlife area pass is often required to hunt many of these state-operated lands. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas or federal refuges so hunters must purchase these items in advance.

Waterfowl hunting and public land regulations are available within CDFW’s 2024-2025 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations (PDF) digital booklet.

###

Media Contacts:
Melanie Weaver, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 502-1139
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW To Hold Public Outreach Meeting on Grizzly Island, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Areas

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:56:35 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold an online outreach meeting for licensed hunters to take comments and recommendations regarding hunting programs on Type A Wildlife Areas in the Bay Delta Region. The online meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. using Microsoft Teams.

State wildlife areas to be discussed are the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Complex. CDFW will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands during the drought and possible impacts of the lingering global pandemic. Please email Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Manager Joe Hobbs (Joe.Hobbs@wildlife.ca.gov) for a link to the meeting and instructions for submitting comments and questions.

CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach.

Media Contact:
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Joe Hobbs, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, (530) 757-2431
Shawn Overton, Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, (707) 425-3828

###

Online Applications Now Available for 2022 Joice Island Wild Pig Hunts

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:42:08 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering wild pig hunting opportunities in March, April and May at the Joice Island Unit of the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County.

The 2022 Joice Island pig hunt drawings will be administered online exclusively. CDFW is accepting applications until 4 p.m. on Feb. 14.

The limited-entry, permit-only hunts help control the population of wild pigs on the Joice Island Unit, a 2,150-acre wetland area consisting of thick cattails, tules, brush and standing water.

Hunters may only use shotguns with nonlead slugs or archery equipment. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed.

Four hunters will be drawn for 13 consecutive weekends for a total of 52 hunters. The maximum hunting party size for this hunt is two hunters. There is no charge to apply. The first hunt weekend will be reserved only for apprentice hunters holding junior licenses, age 12 to 15. Hunters may apply for all hunts but will only be selected for one. Hunters may not enter more than once as part of multiple parties. Permit holders may bring one non-hunting partner. Junior license holders receiving a permit must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. The adult accompanying the junior license holder does not need to be a licensed hunter.

Apprentice Hunt Weekend – Only Junior License Holders (Age 12 to 15) May Apply

March 5-6

General Hunt Weekends – Adults and Junior License Holders May Apply

March 12-13
March 19-20
March 26-27
April 2-3
April 9-10
April 16-17
April 23-24
April 30-May 1
May 7-8
May 14-15
May 21-22
May 28-29

To apply for both the apprentice and general hunts, please visit CDFW’s Special and Apprentice Hunts Online Registration System and either log in or create a new account. Navigate the drop-down menus and apply for the weekend of your choice. Permits with maps and additional information will be emailed to successful applicants.

CDFW reserves the right to cancel any of these hunts and close the area to all public users without prior notification due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.

For more information or questions, please contact CDFW at (707) 425-3828.

Media Contacts:
Orlando Rocha, CDFW Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, (707) 425-3828
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Photo: Budimir Jevtic / stock.adobe.com