CDFW News

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

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:16:14 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 general season opening weekend, Aug. 8 and 9, 2026, in Merced County (Zone A). This is not a special hunt; the drawing is to control the number of hunters in these areas on opening weekend only.

Locations 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. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9). Hunters can access the application online through the Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area or San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area web pages 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 email to LosBanosWA@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 6, 2026. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. July 9, 2026. The drawing is 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 2026-27 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 2026 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) 825-7120

Spring Weather Brings Hungry Bears to Tahoe Region

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:01:58 GMT

As snow melts across the Lake Tahoe region, black bears have emerged from their dens and are searching for food, signaling the start of a busy spring season for wildlife.

Seasonal Outlook and Impacts

Male and female bears without cubs are already active, feeding on early grasses and plants. Warmer-than-average temperatures and low snowpack, however, could reduce the availability of natural food sources later this year.

Some of the most important natural foods for bears include mast, which refers to nuts, seeds and fruits produced by trees and shrubs. Mast is categorized as hard mast, such as nuts and seeds, and soft mast, such as berries. These food sources are influenced by temperature and precipitation, which affect their growing season, productivity and timing.

With Lake Tahoe snowpack at just 24% of the April average and warm temperatures prematurely melting snow, the Tahoe Basin is likely to see a shortened growing season with average or below average mast productivity.

Black bears are highly adaptable and will shift to other natural food sources, including insects and small mammals. However, studies show that bears living near urban areas often turn to human-related food sources when natural foods are scarce.

“What puts bears at greatest risk isn’t a lack of natural food, it’s access to ours. Encouraging close interactions, allowing bears to den under homes, or feeding bears (intentionally or unintentionally) leads to dangerous outcomes for both bears and people,” explained Bear Management Specialist Sarinah Simons with California State Parks. “If we want healthy bears on the landscape, we need to give them the space to stay wild.”

Bears that rely on human-provided food face a higher risk of mortality. In years with poor natural food availability, reported vehicle collisions involving bears have been shown to double or even triple. As bears travel greater distances in search of food, they are more likely to encounter vehicles and unsecured attractants.

How Can You Help?

Residents and visitors can help reduce these risks by securing potential attractants and following the BearWise Six At-Home Basics:

Never feed or approach bears.
Secure food, garbage and recycling.
Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
Never leave pet food outdoors.
Clean and store grills and smokers.
Alert neighbors to bear activity.

Properly securing garbage is one of the most effective ways to prevent bear conflicts. Food and trash should never be left in vehicles, and vehicle doors and windows should remain closed and locked.

Bird feeders should be removed. A single pound of black oil sunflower seeds contains approximately 2,500 calories, making it a high-reward food source for bears. Alternative methods for attracting birds without attracting bears are available through the BearWise bulletin, Attracting Birds, Not Bears.

Property owners can also take steps to secure buildings. Keeping doors and windows locked can help prevent bears from entering structures. For wooden garage doors, electric deterrents such as wiring or mats may help prevent damage. The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) highly recommend utilizing the BearWise Host Set to display helpful information for your guests.

Lake Tahoe is prime bear country, and it is the responsibility of everyone living in, visiting or recreating in the Tahoe Basin to secure food, trash and other scented items. Consistent practices help keep bears healthy and wild.

Call the Experts

Spring is also the time of year residents or visitors may see a bear they believe looks unhealthy, sick or orphaned. Bear health concerns should be reported to the TIBT’s wildlife professionals at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) or the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). These agencies have the training, expertise, and veterinary resources to assess a bear’s condition and transport it for care, if needed.

For more great tips about living responsibly with bears, visit tahoebears.org and bearwise.org.

To report human-bear conflicts:

In California, contact CDFW at (916) 358-2917 or report online using the Wildlife Incident Reporting system at apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir.
Non-emergency wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to their public dispatch at 916-358-1300.
In Nevada, contact NDOW at 775-688-BEAR (2327).
If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.

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CDFW to Hold Spring Public Outreach Meeting Regarding Hunting on Northern San Joaquin Valley Wildlife Areas

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:03:53 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Central Region, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an in-person outreach meeting to share information regarding the hunting programs in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The meeting will include updates on the 2025-26 waterfowl hunt results, habitat and local breeding conditions, upcoming projects and hunt program updates.

CDFW lands to be discussed are the Mendota, Los Banos, Volta and North Grasslands wildlife areas, including the Salt Slough, China Island, Gadwall, Widell/Ramaciotti and Mud Slough units. USFWS personnel will also be available to speak about the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, including the Lone Tree Unit, as well as San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, including the Kesterson, Blue Goose, East and West Bear Creek and the Freitas units.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. in the multipurpose room at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge at 7376 S. Wolfsen Road, Los Banos, CA, 93635. Please email LosBanosWA@wildlife.ca.gov to RSVP and submit comments and questions prior to the meeting.

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CDFW’s SHARE Program Offering Spring Elk Hunts in Del Norte County

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:26:41 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is accepting applications for five bull elk tags offered through its Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program this spring.

These first-time special spring hunts are intended to relieve Roosevelt elk pressure and damage on 12 properties in Del Norte County. The properties are bottomland ranches and farms consisting of a total of 1,834 acres near Crescent City.

Hunting conditions vary from property to property so successful applicants skilled in legal methods of take beyond rifle hunting – such as archery and muzzleloading equipment – should bring that gear for additional opportunity.

The hunts will take place between April 1 and June 30. Each hunter will have four consecutive days of access to be determined by the hunter and hunt coordinator. Specific details for these hunts can be found on the SHARE web page.

The SHARE elk tags will be distributed through a random drawing to hunters who were not awarded any elk tags in the 2025-26 license year. Hunters with a valid 2025-26 hunting license may apply online at CDFW’s Online License and Sales Services website or at any CDFW license sales office or sales agent through Wednesday, March 11.

A $14.86 non-refundable application fee will be charged for each hunt application. Applicants may view their draw results and download hunt packets on March 13 from their online CDFW licensing accounts.

CDFW’s SHARE Program provides public hunting opportunities on private lands and other properties typically off-limits to public access in cooperation with participating landowners. These elk hunts and more SHARE big-game hunting opportunities are offered outside of and in addition to CDFW’s Big Game Drawing. Preference points do not apply and are not gained or lost in SHARE hunts.

By expanding access and creating new hunting experiences, SHARE plays a key role in CDFW’s Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) initiative across California.

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Media Contacts:
Victoria Barr, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 203-0567
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3848

Wild Pig Hunts Coming Up at Joice Island

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:34:25 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.

To apply for pig hunt drawings, visit CDFW's Online License Sales and Services website. For more information about Joice Island wild pig hunts and pig hunting opportunities on CDFW lands elsewhere in the state, go to CDFW's wild pig hunt information page. Applications are due Feb. 14 for March hunts, March 14 for April hunts and April 11 for May hunts.

Joice Island is a 2,150-acre wetland area consisting of thick cattails, tules, brush and standing water. The limited-entry, permit-only hunts help control the population of  wild pigs on Joice Island. Hunters may only use shotguns with nonlead slugs or archery equipment. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed.

Four hunters will be drawn each weekend during the 13-week wild pig season at Joice Island. The maximum hunting party size for this hunt is two hunters. There is a $2.98 fee for each hunter to apply within each of the three hunt periods.

Hunters may apply for up to three hunts within each period. A hunter has an opportunity to be drawn for one hunt in each period. All hunters must possess a draw-issued permit. Permit holders may bring one non-hunting partner.

The first hunt weekend at Joice Island will be reserved for apprentice hunters, age 12 to 15, holding junior hunting licenses. Junior hunting 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.

Selected hunters must possess a draw-issued permit, a valid California hunting license and a valid wild pig validation. All members of a hunting party must apply using the party ID from the party leader (first applicant).

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

March 7-8

General Hunt Weekends — Adults and Junior License Holders May Apply

March 14-15
March21-22
March 28-29
April 4-5
April 11-12
April 18-19
April 25-26
May 2-3
May 9-10
May 16-17
May 23-24
May 30-31

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, contact CDFW at (707) 425-3828.

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