Jesse's Hunting Page with gear reviews, hunting photos,

The application deadline to apply for the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunts at Lake Barrett, Upper and Lower Otay Reservoir, and Sutherland Reservoir is Monday, Sept. 20, according to Jim Brown, the lakes program manager.

Application form packets are available by calling (619) 668-2030 or by sending an e-mail with your mailing address to sqs@sdcity.sannet.gov. Completed applications may be faxed back on Sept. 20 to (619) 443-7681. The lottery drawing will be held on Sept. 21.

Reservations not filled in the drawing will be available first-come, first-serve beginning Oct. 2 either in person or through the mail.

The waterfowl season in the Southern California Zone is from Oct. 16 through Jan. 23. As in the past, Barrett and Lower and Upper Otay will operate on Saturdays and Wednesday, while Sutherland will be open on Sundays and Thursdays. All hunting will cease at noon.

1999 Waterfowl Limits and computerized refuge reservation system. 9//8/99 . Credit to MorDucks for this info

1999 waterfowl limits will be 7 ducks per day. The mix details are as follows:
All 7 can be mallards, only 2 may be hens. The mix may include no more than: 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, 4 scaup (bluebill). The computerized refuge reservation system is the same as last year. If you used the system last year, you will receive a preprinted form with a related information package later this week or by next week. There will be a trick map and duck id materials with the package. Credit CWA and Winchester-Bismuth with paying printing costs. Reservation applications must be received by DFG more than 17 days prior to the hunt date you wish to draw for. Mike Hill of DFG reports that last year a total of 15,000 application/hunt days (= $15,000) were not included in the draw for various reason including failures to check boxes etc. 80% of the rejections were simply because the applications were submitted too late.

You may draw for all hunt days at all refuges or all Saturdays or all Sundays or all Wednesdays. There is a cut off date for using the season long/every hunt day application. You may also submit 5 day mixed refuge and shoot day applications and 1 day applications. Fees will vary for each option. Checks and credit cards are accepted. Licensed Junior hunters may apply for reservations just like adults.

There are two new refuges for which reservations will be issued Frietas Boat North and Freitas Boat South. The areas are near the Kesterson and Los Banos Refuges.

Hunters will have a choice of six non-toxic shots for the upcoming waterfowl season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last Thursday. Following a public comment period that ended July 19, the Service has given permanent approval to tungsten-iron and tungsten-polymer shot, manufactured by Federal Cartridge Corporation in Anoka, Minn. The approval was made after the USFWS reviewed research that showed no harm to birds that ingest the pellets. Hunters were allowed to use those shots during the 1998-99 season after they were given temporary approval by the Service. The Service has also given temporary approval to tungsten-matrix and tin shot for the upcoming season. Preliminary tests showed no adverse health effects on waterfowl exposed to either shot.

"Protecting waterfowl, while also making it easier for hunters to comply with non-toxic shot regulations, has always been our goal. This year, hunters will have a wide range of shot choices, each of which will help ensure the future health of our waterfowl resources,'' said John Rogers, acting service director. In 1991, lead shot was phased out for use in waterfowl hunting because it was found to be toxic to ducks and geese that ingest it while feeding. At that time, steel shot became the only legal load for waterfowl hunting until bismuth-tin shot was given permanent approval. The tungsten-matrix shot, manufactured by the Kent Cartridge Manufacturing Co. of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was given temporary approval for part of the 1998-99 season and temporary approval again for the whole season this year.

The International Tin Research Institute, based in Oxbridge, England, applied for temporary approval for tin shot last year. More extensive tests to determine both shots' impact on birds' long-term health and reproductive cycles must be conducted before either can be considered for permanent approval. In its previous decisions, the Service did not approve the use of any tungsten-based shot in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta because of concern that the absorption of tungsten into the femur, kidney, and liver could potentially affect the threatened spectacled eider. However, based on test results that showed no adverse toxicological impacts on birds that ingested tungsten-iron and tungsten-polymer shot, the Service sees no reason to prohibit the use of those shots or of tungsten-matrix shot on the delta this season.

California Waterfowl 1999 - 2000 Regulations

Northeastern California Zone: Duck season runs from October 9, 1999 to January 16, 2000. Goose seasons are as follows: For White-fronted and Cackling Geese: October 9 to November 21, 1999. For all other geese: October 9 to January 16, 2000. The goose limit is three per day. The daily bag may contain up to two dark geese, of which one may be a cackler or all three may be white geese. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. (Please see the Regulations for special closures in some area.) The special youth waterfowl hunt date is Saturday, October 2, 1999.

Southern California Zone: Duck season runs from October 16 to January 23. Goose seasons runs from October 23 to January 23.
The goose limit is five per day. Three may be white geese. Three may be dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. The special youth waterfowl hunt date is Saturday, January 29, 2000.

Daily limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is 14.

Colorado River Zone: Duck season runs from October 8 to January 16. Goose season runs from October 11 to January 16. The goose limit is five per day. Three may be white geese. Three may be dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. The special youth waterfowl hunt date is Saturday, January 22, 2000.

Daily limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards or Mexican ducks in combination, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is 14.

Southern San Joaquin Zone: Duck season runs from October 16 to January 23. Goose seasons runs from November 6 to January 23. The goose limit in both zones is three per day. The daily bag may contain up to two dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. The special youth waterfowl hunt date is Saturday, January 29, 2000.

Daily limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is 14.

Balance of the State Zone: Duck season runs from October 16 to January 23. Goose seasons runs from November 6 to January 23. The goose limit in both zones is three per day. The daily bag may contain up to two dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. The special youth waterfowl hunt date is Saturday, January 29, 2000.

Daily limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is 14.

Goose Definitions: "Dark geese" include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese (also known as specklebellys).
"Canada geese" includes western Canada geese (a.k.a. Honkers) and lesser Canada geese (a.k.a. Lessers). "Cackling geese" or cacklers as they're also called, are small white cheeked geese about the size of a mallard duck. They are identical in appearance to Canada Geese, but for these regulations, cacklers are not considered Canada Geese. "White geese" includes snow geese and Ross' geese.
"Aleutian geese" are medium sized, white cheeked geese which are fully protected in California. For these regulations, Aleutian geese are not considered Canada Geese.

Shooting Hours for the state duck and goose season are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Exception is areas over or adjacent to Morro Bay, which is 8 am to sunset.

License Requirements: You need a valid California hunting license. You'll also need both the California Duck Stamp and the Federal Duck Stamp if you are hunting waterfowl anywhere in the State. Waterfowl means ducks, geese, coots, moorhen, and brandt. California hunting licenses and duck stamps are available from most license agents and Department offices. Federal duck stamps are available at post offices and some license agents. A. State Duck Stamps cost $10.50. Federal Duck Stamps cost $15.

Junior hunters (anyone with a valid junior hunting license) do not have to have a State Duck Stamp. However, once a junior hunter reaches 16 years of age, he/she will need a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl.

California resident hunting license is $27.25. Non resident hunting license is $95.50 or 2 day non resident license is $26.50. Junior (resident or non resident) hunting license is $6.75. Both are available from Department of Fish and Game license sales counters and license agents.

Shotshell Requirements: Steel shot is required to hunt waterfowl anywhere in California. On most national wildlife refuges and some state wildlife areas, steel shot is also required to hunt pheasant. However, since requirements vary, check the "Hunting on State and Federal Areas" regulation booklet for the area(s) you want to hunt. Remember, you cannot possess lead shot while hunting waterfowl, even during pheasant season.

Where can I get State Wildlife Area Hunt application forms? The $1.05 and $5.25 application forms are available from license agents and Department license sales counters. Please use our search engine to find a License Agent virtually anywhere in California. Use URL http://www.dfg.ca.gov/cgi-bin/srch to access this information. The season-long form is available from Department offices or by calling the License and Revenue Branch at (916) 227-2242. The approximately 13,000 Hunters who applied for reservations during the 1998 Waterfowl Season should receive a season-long application form in the Mail for the 1999 season in mid- September.

SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA

2/1/00 At San Jacinto, 16 junior hunters shot 27 birds, and Raahauge's had 40 junior hunters, where several young hunters shot limits. "It was a great hunt," said Mike Raahauge. "I had kids who had seven ducks, but most of the kids had only one or two birds -- but they shot a box of shells. They had a great time." While Kern and Wister had more junior hunters than last year, San Jacinto's hunt was "sparsely attended," according to Tom Paulek, San Jacinto's manager. Of the 35 possible reservations available, only 25 were issued and only 11 of those showed up with the rest of the hunters walk-ons. "Opportunity without any ducks in no fun," said Paulek, in reference to San Jacinto's generally poor season.

1/25/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 52 hunters last Wednesday who shot 52 ducks for a 1.04 average. The bag included 23 cinnamon teal, 14 shovelers, seven gadwall, five greenwing teal, two pintail, one redhead, one ringneck, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 62 hunters who shot 68 ducks and four coots for a 1.16 average. The duck bag consisted of 32 cinnamons, nine shovelers, eight greenwings, six gadwall, six bufflehead, three ruddies, two redheads, one mallard and one canvasback.

1/18/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 53 hunters last Wednesday who shot 72 ducks for a 1.36 average. The bag included 18 cinnamon teal, 17 greenwings, 11 shovelers, nine ruddies, eight gadwall, four canvasback, three pintail, and two mallards. On Saturday, there were 73 hunters who shot 51 ducks and four coots for a .75 average. The duck bag consisted of 15 gadwall, 12 greenwing, eight shovelers, seven cinnamons, four pintail, three ruddies, and two bufflehead.

1/11/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 52 hunters last Wednesday who shot 77 ducks for a 1.48 average. The duck bag included 30 greenwing teal, 28 shovelers, seven gadwall, three mallards, three pintail, three cinnamon teal, two ruddies, and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 74 hunters who shot 78 ducks for a 1.05 average. The bag consisted of 30 greenwings, 22 shovelers, 13 gadwall, six cinnamons, three pintail, three ruddies and one bufflehead.

Tom Paulek, the refuge manager at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, said it was the worst season on record at this area. Hunters averaged just barely over a bird each on both shoot days this past week. "I think we'll be lucky if we have a 1.4 average this year," said Paulek, saying he thought the problem might be two-fold, blaming weather for not pushing more birds south and perhaps additional hunting pressure put on the area by all-day and refill hunting. "I think there's not that many birds down, and we're maybe hitting them a little too hard. We're providing a lot of opportunity, but the quality has suffered," said Paulek.

1/4/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 65 hunters last Wednesday who shot 146 ducks for a 2.24 average. The duck bag included 66 shovelers, 52 greenwings, eight cinnamons, five gadwall, five ruddies, three widgeon, three pintail, three bufflehead, and one goldeneye. On Saturday, there were 45 hunters who shot 65 ducks for a 1.44 average. The duck bag included 28 shovelers, 22 greenwings, six gadwall, three cinnamons, three pintail, one mallard, one canvasback, and one ruddy.

12/29/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 63 hunters last Wednesday who shot 55 ducks, three Canada geese, and a coot for a .94 average. The duck bag consisted of 23 shovelers, 13 ruddies, 10 greenwings, three gadwall, three pintail, two redheads, and one cinnamon teal. There was no hunting Christmas day. As with the past few weeks, the geese are being taken from the new blind sites on the north end of Mystic Lake.

12/22/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 37 hunters last Wednesday who shot 66 ducks for a 1.78 average. The duck bag included 21 greenwings, 16 ruddies, nine shovelers, seven bufflehead, five cinnamon teal, three gadwall, three pintail, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 40 hunters who shot 48 ducks and two coots for a 1.25 average. The duck kill included 22 shovelers, 12 greenwings, five ruddies, four cinnamon teal, three pintail, and two gadwall.

12/15/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 35 hunters last Wednesday who shot 42 and two coots for a 1.26 average. The duck bag included 10 shovelers, eight gadwall, seven greenwing teal, four cinnamon teal, three widgeon, three ruddies, two mallards, two redheads, one pintail, one ringneck, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 65 hunters who shot 30 ducks, 13 coots, two whitefront geese and one Canada goose for a .71 average. The duck bag included eight shovelers, seven ruddies, five greenwings, three gadwall, three cinnamons, two canvasback, one mallard, and one pintail. For last Monday's pheasant hunt there were 23 hunters who shot five pheasants.

12/8/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 45 hunters last Wednesday who shot 47 ducks, two coots, and one Canada goose for a 1.11 average. The duck bag included 10 gadwall, 10 shoveler, eight bufflehead, seven greenwing teal, four ruddies, three widgeon, two pintail, one redhead, one ringneck, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 59 hunters who shot 49 ducks and two Canada geese for a .86 average. The duck bag consisted of 18 gadwall, eight greenwings, five shovelers, three mallards, three canvasback, three ringnecks, three ruddies, two widgeon, two bufflehead, one cinnamon teal, and one redhead. The first geese of the season were also taken at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area this past weekend, but all came from surprising blind sites. One bird came from Pond 3, another from A-2, and one from Marsh B. The duck harvest at San Jacinto continues to be dismal, however. Last Monday's pheasant hunt saw 37 hunters take three pheasants.

12/1/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 47 hunters last Wednesday who shot 43 ducks and three coots for a .98 average. The duck bag included 11 greenwings, seven mallards, five widgeon, five bufflehead, four gadwall, four ringnecks, three ruddies, two pintail, one cinnamon teal, and one hooded merganser. On Saturday, there were 66 hunters who shot 60 ducks and eight coots for a 1.03 average. The bag included 19 greenwings, nine widgeon, nine shovelers, six ruddies, five cinnamons, four gadwall, two scaup, two bufflehead, two pintail, one mallard, and one ringneck. For last Monday's pheasant hunt, there were 49 hunters who shot 15 pheasants.

11/24/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 53 hunters last Wednesday who shot 75 ducks and six coots for a 1.53 average. The duck bag included 14 greenwing teal, 13 gadwall, 12 ringnecks, nine ruddy ducks, six widgeon, six pintail, four cinnamon teal, four bufflehead, three shoveler, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 62 hunters who shot 76 ducks and one coot for a 1.24 average. The duck bag consisted of 25 greenwing teal, nine gadwall, seven widgeon, seven redhead, six pintail, six shoveler, five bufflehead, two mallards, one cinnamon, and one ringneck.

11/17/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 84 hunters last Wednesday who shot 149 ducks and six coots for a 1.77 average. The duck bag included 45 widgeon, 22 gadwall, 21 greenwing teal, 20 ruddies, 15 pintail, 11 shovelers, four cinnamon teal, three ringnecks, two mallards, two redheads, two canvasback, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 58 hunters who shot 63 ducks for a 1.09 average. The bag included 18 widgeon, 13 greenwings, seven shovelers, five redheads, five pintail, four ringnecks, three mallards, three canvasback, two scaup, one gadwall, one cinnamon teal, and one ruddy.

11/10/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 75 hunters last Wednesday who shot 146 ducks and six coots for a 2.03 average. The duck bag included 57 widgeon, 26 pintail, 15 gadwall, 14 greenwing teal, seven mallards, seven ringnecks, six shovelers, five ruddies, four redheads, three cinnamon teal, one scaup, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 71 hunters who shot 83 ducks and five coots for a 1.24 average. The bag included 26 widgeon, 14 pintail, nine greenwings, eight shovelers, seven ringnecks, four mallards, three gadwall, three cinnamons, three redheads, three bufflehead, one canvasback, and one ruddy.

11/3/99 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 46 hunters last Wednesday who shot 85 ducks and three coots for a 1.91 average. The duck bag included 30 widgeon, 13 greenwing teal, eight cinnamon teal, seven mallards, seven pintail, seven shovelers, four redheads, four scaup, two ringnecks, two ruddies, and one gadwall. On Saturday, there were 86 hunters who shot 148 ducks for a 1.72 average. The bag included 102 widgeon, 34 pintail, 21 gadwall, seven greenwings, seven bufflehead, five ringnecks, four cinnamons, three shovelers, three ruddies, one mallard, and one redhead.

10/27/99 San Jacinto Wildlife Area, which had a dismal opening day, it's worst ever at 1.75 birds per hunter, rebounded last Wednesday with a 2.5 average -- and at least four limits -- and then fell back to 1.5 birds this past Saturday. On Wednesday, there were two hunters each in blind sites C-1 and D-1, and all posted limits. At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 66 hunters last Wednesday who shot 169 ducks and 19 coots for a 2.84 average. The duck bag included 43 widgeon, 30 cinnamon teal, 23 mallards, 23 greenwing teal, 13 gadwall, 10 pintail, 10 ringnecks, eight shovelers, six ruddies, two scaup, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 67 hunters who shot 101 ducks and 13 coots for a 1.70 average. The duck bag included 27 widgeon, 22 greenwings, 20 cinnamons, 13 shovelers, five mallards, five gadwall, three ruddies, two redheads, two scaup, one pintail, and one canvasback.

10/20/99 Saturday there were 92 hunters who shot 161 ducks and seven coots for a 1.83 birds-per-hunter average, the worst opening day on record for the wildlife area. The bag consisted of 68 cinnamon teal, 34 greenwings, 30 widgeon, 19 mallards, four pintail, two gadwall, two ringnecks, and two ruddies. There were a total of 33 blind sites open for Saturday's opening day, including five new sites on Mystic Lake. "It was pretty foggy all morning and then hot the rest of the day -- it was in the 90s," said Tom Paulek, the area manager at San Jacinto, which had a 1.75 duck average opening day. Last year the average was 4.13 birds per hunter. "I think the birds were around, but it was just a good day for the birds. Everybody said they heard a lot of birds." Paulek did report that a number of limits were posted at San Jacinto, with the D2 blind site cranking out 14 birds for two hunters. The bag there was one mallard, five widgeon, seven cinnamon teal, and one greenwing teal. The new Mystic Lake blind sites generally shot poorly, with three of the five sites seeing no birds taken.

Five new blind sites have been added at the Department of Fish and Game's San Jacinto Wildlife Area for the 1999-2000 hunting season, according to area manager Tom Paulek. The new sites sit on the northern shoreline of Mystic Lake, a recently acquired piece of property that is now part of the wildlife area. The five sites "will require a little bit of hiking to get to, but they should be very productive,'' said Paulek. The new sites are labeled M-1 through M-5, and all five sites have blinds that sit out into the shallow lake a short distance.

The addition of the new sites brings the total number of sites at San Jacinto to 35, although two other sites (C4 and Marsh C) have become almost completely overgrown with cattails and will not be opened for this year's Saturday opener.

"We're expected a good opener,'' said Paulek, who estimated there were from 2,000 to 4,000 ducks already in the San Jacinto Valley. "We're seeing a good number of birds -- a lot of widgeon, teal, and some pintail. They tell me we've got a lot of ducks coming down this way, so it should be a good fall.'' There are also a handful of resident Canada geese that have stayed in the area through the summer, feeding in area alfalfa and on the nearby golf course and roosting on Mystic Lake.

Last year, San Jacinto had a 1.6-birds-per-hunter average for the season, it's lowest tally since 1989. It's record season was 1992-93 when hunters average 2.85 birds each, one of the highest averages in the state. However, more than twice as many birds were taken by hunters last year as in 1992 because more hunters have been allowed on the area with an increase in blind sites, all-day hunting, and unlimited refills. Top 10 blinds and average for 1997 in descending order from #1, B-3 2.74 average, B-2 2.65 average, D-1 2.31 average, B-4 2.26 average, E-4 2.07 average, A-2 2.00 average, C-3 2.00 average, C-2 1.99 average, D-2 1.90 average, E-3 1.87 average.

The first year refills and all-day hunting was instituted was 1997-98. That year there were a record number of hunters at 1,865 and the highest harvest ever at 3,370 waterfowl (1.81 average). Last year, hunters numbers dropped off to 1,505 and the harvest was 2,410, and most San Jacinto veterans said last year was one of the worst in recent memory from a bird numbers and weather standpoint.

Paulek wanted to remind hunters that the northern portion of Mystic Lake will have buoys delineating the new, state-ownership line. Boat hunters who have access to the lower portions of the lake may not hunt the northern portion of the lake because it is now part of the wildlife area and subject to permit-only hunting for waterfowl.

Due to ongoing construction of the Inland Feeder water pipeline project which is following Davis Road through the wildlife area, access to the wildlife area has only been from the north on Davis Road, but that could change each week, so hunters are encouraged to call the wildlife area for updated information. The phone number is (909) 654-0580.

COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES

The Colorado River Indian Tribes, (CRIT), own the 330,000 acres of property between Parker, Arizona to just north of Interstate 10 near Blythe. No state license is required, but hunters must have a seasonal permit from CRIT, which is $45. The permit allows hunters to hunt quail, ducks, and small game in season. CRIT hunting permits are available at Woody's Gas and Snack, 1001 Fiesta, Parker, Arizona. Ph# 520-669-8792. At the Yellow Mart, 228 Hobson Way, Blythe, ph# 760-922-4215. Also at the CRIT Fish and Game office, 2100 Mutahar, Parker, Arizona, ph# 520-669-9285.

Above the Colorado River Indian Tribes is the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation, extending from Needles north to the Arizona-Nevada border. This reservation has land on both sides of the river and you can obtain a hunting permit to hunt there. PH# 520-330-3000.

CHINO VALLEY PRISON/DAIRY AREA

1/11/00 About 550 honkers were loafing at the pond in he southeast corner of the prison with a handful of ducks and several snow geese. Jesse

1/4/00 Scouted the prison ponds and there were only 250 geese today. Don't know where the rest were, maybe hanging out over at Hidden Valley or in some fields nearby. Only a handful of ducks, mostly mallards and greewnwing teal. Jesse

12/29/99 I scouted the prison ponds today and it looks like some more honkers moved into the area. About 600 honkers were loafing at the pond in he southeast corner of the prison with a handful of mallards and several snow geese. All the greenwing teal from last week were gone. Jesse

12/22/99 I scouted the Chino Prison ponds today and there were about 300 to 400 honkers hunkered down out of the wind. There were also about 100 greenwings, 10 mallards, 10 cinnamon teal, and a couple of gadwall. One red-tailed hawk tried to make a dinner out of a few of the ducks by taking advantage of the ducks confusion in all the gusting wind. The hawk was unsuccessful when I left after watching him for 15 minutes. Jesse

12/10/99 I scouted the prison ponds and there were around 300 honkers resting there at 11:00 am. There were also many greenwings, a few mallards and a handful of cinnamon teal. Jesse

I just saw where Ontario City annexed a lot of the land around the dairies into the city limits, so it looks like the time to shoot ducks here is fading fast. Chino City is planning their annexation of the rest of the land in the Chino Dairy Agriculture Preserve in the next 2 years, so that will about take all the huntable land there. Jesse

11/3/99 I scouted the prison ponds today and there were about 75 ducks hanging out, mostly greenwings, shovelers, and some mallards. No geese around yet, they should start arriving any day now. Jesse

Gary Burke ... Canada Goose hunting on Norco/Chino Valley dairies. Ph# 1-909-736-0570. 60 acres of pasture right in an established flight path near the the State Prison in Chino. Double set of pit blinds and big spread of decoys. I've hunted next to Gary's setup, and they whack the geese consistently and early enough to catch breakfast at the Chino airport cafe.

LAKE PERRIS

1/25/00 At LAKE PERRIS, there were 17 hunters last Wednesday who shot one mallard and one scaup for a .12 average. On Saturday, 16 hunters shot six ducks for a .38 average. The bag consisted of two greenwings, two shovelers, one mallard, and one gadwall.

1/18/00 At LAKE PERRIS, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 26 ducks and one whitefront goose for a 2.25 average. The duck bag consisted of 15 gadwall, five mallards, two greenwings, two cinnamons, and two shovelers. On Saturday, there were 10 hunters who shot 10 ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag included nine gadwall and one mallard.

1/11/00 At LAKE PERRIS, there were 16 hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 gadwall, a mallard, and a cinnamon teal for a .75 average. On Saturday, there were 11 hunters who shot 18 gadwall for a 1.64 average.

1/4/00 At LAKE PERRIS, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot three mallards, one gadwall and a coot for a .42 average. On Saturday, there was one hunter who shot four widgeon for a 4.00 average.

12/29/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks and two coots for a 1.00 average. The duck bag included three shovelers, two mallards, and a ringneck. There were no hunting on Christmas day.

12/22/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot four ducks for a .50 average. The bag included two mallards, a scaup, and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were seven hunters who shot 10 ducks for a 1.43 average. The bag consisted of six shovelers, two gadwall, one greenwing, and one cinnamon.

12/15/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were five hunters last Wednesday who didn't shoot a duck. On Saturday, there were six hunters who shot four mallard, two gadwall, and one bufflehead for a 1.17 average.

12/8/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks, two widgeon, one mallard, one gadwall, one greenwing, and one shoveler, for a 1.20 average. There were no hunters on Saturday due to high winds. Hunting is allowed until noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

12/1/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were 10 hunters last Wednesday who shot seven ducks, three widgeon, two greenwings, one bufflehead, and one ruddy, for a .70 average. On Saturday, there were four hunters who shot four ducks, three greenwings, and one gadwall, for a 1.0 average.

11/24/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were three hunters last Wednesday who shot three ducks, two greenwing and a mallard, for a 1.00 average. On Saturday, there were four hunters who shot three ducks for a .75 average. The bag included one gadwall, one greenwing, and one ruddy.

11/17/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were three hunters last Wednesday who shot two ducks, a pintail and a greenwing, for a .67 average. On Saturday, there were 13 hunters who shot two ducks, a mallard and a greenwing, for a .15 average.

11/10/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were 15 hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 ducks, three mallards, three gadwall, two greenwings, a cinnamon, and a bufflehead, for a .67 average. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot 12 ducks for a .80 average. The bag included six greenwing teal, one mallard, one gadwall, one widgeon, one pintail, one shoveler, and one ringneck.

11/3/99 At LAKE PERRIS, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks, five greenwing teal and a mallard, for a 1.5 average. On Saturday, there were eight hunters who shot 20 ducks for a 2.50 average. The bag included seven mallards, five gadwall, three scaup, one widgeon, one greenwing, one cinnamon, one ringneck, and one ruddy.

10/27/99 Lake Perris has been shooting pretty well since the opener with averages generally above two birds per hunter, but the quality of the bag has been excellent. Since opening day there have been 79 ducks taken and 47 of those have been mallards. At LAKE PERRIS, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks, four mallards, a gadwall, and a shoveler for a 1.5 average. On Saturday, there were 10 hunters who shot 21 ducks for a 2.10 average. The bag included 11 mallards, five gadwall, four greenwings, and one widgeon.

10/20/99 there were 17 hunters on opening Saturday who shot 52 ducks for a 3.05 average. The bag included 32 mallards, seven greenwings, five gadwall, two widgeon, two cinnamons, two ruddies, one shoveler, and one ringneck.

The launch area for waterfowl hunters at Lake Perris has been changed for this fall's hunting season, according to the Department of Fish and Game. Due to deterioration of the Bernasconi Beach launch ramp, hunters will be launching and checking in at the new jet ski launch ramp (Power Cove) at Lots 11 and 12 inside the Lake Perris State Recreation Area.

Check in is 5 a.m. and access to this area is only through the Via Del Lago Lake Perris entry gate. To reach this park entrance, take Moreno Beach Drive south off Interstate 60 and travel three miles to Via Del Lago, turn left and go a half-mile to the state park entrance. The check station is one-half mile past the gate inside the Lots 11 and 12 parking area at the launch ramp.

Perris is open to waterfowl hunting on a first-come, first-serve basis on Wednesdays and Saturdays until noon and all hunters must have a boat with a motor. For more information, contact the San Jacinto Wildlife Area at (909) 654-0580.

Owens River Valley

Check out the old channel of the Owens River from the inlet at Owens Lake north to Independence. There are ponds and potholes where you can find mallards, greenwing teal and gadwall. Jump shooting is the ticket here. Crowley Lake, Tinnemaha Reservoir and Bridgeport Reservoir offer tube and boat hunters some good gunning. The lakes usually freeze up by mid December. Mono Lake and Basin is another place to try.

BALDWIN LAKE

1/25/00 BALDWIN LAKE, in the San Bernardino Mountains, never opened waterfowl hunting this year, due to lack of water.

Baldwin Lake will not be open to waterfowl hunting on opening day this year, due to lack of water. Hunters who were issued reservations at Baldwin may hunt at San Jacinto Wildlife Area, but their reservations will be filled after San Jacinto reservations are filled. Baldwin, should it get water before the end of the season, will be open to hunters with hand-launchable boats on Wednesday and Saturday schedule. For information on hunting Baldwin, contact the DFG office in Long Beach at (562) 590-5158. Latest hunt info contact Chuck Fowler at Big Bear Sporting Goods 1-909-866-3222.

Currently, hunters must drag or carry their boats about 150 yards from the main parking area to water. The parking lot is on the northeast shore of the lake, just off to the right from Highway 18. The lake is about 1/2 full which makes for some tight shooting. Lots of cans and mallards though. You must shoot from your boat, so be careful, as the wardens like to watch from afar. There is some cover along the levees, but not much, so bring some camo to hide the boat. Also, there are some blinds in the middle of the lake, but the guys who built them will put up a good fight if you're in them first.

RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN

1/25/00 This past Wednesday, 39 hunters shot 83 ducks for a 2.13 average. The bag consisted of five shovelers, 12 greenwings, 23 cinnamons, seven mallards, two pintail, nine gadwall, two wood ducks, four ruddies, seven ringnecks, and 12 widgeon. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters who shot 79 ducks and six coots for a 2.74 average. The bag included eight shovelers, 11 greenwings, 27 cinnamons, five mallards, one pintail, seven gadwall, six ruddies, two wood ducks, one canvasback, three ringnecks, and eight widgeon. On Sunday, 23 hunters shot 31 ducks for a 1.35 average. The bag consisted of four shovelers, four greenwings, 11 cinnamons, two mallards, two gadwall, three ringneck, and five widgeon.

1/18/00 Complete results are not available for this past week, but average jumped to over two birds per hunter.

1/11/00 This past Wednesday, there were 29 hunters who shot 33 ducks for a 1.14 average. The bag included four shovelers, three greenwings, eight cinnamons, four mallards, two gadwall, one wood duck, one canvasback, one redhead, four widgeon, and eight ringnecks. On Saturday, there were 42 hunters who shot 66 ducks and five coots for a 1.69 average. The duck bag consisted of 11 shovelers, eight greenwings, 15 cinnamons, three mallards, three gadwall, four ruddies, six canvasback, one redhead, seven widgeon, and eight ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 32 hunters who shot 47 ducks and three coots for a 1.59 average. The duck kill consisted of eight shovelers, two greenwings, 17 cinnamons, five mallards, three ruddies, one canvasback, two redheads, eight widgeon, and one merganser.

1/4/00 This past Wednesday, there were 27 hunters who shot 41 ducks and two coots for a 1.59 average. The duck bag included nine shovelers, five greenwings, three cinnamons, five mallards, three pintail, four gadwall, three ruddies, one canvasback, and seven widgeon. On Saturday, there were 19 hunters who shot 20 ducks for a .95 average. The bag included seven shovelers, three greenwings, one mallard, two gadwall, one wood duck, two ruddies, and four widgeon. On Sunday, there were 24 hunters who shot 13 ducks, one Canada goose, and six coots for a .83 average. The bag included four shovelers, one greenwing, one cinnamon, two mallards, one pintail, one ruddy, one canvasback, and two widgeon.

12/29/99 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there 32 hunters this past Wednesday who shot 63 ducks and one honker for a 2.00 average. The duck bag included 10 shovelers, three greenwings, 14 cinnamon teal, 12 mallards, six pintail, six gadwall, four ruddies, two canvasback, one bluebill, four widgeon, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were six hunters who shot 16 ducks and one Canada goose for a 2.83 average. There were three northern shovelers, two greenwings, one mallard, two pintail, one gadwall, one canvasback, two redheads, and four widgeon in the bag. On Sunday, there were 22 hunters who shot 33 ducks for a 1.50 average. The bag included four shovelers, two greenwings, two cinnamons, two mallards, four pintail, four gadwall, one wood duck, three ruddies, one redhead, one bufflehead, three ringnecks, and five widgeon.

12/22/99 This past Wednesday, there 38 hunters who shot 129 ducks and eight coots for a 3.61 average. The bag included 16 shovelers, 14 cinnamon teal, 12 greenwings, 14 mallards, 11 pintail, 24 gadwall, seven ruddies, six canvasback, one redhead, 18 widgeon, and four ringnecks. On Saturday, there were 35 hunters who shot 76 ducks and one Canada goose for a 2.2 average. The duck bag included eight shovelers, 13 greenwings, 17 cinnamons, eight mallards, two pintail, five gadwall, three ruddies, two canvasback, 12 widgeon, and six ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 11 hunters who shot 19 ducks and two coots for a 1.91 average. The duck bag included one shoveler, two greenwings, seven cinnamons, five mallards, two gadwall, one canvasback, and one widgeon.

12/15/99 This past Wednesday there were 41 hunters who shot 90 ducks and four coots for a 2.29 average. The duck bag included 10 shovelers, 11 greenwings, 17 cinnamons, 12 mallards, seven pintail, eight gadwall, seven ruddies, one canvasback, 15 widgeon, and two ringnecks. On Saturday, there were 42 hunters who shot 81 ducks and two Canada geese for a 1.98 average. The duck bag consisted of 15 shovelers, 10 greenwings, eight cinnamons, 14 mallards, six pintail, six gadwall, three ruddies, three canvasback, one redhead, 11 widgeon, and four ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 21 hunters who shot 35 ducks, 11 coots and one honker for a 2.24 average. The duck bag included six shovelers, three greenwings, nine cinnamons, four mallards, two pintail, two gadwall, three ruddies, and six widgeon.

12/8/99 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there are a minimum of 15 blinds open daily to public hunters on this club. Fee is $100 for a two-person blind. Junior hunters can hunt free on these sites when accompanied by a paying adult ($50 for the adult). Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Last Wednesday, there were 36 hunters who shot 119 ducks for 3.31 average. The bag included six shovelers, 11 greenwing, seven cinnamons, 15 mallards, nine pintail, 20 gadwall, six ruddies, four redheads, 37 widgeon, and four ringnecks. On Saturday, there were 40 hunters who shot 117 ducks, five Canada geese, and eight coots for a 3.25 average. The duck bag consisted of 11 shovelers, 21 greenwings, 11 cinnamons, nine mallards, three pintail, 17 gadwall, one wood duck, eight ruddies, two canvasback, four redhead, 22 widgeon, and eight ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 28 hunters who shot 60 ducks and one Canada goose for a 2.18 average. The duck bag included three shovelers, seven greenwings, six cinnamons, four mallards, two pintail, 12 gadwall, six ruddies, one canvasback, 15 widgeon, and four ringnecks. "Overall our averages came up this week. We had a total overall 2.8 birds for all three days, but I'd say duck hunting is still pretty poor," said Raahauge, then he started chuckling. "I say that, but if they just hit what they shot at, it would be a great season. If a guy shoots a box of shells and he only has two birds, what can I do?"

12/1/99 . Last Wednesday, there were 42 hunters who shot 88 ducks for a 2.10 average. The bag consisted of nine shovelers, 10 greenwing teal, three cinnamons, 10 mallards, 19 gadwall, one wood duck, three ruddies, three redheads, two bufflehead, 16 widgeon, and five ringnecks. On Saturday, there were 36 hunters who shot 61 ducks and four Canada geese for a 1.81 average. The bag included five shovelers, six greenwings, four cinnamons, five mallards, four pintail, 17 gadwall, one ruddy, one redhead, 16 widgeon, one bufflehead, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were eight hunters who shot 20 ducks for a 2.50 average. The bag included four shovelers, two greenwings, two cinnamons, one mallard, one pintail, three gadwall, three ruddies, and four widgeon.

11/24/99 Last Wednesday, there were 18 hunters who shot 40 ducks for a 2.22 average. The bag consisted of three shovelers, five greenwings, five cinnamons, three mallards, six pintail, eight gadwall, two redheads, and eight widgeon. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters who shot 50 ducks for a 1.61 average. The bag included eight greenwings, eight cinnamons, six mallards, four pintail, 10 gadwall, eight ruddies, one redhead, four widgeon, and three ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 11 hunters who shot 21 ducks for a 1.90. There were six greenwings, three cinnamons, four mallards, four gadwall, one bufflehead, two widgeon, and one ringneck in the bag. At Raahauge's in the Prado Basin, the duck counts stayed mostly below two birds per hunter, but there were an influx of greenwing teal and gadwall over the weekend as more migrants started to move in.

11/17/99 Last Wednesday, there were 40 hunters who shot 50 ducks for a 1.25 average. The bag consisted of one shoveler, three greenwings, six cinnamons, six mallards, two pintail, 14 gadwall, and 18 widgeon. On Saturday, there were 24 hunters who shot 26 ducks for a 1.08 average. The bag included one shoveler, two greenwings, four cinnamons, six mallards, eight gadwall, one redhead, and four widgeon. On Sunday, there were 12 hunters who shot nine ducks for a .75 average. The bag included two greenwings, one cinnamon, one mallard, two gadwall, one ruddy, and two widgeon.

11/10/99 Last Wednesday, there were 18 hunters shot 22 ducks for a 1.22 average. The bag included two shovelers, three greenwings, one cinnamon, three mallards, two pintail, four gadwall, five widgeon, and two wood ducks. On Saturday, there were 26 hunters who shot 40 ducks and one Canada goose for a 1.58 average. The bag included six greenwings, six cinnamons, four mallards, one pintail, nine gadwall, 12 widgeon, a ring neck, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were eight hunters who shot 10 ducks. The bag included one greenwing, one cinnamon, one mallard, five gadwall, and two widgeon.

11/3/99 Last Wednesday, there were 17 hunters who shot 36 ducks and a Canada goose for a 2.18 average. The duck bag included three shovelers, five greenwings, three cinnamons, 10 mallards, four pintail, four gadwall, one wood duck, and five widgeon. On Saturday, there were 24 hunters who shot 65 ducks for a 2.71 average. The bag included two shovelers, six greenwings, four cinnamons, seven mallards, 11 pintail, 14 gadwall, two wood ducks, 17 widgeon, two ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 14 hunters who shot 23 ducks for a 1.64 average. The bag included two shovelers, two greenwings, two cinnamons, three mallards, four pintail, four gadwall, one ruddy, five widgeon.

10/27/99 Last Wednesday, there were 19 hunters who shot 66 ducks for a 3.47 average. The bag included five shovelers, 20 greenwings, 14 cinnamons, four mallards, four pintail, three gadwall, two wood ducks, two ruddies, two redheads, and 10 widgeon. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot 48 ducks for a 3.2 average. The bag included three shovelers, 10 greenwings, eight cinnamons, four mallards, two pintail, eight gadwall, two wood ducks, one ruddy, one redhead, six widgeon, three ringnecks. On Sunday, there were eight hunters who shot 17 ducks for a 2.16 average. There were three greenwings, five cinnamons, four mallards, one gadwall, two widgeon, and two ringnecks in the bag.

10/20/99 On opening weekend, approximately 60 hunters took 41 greenwing, 25 cinnamons, 22 widgeon, 12 mallards, 10 shovelers, 10 pintail, two gadwall, two ringnecks, one canvasback, and one bluebill. The average was just over two birds per hunter. There are openings for most shoot days available.

There are a minimum of 15 blinds open daily to public hunters on this club. Fee is $100 for a two-person blind. Junior hunters can hunt free on these sites when accompanied by a paying adult ($50 for the adult). Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. All reservations were filled for opening weekend, but there are openings for all other dates. For more information, call the club at (909) 735-7981 or check the club's web site at Raahauge's

WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea

2/1/00 There were 59 junior hunters at the Imperial Wildlife Area's Wister Unit and the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. The 50 junior hunters at Wister really hammered the geese, shooting 61 snows and four Ross' for better than a bird per hunter average. The kids also shot 82 ducks -- including 25 pintail, 22 greenwings, and 16 cinnamon teal, along with a smattering of other birds. There were nine juniors who hunted the federal refuge and they show four Ross' geese and 12 ducks.

1/25/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 215 hunters last Wednesday who shot 259 ducks, 32 snow geese and four Ross' geese for a 1.38 average. The duck bag consisted of 70 greenwings, 62 pintail, 59 cinnamon teal, 32 shovelers, 14 mallards, 14 gadwall, four redheads, three widgeon, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 363 hunters who shot 329 ducks, 45 snow geese, 12 Ross' geese, and one whitefront goose for a 1.07 average. The duck bag included 137 greenwings, 75 cinnamons, 52 pintail, 20 shovelers, 16 gadwall, nine mallards, five widgeon, five redheads, five bufflehead, and five ruddies. On Sunday, there were 197 hunters who shot 75 ducks, 31 snows, and four Ross' geese for a .56 average. The duck bag included 19 cinnamons, 18 greenwings, 14 shovelers, 13 pintail, eight gadwall, two mallards, and one redhead.

1/18/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 187 hunters last Wednesday who shot 279 ducks, 118 snow geese and 15 Ross' geese for a 2.20 average. The duck bag consisted of 94 greenwings, 82 shovelers, 46 pintail, 32 cinnamons, 11 gadwall, eight mallards, five widgeon, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 347 hunters who shot 360 ducks, 70 snow geese, and three Ross' geese for a 1.25 average. The duck bag consisted of 112 cinnamon teal, 98 greenwings, 58 pintail, 52 shovelers, 15 mallards, 11 widgeon, nine gadwall, two ruddies, one redhead, one scaup and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 212 hunters who shot 91 ducks, 40 snow geese, and seven Ross' geese for a .65 average. The duck bag included 25 cinnamon teal, 22 greenwings, 17 shovelers, 12 pintail, six gadwall, five mallards, three widgeon, and one goldeneye.

1/11/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 162 hunters last Wednesday who shot 279 ducks, 74 snow geese and five Ross' geese for a 2.21 average. The duck bag consisted of 103 greenwing teal, 58 pintail, 56 shovelers, 30 cinnamon teal, 18 gadwall, six mallards, four widgeon, two canvasback, one goldeneye and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 379 hunters who shot 797 ducks, 108 snow geese, and 17 Ross' geese for a 2.43 average. The duck bag included 276 greenwing teal, 233 shovelers, 127 cinnamon teal, 91 pintail, 29 gadwall, 13 mallards, 12 widgeon, eight ruddies, five bufflehead, two ringnecks, and one scaup. On Sunday, there were 212 hunters who shot 166 ducks, 109 snow geese, and four Ross' geese for a 1.31 average. The duck bag consisted of 61 shovelers, 38 greenwings, 27 cinnamons, 24 pintail, six gadwall, three widgeon, two mallards, two scaup, two ruddies and one goldeneye.

1/4/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 302 hunters last Wednesday who shot 378 ducks, 124 snow geese, and 17 Ross geese for a 1.71 average. The duck bag included 112 shovelers, 103 greenwings, 64 cinnamons, 57 pintail, 11 mallards, 11 gadwall, six scaup, five canvasback, four widgeon, four bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 122 hunters who shot 163 ducks, 68 snow geese, and 14 Ross' for a 2.00 average. The duck bag consisted of 52 shovelers, 41 greenwings, 33 pintail, 12 cinnamons, 11 gadwall, 10 widgeon, three mallards, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 165 hunters who shot 175 ducks, 59 snow geese, and three Ross' geese for a 1.44 average. The duck bag included 43 shovelers, 35 pintail, 34 greenwings, 22 gadwall, 20 cinnamons, eight widgeon, five ruddies, four mallards, and four redheads.

12/29/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 271 hunters last Wednesday who shot 413 ducks, 176 snow geese and 29 Ross' geese for a 2.28 average. The duck bag consisted of 181 shovelers, 70 greenwing teal, 69 pintail, 28 gadwall, 19 cinnamon teal, 17 widgeon, 12 ruddies, 11 mallards, two scaup, two bufflehead, one redhead, and one canvasback. There was no hunting Christmas day, but on Sunday, there were 219 hunters who shot 298 ducks, 129 snow geese, and 15 Ross geese for a 2.02 average. The duck bag included 71 greenwings, 69 pintail, 61 shovelers, 59 cinnamons, 14 gadwall, 11 mallards, seven widgeon, three scaup, two bufflehead, and one redhead.

Steve Miyamoto, a Department of Fish and Game biologist at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, said the usual goose hunting areas -- T10, T12, U10, U12, and 115 B -- continue to produce quite a few snows. "We still have a lot of geese around, but there's not set pattern from what I've heard from hunter and from what I've seen. With the birds not patterned, you could get them from the whole area," said Miyamoto, indicating that geese have been taken from a wide diversity of blinds that have or are adjacent to green feed. He also noted that the area is still holding a lot of pintail, and that the shovelers and greenwing teal have moving in greater numbers.

12/22/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 207 hunters last Wednesday who shot 443 ducks and 136 snow geese for a 2.79 average. The duck bag included 161 greenwing teal, 102 pintail, 97 shovelers, 31 cinnamon teal, 23 gadwall, 12 widgeon, eight mallards, five ruddies, two bufflehead, one redhead, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 282 hunters who shot 418 ducks, 140 snow geese and one Ross' goose for a 1.98 average. The duck bag consisted of 160 greenwings, 80 pintail, 78 shovelers, 43 cinnamons, 18 gadwall, 13 ruddies, 10 mallards, nine widgeon, three scaup, three bufflehead, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 123 hunters who shot 107 ducks, 53 snow geese and one Ross' for a 1.30 average. The duck bag was made up of 36 shovelers, 27 pintail, 18 greenwings, 13 cinnamons, six widgeon, three gadwall, one mallard, one ringneck, and one bufflehead.

Steve Miyamoto, at Wister, said he conducted a ground survey on Friday and counted 18,000 white geese on Wister along and that his conservative estimate was that there were 6,000 ducks -- mostly shovelers (1,700), pintail (1,600), and greenwing teal (1,100). "There are a lot more ducks down now, and we can only hope that it will translate into better averages," said Miyamoto, who noted that windy days are the best to hunt Wister. "Down here in the desert, when we get wind that's duck hunting weather. It's not like in the Sacramento Valley or northern California where you want fog or rain."

12/15/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 179 hunters last Wednesday who shot 414 ducks and 190 geese for a 3.37 average. The goose bag consisted of 186 snows, two Ross' and two Canada geese. The duck bag included 125 greenwings, 104 pintail, 54 shovelers, 45 gadwall, 36 cinnamons 28 widgeon, 18 mallards, two ringnecks, one redhead,and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 250 hunters who shot 609 ducks and 296 geese for a 3.62 average. The goose bag included 291 snows, four Ross' and one Canada goose. The duck bag consisted of 178 shovelers, 145 greenwings, 125 pintail, 63 gadwall, 40 cinnamons, 29 widgeon, 17 mallards, five ruddies, two redheads, one canvasback,one ringneck, one scaup, one bufflehead, and one merganser. On Sunday, there were 142 hunters who shot 162 ducks and 89 geese for a 1.76 average. The goose bag consisted of 88 snows and one Ross. The duck bag included 58 greenwings, 37 pintail, 25 shovelers, 18 cinnamons, six mallards, five gadwall, five widgeon, five bufflehead, and three ruddies.

12/8/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 147 hunters last Wednesday who shot 220 ducks and 151 geese for a 2.53 average. The goose bag included 146 snows, four Ross' geese, and one white-front. The duck bag consisted of 64 greenwings, 59 pintail, 26 widgeon, 24 shovelers, 20 cinnamons, 16 gadwall, five mallards, three scaup, and three ruddies. On Saturday, there were 245 hunters who shot 460 ducks and 238 geese for a 2.84 average. The goose bag included 231 snows, five Ross' and two Canada geese. The duck bag was made up of 156 greenwings, 97 pintail, 74 shovelers, 48 widgeon, 34 gadwall, 28 cinnamons, 11 mallards, 11 ruddies, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 132 hunters who shot 73 ducks and 147 snow and two Ross' geese for a 1.68 average. The duck bag consisted on 20 greenwings, 17 pintail, nine cinnamons, seven mallard, six widgeon, five gadwall, five shovelers, one ringneck, one scaup, one ruddy, and one wood duck. For the pheasant hunts this past week, there were 17 hunters last Monday who shot six pheasants and eight snipe. On Thursday, nine hunters didn't get a bird. Steve Miyamoto, a biologist at Wister, said "we had some winds, not real strong ones, but enough to keep the geese moving this weekend. Normally they come into the closed zone and don't leave there until 20 minutes after shoot time, this week they were antsy and just kept moving around. Judging by what we're seeing, we're holding a good number of the birds in the valley." "I kind of think we got a few new ducks, not a whole lot, but it looks like there are more teal and widgeon flying around. There may be some trickle of bird moving south, but I think most the ducks are holding up north,"" said Miyamoto.

12/1/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 149 hunters last Wednesday who shot 231 ducks and 100 geese for a 2.23 average. The goose kill included 96 snows and four Ross' geese. The duck bag included 69 shovelers, 55 greenwing teal, 42 pintail, 23 widgeon, 18 gadwall, nine cinnamon teal, eight mallards, three scaup, two redhead, one ringneck, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 335 hunters who shot 308 ducks, a coot, and 96 geese for a 1.21 average. The goose bag included 84 snows and 12 Ross. The duck bag included 75 pintail, 61 greenwing, 41 cinnamons, 35 widgeon, 32 shovelers, 31 gadwall, 18 mallards, 11 ruddies, two canvasback, one scaup, one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 102 hunters who shot 57 ducks and 34 geese, including 25 snows and nine Ross, for a .90 average. The duck bag consisted of 15 pintail, 15 greenwings, six gadwall, five shovelers, five widgeon, four mallards, four cinnamons, two ruddies, and one scaup.

11/24/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 153 hunters last Wednesday who shot 128 ducks and 62 geese for a 1.25 average. The goose bag consisted of 58 snows and four Ross', while the duck bag included 38 pintail, 31 greenwings, 17 widgeon, 13 gadwall, 13 cinnamons, 13 shoveler, two ringnecks, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 222 hunters who shot 221 ducks and 82 geese for a 1.37 average. There were 77 snows and five Ross' taken, and the duck bag consisted of 69 greenwings, 59 pintail, 35 shovelers, 20 widgeon, 20 cinnamons, eight mallards, eight gadwall, and two canvasback. On Sunday, there were 134 hunters who shot 41 ducks and 59 geese for a .75 average. The goose bag consisted of 52 snows and seven Ross' geese. The duck bag included 11 greenwings, 10 pintail, nine shovelers, five widgeon, three mallards, two gadwall, and one cinnamon.

Steve Miyamoto, a Department of Fish and Game biologist at the Wister Unit on the Salton Sea, said it "doesn't look like there's a whole heck of a lot of ducks out there. Even in our closed zone, 114B, there are only about 1,200 birds. But we've got a lot of geese, and today (Monday), being a non-shoot day, there're scattered about in groups all over the area.'' Goose hunting has been steadily improving at Wister, but the Union Tract fields on the federal refuge still are not shooting well. Miyamoto said that was because many of the birds were feeding in the closed Unit 1 on the federal refuge, which was planted with green feed this year. "Goose hunting has been picking and with the storms they're getting up north we hope to see more birds -- both geese and ducks -- coming down,'' said Miyamoto. The top areas for snows have been the 115B area and the T12 and U12 fields. The birds have also been using the T10 and T12 areas on non-shoot days and these spots have been producing a few birds. The 115B area has been a bit of a surprise to the DFG staff at Wister because it was not planted this year, but the geese are apparently feeding on the alkali bullrush and tubers that have come up naturally.

11/17/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 110 hunters last Wednesday who shot 192 and 59 geese for a 2.29 average. The goose bag included 56 snows and three Ross', while the duck bag included 59 pintail, 51 greenwings, 34 widgeon, 14 cinnamons, 11 gadwall, eight shovelers, six scaup, five mallards, two ringnecks, and two ruddies. On Saturday, there were 202 hunters who shot 189 ducks, seven coots, and 39 geese for a 1.17 average. There were 37 snows and two Ross in the goose bag. The duck bag included 72 pintail, 44 greenwings, 23 widgeon, 21 cinnamon teal, 11 shovelers, eight ruddies, three mallards, three gadwall, three scaup, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were 145 hunters who shot 49 ducks and 43 geese, including 38 snows and five Ross'. The duck bag included 14 pintail, 13 greenwings, six cinnamons, five shovelers, three gadwall, three widgeon, two mallards, two ruddies, and one canvasback.

11/10/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 83 hunters last Wednesday who shot 168 ducks, a coot, and 17 geese for a 2.24 average. There were 16 snows and one Canada goose taken, and the duck back consisted of 70 greenwing teal, 44 pintail, 28 widgeon, eight gadwall, eight cinnamon teal, four scaup, two shovelers, two ruddies, a mallard, and a redhead. On Saturday, there were 152 hunters who shot 249 ducks and 35 geese, including 30 snows and five Ross' geese, for a 1.87 average. The duck bag included 75 greenwings, 66 pintail, 61 widgeon, 26 cinnamons, nine gadwall, five shovelers, four ruddies, and three ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 95 hunters who shot 48 ducks and 20 snow geese for a .72 average. The duck bag included 18 greenwings, 13 pintail, seven widgeon, five cinnamons, three mallards, one gadwall, and one shoveler. Over the weekend, however, the number of snow geese really jumped at the south end of the Salton Sea. Steve Miyamoto, a DFG biologist at Wister, said he thought the numbers of snows more than doubled over the weekend, jumping to more than 15,000 birds between Wister and the federal refuge. "The little buggers snuck in over the cloak of darkness like stealth fighters,'' said Miyamoto. "The Y14 closed zone was just loaded with flocks of new birds over the weekend.'' Two weeks ago, the weekly harvest at Wister and the federal refuge was a total of 10 geese, but this past week there were 71 snows and Ross' geese taken by hunters at Wister and an additional 20 birds off the federal refuge.

11/3/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 70 hunters last Wednesday who shot 102 ducks and three snow geese for a 1.50 average. The duck bag included 36 greenwings, 34 pintail, 10 widgeon, 10 shovelers, five mallards, four cinnamons, and three gadwall. On Saturday, there were 174 hunters who shot 246 ducks, one Canada goose, and a coot for a 1.43 average. The duck bag included 86 greenwings, 83 pintail, 29 widgeon, 15 cinnamons, 13 gadwall, six shovelers, four ringnecks, four ruddies, three mallards, one redhead, one scaup, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were 84 hunters who shot 60 ducks and three geese for a .75 average. The goose bag included a Ross' goose, a snow, and one blue goose. The duck bag included 24 pintail, 20 greenwings, five cinnamons, four gadwall, three shovelers, two mallards, and two widgeon.

10/27/99 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 98 hunters last Wednesday who shot 231 ducks and a coot for a 2.37 average. The bag included 99 greenwing teal, 51 pintail, 37 cinnamon teal, 16 shovelers, 11 widgeon, 10 mallards, four ruddies, and three gadwall. On Saturday, there were 160 hunters who shot 265 ducks, two coots, and one snow goose for a 1.68 average. The duck bag included 106 greenwings, 48 pintail, 37 cinnamons, 21 shovelers, 19 widgeon, 10 mallards, nine ruddies, nine gadwall, two ringnecks, two scaup, one redhead, and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 58 hunters who shot 76 ducks and three snow geese for a 1.37 average. The duck bag included 21 greenwings, 18 pintail, 14 cinnamons, seven shovelers, five mallards, four widgeon, two gadwall, two redheads, one canvasback, one ringneck, and one ruddy.

10/20/99 there were 101 sites open for opening Saturday. On Saturday, 397 hunters shot 1,656 ducks and 12 coots for a 4.21 average. The bag consisted of 791 greenwing teal, 459 cinnamon teal, 175 pintail, 130 mallards, 60 shovelers, 29 widgeon, four bluebill, three gadwall, three redheads, and two ruddies. On Sunday, 191 hunters shot 456 ducks and three coots for a 2.41 average. The bag included 229 greenwing, 76 cinnamons, 56 pintail, 22 mallards, 22 shovelers, 17 widgeon, 12 redheads, nine ringnecks, six gadwall, five ruddies, and two bluebill. The area currently has about 10,000 ducks, and a handful of honkers and whitefronts.

At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there will be at least 80 sites open for Saturday's kickoff of waterfowl season. The area has a good number of early ducks, especially pintail, but few geese are in the region yet. Wister is open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system and a daily drawing for sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are permitted. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, contact the unit at (760) 359-0577.

HAZARD & UNION UNIT on the SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

1/25/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 35 hunters last Wednesday who shot 13 ducks and 21 Ross' geese for a .98 average. The duck bag included five greenwings, two cinnamons, two shovelers, two ruddies, one canvasback and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 57 hunters who shot 87 ducks, 21 Ross' geese, and six snows for a 2.00 average. The duck bag consisted of 26 shovelers, 24 cinnamons, 19 greenwings, five canvasback, four gadwall, three widgeon, two redhead, two scaup, one pintail, and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 65 hunters who shot 30 ducks, 18 Ross', and 16 snows.

1/18/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 17 hunters last Wednesday who shot 27 ducks, seven Ross' geese, and one snow goose for a 2.05 average. The duck bag included 17 shovelers, three pintail, two gadwall, two greenwing, two canvasback, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were 36 hunters who shot 48 ducks, 11 Ross' geese and two snow geese for a 1.70 average. The duck bag consisted of 27 shovelers, 10 greenwings, three gadwall, three cinnamons, three ruddies, one mallard, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 33 hunters who shot 32 ducks, 29 Ross' geese, and two snow geese for a 1.91 average. The duck bag included 14 shovelers, four greenwings, four cinnamons, three canvasback three gadwall, three ruddies, and one scaup.

1/11/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 35 hunters last Wednesday who shot 35 ducks, 22 Ross' geese, and three snow geese for a 1.71 average. The duck bag included 16 shovelers, five greenwings, three gadwall, three pintail, three cinnamons, three canvasback, and two scaup. On Saturday, there were 50 hunters who shot 61 ducks, 21 Ross' geese, and eight snows for a 1.80 average. The duck bag consisted of 30 shovelers, seven greenwing, seven canvasback, six widgeon, four gadwall, two pintail, two cinnamons, one scaup, one bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 29 hunters who shot 23 ducks, two snows, and one Ross' goose for a .89 average. The duck bag included 13 shovelers, four greenwings, two gadwall, one pintail, one cinnamon, one canvasback, and one ruddy.

1/4/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 64 hunters last Wednesday who shot 60 Ross' geese, 18 snows and 52 ducks for a 2.03 average. The duck bag included 19 shovelers, nine greenwings, nine canvasback, seven scaup, two gadwall, two widgeon, two ruddies, one pintail, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 27 hunters who shot 29 Ross' geese, nine snows, and 27 ducks, including 15 shovelers, four cinnamon teal, two widgeon, two pintail, two canvasback, one greenwing, and one scaup, for a 2.40 average. On Sunday, there were 44 hunters who shot 43 Ross' geese, five snows, and 38 ducks, for a 1.95 average. The duck bag included 19 shovelers, seven greenwings, four cinnamons, three pintail, two canvasback, one gadwall, one widgeon, and one ruddy.

12/29/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 30 hunters last Wednesday who shot 26 ducks, 30 Ross' geese and 14 snows for a 2.33 average. The duck bag included 17 shovelers, two pintail, two greenwings, two canvasback, one cinnamon, one scaup, and one ruddy. There was no hunting Christmas day, but on Sunday, there were 30 hunters who shot 43 ducks, 27 snows, and 16 Ross' geese for a 2.86 average. The duck bag consisted of 24 shovelers, nine canvasback, six greenwings, three gadwall, and one ruddy.

12/22/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 21 hunters last Wednesday who shot 20 snow geese, 17 Ross' geese, and seven ducks for a 2.09 average. The duck bag included two canvasback, one gadwall, one pintail, one greenwing, one shoveler, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 37 hunters who shot 18 snows, eight Ross', and 37 ducks for a 1.70 average. The duck bag consisted of 17 shovelers, five greenwing, four canvasback, three cinnamons, three scaup, three ruddies, and two widgeon. On Sunday, there were 30 hunters who shot 29 snows, 19 Ross', and 14 ducks for a 2.06 average. The duck bag included seven shovelers, two gadwall, two pintail, two canvasback and one cinnamon.

12/15/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 22 hunters last Wednesday who shot 16 ducks and 35 geese for a 2.31 average. The goose bag consisted of 18 Ross', 16 snows,and one Canada goose. The duck bag included 11 shovelers, two greenwings, one pintail, one redhead, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 29 hunters who shot nine ducks and 46 geese for a 1.89 average. The goose bag consisted of 26 Ross' and 20 snows. The duck bag included five shovelers, two gadwall, one pintail, and one greenwing teal. On Sunday, there were 22 hunters who shot 14 snows, 11 Ross', one pintail, and one shoveler for a 1.22 average.

12/8/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 19 ducks, six Ross' geese, and four snows for a 2.08 average. The duck bag included six greenwings, five shovelers, three canvasback, two widgeon, two cinnamons, and one gadwall. On Saturday, there were 27 hunters who shot 28 ducks, 16 snows, and nine Ross' for a 1.96 average. The duck bag included nine greenwings, six canvasback, five shovelers, four pintail, two gadwall, and two ruddies. On Sunday, there were 21 hunters who shot 29 snow geese, a Ross goose, and two widgeon for a 1.52 average.

12/1/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 32 ducks and three geese, two snows and a Ross, for a 2.50 average. The duck bag included 13 greenwings, eight shovelers, three widgeon, three canvasback, two cinnamons, one gadwall, one ringneck, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 36 hunters who shot 26 ducks and 10 geese, including six snows and four Ross, for a .99 average. The duck bag consisted of 13 shovelers, five greenwings, four canvasback, two widgeon, one gadwall, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 14 hunters who shot five ducks and six snow geese for a .79 average. The duck bag included two greenwings, one cinnamon, one shoveler, and one canvasback.

11/24/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 12 ducks, one snow and one Ross' for a 1.56 average. The duck bag included five shovelers, three greenwings, two canvasback and two scaup. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters who shot 38 ducks, a snow goose and two Ross' geese for a 1.33 average. The duck bag included, 15 shovelers, 12 greenwings, four canvasback, three pintail, two mallards, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were six hunters who shot five ducks for a .84 average. The bag consisted of two canvasback, two widgeon, and one greenwing.

11/17/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 18 hunters last Wednesday who shot 18 ducks and four geese, two snows, and two Ross', for a 1.23 average. The duck bag included six shovelers, four pintail three gadwall, three greenwings, one cinnamon, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 25 hunters who shot 30 ducks and two snow geese for a 1.28 average. The duck bag included 10 greenwings, six shovelers, six scaup, five pintail, and three cinnamons. On Sunday, there were 22 hunters who shot 16 ducks for a .73 average. The bag included seven shovelers, three greenwings, two cinnamons, one gadwall, one pintail, one canvasback and one ringneck.

11/10/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot 12 ducks for a 1.50 average. The duck bag included seven greenwings, three pintail, one widgeon, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 18 hunters who shot 10 geese and four ducks for a .78 average. There were six snows and four Ross' geese taken, and the duck bag had three greenwings and one pintail. On Sunday, there were 17 hunters who shot seven ducks and 10 geese for a 1.00 average. The goose tally included six Ross' and four snows, while the duck bag included three pintail, two gadwall, one greenwing, and one ruddy.

11/3/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot five ducks and one Ross' goose for a 1.20 average. The duck bag included three pintail, a greenwing, and a shoveler. On Saturday, 13 hunters shot eight ducks for a .62 average. The bag included three pintail, two shovelers, one gadwall, one cinnamon, and one canvasback. On Sunday, 14 hunters shot eight ducks and two snow geese for a .72 average. The duck bag included seven pintail and one shoveler.

10/27/99 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were six hunters last Wednesday who shot 14 ducks for a 2.34 average. The bag included seven greenwings, three widgeon, two cinnamons, one gadwall, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 17 hunters who shot 25 ducks for a 1.47 average. The bag consisted of 10 greenwings, five pintail, four widgeon, two redheads, one gadwall, one cinnamon, one shoveler, and one scaup. On Sunday, there were nine hunters who shot 10 ducks and one Ross' goose for a 1.23 average. The duck bag included five pintail, two mallards, one gadwall, one greenwing, and one shoveler.

10/20/99 there were 30 hunters on Saturday who shot 102 ducks and four coots for a 3.53 average. The bag consisted of 52 greenwings, 23 cinnamons, 10 shovelers, eight pintail, four mallards, three ruddies, and two gadwall. On Sunday, there were five hunters who shot five ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag included four shovelers, and one greenwing.

The HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is managed as part of the Wister Unit. For more information, contact the Wister Unit at (760) 359-0577.

FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA

1/25/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were seven hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 14 ducks for a 2.00 average. The bag included four shovelers, three greenwings, two cinnamons, and five ducks that were not identified.

1/18/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 24 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 22 ducks for a .92 average. The bag included seven shovelers, six cinnamons, four greenwings, and five birds were not identified.

1/11/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were eight hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 11 ducks for a 1.38 average. The bag included four shovelers and seven unidentified birds.

1/4/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 15 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 18 ducks for a 1.25 average. The bag included six mallards, four gadwall, two pintail, one greenwing, one cinnamon, one shoveler, and three birds were not identified.

12/29/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were eight hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 10 ducks for a 1.25 average. Six were unidentified, but one Christmas day hunter shot a widgeon, a greenwing, a cinnamon, and one shoveler for the best average of the week.

12/22/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 12 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot four ducks, three greenwings and one unidentified duck, for a .33 average.

12/15/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were five hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot four unidentified ducks for a .80 average.

12/8/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were nine hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot seven ducks for a .78 average. The duck bag consisted of four greenwings, one mallard, one cinnamon, and one shoveler.

12/1/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 16 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 12 ducks and one Ross goose for a .81 average. The duck bag consisted of six shovelers, four greenwing teal, and two unidentified birds. One hunter on Tuesday last week shot three shovelers and the goose.

11/24/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 16 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot two ducks for a 14 ducks for a .13 average. The bag included a pintail and a shoveler.

11/17/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 40 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 14 ducks for a .35 average. The bag included four greenwings, a cinnamon, a mallard, and eight unidentified birds.

11/10/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were nine hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot two pintail for a .22 average.

11/3/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 19 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot three ducks. The bag included one mallard, one gadwall, and one greenwing.

10/27/99 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 17 hunters from last Monday through Sunday and they shot 27 birds, all bagged on just two days. On Monday, four hunters shot 15 ducks for a 3.75 average. On Saturday, there were three hunters who shot 12 ducks for a 4.0 average.

10/20/99 there were 29 hunters opening Saturday who shot 19 ducks for a .66 average. The bag included nine greenwings, eight cinnamons, and two shovelers. On Sunday, three hunters didn't record a bird.

The FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea is open to hunters seven days per week under a self-registration system. For more information, contact the Wister Unit at (760) 359-0577.

BARRETT LAKE

1/25/00 BARRETT LAKE had 18 hunters hunters last Wednesday who shot 48 ducks, including three limits, for a 2.67 average. The duck bag consisted of 36 ruddies, six ringnecks, two canvasback, two mergansers, one scaup, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 24 hunters who shot 103 ducks and a coot for a 4.33 average. The duck bag included 87 ruddies, seven cinnamons, three greenwings, two gadwall, two ringnecks, one scaup and one canvasback. Curt Schilling, Jamul, shot a limit in the No. 4 blind in the Pine Creek arm. He had four ringnecks, two ruddies, and one canvasback. Neil Middleswart, Poway, and George Sawaya, El Cajon, shot 14 ruddy duck in the No. 10 Hauser Arm blind. Leroy Remer, Art Acuna, and Scott Gray, all Lakeside, shot 21 ruddies from the No. 5 Pine Creek Arm blind.

1/18/00 BARRETT LAKE had 18 hunters hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks and two coots for a 1.72 average. The duck bag consisted of 11 ruddies, eight ringnecks, four cinnamons, two bufflehead, two greenwings, one gadwall, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 18 hunters who shot 62 ducks for a 3.44 average. The bag consisted of 37 ruddies, six cinnamons, four canvasback, four ringnecks, three scaup, two shovelers, two widgeon, two greenwings, one gadwall, and one pintail. Dave Forsche, Ocean Beach, hunting from the No. 14 blind in the Hauser Arm had the only limit of the week at Barrett with four ruddies, two greenwing, and a ringneck in the bag.

1/11/00 BARRETT LAKE had 24 hunters hunters last Wednesday who shot 81 ducks, including five limits, for a 3.38 average. The bag included 26 ruddies, 17 scaup, 11 cinnamon teal, nine ringnecks, four greenwings, four gadwall, three pintail, two bufflehead, two goldeneye, one canvasback, one mallard and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot 91 ducks, including six limits, for a 3.96 average. The bag consisted of 61 ruddies, 15 ringnecks, seven gadwall, two scaup, two cinnamon teal, one canvasback, one pintail, one widgeon, and one greenwing.

1/4/00 BARRETT LAKE had 23 hunters hunters last Wednesday who shot 65 ducks, including two limits, for a 2.83 average. The bag included 22 ruddies, 10 ringnecks, nine gadwall, eight cinnamon teal, four pintail, four mallards, two scaup, two bufflehead, two shovelers, and two greenwings. George Hanson, San Diego, collected on the those limits hunting No. 14 in the Hauser Arm. He shot two gadwall, two greenwings, one shoveler, one cinnamon and one pintail. Barrett was closed New Year's Day.

12/29/99 BARRETT LAKE had 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 34 ducks, including one limits, for a 2.62 average. There were also 11 snipe taken. The duck bag included 14 ruddies, eight ring necks, six gadwall, three bluebill, one bufflehead, one canvasback, and one greenwing teal. The lone limit was posted by Dave Forsch, San Diego, who shot five ruddies, a bluebill, and a gadwall, for the No. 16 blind in the Hauser Arm. There was no hunting Christmas day.

12/22/99 BARRETT LAKE had 24 hunters last week who bagged 63 ducks, including three limits, for a 2.63 average. There was no breakdown available for each shoot day. The bag included 38 ruddies, eight ringnecks, six bluebill, three bufflehead, three pintail, two cinnamon teal, one gadwall, one mallard, and one greenwing. Skip Bowman and Bob Walker, both of Lakeside, shot 10 ruddies, two bluebill, one pintail, and one ringneck at the No. 4 Pine Creek Arm blind. Jeff McKee, San Diego, hunted the No. 14 blind in the Hauser Arm and shot three ruddies, two ringnecks, one bufflehead, and one gadwall.

12/15/99 BARRETT LAKE had 12 hunters last Wednesday who bagged 51 ducks for a 4.25 average. There were four limits. The duck bag included 22 ringnecks, seven gadwall, seven pintail, five ruddies, three cinnamons, two greenwings, one bluebill, one bufflehead, one mallard, one shoveler, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 32 hunters who shot 86 ducks, including five limits. The bag included 40 ruddies, 25 ringneck, nine bufflehead, five greenwings, two mallards, one canvasback, one gadwall, one shoveler, one pintail, and one cinnamon teal.

12/8/99 BARRETT LAKE had 21 hunters last Wednesday who bagged 80 ducks and a coot for a 2.19 average. There were five limits. The duck bag included 32 ruddies, 15 ringnecks, nine gadwall, six pintail, four cinnamon teal, three scaup, three mallards, two bufflehead, two shovelers, two greenwings, one canvasback and one widgeon. Limits were posted by Eugene Hanson, Bonita, Mike Moen, Santee, Gary Mansfield, San Diego, Jerry Butler, San Diego, and Quint Driscoll, Santee. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot 40 ducks and a coot for a 1.78 average. There was only one limit. The duck bag consisted of 13 ruddies, five cinnamons, five ringnecks, four gadwall, three mallards, three pintail, two scaup, two widgeon, two greenwings, and one redhead.

12/1/99 BARRETT LAKE had 37 hunters last week who shot 100 ducks and three coots for a 2.78 average. The bag consisted of 53 ruddies, 12 ringnecks, eight gadwall, seven greenwings, six pintail, four bluebill, two mallards, one bufflehead, one canvasback, one goldeneye, one shoveler, one cinnamon teal, and one hooded merganser. There was no breakdown by shootday available.

11/24/99 BARRETT LAKE had 15 hunters last Wednesday who shot 45 ducks, including four limits, for a 3.00 average. The duck bag included 27 ruddies, nine ringnecks, three widgeon, three bluebill, two pintail, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 25 hunters who shot 27 ducks for a 1.08 average. The bag included 17 ruddies, three bluebill, three widgeon, two ringnecks, and one gadwall.

11/17/99 BARRETT LAKE had 18 hunters last Wednesday who shot 64 ducks for a 3.56 average, and five snipe, a moorhen, and a coot. There were three duck limits reported. The duck bag included 19 ringnecks, 14 ruddies, 10 gadwall, six greenwings, six bluebill, three redheads, two mallards, two pintail, one widgeon, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were 30 hunters who shot 69 ducks for a 2.30 average. The bag consisted of 40 ruddies, 16 ringnecks, five scaup, five redheads, two gadwall, and one surf scoter. George Sawaya of El Cajon shot limits both last Wednesday and Saturday at Barrett. He hunted blind No. 15 in Echo Cove Wednesday and bagged two gadwall, two ringnecks, a ruddy, a pintail and a greenwing, and on Saturday he hunted No. 7 in the Pine Creek Arm and shot five ruddies and two ringnecks.

11/10/99 BARRETT LAKE had 15 hunters last Wednesday who shot 54 ducks for a 3.60 average. There were six limits reported. The duck bag included 10 ringnecks, seven mallards, six gadwall, five greenwings, five cinnamons, four ruddies, three bluebill, two widgeon, one canvasback, one shoveler, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 30 hunters who shot 65 ducks for a 2.17 average. The bag consisted of 19 ruddies, 11 bluebill, 10 greenwings, nine ringnecks, four widgeon, three gadwall, three mallards, two shovelers, two redheads, one pintail, and one cinnamon. Barrett Lake's Hauser Arm blinds continue to shoot well. Mike Besaw of Lakeside shot limits both Wednesday and Saturday. He had Hauser No. 12 on Wednesday and shot two mallards, two ringnecks, a canvasback, a greenwing, and a ruddy. On Saturday, he shot Hauser No. 13 and shot two greenwings, two ruddies, a mallard, a bluebill, and a ringneck. Barrett regulars Bob Walker and Skip Bowman, both Lakeside, also shot limits last Wednesday from Hauser No. 10. The pair bagged seven ringnecks, two gadwall, two widgeon, a bluebill, a cinnamon teal, and a greenwing.

11/3/99 BARRETT LAKE had 24 hunters last Wednesday who shot 38 ducks and a snipe for a 1.58 average. There was one limit. The duck bag included 14 ringnecks, 10 greenwings, five scaup, two mallards, two ruddies, two widgeon, one gadwall, one pintail, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters who shot 36 ducks and six coots for a 1.16 average. The bag consisted of 13 ring necks, 12 ruddies, three mallards, two scaup, two greenwings, one canvasback, one gadwall, one pintail, and one cinnamon teal.

10/27/99 BARRETT LAKE had 40 hunters last Wednesday who shot 70 ducks and six coots for a 1.75 average. The bag included 14 mallards, 12 greenwings, 12 ringnecks, 10 pintail, nine cinnamon teal, eight redheads, one bluebill, one gadwall, one ruddy, one shoveler, and one widgeon. On Saturday, 29 hunter shot 53 ducks, three coots, and a snipe. There were two duck limits shot, but the average was 1.83. The bag included 15 ringnecks, 11 mallards, eight ruddies, six cinnamon teal, five greenwings, three redheads, two widgeon, two bluebill, and one pintail.

10/20/99 BARRETT LAKE had 46 hunters opening day who shot 145 ducks and 13 coots for a 3.43 average. The bag included 53 mallards, 30 cinnamon teal, 13 widgeon, 11 pintail, nine redheads, six gadwall, six ruddies, six greenwing, five shovelers, five ringneck, and one canvasback.

BARRETT LAKE reservations almost completely sold out for the season. Barrett is open Wednesday and Saturdays,. . For information on the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl program, call (619) 668-2060.

OTAY RESERVOIR

1/25/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 17 hunters last Wednesday who shot 42 ducks for a 2.47 average. The bag consisted of 13 gadwall, nine ruddies, eight cinnamon teal, three shovelers, three greenwings, two mallards, two pintail, one scaup, and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 35 hunters who shot 23 ducks and 26 coots for a 1.4 average. The duck bag included 13 cinnamon teal, six mallards, five gadwall, two greenwings, and one ringneck. Tom Knoebel Jr., San Diego, shot four gadwall and three cinnamon teal from the No. 15 Harvey Arm blind.

1/18/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 36 ducks, including one limit, for a 3.00 average. The bag consisted of 20 cinnamon teal, five gadwall, two canvasback, two ruddies, two shovelers, two widgeon, one scaup, one mallard, and one ringneck. On Saturday, There were 17 hunters who shot 26 ducks for a 1.53 average. The bag consisted of 10 gadwall, five mallards, five cinnamons, two greenwings, two pintail, one ruddy, and one widgeon. Tom Knoebel, Jr., San Diego, hunted the No. 15 blind in the Harvey Arm to shoot his limit last Wednesday -- four cinnamons, two widgeon, and a gadwall.

1/11/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were seven hunters last Wednesday who shot 27 ducks, including one limits, for a 3.86 average. The bag consisted of nine cinnamon teal, five shovelers, four gadwall, three ruddies, two mallards, two pintail, one canvasback, and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were 27 hunters who shot 44 ducks for a 1.63 average. The bag consisted of 12 cinnamon teal, 11 gadwall, eight shovelers, four ruddies, three ringnecks, two widgeon, one canvasback, one goldeneye, one mallard, and one greenwing. Mike Bennett, El Cajon, was the hunter who bagged the very uncommon goldeneye, along with a pair of gadwall, while hunting blind No. 15 in the Harvey Arm.

1/4/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 11 hunters who shot 27 ducks, including two limits, for a 2.45 average. The bag consisted of 17 shovelers, six cinnamon teal, three gadwall, and one pintail. Mike Long and Mike Stevens, both San Diego, hunted together at blind No. 13 at the end of the Harvey Arm to sho

Baldwin Lake	Barrett Lake	Chino Valley	Cibola NWR & Sportman's Club	Colorado River Indian Tribes	Cuyamaca Lake
Finney-Ramer	Havasu Lake NWR	Hazard Unit	Henshaw Lake	Kern NWR	Kern Waterbank Area
Klamath Basin NWR	Mendota	Maps of Wildlife Areas	Owens River Valley	Otay Reservoir	Perris Lake
Raahauge's	1999 - 2000 Season & Regulations	San Jacinto	Sutherland Reservoir	Waterfowl Links	Wister

California Waterfowl Report 1999 - 2000

California Waterfowl 1999 - 2000

California Waterfowl 1999 - 2000 Regulations

SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA

COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES

CHINO VALLEY PRISON/DAIRY AREA

LAKE PERRIS

Owens River Valley

BALDWIN LAKE

RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN

WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea

HAZARD & UNION UNIT on the SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA

BARRETT LAKE

OTAY RESERVOIR