Pheasant Monday at Sacramento, Delevan, and Colusa NWRs is November 13, 2023 (2024 TBD) - the first Monday after Pheasant opener. The assigned pond, assigned blind and free-roam areas are all open to pheasant hunting on this day.
Lottery entries are accepted at the hunter check stations on Sunday from 9am-4pm, with the drawing at 4pm, after which hunters can sign up for the first-come-first-served list.
The check station and parking lot are closed Sunday night, and there are no overnight stays.
Check station gates open at 6:30am Monday, processing begins at 7am, and hunting starts at 8am.
The three check stations close at 3pm Monday. See the CDFW hunting regulations booklet for details.
In-Season Junior Waterfowl Hunt:
Sacramento NWR – December 16, 2023 (2024 TBD). On this day, all blinds at Sacramento NWR are reserved for junior hunters. Hunters must have a valid junior hunting license to apply. Only junior hunters are able to hunt during this event; accompanying adults MAY NOT hunt in the assigned blinds area. Use a postcard to apply directly to the USFWS. For additional information, scroll down to the Junior and Youth Hunting section.
Delevan NWR – December 9, 2023 (2024 TBD). On this day, all blinds at Delevan NWR are reserved for junior hunters. Hunters must have a valid junior hunting license to apply; accompanying adults MAY NOT hunt in the assigned blinds area. Use a postcard to apply directly to the USFWS. For additional information, scroll down to the Junior and Youth Hunting section.
Post-Season Youth Waterfowl Hunt:
February 3-4, 2024 (2025 TBD) - a post-season youth hunt is offered by the state on Sacramento/Delevan/Colusa/Sutter NWRs. Reservation applications can be submitted through the CDFW website at least 17 days in advance of desired hunt day. For additional information, scroll down to the Junior and Youth Hunting section.. Only youth hunters are able to hunt during this event; accompanying adults MAY NOT hunt. Lottery will be the same as regular waterfowl season (see the Admissions Summary table on our Hunting Page).
Possible combinations on the reservation card - must include 1 non-hunting adult guardian:
1 youth hunter and 1 non-shooter (non-shooter must be an adult guardian)
1 youth hunter and up to 2 non-shooters (1 non-shooter must be an adult guardian)
2 youth hunters and 1 non-shooter (non-shooter must be an adult guardian)
2 youth hunters and 2 non-shooters (1 non-shooter must be an adult guardian)
Post-Season Veteran and Active-duty Military Hunt:
February 10-11, 2024 (2025 TBD) -a post-season veteran and active-duty military hunt is offered by the state on Sacramento/Delevan/Colusa/Sutter NWRs. Reservations applications can be submitted through the CDFW website at least 17 days in advance of desired hunt day. Only veterans and active duty military are able to hunt during this event; accompanying non-shooters MAY NOT hunt. Lottery will be the same as regular waterfowl season (see the Admissions Summary table on our Hunting Page).
Any person participating in this special hunt must possess and present upon demand verification of eligibility to participate. Acceptable verification includes a Veteran's ID Card, Military ID Card for active duty, DD Form 214 (honorable discharge), or a State-issued driver's license or Identification Card with Veteran Designation.
Possible combinations on the reservation card:
1 veteran/military hunter and up to 2 non-shooters
2 veteran/military hunters and up to 2 non-shooters
3 veteran/military hunters and 1 non-shooter
4 veteran/military hunters
Special Veteran Hunt at Colusa NWR:
TBD 2025 (was January 7 in 2023). If this event becomes available, hunters can apply through California Waterfowl and will have exclusive use of assigned ponds. Regular reservation holders for that day will only have access to the free roam area.
Special Mentored Spring Turkey Hunt:
Starting in 2020, a special Mentored Spring Turkey Hunt has been in development at Sacramento and Delevan NWRs to connect with first-time hunters in the CDFW hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) program. The Refuge does not administer this program but information may be posted here as it becomes available.
Junior Hunters are 16 and under and possess a Junior Hunting License. - Junior Hunting Licenses are issued to hunters who are less than 16 years old at the beginning of the license year (July 1).
Youth Hunters are 16 or 17 and possess an Adult Hunting License. - Adult Hunting Licenses are issued to hunters who turn 16 on, or before, the beginning of the license year (July 1).
Adult Hunters are 18 or older and posses an Adult Hunting License.
Special Hunts for Juniors/Youths:
In December, two IN-SEASON JUNIOR HUNTS are offered at Sacramento/Delevan NWRs:
Saturday, December 9, 2023 (2024 TBD) at Delevan NWR
Saturday, December 16, 2023 (2024 TBD) at Sacramento NWR
TO APPLY:
To be eligible, applicant must possess a Junior Hunting license. Youth hunters with Adult Hunting licenses are not eligible.
The In-season Junior Hunt Reservation process opens September 1 for the upcoming season.
Use only standard U.S. Postal Service postcards. (Any type of postcard or write out index card in an envelope).
Type or print clearly.
Give full name, address, telephone number, GO ID number for each junior hunter applying. Up to two junior hunters may apply per card.
One adult (18 years of age or older) MUST accompany up to two juniors but no more than four people can occupy one blind.
Junior hunters must specify their choice of either Sacramento NWR or Delevan NWR. Junior hunters may apply for both refuge hunts but must use separate postcards.
Mail postcards to: Refuge Manager, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988
Those not receiving a numbered permit (reservation) will be able to enter a lottery draw held at 5:15 a.m. on the morning of the hunt. Displays and activities pertaining to waterfowl management, hunting ethics, and hunting techniques will be available weather permitting.
In February, a POST-SEASON YOUTH HUNT is offered by the state on Sacramento/Delevan/Colusa/Sutter NWRs:
To be eligible, applicant must be age 17 or younger at the time of the event, and can possess either a Junior or Adult Hunting license. Individuals 18 years and older are not eligible.
Reservation applications are accepted through CDFW, using their online reservation system at least 17 days prior to the hunt date.
Reservations will be the same as the regular waterfowl season (see the Admissions Summary table on our Hunting Page).
Lottery will be the same as regular waterfowl season (see the Admissions Summary table on our Hunting Page)
2024 Post-Season hunt dates will be Feb. 3-4 (2025 TBD) on Sacramento/Delevan/Colusa; Sutter is a one-day youth hunt on Sunday.
At these events, all junior/youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Accompanying adults may not hunt during Youth Hunt Events.
White-fronted Goose Special Management Area - make sure to review the White-fronted Goose Special Management Area section on our Hunting Page (includes Sacramento/Delevan/Colusa) = a daily bag limit of 3 white-fronts will be allowed during the Youth Hunt.
Delevan NWR: offers 1 Assigned Pond (AP 11) for Junior Hunters.
This AP will be given to the first interested party having a Junior Hunter, following the standard admission process. This AP is for hunting parties with a Junior Hunter only, and will not be filled by adult hunting parties.
Accompanying adults may hunt along with the Junior Hunters, as long as it is not during a Junior/Youth Hunting Event (see above).
Colusa NWR: offers 1 Assigned Pond (AP 10) for Junior Hunters.
This AP will be given to the first interested party having a Junior Hunter, following the standard admission process. This AP is for hunting parties with a Junior Hunter only, and will not be filled by adult hunting parties.
Accompanying adults may hunt along with the Junior Hunters, as long as it is not during a Junior/Youth Hunting Event (see above).
Sacramento River NWR - Codora Unit: The Codora Unit is open only to junior hunters, only on weekends, from August 15 - May 31. Junior must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adults may not hunt along with the Junior Hunters.
Junior/Youth Hunter Summary
Question
15 years old or under (Junior)
16 years old with Junior license (Junior)
16 years old with Adult license (Youth)
17 years old with Adult license (Youth)
18 years old with Adult license (Adult)
Participate during in-season junior hunt?
yes
yes
no
no
no
Participate during post-season youth hunt?
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
Needs a Junior Hunting License?
yes
yes
no
no
no
Needs an Adult Hunting License?
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Needs a HIP validation?
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Needs a Type A Pass?
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Needs a Federal Duck Stamp?
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
Needs a State Duck Stamp?
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Needs an Upland Bird Stamp? (only if hunting pheasants)
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Needs an adult accompanying them on regular hunt days?
yes
no
no
no
no
Needs an adult accompanying them at a junior or youth hunt?
yes
yes
yes
yes
n/a
Frequently-asked Questions
Q: Do Junior/Youth Hunters need a license/HIP Valid/Type A Pass/Duck Stamp? A: please see table above
Q: Can an accompanying adult hunt along with junior/youth hunter at Junior/Youth Hunt Event? A: no, adults may not hunt at a Junior/Youth Hunt Event.
Q: Does an accompanying adult for junior/youth hunter need a hunting license? A:no, not if they are not hunting; they must get a non-hunter pass from the check station
Q: Does an accompanying non-hunting adult need a Type-A Pass? A:no, but they do need a non-hunter pass from the check station
Q: If a junior hunter has a reservation for an in-season Junior Hunt (Sac/Del), can they bring a fellow junior hunter on their reservation? A:yes....note: there are only 2 junior hunters allowed per adult
Q: May a 16 or 17 year old junior hunter hunt by themselves? A:Yes on regular shoot days but they will need a non-hunting adult guardian on youth and junior hunts.
Q: May a 16 or 17 year old hunter be accompanied by a 15 year old junior hunter, without an accompanying adult? A:no, junior hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by someone 18 years old, or older
Q: May a 16/17 year old hunter be accompanied by another 16/17 year old hunter on a regular hunt day, without an accompanying adult?
A:yes (see above for a junior or youth hunt)
Q: If a youth turns 16 on July 2, what license do they get? A:They will have a junior license for the season. If the youth turns 16 before July 1, they will have an adult hunting license.
A "mobility impaired hunter” is defined as a person who has been issued one of the following:
A Department of Motor Vehicles Mobility Impaired License Plate
A Permanent Parking Placard Identification Card
A “Mobility Impaired Veteran” License Plate
A valid “Mobility Impaired Persons Motor Vehicle Hunting License” (FG Form 1460).
**The blue plastic “Mobility Impaired Parking Placard” may not be substituted for the required identification which bears the name of the mobility impaired person. Mobility impaired hunters must provide the registration certificate for DMV issued mobility impaired license plates.
concrete pad with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). Vehicle access goes right to blind location.
Xfowler floating blind and one 4-man concrete pit blind
The Xfowler floating blind is an 8’x10’ blind with 2 chairs, designed to float in very shallow water, and can be pulled easily across the pond by an able-bodied hunting partner.
Hunters will drive from parking lot D to the west (following signs to blind 9D) to the loading and unloading area. At this location, the hunting party may drop off hunting gear and the hunter with the disability but then must return the vehicle to parking lot D. From the loading and unloading area, a 132 yard hard packed gravel trail will lead hunters to the floating blind docking station. At the floating blind, fold down the ramp from the floating blind and load your hunting gear and the hunter with a disability. Once you have everything loaded, a member of the hunting party can pull the blind 130 yards to the assigned hunting location at an island. Access to the assigned hunting tule island will have an underwater gravel path lined with guide stakes leading to the hunting location. The 4-man concrete pit blind will remain at the old blind 9 location permitting hunters to use either blind.
When hunters choose blind 9D through the reservation, lottery, or first-come first-serve process they will be given a combination to the lock on the floating blind at the docking station. They will be responsible for locking the floating blind at the docking station after they have finished hunting for the day.
concrete pad with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is a 90-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
boat launch allows hunters the opportunity to hunt outside of the blind
one 2-man blind with two chairs
bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is a 140-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
update for 2023-24: this pond previously hosted an additional option of an Xfowler floating blind, but this option will not be available for the 2023-24 season
Sacramento NWR - Boat Accessibility: Two boat launches are available for disabled hunters. Boats can be used at AP 27D and free roam T38:1 from parking lot C. Electric motors or manual boats are required. No gas motors are permitted.
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
...has three spaced blind sites designated for mobility-impaired hunters:
bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is a 100-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is a 37-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is an 80-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
Delevan NWR - Boat Accessibility: Two boat launches are available for disabled hunters in free roam. Access is from parking lot C and can access T34.3 and T33. Electric motors or manual boats are required. No gas motors are permitted.
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
...has two assigned ponds designated for mobility-impaired hunters:
assigned pond with a boat launch, Xfowler floating blind and one 2-man blind (constructed on an island)
Island-blind has bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles. Blind has 2 chairs.
Access to the island-blind requires a 364 yard (0.2 mile) walk from the parking lot, of which 201 yards are on a gravel road and 163 yards are on a submerged packed gravel path through the water, marked with guides stakes and reflective tape.
The floating Xfowler blind is anchored at the boat launch in the parking lot to access P2A. Hunters are permitted to move the floating blind anywhere within the assigned pond boundary and must return it to the parking lot when their hunt is completed.
P2A is also accessible via boat from the boat launch at the mobility-impaired parking lot
assigned pond with a boat launch and one 2-man blind with two chairs
bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is a 102-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
P2B is also accessible via boat from the boat launch at the mobility-impaired parking lot. Electric motors or manual boats are required. No gas motors are permitted.
Colusa NWR - Boat Accessibility: Disabled hunters may access P2A and P2B via boat. The boat launch is accessible from the disabled parking lot. Electric motors or manual boats are required. No gas motors are permitted.
assigned pond with a boat launch and one 2-man blind with two chairs
bike-track flooring with wire fencing, camouflaged with fast grass and tule bundles
access is hard-packed gravel
may access by motor vehicle or ATV (see the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations section, below, specific information on using an ATV). It is a 150-yard walk from the loading and unloading area to the blind site.
Sutter NWR - Boat Accessibility: Disabled hunters may access AP 6D by using a boat with an electric motor or manual. To access assigned pond 6D by boat, hunters may use the boat launch in the disabled hunter parking lot. No gas motors are permitted.
Free roam areas on waterfowl refuge sites are accessed via walking, wheelchair, or by any other non-motorized conveyance. See above for details.
Standard entry procedures will be followed for disabled-accessible waterfowl blinds:
Hunters need to apply through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reservation system to reserve a blind or hunt site for the disabled at Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, or Sutter NWR. If a hunter is not drawn for a reservation, he or she may still enter the lottery or the first-come, first-served line and will be processed in a separate line for the accessible blinds only. Scroll down to find more information in the Mobility-Impaired Reasonable Accommodations Procedures section, below.
Turkey, Deer, and Feral Pig Hunting Opportunities:
Sacramento River NWR
Two accessible blinds are available on the Sacramento River NWR via reservation to hunt turkey, deer, and feral pig. The reservation form should be submitted at least three days in advance and is available on the website. Hunting is available on a first-come, first-reservation basis seven days a week during the appropriate season and hunters with disabilities must have an approved reservation form to use the blind. Approved hunters will receive a gate code permitting them to drive into the area to park near the blind. See the Unit maps for blind locations.
Rio Vista Unit (Tehama County) of the Sacramento River NWR: has a packed gravel trail with a hunting blind developed for turkey hunting. The pad and trail to the blind are packed gravel. The blind is constructed of wood and metal frame, hog wire siding and has camouflaged netting attached. There are four shooting slots cut into the siding and brush material for natural concealment on the outside. Hunting on Rio Vista for able-bodied hunters is by boat access only. Disabled hunters with a reservation will be able to drive in to access the blind. *This blind was not created for dove hunting (surrounded by trees).
Sul Norte Unit (Glenn County) of the Sacramento River NWR: The pad and trail are packed gravel. The blind is constructed of wood and metal frame, hog wire siding, and it is brushed with natural material. There are four shooting slots cut into the siding and brush material for natural concealment.
Please use thisformto make a reservation to access either of the disabled blinds on the Sacramento River NWR. The form must be submitted at least 3 days prior to your reservation. The form can be emailed, faxed, mailed, or dropped of at the visitor center. Hunters must provide proper mobility impaired paperwork.
For additional access needs, please contact the refuge manager at 530-934-2801.
A "mobility impaired hunter” is defined as a person who has been issued one of the following:
A Department of Motor Vehicles Mobility Impaired License Plate
A Permanent Parking Placard Identification Card
A “Mobility Impaired Veteran” License Plate
A valid “Mobility Impaired Persons Motor Vehicle Hunting License” (FG Form 1460).
**The blue plastic “Mobility Impaired Parking Placard” may not be substituted for the required identification which bears the name of the mobility impaired person. Mobility impaired hunters must provide the registration certificate for DMV issued mobility impaired license plates. Any person who possesses a valid Mobility Impaired Persons Motor Vehicle Hunting License (FG 1460), issued by the CDFW, is qualified to enter under the “reasonable accommodation procedures”. Use of a motor vehicle is limited to the procedures described below.
II. Methods of Entry
a. Reservations:
Mobility impaired (MI) reservations on Sacramento and Delevan National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) will be processed starting 2 ½ hours before waterfowl shoot time until 1 ½ hours before waterfowl shoot time. On Colusa and Sutter NWRs, MI reservations will be processed starting 2 hours before waterfowl shoot time until 1 hour before waterfowl shoot time.
Hunters holding MI hunter reservations issued by California Department of Fish & Wildlife License and Revenue Branch will be processed first according to the following procedures:
Numbered reservations will be called in sequence.
MI hunters must provide proof of eligibility as described in “Definition of Mobility Impaired”.
The reservation holder (junior or adult) must have the appropriate documentation (see above) to access MI hunting sites.
b. Lottery List:
After the cut-off time for reservations and prior to calling other hunters, the area manager may issue any vacant MI hunting sites to MI hunters in the "lottery line”.
To be eligible for a MI site the MI hunter’s name must appear on the front of the lottery card and the MI box must be marked. It is the hunter’s responsibility to check the appropriate MI box on the lottery entry card or request that the MI box be marked if the check station staff is filling out their card.
If there is more than one MI hunter in the lottery line who has checked the MI entry box, the lowest number will have first choice.
However, if there are no vacant or desirable MI Blinds, or MI Assigned Ponds, these hunters may be placed on the MI “blind waiting” or “pond waiting” list.
MI hunters who have checked the MI Entry Box may not have access to a nonmobility impaired blind site for the hunt day. They may choose to go to free roam when their number is called along with the standard lottery hunters.
MI hunters entering the lottery through the standard process, with the MI Entry Box unchecked, will be processed as any other hunter in the lottery line and are not eligible for access to MI sites.
MI hunters who wish to use their non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors may gain entry to the free roam areas (except Colusa and Sutter NWRs) by using accessible boat ramps through the standard reservation and lottery draw systems.
III. Refilling Mobility Impaired Blinds
Sacramento NWR – 5D, 23D, 27D and 9 D may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
Delevan NWR- Blinds 13D, 29D and 30D may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
Colusa NWR – Ponds P2A and P2B may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
Sutter NWR – Pond 6D may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
IV. ATV Use (Sacramento and Delevan NWRs only)
Only MI hunters may use ATV's to access designated hunting sites.
A helmet must be worn while driving the ATV.
A driver must provide proof of completion of ATV safety training.
V. Other
MI hunters desiring special accommodations should use the above procedures. MI hunters who want to hunt without any accommodations, and do not need assistance, are welcome to enter the hunting area under standard procedures.
During the in-season junior hunts and post season youth hunts, junior/youth hunters may access the MI hunting sites via the lottery process, if they have a guardian with a permanent disability and the MI sites
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