CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsWater Shortages Will Limit Waterfowl Hunting at Shasta Valley Wildlife Area, Other Northeastern Propertieshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/water-shortages-will-limit-waterfowl-hunting-at-shasta-valley-wildlife-area-other-northeastern-propertiesWaterfowlMon, 18 Sep 2023 11:37:10 GMTCDFW will reopen the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County to limited waterfowl hunting this season after a complete closure the past two seasons. Although many parts of California received record rainfall and snowpack during the winter and spring of 2022-23, northeastern California remained comparatively dry. As a result, only dry field hunting will be allowed for waterfowl hunting this season at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will reopen the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County to limited waterfowl hunting this season after a complete closure the past two seasons.</p> <p>Although many parts of California received record rainfall and snowpack during the winter and spring of 2022-23, northeastern California remained comparatively dry. As a result, only dry field hunting will be allowed for waterfowl hunting this season at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area.</p> <p>The Northeastern Zone waterfowl season runs from Oct. 7, 2023, through Jan. 17, 2024. Hunting at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area will be allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. The preseason Northeastern Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days are scheduled for Sept. 23-24, 2023, and the postseason Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days are scheduled for Jan. 20-21, 2024.</p> <p>The 4,700-acre <a href="/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Shasta-Valley-WA">Shasta Valley Wildlife Area</a> provides important seasonal wetlands for migrating waterfowl with water supplied by three storage reservoirs on the property. Two of those reservoirs – Steamboat Lake and Bass Lake – are completely dry. Trout Lake is currently near 50 percent capacity and will serve as the closed zone for the 2023-24 waterfowl season where no hunting will be permitted.</p> <p>The Shasta Valley Wildlife Area will be open for upland game bird hunting for dove, quail, snipe and pheasant as regulations permit. Pheasant hunting is allowed only on Sundays during the season and will be by reservation only with no walk-ins, sweat line or refills. A Type A or B season pass is required for all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications for Sunday pheasant hunts are available at <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/" target="_blank">CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website</a>.</p> <p>Waterfowl hunting opportunities will vary at other Northeastern Zone state and federal lands popular with duck and goose hunters. Hunters are strongly advised to call ahead in preparing for any Northeastern Zone waterfowl hunt. Other popular public waterfowl hunting areas in the Northeastern Zone include:</p> <p><strong><a href="/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Ash-Creek-WA">Ash Creek Wildlife Area</a></strong><br /> A bright spot among Northeastern Zone public hunting areas, Ash Creek wetlands are expected to be mostly flooded for waterfowl season due to its combination of spring-fed creeks and groundwater supplies. Reservations are required to hunt the opening weekend, Oct. 7-8, along with a Type A or B season pass for all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications are available at <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/" target="_blank">CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website</a>. Ash Creek also will be open for the preseason Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on a walk-in basis. No reservations or other check-in procedures required. (530) 294-5824.</p> <p><strong><a href="/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Butte-Valley-WA">Butte Valley Wildlife Area</a></strong><br /> Butte Valley began pumping groundwater in July to flood its seasonal wetlands in time for the Northeastern Zone waterfowl opener. Butte Valley expects to have 500 to 600 acres flooded by opening day. Reservations are required to hunt opening weekend along with a Type A or B season pass for all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications are available at <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/" target="_blank">CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website</a>. Butte Valley also will be open for the preseason Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on a walk-in basis. (530) 398-4627.</p> <p><strong><a href="/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Honey-Lake-WA">Honey Lake Wildlife Area</a></strong><br /> Another option for youth hunters, the Honey Lake Wildlife Area Fleming Unit will be open for the preseason Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on a walk-in basis though hunters will find fewer wetlands than in 2022-23. The Dakin Unit will be dry this upcoming season – though still open to dry field waterfowl hunting and upland game bird hunting. The Fleming Unit will see just about 20 percent of its seasonal wetlands flooded by the Oct. 7 season opener. Reservations are required to hunt opening weekend. A Type A or Type B season pass is required of all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications are available at <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/" target="_blank">CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website</a>. (530) 254-6644.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://myodfw.com/willow-creek-wildlife-area-visitors-guide" target="_blank">Willow Creek Wildlife Area</a></strong><br /> This 2,700-acre wildlife area north of Susanville in Lassen County expects 250 acres of huntable, flooded wetlands by the Northeastern Zone season opener Oct. 7. Reservations are required to hunt opening weekend. A Type A or Type B season pass is required of all adult hunters (not juniors). No preseason youth hunt will take place. Reservation applications are available at <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/" target="_blank">CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website</a>. (530) 254-6644.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/modoc" target="_blank">Modoc National Wildlife Refuge</a></strong><br /> The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge will have normal water levels and good habitat conditions this season. Drawings for the preseason youth hunt and opening weekend have been conducted for the free roam and Grandma Tract hunt areas. Self-serve hunting will begin Tuesday Oct. 10 and hunt days will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hunt maps and site-specific regulations can be found on the refuge website, but for the most-up-to-date information, please refer to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ModocNWR" target="_blank">Modoc NWR Facebook page</a>.  (530) 233-3572.</p> <p><strong>Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex</strong><br /> Once one of the nation’s premier waterfowl hunting destinations, the complex – consisting of the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath" target="_blank">Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge</a> and the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us/activities/hunting" target="_blank">Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge</a> – continues to suffer from water shortages. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us/activities/hunting" target="_blank">announced earlier this month</a> that waterfowl hunting will be allowed on dryland units at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge for the 2023-24 waterfowl season and that pheasant hunting will also be allowed at Tule Lake on dry field areas. The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to all hunting for the entirety of waterfowl and upland game bird seasons.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Steve.Burton@wildlife.ca.gov">Steve Burton</a>, CDFW Northern Region, (530) 340-0104<br /> <a href="mailto:peter.tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> CDFW Offering Waterfowl Hunts at East Bay Ecological Reservehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-offering-waterfowl-hunts-at-east-bay-ecological-reserve2WaterfowlWed, 13 Sep 2023 14:29:11 GMTHunters 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<p>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:</p> <p>2023 hunts (5 a.m. check-in)</p> <ul> <li>Saturday, Nov. 11</li> <li>Tuesday, Nov. 21</li> <li>Saturday, Dec. 2</li> <li>Thursday, Dec. 7</li> <li>Saturday, Dec. 16</li> <li>Thursday, Dec. 21</li> </ul> <p>2024 hunts (5 a.m. check-in)</p> <ul> <li>Saturday, Jan. 6</li> <li>Thursday, Jan. 11</li> <li>Saturday, Jan. 20</li> <li>Thursday, Jan. 25</li> </ul> <p>“Eden Landing waterfowl hunts are unique in that there are no fees charged and hunting is offered on some Tuesdays and Thursdays when other public waterfowl hunting areas are closed,” said CDFW 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.”</p> <p>Adult hunters must have a valid California hunting license, a signed Federal Duck stamp, California Duck Validation and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation. Youth hunters younger than 16 will need a valid Junior Hunting License and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation. Junior Hunting License holders who have turned 16 will also need a signed Federal Duck Stamp.</p> <p>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. Pete Stark Ecological Reserve 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.</p> <p>Hunters should also be aware that vehicle access to some areas of Pete Stark Ecological Reserve may be temporarily limited due to ongoing levee maintenance. Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas.</p> <p>To access Pete Stark Ecological Reserve 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.</p> <p>Public access opportunities at the reserve in addition to hunting are available. More information is available at <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER">wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER</a> and South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project at <a href="https://www.southbayrestoration.org/" target="_blank">www.southbayrestoration.org</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>Media contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Ken.Paglia@Wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Paglia</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120<br /> <a href="mailto:Carly.White@wildlife.ca.gov">Carly White</a>, CDFW Bay Delta Region, (707) 415-6123</em></p> <p>###</p> CDFW Offering Waterfowl Hunts at East Bay Ecological Reservehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-offering-waterfowl-hunts-at-east-bay-ecological-reserve1WaterfowlFri, 14 Oct 2022 11:04:46 GMTHunters can soon participate in no-fee waterfowl hunts amid restored salt ponds at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) land.<p>Hunters can soon participate in no-fee waterfowl hunts amid restored salt ponds at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) land. Access to ELER will be open to 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the following dates:</p> <p>2022 hunts (5:00 a.m. check-in)</p> <ul> <li>Saturday, Nov. 12</li> <li>Tuesday, Nov. 22</li> <li>Saturday, Dec. 3</li> <li>Thursday, Dec. 8</li> <li>Saturday, Dec. 17</li> <li>Thursday, Dec. 22</li> </ul> <p>2023 hunts (5:30 a.m. check-in)</p> <ul> <li>Saturday, Jan. 7</li> <li>Thursday, Jan. 12</li> <li>Saturday, Jan. 21</li> <li>Thursday, Jan. 26</li> </ul> <p>“Eden Landing waterfowl hunts are unique in that there are no fees charged and hunting is offered on some Tuesdays and Thursdays when other public waterfowl hunting areas are closed. These hunts typically have a three-bird average per season with northern shoveler and American wigeon being most common harvest,” said CDFW’s ELER manager John Krause.</p> <p>Adult hunters must have a valid California Hunting License, federal duck stamp, state duck stamp and Harvest Information Program validations. Juniors must have a junior hunting license 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).</p> <p>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. ELER 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.</p> <p>Hunters should also be aware that vehicle access to some areas of ELER may be temporarily limited due to ongoing levee maintenance. Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas.</p> <p>To access ELER 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.</p> <p>Public access opportunities at the reserve in addition to hunting are available. More information is available at <a href="/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER">wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER</a> and South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project at <a href="https://www.southbayrestoration.org/" target="_blank">www.southbayrestoration.org</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Ken.Paglia@Wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Paglia</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120<br /> <a href="mailto:John.Krause@wildlife.ca.gov">John Krause</a>, CDFW Bay Delta Region, (415) 454-8050</em></p> New Surcharge on Bird Hunting Validations to Provide Nesting Habitat for Waterfowl, Upland Game Birds in Californiahttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/new-surcharge-on-bird-hunting-validations-to-provide-nesting-habitat-for-waterfowl-upland-game-birds-in-californiaWildlifeMon, 28 Mar 2022 12:43:54 GMTState legislation to incentivize the creation of upland nesting habitat for ducks and other ground-nesting game birds in California will result in a $10 surcharge on the price of both the California Duck Validation and the Upland Game Bird Validation next hunting season.<p><strong><span style="font-size:20px;">JOINT NEWS RELEASE:</span><br /> California Department of Fish and Wildlife<br /> California Waterfowl Association</strong></p> <p>State legislation to incentivize the creation of upland nesting habitat for ducks and other ground-nesting game birds in California will result in a $10 surcharge on the price of both the California Duck Validation and the Upland Game Bird Validation next hunting season.</p> <p>For the 2022-23 hunting license year, the cost of the California Duck Validation will increase to $34.56 ($23.25 in 2021-22). The Upland Game Bird Validation will cost $21.60 ($10.54 in 2021-22).</p> <p>The bird hunting validations, along with 2022-23 hunting licenses, tags and related items, will be available for purchase beginning April 15. The $10 surcharge is added to the annual price increase mandated by state law ($1.31 for the California Duck Validation and $1.06 for the Upland Game Bird Validation). The legislation requiring the $10 surcharge for each validation does not apply to validations included with the Lifetime Bird Hunting Privilege Package purchased by Lifetime Hunting License holders.</p> <p>AB 614 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) was sponsored by the California Waterfowl Association (CWA) and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last October. The resulting $10 surcharge is expected to generate more than $2 million annually to fund the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program, which will be administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to benefit nesting mallards and other puddle ducks, wild ring-necked pheasants, pollinators and other grassland-dependent species. All revenue generated from the validation surcharge must be dedicated to the program by law and cannot be diverted to other uses.</p> <p>“I am proud that CWA sponsored this important legislation, and I am excited to see it implemented on the ground,” said CWA President John Carlson Jr. “Once again, hunters are taking the financial lead to ensure that our nesting bird populations have the habitat necessary to be successful.”</p> <p>The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program is designed to provide financial incentives to California landowners to cultivate or retain upland cover and other vegetation to benefit nesting wildlife. The funding can also be used to support habitat work on state wildlife areas and national wildlife refuges open to public hunting.</p> <p>As a result of drought and water shortages, thousands of acres rice fields and other farmland throughout the state were fallowed last year. The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program will soon be able to offer those farmers financial payments to plant their fallowed fields in cover crops and other beneficial vegetation to provide productive nesting habitat for ducks, pheasants and other wildlife.</p> <p>The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program was originally created by California Waterfowl-sponsored legislation signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018. The program’s funding was tied to Proposition 3, a water infrastructure and conservation bond measure ultimately rejected by voters. The program has been unfunded until the passage of AB 614 last year, which provides the funding mechanism.</p> <p>California’s breeding population of ducks has experienced declines commensurate with the loss of breeding habitat. Habitat loss and changing agricultural crops and practices have eliminated upland habitat near water that mallards and other species need to nest successfully.</p> <p>Upland bird hunters have been front-row witnesses to the wild pheasant decline in California. Once the source of opening-day festivities and traditions of all kinds across California’s rural farm communities, wild ring-necked pheasants are an important indicator species in addition to being a popular game bird.</p> <p>Wild pheasants require the same sort of contiguous, healthy upland and grassland habitat needed by pollinators, native songbirds and nesting waterfowl. Habitat restoration to benefit wild pheasants and nesting ducks is also expected to have positive ramifications for other native species.</p> <p>The California Duck Validation is required of adults hunting waterfowl in California. The Upland Game Bird Validation is required of adults hunting resident and migratory upland game birds in California. All proceeds from the validations go directly to waterfowl and upland game bird conservation, to support hunting opportunities and for education and outreach.</p> <p>During the current 2021-22 hunting license year, which ends June 30, 2022, CDFW has sold 66,644 California Duck Validations and 147,574 Upland Game Bird Validations, not including validations issued to lifetime license holders.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife</strong></em><br /> <em>The mission of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.</em></p> <p><em><strong>About the California Waterfowl Association</strong></em><br /> <em>The California Waterfowl Association is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to grow California’s waterfowl populations, wetlands and hunter-conservationist communities. Our vision is a California with thriving waterfowl populations, vibrant wetland ecosystems and respected hunting communities.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong></em><br /> <em><a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858<br /> <a href="mailto:mhennelly@calwaterfowl.org">Mark Hennelly</a>, California Waterfowl Association, (916) 612-0230</em></p>