TULE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 2024-2025 HUNT SEASON
At Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, public waterfowl and pheasant hunting will be offered
Public Health Notice
Avian botulism, a waterbird disease, is occurring at Tule Lake NWR impacting over 80,000 birds. Although hunting is allowed on the refuge it is not advised until temperatures reach freezing. If you choose to hunt, please handle, clean, and cook harvested birds carefully, following the CDC guidelines for safe handling and consumption. In addition, toxic algae is present which can be deadly to dogs if they drink or swim in contaminated water.
A Refuge Recreation Pass is required for all hunting on the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Waterfowl:
- Hunting for ducks and geese will begin one half hour before sunrise and end at 1:00 p.m. each day
- Wetland Unit 1A will offer boat and walk in hunting on a first-come, first-served basis
- Wetland Unit 1B will provide boat and walk-in hunting for up to 10 Parties (a party is up to 4 hunters) through a lottery system from October 5 to November 28
- Wetland 1B will become “free roam” first come first served after November 28 but limited to 10 parties
- Fry’s Island will be first come served but hunting and is restricted to one party per lot (6 parties total)
- Hunting in dry and flooded fields will operate on a first-come, first-served basis (no daily drawing)
- Hunters may drive into fields to set up, but must exit fields before shooting time
- Hunters are advised to scout of hunting and plan accordingly
- Some flooded fields may be available
- For more details on the waterfowl season please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website
Wetland Unit 1B Waterfowl Lottery
Access to Wetland Unit 1B at Tule Lake will be managed through an online lottery system. The unit will be open to 10 parties per day from October 5 to November 28, with a separate draw held for each day. The lottery will open at 9 a.m. two days before each hunt and close at 12 p.m. the day before. After the draw closes,10 winners will be randomly selected, and results will be emailed and posted on the recreation access website by 5 p.m. the day before the hunt.
Enter the Lottery for Unit 1B
Waterfowl Season Dates
Special Hunt Seasons: (Ducks and Geese)
Youth Waterfowl Hunt - September 21 & 22 Veteran and Active Military – January 18 & 19
Ducks:
General Season: Ducks - October 5 – January 15 Scaup - October 5 – December 1 & December 19 – January 15
Geese (Canada, White-fronted, White (snow and Ross’s):
General Season: Canada Geese - October 5 – January 12 White and White-fronted geese - October 5 –January 17
* There is no hunting allowed on Tule Lake during the Late White and White-fronted geese season.
Pheasant:
Pheasant hunting will be permitted within the established hunt area at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, from 8:00 a.m. to sunset daily.
Season Dates November 9 – December 22
For more details on the pheasant season, please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website
Additional Information:
See general regulations for more information.