Last Update 7/20/03

California Waterfowl Forecast and Info for For 2001 -2002

REGULATION CHANGES FOR 2001/02:

• The Commission approved a Fish and Game proposal to ban "spinning-wing decoys" before December 1 to better evaluate its effect on waterfowl populations. It is unlawful to use electronic or mechanically-operated spinning blade devices or spinning wing decoys when attempting to take waterfowl prior to December 1. For the purposes of this regulation, wind-powered spinning blade devices and kites are not prohibited.

• Aleutian geese (a small Canada goose) can now be taken after removal from the Federal Threatened Species List.

• Canvasback seasons will be shortened to 38 days due to breeding population status.

• Change in the non-toxic ammunition that is legal this year. The USFWS has reversed its decision on pure tin shot being allowed. While little of this ammunition has been imported to this country, hunters should be aware of the change. Steel, bismuth, tungsten-iron, and tungsten-polymer shot are all still legal.

CHINO -- To protect early season mallards, those bred in California, the Department of Fish and Game initiated an experimental ban on the use of spinning-wing decoys until Dec. 1 for this year’s waterfowl season, which begins Oct. 13. The ban does not include wind-powered devices or other moving decoys, including those that vibrate, splash, or have wings that flap. The DFG recently posted the text of the regulation on its web site to clarify the situation for hunters on what is and isn’t legal. It reads as follows: “Hunters are also prohibited from using the popular motorized or electronic spinning wing duck decoys until Dec. 1.

Wind powered devices or kites are still allowed as are any other motorized decoys that do not use a spinning blade or wing such as flying and landing decoys with fixed wings, decoys with flapping wings, decoys that dive, bob, swim, shake, quiver, or thrash the water. “For purposes of this regulation, such a decoy on water, on a pole, on shore or otherwise positioned to potentially attract waterfowl will be in use as a electronic/mechanical decoy unless the motor is disabled or removed, or the battery or other power source is removed or the decoy is otherwise determined to be inoperable.” DFG staff have said that flapping wing decoys -- specifically the Wonder Duck -- was still legal for the early season. Only the spinning wing decoys were affected by the change.

“If you have any doubt, don’t bring it out,” said Mike McBride, DFG warden captain in Chino.

2001 -2002 WATERFOWL FORECAST FOR CALIFORNIA

Duck numbers are down slightly for this season, but population remains above long-term average.

San Diego City Lakes Waterfowl Hunting Applications

 You need an application to apply for the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunts at Lake Barrett, Upper and Lower Otay Reservoir, and Sutherland Reservoir.

San Diego waterfowl hunting application deadline Sept. 24, 2001.

LAKESIDE -- Mail-in lottery reservations for the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunting program must be received by either mail or fax by 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 24, 2001 to be eligible for the Oct. 5, 2001 drawing. Two reservations for each hunting day at Otay and Sutherland, and one reservation for Barrett, will be issued in the drawing. Remaining reservations at all three waters will be issued during the city’s historic in-person lottery to be held beginning 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001 at San Vicente Reservoir. Hunters can reserve up to eight reservation dates for waterfowl hunting during this in-person lottery.

The city has an information packet it mails to hunters that explains all of the details of the program and includes application forms. Hunters can call the city lakes at (619) 668-2050 to request a packet. Jim Brown, program manager for the city lakes, said this hunting program has been operated since 1913, and it is the only municipally-operated waterfowl hunting program in the country. The bad news is that this is likely to be the last year waterfowl hunting will be allowed at Upper and Lower Otay Reservoirs, which will provide 696 hunter days this season, more than half of the total available at the city lakes. Housing development right on the shores of the lake will likely end the program.

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California Waterfowl 2001 - 2002 Regulations

To download the DFG 2000- 2001 waterfowl regs in Acrobat file form click here. You'll need Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer to view this .pdf file. Get Acrobat here.

To download the DFG 2000- 2001 Hunting on State and Federal Area regs in Acrobat file form click here. You'll need Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer to view this .pdf file. Get Acrobat here.

NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE: Season - Ducks: season is 10/6/2001- 1/13/2002, Canvasback:October 27, 2001 – December 3, 2001. White-fronted and Small Canada Geese: October 6, 2001 - November 18, 2001. Other Geese: October 6, 2001 - January 13, 2002 . Special Youth Hunt Days: September 29 and 30, 2001.

Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain not more than two female mallards; one pintail; one canvasback (during the 38 day season); two redheads; four scaup. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. Geese: Daily bag limit: 3. Three may be white geese. Only two may be dark geese of which only one may be a small Canada goose. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. See regulations for special management areas affecting the take of some geese.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE: Seasons: Ducks: October 13, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Canvasback:December 14, 2001 – January 20, 2002. Geese: October 20, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Special Youth Hunt Days: January 26 and 27, 2002.

Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain not more than two female mallards; one pintail; one canvasback (during the 38 day season); two redheads; four scaup. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. Geese: Daily bag limit: 5. Three may be white geese. Up to three may be dark geese of which only one may be a small Canada goose. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. See regulations for special management areas affecting the take of some geese.

COLORADO RIVER ZONE: Seasons: Ducks: October 12, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Canvasback: December 14, 2001 – January 20, 2002. Geese: October 15, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Special Youth Hunt Days: January 26, 2002

Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain not more than two female mallards or Mexican ducks; one pintail; one canvasback (during the 38 day season); two redheads; four scaup. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. Geese: Daily bag limit: 5. Three may be white geese. Up to three may be dark geese. There is no limit on small Canada geese. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. See regulations for special management areas affecting the take of some geese.

SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN ZONE: Seasons: Ducks: October 13, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Canvasback: December 14, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Geese: November 3, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Special Youth Hunt Days: January 26 and 27, 2002.

Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain not more than two female mallards; one pintail; one canvasback (during the 38 day season); two redheads; four scaup. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. Geese: Daily bag limit: 3. Three may be white geese. Only two may be dark geese of which only one may be a small Canada goose. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. See regulations for special management areas affecting the take of some geese.

BALANCE OF THE STATE ZONE: Season - Ducks: October 13, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Canvasback: December 14, 2001 – January 20, 2002. Geese: November 3, 2001 - January 20, 2002. Special Youth Hunt Days: January 26 and 27, 2002.

Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain not more than two female mallards; one pintail; one canvasback (during the 38 day season); two redheads; four scaup. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. Geese: Daily bag limit: 3. Three may be white geese. Only two may be dark geese of which only one may be a small Canada goose. Possession limit is double the daily bag limit. See regulations for special management areas affecting the take of some geese.

GOOSE DEFINITIONSs: "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.

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: Hunting License: You must possess a California hunting license in addition to a California and federal duck stamp. The cost of a hunting license is:

Annual resident $31.00.
Junior annual resident hunting license is $7.60.
Non resident annual hunting license is $107.90
Two-Day Nonresident license, age 16 and over (not valid for big game) $30.20
Reduced Fee, Disabled Veteran $4.75.
Duplicate Hunting License $6.30.
Hunter Education Stamp is $3.15.

The California hunting license is good from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. California resident and nonresident hunting licenses are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Duck Stamp 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 stamp is $10.50. A Federal duck stamps is $15. Wardens also remind hunters that the stamps must be signed across the face to be validated.

Definition of Resident. A resident is defined as any person who has resided continuously in California for six months immediately before the date of application for a license, tag or permit; persons on active duty with the armed forces of the United States or an auxiliary branch; or Job Corps enrollees.

Disabled Veteran Hunting Licenses. A $4.75 hunting license is available for qualified disabled veterans. To be eligible, applicants must submit: (1) a letter from the Veterans Administration verifying that the applicant has a 70 percent or greater service-connected disability and was honorably discharged from the United States armed forces; and (2) evidence of meeting California hunter education requirements. Applicants renewing this license may submit their disabled veteran hunting license from the previous year as proof of meeting eligibility requirements. The reduced-fee provisions do not apply to hunting tags or species stamps. Disabled Veteran Hunting Licenses are issued only through DFG Offices.

Hunter Education Special Requirement. Hunting licenses shall be issued to hunters only upon presentation of one of the following:

An annual California hunting license from a prior year or evidence of having held such a license; a California hunter education completion or equivalency certificate; a certificate of competence or completion of a California approved hunter education training course from any state or Canadian province; or a current year hunting license from any state, province, European country or South Africa. For further information, contact any DFG office or license agent. A California hunter education validation stamp must be affixed to hunter education certificates from California.

SHOTSHELL REQUIREMENTS:  Steel shot or non toxic 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 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.  

BAITING: DFG reg. 257.5. You cannot use bait for hunting chukar nor can chukar be taken within 400 yards of any baited area. The definition of “baited area” shall mean any area where shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grains, salt, or other feed whatsoever capable of luring, attracting, or enticing such birds or mammals is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, and such area shall remain a baited area for ten days following complete removal of all such corn, wheat or other grains, salt, or other feed.

SHOOTING FROM VEHICLES: DFG reg. 252. No person shall pursue, drive, herd, or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat, or snowmobile, except: 1) When the motor of such motorboat, airboat, or sailboat has been shut off and/or the sails furled and its progress therefrom has ceased, and it is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oar or pole. (2)if they have a Mobility Disabled Persons Motor Vehicle License.

SPOTLIGHTING: DFG reg. 2005. It is unlawful to use an artificial light to assist in the taking of game birds or game mammals. It is unlawful for any person, or one or more persons, to throw or cast the rays of any spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on any highway or in any field, woodland or forest where game mammals, furbearing mammals, or nongame mammals are commonly found, or upon any game mammal, furbearing mammal, or nongame mammal, while having in his possession or under his control any firearm or weapon with which such mammal could be killed, even though the mammal is not killed, injured, shot at or otherwise pursued. It is unlawful to use or possess at any time any infrared or similar light used in connection with an electronic viewing device sometimes designated as a sniper scope to assist in the taking of birds, mammals, amphibia or fish.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following: (a) To the use of a hand held flashlight no larger, nor emitting more light, than a twocell, three-volt flashlight, provided such light is not affixed in any way to a weapon, r to the use of a lamp or lantern which does not cast a directional beam of light. (b) In the case of headlights of a motor vehicle operated in a usual manner and there is no attempt or intent to locate a game mammal, furbearing mammal or nongame mammal. (c) To the owner, or his employee, of land devoted to the agricultural industry while on such land, or land controlled by such an owner and in connection with such agricultural industry. (d) To such other uses as the commission may authorize by regulation. No person shall be arrested for violation of this section except by a peace officer.

RADIO USE WHILE HUNTING: It is legal to use and posses two way radios while hunting in California with one restriction. You CANNOT herd or pursue game with the radios. Calling in to meet for lunch or needing help dragging a animal out is okay. Calling your buddy that the buck is 100 yards to his left or coordinating drives is illegal. There is no DFG reg on this but wardens will cite you under the "Fair Chase" interpretation of the game laws.

HARASSMENT OF ANIMALS: DFG reg. 251.1. Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish and Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal or furbearing mammal. For the purposes of this section, harass is defined as an intentional act which disrupts an animal’s normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering. This section does not apply to a landowner or tenant who drives or herds birds or mammals for the purpose of preventing damage to private or public property, including aquaculture and agriculture crops.

DOGS: You can use dogs to retreive your waterfowl.

TRESPASS: If the land you hunt on is not your own, it belongs to someone else. Make sure you have a legal right to be there. Contact the owner or person who administers the property, and secure written permission to hunt. A hunting license does not entitle you to enter private property.
“It is unlawful to enter any lands under cultivation or enclosed by a fence, belonging to, or occupied by, another, or to enter any uncultivated or unenclosed lands, including lands temporarily inundated by waters flowing outside the established banks of a river, stream, slough, or other waterway, where signs forbidding trespass are displayed at intervals not less than three to the mile along all exterior boundaries and at all roads and trails entering such lands, for the purpose of discharging any firearm or taking or destroying any mammal or bird, including any waterfowl, on such lands without having first obtained written permission from the owner of such lands, or his agent, or the person in lawful possession thereof. Such signs may be of any size and wording, other than the wording required for signs under Section 2017, which will fairly advise persons about to enter the land that the use ot such land is so restricted.” Section 2016, Fish and Game Code.

SAFETY: It is always unlawful to: Place on, or carry or possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle or conveyance or its attachments on any public road or other way open to the public: Hunt while intoxicated; Shoot at any game bird from a powerboat, sailboat, motor vehicle, or aircraft while under power or still moving from use of sail or motor. (See Section 251) Shoot any firearm from or upon a public road or highway.

DISCHARGING FIREARMS OR OTHER DEADLY WEAPONS SAFETY ZONE: It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner, person in possession of the premises, or a person having the express permission of the owner or person in possession of the premises, to hunt or to discharge while hunting, any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith. The 150-yard area is a “safety zone.”

CALIFORNIA DFG WEBPAGE is at http://www.dfg.ca.gov

The following duck report is courtesy of Jim Matthews. P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or call Jim Matthews at PH #1-909-887-3444. Email is
 

SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA

Click here for Map of San Jacinto WA

Click here for weather report at San Jacinto

The SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, located in western Riverside County near Lake Perris is perhaps the second most popular hunting area next to Wister.

1/24/02 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 62 hunters last Wednesday who shot 103 ducks and three coots for a 1.71 average. The duck bag included 61 greenwing teal, 10 ruddies, seven shovelers, six pintail, six gadwall, three canvasback, two widgeon, two redheads, two scaup, two bufflehead, one mallard, and one cinnamon teal. On Saturday, there were 87 hunters who shot 95 ducks and 10 coots for a 1.21 average. The bag consisted of 51 greenwings, 12 gadwall, seven canvasback, seven shovelers, five pintail, four cinnamon teal, two mallards, two redheads, one ringneck, and one ruddy.

1/17/02 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 72 hunters last Wednesday who shot 144 ducks and two coots for a 2.03 average. The bag included 123 greenwings, 10 cinnamons, three shovelers, two gadwall, two ruddies, two widgeon, one canvasback, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 64 hunters who shot 86 ducks and one coot for a 1.34 average. The bag was made up of 65 greenwings, five shovelers, three gadwall, three cinnamons, two widgeon, two redheads, two bufflehead, two ruddies, one pintail, and one scaup.

1/10/02 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 62 hunters last Wednesday who shot 69 ducks and two coots for a 1.15 average. The duck bag included 24 greenwings, 17 shovelers, nine widgeon, five pintail, four gadwall, four ruddies, three cinnamons, two scaup, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 87 hunters who shot 64 ducks and a coot for a .98 average. The bag was made up of 53 greenwings, 14 shovelers, five cinnamons, four mallards, two widgeon, two pintail, one gadwall, one canvasback, one scaup, and one ruddy.

1/3/02 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 48 hunters this past Thursday who shot 73 ducks and four coots for a 1.6 average. The duck bag included 26 shovelers, 21 greenwings, 10 gadwall, five widgeon, five cinnamon teal, one mallard, one pintail, one canvasback, one scaup, one bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 76 hunters who shot 101 ducks and a coot for a 1.34 average. The bag consisted of 28 greenwings, 26 shovelers, 14 ruddies, 12 gadwall, nine widgeon, four mallards, three ringnecks, two cinnamons, one redhead, one canvasback, and one bufflehead.

At the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, the bag climbed to over a bird-per-hunt on the two shoot days this past week -- Thursday and Saturday -- with a 1.5 and 1.3 averages respectively. That is refreshing news after the area had been shooting at under a bird per hunter for most of the season, but it is still well below what it has shot in previous years during this time of year. The bag here has mostly been greenwinged teal and shovelers. There are now sites available on the Walker Duck Club acquisition of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, and they have been good bets for hunters with a good draw number. Hunters are also advised that access to the refuge will only be from the north in January. The county is closing Davis Road north of Ramona Expressway, so hunters will need to access the refuge off Highway 60 at the Theodore Street offramp, taking it south to Davis Road. Davis is the dirt road extension of Theodore where the pavement ends.

12/27/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 43 hunters last Wednesday who shot 38 ducks, three coots, and one goose for a .97 average. The bag was made up of one snow goose, 21 shovelers, six greenwings, four ringnecks, three bufflehead, two gadwall, one mallard, and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 79 hunters who shot 75 ducks and one coot for a .96 average. The bag included 32 shovelers, 20 greenwings, six ruddies, five cinnamons, four widgeon, two gadwall, two canvasback, two bufflehead, one mallard, and one scaup. There are now sites available on the Walker Duck Club acquisition. Hunters are also advised that access to the refuge duck sites will only be from the north. The county is closing Davis Road north of Ramona Expressway, so hunters will need to access the refuge off Highway 60 at the Theodore Street offramp, taking it south to Davis Road. Davis is the dirt road extension of Theodore where the pavement ends.

12/20/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 57 hunters last Wednesday who shot 72 ducks, 12 coots, and two geese for a 1.51 average. The bag was made up of two Canada geese, 37 greenwing teal, 14 shovelers, eight cinnamon teal, five widgeon, three ruddies, two gadwall, one redhead, one scaup, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 67 hunters who shot 75 ducks and one coot for a 1.13 average. The bag consisted of 33 shovelers, 15 greenwings, seven canvasback, six ruddies, five widgeon, three cinnamons, three bufflehead, one gadwall, one ringneck, and one scaup.

12/13/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 59 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks and three coots for a .54 average. The bag was made up of nine shovelers, four ringnecks, three gadwall, three widgeon, three scaup, two mallards, two cinnamon teal, one greenwing teal, one bufflehead and eight ruddies. Of the 35 reservations holders, 17 showed up. On Saturday, there were 69 hunters who shot 57 ducks and nine coots for a .96 average. The bag was made up of 12, greenwings, 11 shovelers, nine ringnecks, eight ruddies, six widgeon, five gadwall, three cinnamons, two scaup, and one pintail. There were 16 or 35 reservations holders on time.

12/06/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 58 hunters last Wednesday who shot 69 ducks and three coots for a 1.24 average. The bag consisted 16 greenwing teal, 15 cinnamon teal, nine bufflehead, six ringnecks, five ruddies, four gadwall, four widgeon, three scaup, two mallards, two shovelers, two redheads, and one hooded merganser. Only 16 of 35 reservation holders showed up. On Saturday, there were 59 hunters who shot 65 ducks and one whitefront goose for a 1.19 average. The bag consisted of 18 greenwings, 13 shovelers, 13 widgeon, six cinnamons, five gadwall, two mallards, two bufflehead, one canvasback, one pintail, one ringneck, one scaup, one ruddy, and one wood duck. Only 11 of 35 reservation holders arrived on time.

11/30/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 44 hunters last Wednesday who shot 47 ducks and four coots for a 1.16 average. The bag included 18 widgeon, 11 greenwing teal, five ringnecks, three shovelers, two pintail, two redhead, two ruddies, one gadwall, one cinnamon teal, one scaup, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 78 hunters who shot 71 ducks and a coot for a .92 average. The bag was made up of 25 widgeon, 18 cinnamon teal, nine ruddies, six greenwing, five gadwall, two shovelers, two scaup, two bufflehead, one redhead, and one ringneck.

11/21/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 48 hunters last Wednesday who shot 28 ducks and two coots for a .63 average. The duck bag was made up of six shovelers, six bufflehead, four greenwing teal, four widgeon, three ruddy ducks, two gadwall, one mallard, one cinnamon teal, and one ringneck duck. On Saturday, there were 59 hunters who shot 38 ducks and three coots for a .69 average. The bag consisted of 10 widgeon, six cinnamon teal, four gadwall, four ringnecks, three greenwings, three shovelers, three redheads, two pintail, two bufflehead, and one ruddy.

11/14/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 48 hunters last Wednesday who shot 46 ducks for a .96 average. The duck bag was made up of 13 widgeon, seven shovelers, seven cinnamon teal, five ruddies, four gadwall, three pintail, two ringnecks, two mallards, one cinnamon, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 55 hunters who shot 65 ducks for a 1.18 average. The bag consisted of 21 cinnamon teal, 13 ringnecks, seven greenwings, seven shovelers, five widgeon, four ruddies, three gadwall, one pintail, and one bufflehead.

11/7/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 57 hunters last Wednesday who shot 71 ducks and three coots for a 1.30 average. The bag consisted of 30 widgeon, 22 shovelers, four greenwings, three cinnamons, three pintail, three ruddies, two ringnecks, one redhead, one gadwall, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 49 hunters who shot 32 ducks for a .65 average. The bag consisted of 17 shovelers, five cinnamon teal, four greenwings, four widgeon, and two scaup.

10/31/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 35 hunters last Wednesday who shot 41 ducks, two Canada geese and five coots for a 1.37 waterfowl average. The duck bag included 12 cinnamon teal, eight shovelers, six greenwings, six widgeon, four pintail, two gadwall, one redhead, one ringneck, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 58 hunters who shot 30 ducks, two speckled geese, and two coots for a .59 average. The duck bag consisted of nine shovelers, eight greenwings, three gadwall, three widgeon, two cinnamons, one pintail, one redhead, one scaup, one wood duck, one ruddy, and one bluewing teal. The duck hunt has been pretty slow here however, with the average about a half-bird per hunter on Saturday. San Jacinto increasingly is likely to become a better goose spot as more land is managed for feed.

10/24/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 69 hunters last Wednesday who shot 72 ducks and two coots for a 1.04 average. The bag consisted of 35 greenwings, 14 cinnamons, nine shovelers, four ringnecks, three bluewing teal, three widgeon, two redheads, one mallard, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 72 hunters who shot 24 ducks and one coot for a .35 average. The duck bag included seven cinnamon teal, six greenwing teal, four shovelers, three widgeon, one gadwall, one redhead, one bluewing, and one surf scoter.

10/17/01 - At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 87 hunters opening Saturday who shot 366 ducks and two coots for a 4.33 average. The bag consisted of 168 cinnamon teal, 155 greenwing teal, 17 shovelers, 12 widgeon, four bluewing teal, two mallards, two wood ducks, one ruddy, one bufflehead, one ringneck, one pintail and one gadwall.

Tom Paulek, manager at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, echoed the same kind of feelings. “It was an outstanding opener. We had about a 4.5 average -- a little better than normal,” said Paulek. “It looks like we had a great influx of teal just before the opener. Last week we were not too impressed with the number of birds and we were pleasantly surprised at the numbers.” Overall, there were 87 hunters at San Jacinto who shot 366 ducks and two coots for a 4.31 average. Cinnamon teal were the top species with 168 bagged, followed by 155 greenwings. Paulek also said that Lake Perris shot exceptionally well with just over a 4.0 bird average for the 12 hunters who hit this spot opening day. “The water is high at Perris so it has flooded into the willows -- perfect habitat for mallards,” said Paulek, who noted that 16 of the 49 ducks taken were mallards. He thought that with the reduced number of boat sites at Perris this year -- down to 10 from 15 -- and the drying up of Mystic Lake would lead to a much better quality hunt at Perris this year for the few hunters who bother to hunt here.

9/27/01 - Area manager Tom Paulek said there will be about 30 blind sites ready for opening day, but that 10 or more sites will be added some time during the season thanks to the state’s purchase of the Walker Duck Club and other properties in the area. “Over 2,500 acres have been acquired since last year,” said Paulek. “The public now owns nearly all of Mystic Lake, which is dry this year, all the way down to Bridge Street. The area is close to 10,000 acres now.”

While hunting was pretty dismal last year with a 1.14 average, the worst in the history of the wildlife area, the addition of the Walker Duck Club and the drying of Mystic Lake might just improve the hunting in the valley this year for public land hunters. Paulek said the DFG was considering managing the old duck club as a quality hunt area rather than a quantity hunting area, only putting in 10 or so blind sites. All of the former club’s ponds have been cleaned and the DFG was in the process of getting the well working. “I’m sure we’ll have something out there before the season gets too far along,” said Paulek.

San Jacinto is open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system or a daily drawing for remaining sites (sweat line), after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are also permitted throughout the shoot day until 3:30 PM. Shoot days are Wednesday and Saturday. Check in station opens 2 hours before shoot time, about 3:30 am to 4 am depending on the day of season. 4 hunters in party allowed , 2 adults max. No camping allowed in WA but you can camp off Jack Rabbit Rd. which is just east of the San Jacinto WA. For more information, contact the wildlife area at (909) 654-0580.

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.  The phone number is (909) 654-0580. Tom Paulek's e-mail tpaulek@dfg.ca.gov
 

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. How good does it look this year? "Absolutely fantastic!" according to Dylan Kesser, reservation biologist. Scattered storms have actually helped double the already heavy population. CRIT hunting permits are available at Woody's Gas and Snack Parker, AZ (520) 669-8792 1001 Fiesta Ave. Woody's II Poston, AZ (520) 662-4801 Mohave Rd. June's Unique Parker, AZ (520) 669-8883 813 Kofa Ave. Hidden Valley Resort Blythe, CA (760) 922-6745 100 Colorado River Rd. Lost Lake Resort Lost Lake, CA (760) 664-4413 U.S. Highway 95. Mc's Market Parker Dam, AZ (520) 667-2231 58565 Riverside Dr. River Lagoon Resort. 50078 Parker Poston Rd. Ehrenberg, AZ (520) 923-7942. Yellow Mart Blythe, CA (760) 922-4215 228 Hobson Way Water Wheel Resort Blythe, CA (760) 922-3863 29900 Hwy. 95. CRIT Fish & Game Office Parker, AZ (520) 669-9285 2100 Mutahar.

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.

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CHINO VALLEY PRISON/DAIRY AREA

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The cities of Ontario and Chino are quickly annexing this area into their city limits so hunting geese and ducks here is short lived.

LAKE PERRIS

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1/24/02 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were seven hunters last Wednesday who shot two greenwing teal and one Canada goose for a .43 average. On Saturday, there were seven hunters who shot six ducks and a Canada goose for a 1.0 average. The duck bag included three greenwings, two gadwall, and one mallard.

1/17/02 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot seven ducks for a 1.4 average. The bag consisted of three greenwings, two gadwall, one mallard, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot five ducks for a .31 average. The bag was made up of three gadwall, one shoveler, and one scaup.

1/10/02 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot seven ducks for a .58 average. The bag included three greenwing teal, a mallard, a shoveler, a ringneck, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot six ducks for a .38 average. The bag was made up of three mallards, one gadwall, a pintail, and a ruddy.

1/3/02 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters on Thursday who shot four ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag was made up of three mallards and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot 10 ducks for a .62 average. The bag included three greenwings, two gadwall, two mergansers, one mallard, one pintail, and one shoveler.

12/27/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot 11 ducks for a 1.37 average. The bag was made up of four gadwall, two mallards, two shovelers, one pintail, one greenwing, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 14 hunters who shot nine ducks and three coots for a .86 average. The duck bag consisted of three gadwall, two greenwings, two shovelers, one mallard, and one ruddy.

12/20/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were 16 hunters last Wednesday who shot 15 ducks and a coot for a 1.0 average. The bag was made up of nine greenwings, two mallards, two widgeon, one ruddy, and one merganser. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot eight ducks for a .50 average. The bag consisted of five greenwings, two ruddies, and one scaup.

12/13/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks for a 1.5 average. The bag was made up of four mallards and two greenwing teal. On Saturday, there were 13 hunters who shot seven ducks for a .54 average. The bag was made up of four mallards, one widgeon, one greenwing, and one scaup.

12/0/6/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were six hunters last Wednesday who shot 13 ducks for a 2.17 average. The bag was made up of five gadwall, two greenwings, two shovelers, one mallard, one widgeon, one scaup, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were six hunters who shot 10 ducks and a coot for a 1.83 average. The bag consisted of four mallards, four widgeon, a gadwall, and a ruddy.

11/30/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot 16 ducks for a 2.0 average. The duck kill included seven widgeon, three gadwall, three ringnecks, two ruddies, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 14 hunters who shot two ducks, a gadwall and a widgeon, for a .14 average.

11/21/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 15 ducks and two coots for a 1.21 average. The duck kill included seven widgeon, three greenwings, two shovelers, one gadwall, one pintail, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot four ducks for a .26 average. The bag included two mallards and two gadwall.

11/14/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 18 ducks for a 2.0 average. The bag was made up of 10 greenwing teal, four mallards, two gadwall, and two widgeon. On Saturday, there were nine hunters who had six ducks for a .67 average. The bag consisted of three mallards, one gadwall, one greenwing, and one bufflehead.

11/7/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot 12 ducks for a 3.0 average. The bag was made up of three mallards, three pintail, three ringnecks, one gadwall, one widgeon, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were eight hunters who shot 10 ducks for a 1.25 average. The bag consisted of four mallards, three greenwings, one bufflehead, one widgeon, and one pintail.

10/31/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 ducks for a 2.5 average. The duck bag consisted of four mallards, three greenwing teal, one gadwall, one pintail, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 10 hunters who shot 14 ducks for a 1.4 average. The bag consisted of five gadwall, four mallards, three greenwings, one shoveler, and one ruddy.

10/24/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 31 ducks for a 3.44 average. The duck bag consisted of 20 mallards, three gadwall, three redheads, three ringnecks, two greenwings, one scaup and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot 14 ducks for a 1.16 average. The bag was made up of 11 mallards, two ruddies, and one gadwall.

10/17/01 - At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were 12 hunters opening Saturday who shot 49 ducks for a 4.08 average. The bag consisted of 16 mallards, 15 gadwall, 11 greenwing teal, four widgeon, two shovelers, and one pintail. Only six of 10 blind sites were occupied opening day.

Manager Tom Paulek said that Lake Perris shot exceptionally well with just over a 4.0 bird average for the 12 hunters who hit this spot opening day. “The water is high at Perris so it has flooded into the willows -- perfect habitat for mallards,” said Paulek, who noted that 16 of the 49 ducks taken were mallards. He thought that with the reduced number of boat sites at Perris this year -- down to 10 from 15 -- and the drying up of Mystic Lake would lead to a much better quality hunt at Perris this year for the few hunters who bother to hunt here.

9/27/01 - Managed by the DFG, hunters numbers have been down at Perris, so manager Tom Paulek said it was likely the number of sites would be reduced this season to just 10 instead of 15. This will spread out the hunters more and improve the quality of the hunt for those who do hunt Perris.

LAKE PERRIS is a sleeper spot for hunters in western Riverside County. Hunters are allowed to hunt until noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Only hunters with boats and motors can hunt the area, and the check-in station is at parking lots 11 and 12 at the jet ski launch ramp inside the state recreation area. (Until last year, the hunt was run out of Bernasconi Beach). Throughout the early part of the season, Perris is a very productive spot for mallards. Hunting in the flooded willow trees in the east end can make this reminiscent of hunting timber mallards in Arkansas. Good callers are often very successful here.

Perris is open on a first-come, first-serve basis each shoot day and its blind site quota never filled last year, even on opening day. You must have your own boat to launch to reach the blind sites across the lake. Check in is 5 a.m. and access to this area is only through the Via Del Lago Lake Perris entry gate. No hunters allowed in after 6:30 am day of shoot. 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. 10 hunt blinds with 2 hunters per blind. You must bring your own blind material and there is no shore hunting. For more information, contact the San Jacinto Wildlife Area at (909) 654-0580.
 

OWENS RIVER VALLEY & OWENS LAKE

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12/07/01 - Heavy wind + Light snow = 4 Honkers for 2 of us. There still isn't much around here yet, especially ducks. hronk.

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.

I have hunted Owens Lake since about 1976. It can be very good at times. There is a wintering population of about 1500 snow geese and ducks & honkers spend limited time here all thru the season. There are fresh water springs all around the lake and quite a hatch of brine flies whenever the sun shines. This is the main diet of the snows and the main reason I don't hunt them any more. They taste very strong and smell like a gut shot deer when you openthem up. When there is a lot of pressure, the geese actually go to Ridgecrest to feed on the golf course and alfalfa fields then return to the lake bed to rest. Hronk.

BALDWIN LAKE

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Baldwin Lake will not be open to waterfowl hunting on opening day this year, due to lack of water. 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 For information on hunting Baldwin and its status for this year, contact the DFG office in Chino at (562) 597-9823. 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. 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

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1/17/02 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 19 hunters this past Wednesday who shot 33 ducks and two coots for a 1.84 average. The bag consisted of 17 cinnamon teal, nine widgeon, two shovelers, two pintail, one gadwall, one canvasback, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 29 hunters who shot 36 ducks and three coots for a 1.34 average. The bag was made up of 12 wigeon, 11 cinnamons, five mallards, four greenwings, three shovelers, and one pintail. On Sunday, there were 21 hunters who shot 21 ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag was made up of nine cinnamons, seven widgeon, two gadwall, one greenwing, one shoveler, and one canvasback.

1/3/02 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 21 hunters last Wednesday who shot 20 ducks for a .95 average. The bag included five cinnamons, five widgeon, three shovelers, three ruddies, two mergansers, one pintail and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 22 hunters who shot 25 ducks for a 1.14 average. The bag was made up of 10 cinnamons, nine widgeon, two mallards, one greenwing, one shoveler, one ruddy, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were 15 hunters who shot 27 ducks for a 1.8 average.

Even the private duck clubs, which normally are a notch or two above the public land spots are seeing poor shooting. Mike Raahauge said he wasn't sure it was worth tallying up the count this week. "It's not just here, it's everywhere I guess," said Raahauge. "My brother lives at Grizzly Island and he has a friend who's an avid, avid avid duck hunter and do you know how many birds he's shot this year? Seven. I asked one of the guys on the club how he's doing and he said, `Oh, I'm not doing too good this year, I figure I've got about $500 a pound invested in ducks this year.' That's how it is," said Raahauge.

12/27/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 16 hunters last Wednesday who shot 37 ducks for a 2.31 average. The bag consisted of 12 mallards, nine widgeon, five shovelers, two greenwings, two cinnamons, two ringnecks, and two canvasback. On Saturday, there were 21 hunters who shot 56 ducks for a 2.67 average. The bag was made up of 26 widgeon, 14 cinnamons, nine shovelers, six mallards, three scaup, two wood ducks, one gadwall, one pintail, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 21 hunters who shot 39 ducks for a 1.86 average. The bag included 10 widgeon, nine cinnamons, six greewings, three mallards, three wood ducks, two shovelers, two pintail, two ruddies, one gadwall, one bufflehead, and one ringneck.

12/20/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 23 hunters last Wednesday who shot 41 ducks, six coots, and three geese for a 2.17 average. The bag consisted of three Canada geese, nine widgeon, eight cinnamons, six shovelers, five mallards, three gadwall, three scaup, three ruddies, and two greenwings. On Saturday, there were 32 hunters who shot 62 ducks, four coots, and a goose for a 2.09 average. The bag consisted of one snow goose, 19 wigeon, 12 mallards, 11 cinnamons, five greenwings, four shovelers, four gadwall, four ruddies, two scaup, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were 22 hunters who shot 40 ducks, eight coots, and five geese for a 2.41 average. The bag was made up of five Canada geese, 20 widgeon, five cinnamons, five mallards, four greenwing, four shoveler, and two canvasback.

12/13/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 26 hunters last week who shot 49 ducks and six coots for a 2.16 average. The bag was made up of 21 widgeon, 12 mallards, five cinnamons, four greenwings, three ringnecks, one shoveler, one gadwall, one scaup and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot 68 ducks and six coots for a 3.22 average. The bag consisted of 22 wigeon, 13 cinnamons, 10 mallards, eight shovelers, six greenwings, four pintail, two scaup, two ruddies, and one gadwall. On Sunday, there were 14 hunters who shot two geese, 27 ducks and four coots 2.36 average. The bag was made up of two Canada geese, nine widgeon, seven scaup, six cinnamons, two shovelers, one mallard, one gadwall, and one greenwing.

12/06/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 21 hunters last week who shot 58 ducks and three coots for a 2.90 average. The bag included 17 cinnamon teal, 12 mallards, eight widgeon, six shovelers, five wood ducks, four gadwall, two pintail, two scaup, one greenwing, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters shot 81 ducks and 11 coots for a 2.97 average. The bag included 36 widgeon, 17 cinnamons, 13 ruddies, 12 mallards, four redheads, three shovelers, one pintail, one ringneck, and one scaup. On Sunday, there 21 hunters who shot 35 ducks and six coots for a 1.92 average. The bag consisted of 12 mallards, 11 cinnamons, four shovelers, three widgeon, three redhead, one gadwall, and one pintail.

11/30/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 23 ducks and four coots for a 2.25 average. The bag was made up of nine mallards, five widgeon, three cinnamons, two greenwings, two shovelers, one gadwall, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot 36 ducks and six coots for a 2.63 average. The bag consisted of 12 widgeon, 10 cinnamons, five mallards, four shovelers, two ringnecks, one ruddy, one scaup, one merganser. On Sunday, there were 14 hunters who shot 19 ducks and one coot for a 1.49 average. The duck kill was made up of five ruddies, three cinnamon, two widgeon, two mallards, two ringneck, one shoveler, one gadwall, one pintail, one scaup, and one wood duck.

11/21/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 16 hunters last Wednesday who shot 18 ducks and four coots for a 1.38 average. The bag consisted of seven mallards, two pintail, two cinnamons, two ringnecks, two redheads, two scaup and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 14 hunters who shot 19 ducks and two coots for a 1.5 average. The bag was made up of six widgeon, six ruddies, five cinnamons, one greenwing, one shoveler, and one mallard. On Sunday, there were 11 hunters who shot 17 ducks and six coots for a 2.09 average. The duck kill included five cinnamons, four shovelers, four widgeon, two mallards, one gadwall, and one ruddy.

11/14/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot 52 ducks and two coots for a 6.75 average. The bag consisted of 15 widgeon, 10 mallards, nine cinnamon teal, six gadwall, five shoveler, three pintail, two ringneck, one ruddy, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 24 hunters who shot 47 ducks and eight coots for a 2.29 average. The bag was made up of 12 cinnamon teal, 11 widgeon, five mallards, five pintail, five ringnecks, four gadwall, two shovelers, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were 19 hunters who shot 24 ducks and seven coots for a 1.63 average. The kill was made up of eight widgeon, seven cinnamons, two shovelers, two mallards, two pintail, two ringneck, and one wood duck.

11/7/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 42 ducks and four coots for a 3.83 average. The bag consisted of 13 widgeons, nine cinnamons, seven gadwall, six mallards, three greenwings, two shovelers, one pintail, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot 44 ducks and six coots for a 3.13 average. The bag was made up of 18 mallards, nine widgeon, six cinnamons, four gadwall, three shovelers, two scaup, one greenwing, and one pintail. On Sunday, there were 10 hunters who shot 39 ducks and three coots for a 4.2 average. The duck kill included nine widgeon, eight cinnamon teal, five shovelers, four mallards, three pintail, three redhead, two greenwings, two scaup, two wood ducks, and one gadwall.

10/31/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 61 ducks and four coots for a 4.64 average. The duck bag included 16 cinnamon teal, 13 widgeon, nine mallards, nine shovelers, six greenwings, four pintail, two wood ducks, one bufflehead, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 18 hunters who shot 29 ducks and two coots for a 1.72 average. The duck bag consisted of 10 mallards, nine widgeon, three cinnamon teal, and one each on the greenwings, shovelers, gadwall, pintail, ringnecks, redheads, and wood ducks. On Sunday, 11 hunters shot 35 ducks and six coots for a 3.72 average. The duck kill consisted of 11 mallards, 10 widgeon, eight greenwings, three cinnamons, two shovelers, and one wood duck.

10/24/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 17 hunters last Wednesday who shot 36 ducks and six coots for a 2.47 average. The duck bag consisted of 21 mallards, six cinnamon teal, three greenwings, three wood ducks, two gadwall, and on pintail. On Saturday, there were 20 hunters who shot 41 ducks and four coots for a 2.25 average. The duck kill included 17 mallards, eight widgeon, four cinnamons, three greenwings, three pintail, two redheads, one gadwall, one ruddy, one ringneck, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were 11 hunters who shot 25 ducks and two coots for a 2.45 average. The duck bag consisted of 11 mallards, nine cinnamon teal, seven widgeon, three greenwings, two gadwall, one ruddy, and one ringneck.

10/17/01 - At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 44 total hunters opening Saturday who shot 143 ducks, including 23 limits, for a 3.25 average. The bag consisted of 65 mallards, 46 cinnamon teal, nine widgeon, six greenwings, four pintail, three bufflehead, three gadwall, three wood ducks, two ruddies, and two ringnecks. On Sunday, there were 16 hunters who shot 49 ducks for a 3.06 average. The bag was made up of 16 cinnamon teal, 15 mallards, five greenwings, three gadwall, three wood ducks, and two redheads.

9/27/01 - All of the duck ponds are already being flooded, according to Mike Raahauge, and birds are already showing in the area. Raahauge’s, because of an extensive nesting box program run by the California Waterfowl Association and Southern California Ducks, is one of the best areas in the state to shoot a wood duck.

At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there are a minimum of 15 blinds open daily to public hunters on this club. The 2001 fee is $125 for a two-person blind. To encourage hunters to bring juniors, hunters with a junior hunting license can hunt free on these sites when accompanied by a paying adult, who has to shell out only $50. All of the duck ponds are already being flooded, according to Mike Raahauge, and birds are already showing in the area. Raahauge's, because of an extensive nesting box program run by the California Waterfowl Association and Southern California Ducks, is one of the best areas in the state to shoot a wood duck. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. All reservations are already 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

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1/24/02 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 152 hunters last Wednesday who shot 203 ducks and 21 geese for a 1.47 average. The bag included 21 snows, 91 greenwings, 40 pintail, 29 shoveler, 17 cinnamons, 11 widgeon, eight gadwall, five mallards, one redhead, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 278 hunters who shot 316 ducks and 15 geese for a 1.19 average. The bag was made up of 15 snow geese, 140 greenwings, 67 cinnamons, 42 pintail, 26 shovelers, 20 widgeon, 10 gadwall, four mallards, four ruddies, two bufflehead, and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 139 hunters who shot 172 ducks and 27 geese for a 1.43 average. The bag consisted of 26 snows, one Canada goose, 69 greenwings, 33 pintail, 28 shovelers, 12 gadwall, 12 widgeon, 11 cinnamons, four mallards, and three redheads.

1/17/02 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 116 hunters last Wednesday who shot 179 ducks and eight geese for a 1.61 average. The bag included eight snow geese, 80 greenwings, 27 pintail, 23 cinnamons, 19 widgeon, 19 shovelers, 10 gadwall, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 231 die-hard hunters who shot 266 ducks and 27 geese for a 1.27 average. The bag included 26 snow geese, one Ross' goose, 130 greenwings, 40 pintail, 38 cinnamons, 26 shovelers, 17 wigeon, eight gadwall, four ruddies, two mallards, and one bufflehed. On Sunday, there were 135 hunters who shot 66 ducks and 13 geese for a .59 average. The bag was made up of 12 snow geese, one Canada goose, 28 greenwings, nine cinnamons, eight pintail, eight shoveler, five gadwall, four mallards, two widgeon, and two ruddies.

1/10/02 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 114 hunters last Wednesday who shot 159 ducks and seven geese for a 1.46 average. The bag included seven snow geese, 47 shovelers, 42 greenwings, 28 cinnamons, 22 pintail, 10 widgeon, five gadwall, three ruddies, and two mallards. On Saturday, there were 271 hunters who shot 256 ducks and ine geese for a .98 average. The bag consisted of eight snow geese, one Ross' goose, 84 greenwings, 67 shovelers, 39 cinnamons, 29 pintail, 14 widgeon, 11 gadwall, four mallards, three redheads, two scaup, two ruddies, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were 129 hunters who shot 63 ducks and five geese. The bag was made up of five snow geese, 18 greenwings, 17 shovelers, 10 cinnamons, seven pintail, four gadwall, three widgeon, two scaup, one mallard and one ruddy.

1/3/02 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 108 hunters last Thursday who shot 156 ducks and three snow geese for a 1.47 average. The bag included 73 shovelers, 35 greenwings, nine gadwall, nine pintail, eight widgeon, eight cinnamons, five mallards, three ringnecks, two ruddies, one redhead, one goldeneye, one bluewing teal, and one merganser. On Saturday, there were 296 hunters who shot 248 ducks and six snow geese for a .86 average. The duck bag was made up of 70 shovelers, 65 cinnamons, 54 greenwings, 20 pintail, 12 gadwall, nine widgeon, six mallards, four ruddies, three redheads, two scaup, two bufflehead, and one bluewing. On Sunday, there were 152 hunters who shot 66 ducks and six snow geese for a .47 average. The duck bag consisted of 18 shovelers, 13 greenwings, 10 cinnamons, eight mallards, six pintail, five widgeon, four ruddies, one gadwall, and one bluewing.

At the Salton Sea, the duck and goose hunting continues to be pretty poor. Both weekend shoot days saw averages of well under a bird per hunter and even the Thursday shoot days was almost 1.5 birds, well below normal for this time of year. The goose harvest, normally in the 100s for Wister and the federal refuge, has been 35, 28, and 54 the last three weeks. On Saturday, Ty Nay, a guide with Fortin Outfitters in the Imperial Valley, said the hunting has been spotty even on the private clubs. "We've been pretty steady shooting snows, but the duck hunting is terrible throughout the valley. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying," said Nay.

12/27/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 162 hunters last Wednesday who shot 312 ducks and 13 geese for a 2.01 average. The bag included 13 snow geese, 99 greenwings, 96 shovelers, 46 cinnamons, 39 widgeon, 15 pintail, nine gadwall, three ruddies, two ringnecks, one mallard, one redhead, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 253 hunters who shot 431 ducks and 16 geese for a 1.76 average. The bag consisted of 15 snow geese, one Canada goose, 144 greenwings, 143 shovelers, 68 cinnamon teal, 26 widgeon, 26 pintail, 11 gadwall, four mallards, three ruddies, two bufflehead, one ringneck, one scaup, and one bluewing teal. On Sunday, there were 111 hunters who shot 84 ducks and two geese for a .77 average. The bag was made up of two snow geese, 29 shovelers, 18 cinnamons, 16 greenwings, 10 pintail, five mallards, three widgeon, two ruddies and one bufflehead.

12/20/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 126 hunters last Wednesday who shot 187 ducks and nine geese for a 1.56 average. The bag consistes of nine snow geese, 45 wigeon, 44 greenwings, 44 shovelers, 21 pintail, 14 cinnamons, 11 gadwall, three mallards, three ruddies, one redhead, and one wood duck. There were 26 of 100 reservations on time. On Saturday, there were 202 hunters who shot 627 ducks and 41 geese for a 3.31 average. The bag was made up of 40 snow geese, one Ross' goose, 220 greenwing teal, 147 widgeon, 142 shovelers, 54 pintail, 23 gadwall, 21 cinnamons, eight mallards, seven ruddies, three ringnecks, one redhead, and one scaup. Thirty of 100 reservation-holder showed up. On Sunday, there were 84 hunters who shot 93 ducks and 10 geese for a 1.23 average. The bag included 10 snow geese, 25 shovelers, 24 greenwings, 13 widgeon, nine cinnamons, six gadwall, six pintail, four mallards, three bufflehead, one redhead, one canvasback, and one ruddy. There were 18 of 100 reservation holders on time.

12/13/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 93 hunters last Wednesday who shot 99 ducks and 12 geese for a 1.19 average. The bag was made up of 10 snow geese, two Canada geese, 26 greenwings, 24 shovelers, 17 widgeon, 14 cinnamons, 11 pintail, four gadwall, and three mallards. Of the 100 reservations issued, 21 showed up. On Saturday, there were 202 hunters who shot 192 ducks and 21 geese for a 1.05 average. The bag consisted of 19 snow geese, two Ross' geese, 59 greenwings, 31 cinnamons, 31 widgeon, 22 pintail, 19 shovelers, 12 gadwall, nine mallards, four ringnecks, two bufflehead, two ruddies, and one redhead. Of 100 reservation holders, only 40 showed up on time. On Sunday, there were 102 hunters who shot 59 ducks and 11 geese for a .69 average. The kill was made up of eight snow geese, two Canada geese, one Ross' goose, 21 greenwings, 12 cinnamons, six shovelers, five pintail, five mallards, four widgeon, three ruddies, one gadwall, one ringneck, and one bluewing teal. There were 21 of 100 reservation holders on time.

12/06/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 101 hunters last Wednesday who shot 77 ducks and eight geese for a .84 average. The bag included six snows, two Ross’ geese, 15 greenwings, 14 widgeon, 13 mallards, 11 pintail, 11 shovelers, seven cinnamons, three gadwall and three ruddies. On Saturday, there were 230 hunters who shot 110 ducks and 14 geese for a .54 average. The bag consisted of 10 snows, four Ross’, 29 shovelers, 28 greenwings, 16 cinnamons, 12 ruddies, nine widgeon, six mallards, five pintail, two gadwall, two goldeneye, and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 130 hunters who shot seven geese and 34 ducks for a .31 average. The bag was made up of six snows, one Ross, 10 shovelers, six mallards, five pintail, four cinnamons, three greenwings, two gadwall, two widgeon, and two ruddies.

11/30/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 100 hunters last Wednesday who shot 61 ducks and 28 geese for a .89 average. The bag was made up of 27 snow geese, one Ross’ goose, 15 greenwings, 11 pintail, nine widgeon, seven gadwall, seven mallards, seven cinnamon teal, two ruddies, two shovelers, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 257 hunters who shot 100 ducks and 20 geese for a .47 average. The bag was made up of 16 snows geese, four Ross’ geese, 30 greenwings, 22 cinnamons, 20 pintail, 12 widgeon, five mallards, five gadwall, three shovelers, one redhead, one scaup, and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 83 hunters who shot 40 ducks and seven geese for a .57 average. The bag included five snow geese, one Ross’ goose, 15 widgeon, six gadwall, six greenwings, four mallards, three cinnamons, two pintail, two shovelers, and two redheads.

11/21/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 97 hunters last Wednesday who shot 66 ducks and three geese for a .71 average. The bag consisted of two snow geese, one Ross’ goose, 18 pintail, 12 widgeon, 11 greenwing, nine gadwall, five shovelers, four cinnamon teal, two mallards, two redheads, two bufflehead, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 187 hunters who shot 76 ducks and five geese for a .43 average. The bag was made up of four snow geese, one Ross’ goose, 24 pintail, 13 widgeon, 11 shoveler, nine greenwing, five mallards, five cinnamons, three gadwall, three ringnecks, two redheads, and one scaup. On Sunday, there were 84 hunters who shot 25 ducks for a .30 average. The bag was made up of 11 cinnamon teal, three widgeon, three pintail, three greenwings, three shovelers, one gadwall, and one ringneck.

11/14/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 97 hunters last Wednesday who shot 65 ducks and five geese for a .72 average. The bag was made up of four snow geese, one Ross’ goose, 23 pintail, 16 widgeon, 10 shovelers, six greenwings, three bufflehead, two ringnecks, one gadwall, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 163 hunters who shot 140 ducks and 32 geese for a 1.06 average. The bag consisted of 29 snow geese, two Ross’ geese, one Canada goose, 30 pintail, 25 greenwings, 20 widgeon, 20 shovelers, 15 cinnamons, 13 gadwall, four mallards, three redheads, three scaup, two ringnecks, two ruddies, and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 141 hunters who shot 31 ducks and seven geese for a .27 average. The bag was made up of six snow geese, one Canada goose, 13 pintail, five cinnamons, four mallards, two widgeon, one ringneck, one goldeneye, and one ruddy.

The duck harvest remains down throughout Southern California, but the number of light geese in the Imperial Valley continues to climb and the hunting at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge, and the private clubs in the region is pretty good for skilled goose hunters. Ty Nay, a hunting guide working with Fortin Outfitters in Imperial County, had five hunters on Saturday and all limited on snows and had one honker as a kicker bird. Nay said they had a huge spread of decoys, including 17-inch white balloons filled with helium, that “attracted the birds like a magnet. For Imperial Valley, the balloons are probably better than a kite. The spread was so impressive we had a coyote stalking us,” said Nay.

11/7/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 74 hunters last Wednesday who shot 91 ducks and two geese for a 1.26 average. The bag was made up of one snow goose, one Ross’ goose, 36 greenwing teal, 24 pintail 10 widgeon, seven mallards, five cinnamons, five shovelers, three ringneck, and one gadwall. On Saturday, there were 169 hunters who shot 107 ducks and 10 geese for a .75 average. The bag was made up of eight snow geese, two Ross’ geese, 38 pintail, 27 greenwings, eight gadwall, eight shovelers, seven cinnamons, six ringnecks, four widgeon, four redheads, three mallards, and two radios. On Sunday, there were 95 hunters who shot 21 ducks and 15 geese for a .38 average. The bag consisted of 12 snow geese, three whitefront geese, five cinnamon teal, four greenwings, four mallards, three pintail, three shoveler, one redhead, and one bufflehead.

Two weeks ago, there were 25 geese taken at Wister and the federal refuge, and this past week the harvest jumped to 45 geese, 21 of those taken on Sunday, usually the slowest of the three shoot days each week. Ty Nay, who guides in the Imperial Valley, said the snow geese started flooding into the valley just before the full moon last week. On Friday, he said his six hunters all had limits of light geese -- 18 birds -- and on Saturday he had a big group of 17 hunters who shot 23 birds.

10/31/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 70 hunters last Wednesday who shot 87 ducks and three geese, for a 1.29 average. The bag consisted of two white-front geese and a snow goose, 22 shovelers, 21 pintail, 20 greenwings, 10 cinnamons, nine widgeon, three mallards, and two ruddies. On Saturday, there were 168 hunters who shot 138 ducks and 10 geese for a .88 average. The bag included seven Ross’ geese, two snows, and one Canada goose; 51 pintail, 26 greenwings, 18 cinnamons, 15 shovelers, 10 widgeon, nine mallards, five ruddies, two gadwall, and one redhead. On Sunday, there were 78 hunters who shot 46 ducks and seven geese for a .67 average. The harvest included five snow geese, two Ross’ geese, 14 pintail, nine greenwings, five shovelers, four widgeon, three gadwall, two redheads, two ringnecks, one mallard, and one cinnamon.

At Wister, in spite of the first major batch of snow geese showing up in the Imperial Valley, there was generally very slow hunting this past week, and waterfowl averages dropped below a bird per hunter on Wednesday or Saturday for the first time this season this past weekend when 168 hunters managed to get only 138 ducks and 10 geese on Saturday, with pintail making up the bulk of the bag at 51.

10/24/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 80 hunters last Wednesday who shot 165 ducks for a 2.06 average. The bag consisted of 55 greenwing teal, 30 widgeon, 28 cinnamon teal, 26 pintail, 19 mallards, five gadwall, and two redheads. On Saturday, there were 143 hunters who shot 184 ducks and four geese, including two white-fronts, one Canada goose, and one snow goose, for a 1.31 average. The duck bag consisted of 60 greenwings, 44 pintail, 26 widgeon, 26 greenwings, 17 shovelers, five gadwall, four mallards, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 76 hunters who shot 55 ducks and one white-front goose for a .73 average. The duck bag included 15 cinnamons, 11 greenwings, nine pintail, eight shovelers, five widgeon, five mallards, and two gadwall.

10/17/01 - At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 439 hunters opening Saturday who shot 1,533 ducks for a 3.49 average. The bag consisted of 753 greenwing teal, 455 cinnamons, 117 mallards, 94 pintail, 76 widgeon, 23 shovelers, seven gadwall, four ruddies, three redheads, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were 212 hunters who shot 337 ducks for a 1.59 average. The bag included 144 greenwings, 109 cinnamons, 38 pintail, 22 mallards, 14 widgeon, four shovelers, three redheads, and three gadwall.

Jim Chakarun, refuge manager at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, said Wister shot about the same as last year. “The numbers are almost identical to last year. I didn’t think it would shoot this well,” said Chakarun. He said the staff at Wister only counted about 10,000 birds on the area early last week. Overall, hunters shot 1,533 ducks on Saturday and another 337 on Sunday with averages at 3.4 Saturday and 1.6 on Sunday. Newly arrived teal made up the bulk of the harvest with 897 greenwings and 664 cinnamons taken over the two days. “I think they shoot ‘em all in the first half hour. That’s what it sounded like anyway,” said Chakarun.

9/27/01 - Wister is about 60 percent flooded up, according to the new area manager Jim Chakarun. He said that about 100 sites would be available for opening day this year. Chakarun said there were already hundreds of birds rafting on the edge of the Salton Sea and using the Wister Unit at night for feeding. New for this year, Chakarun said that there will be a computer drawing the evening before each shoot day to determine order of blind site selection. “It will be a lot quicker than the old ping-pong ball system and there is less room for human error,” said Chakarun. Chakarun is also working on a new system of maps for next year that will show the roads, parking areas, and blind locations in better detail than the current maps.

The annual hunter volunteer day at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area will be this Saturday 9/8/01, from 8 a.m. to noon followed by the Department of Fish and Game hosted barbecue. Jim Chakarun, the new refuge manager, said he was looking forward to the annual event where duck hunters come down to help do routine maintenance on the wildlife area. He said it would give him a chance to meet the regulars and talk hunting. Chakarun said the wildlife area was just starting its flooding of ponds, with 400 acres already in water at mid-week and the first pintails of the season already using the ponds. For more information, contact the wildlife area at (760) 359-0577.

Check in time is 3 am. Hunters without reservations can register at 10:30 PM the night before the shoot day, to get in the "sweat line" for any vacancies. There is primitive camping available near the check in station if you get a daily use permit. Motel lodging in nearby city of Niland, 4 miles from check in station. Duck cleaning facility available at check in station. Hunt party limit is 6, with 4 adults max.

Wister and the Hazard Unit (Union Tract) of the federal refuge are open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system and a daily drawing (sweat line), for sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are permitted. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The state manages the waterfowl hunting program for the federal refuge. For more information, contact the unit at (760) 359-0577. Manager Jim Chakarun's e-mail is imperialwla@dfg2.ca.gov  

HAZARD & UNION UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

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1/24/02 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 19 hunters last Wednesday who shot 35 ducks and four geese for a 2.05 average. The bag consisted of two snow geese, two Ross' geese, 15 greenwings, 14 shovelers, three pintail, two cinnamons, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 58 hunters who shot 51 ducks and one snow goose for a .90 average. The duck bag included 21 greenwings, 21 shovelers, four cinnamons, two canvasback, one gadwall, one pintail, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 29 hunters who shot 30 ducks and 10 geese for a 1.38 average. The bag was made up of five snow geese, five Ross' geese, 18 shovelers, 10 greenwings, and two cinnamons.

1/17/02 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 31 hunters last Wednesday who shot 47 ducks and two geese for a 1.58 average. The kill included two Ross' geese, 26 greenwings, 11 shoveler, six canvasback, one gadwall, one widgeon, one pintail, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 56 hunters who shot 50 ducks and 10 geese for a 1.07 average. The bag included seven snow geese, three Ross' geese, 16 greenwings, 14 shoveler, nine cinnamons, four redheads, three canvasback, two pintail, one gadwall, and one mallard. On Sunday, there were 26 hunters who shot six ducks and one duck for a .27 average. The bag consisted of one snow goose, two pintail, two greenwings, and two shovelers.

1/10/02 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 27 hunters last Wednesday who shot 45 ducks and two geese for a 1.74 average. The bag was made up of two Ross' geese, 23 shovelers, 14 greenwings, six cinnamons, one widgeon, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 51 hunters who shot 62 ducks and six geese for a 1.33 average. The bag consisted of five Ross' geese, one snow goose, 33 shovelers, nine greenwings, seven canvasback, six cinnamons, three redheads, two gadwall, one ruddy, and one scoter. On Sunday, there were 44 hunters who shot 14 ducks for a .32 average. The bag included five greenwing, five shovelers, three ruddies, and one cinnamon.

1/3/02 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 24 hunters last Thursday who shot 48 ducks and two geese for a 2.08 average. The bag was made up of one snow goose, one Ross' goose, 20 shovelers, 17 greenwings, five cinnamons, four pintail, one canvasback, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 55 hunters who shot 60 ducks and nine geese for a 1.25 average. The bag included five Ross' geese, four snow geese, 31 shovelers, 21 greenwings, four cinnamons, one gadwall, one redhead, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 47 hunters who shot 18 ducks and nine Ross' geese for a .57 average. The duck bag consisted of 10 shovelers, six greenwings, and two cinnamons.

12/27/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 33 hunters last Wednesday who shot 27 ducks and five geese for a .97 average. The bag was made up of three snow geese, two Ross' geese, 14 shovelers, seven greenwings, three cinnamons, one pintail, one ringneck, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 42 hunters who shot 59 ducks and 12 geese for a 1.69 average. The bag consisted of eight Ross' geese, four snow geese, 27 greenwings, 20 shovelers, five cinnamons, three pintail, two canvasback, and two ruddies. On Sunday, there were 23 hunters who shot 26 ducks and seven geese for a 1.43 average. The bag was made up of four Ross' geese, three snows, 11 greenwings, eight shovelers, three cinnamons, one gadwall, one pintail, one canvasback, and one scaup.

12/20/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot eight ducks and two geese for a .77 average. The bag consisted of one snow goose, one Ross' goose, four greenwings, two redheads, one mallard and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 30 hunters who shot 73 ducks and 13 geese for a 2.87 average. The bag consisted of nine Ross' geese, three snows, one Canada goose, 55 shovelers, 10 greenwings, five pintail, one gadwall, one widgeon, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 21 hunters who shot 18 ducks and seven geese for a 1.19 average. The bag was made up of six Ross' geee, one snow goose, 16 greenwings, one shoveler, and one ruddy.

12/13/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 33 hunters last Wednesday who shot 21 ducks and one goose for a .67 average. The bag was made up of one snow goose, 10 greenwings, four shovelers, three pintail, and one each on the mallard, gadwall, widgeon, and cinnamon teal. On Saturday, there were 44 hunters who shot 37 ducks and three geese for a .91 average. The bag was made up of two snow geese, one Ross' goose, 13 shovelers, 12 greenwings, five pintail, two widgeon, one mallard, and one cinnamon. On Sunday, there were 32 hunters who shot five ducks and one goose for a .19 average. The bag was made up of one snow goose, four shovelers, and one greenwing.

12/06/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 30 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 geese and 25 ducks for a 1.80 average. The bag consisted of 15 snows, 14 Ross’ geese, 12 shovelers, four greenwings, three pintail, three widgeon, two gadwall and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 51 hunters who shot 17 geese and 44 ducks for a 1.19 average. The bag was made up of 12 Ross’ geese, four snows, one Canada goose, 14 shovelers, 13 greenwings, five widgeon, three mallards, two cinnamons, two redheads, two ruddies, one pintail, one ringneck, and one scaup. On Sunday, there were 58 hunters who shot 16 geese and one ducks for a .28 average. The bag was made up of 12 Ross’, three snows, and one shoveler.

11/30/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 19 hunters last Wednesday who shot one duck and three geese for a .21 average. The bag was made up of two snow geese, one Ross’ goose, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 50 hunters who shot 23 ducks and 30 geese for a 1.06 average. The bag consisted of 16 snow geese, 14 Ross’ geese, eight greenwings, six shovelers, two gadwall, two widgeon, two scaup, one pintail, one bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 42 hunters who shot 27 ducks and 22 geese for a 1.17 average. The bag included 11 Ross’ geese, eight snow geese, nine greenwings, five pintail, five shovelers, five ruddies, two widgeon, and one scaup.

11/21/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 18 hunters last Wednesday who shot 19 ducks and two snow geese for a 1.17 average. The duck bag was made up of nine greenwings, two widgeon, two redheads, one mallard, one pintail, one cinnamon, one shoveler, one bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 25 hunters who shot 14 ducks for a .56 average. The bag consisted of four greenwings, three cinnamons, three shovelers, two pintail, one gadwall, and one scaup. On Sunday, there were nine hunters who didn’t shoot a bird.

11/14/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot five ducks for a .38 average. The bag was made up of two pintail, one cinnamon, one shoveler, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters who shot 18 ducks and five geese for a .74 average. The bag was made up of three snow geese, two Ross’ geese, seven cinnamons, three greenwings, two gadwall, two widgeon, one pintail, one shoveler, one scaup, and one merganser. On Sunday, there were 31 hunters who shot 23 ducks for a .74 average. The bag consisted of nine ruddies, four pintail, three ringneck, two greenwings, two bufflehead, one gadwall, one widgeon, and one shoveler.

11/7/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 10 hunters last Wednesday who shot 16 ducks and six geese for a 2.20 average. The bag was made up three snow geese, three Ross’ geese, seven greenwings, three cinnamons, two ringnecks, two ruddies, one pintail and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 29 hunters who shot 12 ducks and six geese for a .62 average. The bag consisted of five Ross’ geese, one snow goose, seven greenwings, two pintail, two cinnamons, and one mallard. On Sunday, there were 18 hunters who shot six geese for a .33 average. The bag was composed of three snows and three Ross’ geese.

10/31/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot three ducks for a .60 average. There were two shovelers and one greenwing in the bag. On Saturday, there were 20 hunters who shot 10 ducks and one Ross’ goose for a .55 average. The duck bag included three greenwings, three cinnamons, two ruddies, one redhead, and one bufflehead. On Sunday, five hunters shot four Ross’ geese and a single shoveler for a 1.0 average.

10/24/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were six hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 ducks for a 1.67 average. The duck kill included three mallards, two gadwall, two cinnamon teal, one widgeon, one greenwing teal, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 18 hunters who shot 27 ducks for a 1.5 average. The duck bag consisted of 17 greenwings, three widgeon, two cinnamons, two shovelers, one mallard, one pintail, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there was a single hunter who shot one greenwing teal for a 1.0 average.

10/17/01 - At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 45 hunters opening Saturday who shot 195 ducks for a 4.33 average. The bag consisted of 70 cinnamon teal, 61 greenwing teal, 26 shovelers, 10 ruddies, nine redheads, eight mallards, six pintail, three widgeon, and two gadwall. On Sunday, there were 37 hunters who shot 32 ducks for a .86 average. The bag included 16 greenwings, 10 shovelers, three mallards, one widgeon, one redhead, and one ruddy.

The HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is managed as part of  the Wister Unit. Check in time is 3 am. Hunters without reservations can register at 10:30 PM the night before the shoot day, to get in the "sweat line" for any vacancies. There is primitive camping available near the check in station if you get a daily use permit. Duck cleaning facility available at check in station. Hunt party limit is 6, with 4 adults max. For more information, contact the Wister Unit at (760) 359-0577. Manager Jim Chakarun's e-mail is imperialwla@dfg2.ca.gov 

FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA

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1/24/02 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 30 hunters from Monday through Sunday who shot 36 ducks for a 1.2 average. The bag included five shovelers, one greenwing, and 30 unidentified birds.

1/17/02 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 23 hunters from Monday through Sunday who shot 21 ducks for a .91 average. The bag included six shovelers, three greenwings, two canvasback, and 10 unidentified ducks.

1/10/02 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 26 hunters from Monday through Sunday who shot 20 ducks for a .77 average. The bag includedf seven shovelers, five greenwings, and eight birds were unidentified.

1/3/02 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 14 hunters from Monday through Sunday who shot two ruddy duck for a .14 average.

12/27/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 24 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 23 ducks for a .96 average. The bag included 11 greenwings, five shovelers, one cinnamon, one ruddy, and five ducks were identified.

12/20/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 30 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 33 ducks for a 1.10 average. The bag consisted of 18 shovelers, 10 greenwings, three pintail, a mallard and a gadwall.

12/13/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 21 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 24 ducks for a 1.14 average. The bag consisted of 15 greenwing teal, two shovelers, one gadwall, and six birds were unidentified.

12/06/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 17 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot four ducks for a .24 average. The bag was made up of two greenwings, one shoveler, and one ruddy.

11/30/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 43 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 25 ducks for a .58 average. The bag was made up of 13 greenwings, one gadwall, one shovelers, one redhead, one ringneck, and eight birds were unidentified.

11/21/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 18 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 18 ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag was made up of 13 unidentified birds, three greenwings, and two cinnamons.

11/14/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 19 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot five ducks for a .26 average. The bag was made up of four greenwings and one shoveler.

11/7/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 24 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 10 ducks for a .40 average. The bag was made up of five greenwings, two cinnnamons, a ringneck, a pintail and one gadwall.

10/31/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 21 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot five ducks and a coot for a .29 average. The bag consisted of three greenwing teal, one mallard, and one shoveler.

10/24/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 25 hunters last week from Monday through Sunday who shot 25 ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag consisted of 11 greenwing teal, three mallards, two cinnamon teal, two redheads and three birds were not identified. One hunter on Thursday shot four ducks, two greenwings and two redheads.

10/17/01 - At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 10 hunters opening Saturday who shot 20 ducks. On Sunday two hunters didn’t report 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. It is an ideal spot for a hunter with his own small duck boat or scull boat. While the numbers don't show it, the area can be very productive for a hunter who scouts the area and hunts it intelligently. For more information, contact the Wister Unit at (760) 359-0577. Manager Pam Churny's e-mail is imperialwla@dfg2.ca.gov
 

BARRETT LAKE

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1/24/02 - BARRETT LAKE had 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 49 ducks, including two limits, for a 3.77 average. The bag included 17 ruddies, 16 ringnecks, five widgeon, four canvasback, three greenwings, two mallard, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot 40 ducks for a 2.67 average. The bag was made up of 28 ruddies, four greenwings, three mallards, three widgeon, one canvasback, one ringneck, and one merganser.

1/17/02 - BARRETT LAKE had nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 40 ducks, including five limits, for a 4.44 average. The bag was made up of 16 ringnecks, seven mallards, five scaup, three ruddies, three shovelers, two widgeon, one canvasback, one gadwall, one greenwing, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot 52 ducks for a 3.47 average. The bag was made up of 24 ruddies, 18 ringnecks, five greenwings, one canvasback, one shoveler, one mallard, one widgeon, and one hooded merganser.

1/10/02 - At BARRETT LAKE there were six hunters this past Wednesday who shot 10 ducks for a 1.67 average. The bag included four ringnecks, three ruddies, two scaup, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were nine hunters who shot seven ducks for a .78 average. The bag included two gadwall, two greenwings, two ringnecks, and one pintail.

1/3/02 - BARRETT LAKE there were no hunt results available for the past week.

12/27/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 68 ducks and two coots for a 5.0 average. The duck bag included 31 ruddies, 19 ringnecks, five widgeon, three gadwall, two scaup, two greenwings, two redheads, two mergansers, one canvasback, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 18 hunters who shot 64 ducks for a 3.56 average. The bag consisted of 25 ruddies, 17 ringnecks, six widgeon, five mallards, three shovelers, two canvasback, two mergansers, one scaup, one pintail, and one redhead. Mike Besaw, Lakeside, and George Sawaya, El Cajon, hunted the No. 8 blind in the Hauser Arm and shot 14 birds last Wednesday for their limit which included two redheads, and on Saturday, David Ross, El Cajon and Steve Claunch, San Diego, hunted No. 5 blind in the Pine Creek Arm and topped off their limit with a mallard and a widgeon.

12/20/01 - At the SAN DIEGO CITY LAKES, BARRETT LAKE had eight hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks, including one limit, for a 3.63 average. The bag was made up of nine ringnecks, seven mallards, four scaup, three gadwall, two widgeon, two greenwings, and two redheads. On Saturday, there wre 18 hunters who shot 88 ducks, including 10 limits, for a 4.89 aveage. The bag included 32 ringnecks, 21 ruddies, 11 mallards, eight widgeon, six scaup, five greenwings, three gadwall, one bufflehead, and one canvasback. Kurt Vozely, La Mesa, and George Sawaya, El Cajon, hunted the No. 2 blind at Desolation Point and shot four mallard, four widgeon, and six ringnecks.

12/13/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 10 hunters Wednesday who shot 26 ducks, including one limit, for a 2.60 average. The bag was made up of eight ringnecks, six widgeon, four greenwing, three scaup, two mallards, one ruddy, one shoveler, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 14 hunters who shot 24 ducks, including one limit, for a 1.71 average. The kill included eight ringnecks, six mallards, six ruddies, two gadwall, one bufflehead, and one widgeon. At Barrett Lake, Dave Forsch, San Diego, killed two mallards and five ruddies from the No. 5 Pine Creek Arm blind, while George Sawaya, El Cajon, hunted the No. 8 blind in the Hauser Arm to get a mallard, a pintail, a wigeon, a greenwing, and three ringnecks for his limit. At Otay Reservoir, Tom Knobel, San Diego, hunted blind No. 16 in the Harvey Arm and shot three mallards, three wigeon, and a gadwall.

12/06/01 - BARRETT LAKE had eight hunters Wednesday who shot 33 ducks, including two limits, for a 4.13 average. The bag was made up of nine greenwings, eight scaup, five ringnecks, three gadwall, three mallards, two ruddies, one pintail and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 19 hunters who shot 17 ducks for a .89 average. The bag included 15 ruddies, one scaup, and one greenwing. Steve Claunch, San Diego, hunted the Pine Creek Arm No. 5 blind and had four greenwing teal, a mallard, a gadwall, and a bluebill for his limit. George Sawaya, El Cajon, had three greenwing, a pintail, two ringnecks, and a mallard hunting the No. 8 blind in the Hauser Arm.

11/30/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 34 ducks for a 2.62 average. The bag was made up of 11 ruddies, eight mallards, five pintail, four greenwings, two ringnecks, two widgeon, one bluebill, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were 17 hunters who shot 23 ducks for a 1.35 average. The bag included 13 ruddies, five ringnecks, three mallards, one widgeon, and one greenwing.

11/21/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 38 ducks and three coots for a 2.93 average. The bag was made up of 18 ringnecks, five bufflehead, three mallards, three pintail, two scaup, two widgeon, one gadwall, one ruddy, one shoveler, one greenwing, and one cinnamon. On Saturday, there were 24 hunters who shot 25 ducks for a 1.04 average. The bag consisted of nine ruddies, four ringnecks, three greenwings, two canvasback, two widgeon, one gadwall, one mallard, one pintail, and one cinnamon.

11/14/01 - BARRETT LAKE had nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 24 ducks for a 2.67 average. The bag consisted of seven ruddies, six ringnecks, four scaup, three greenwings, two mallards, one gadwall, and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot 13 ducks for a 1.08 average. The bag included five greenwings, two shovelers, two pintail, two cinnamons, one mallard, and one ringneck

11/7/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 15 hunters last Wednesday who shot 27 ducks for a 1.8 average. The bag consisted of 18 ruddies, two shovelers, two pintail, two greenwings, one mallard, one widgeon, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot six ducks for a .5 average. The kill included two pintail, two greenwings, one mallards, and one ringneck.

10/31/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 39 ducks and a coot, including three limits, for a 3.33 average. The kill included 18 mallards, 11 greenwing teal, four ruddies, two shovelers, two pintail and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot 54 ducks, including three limits, and one snipe for a 3.6 waterfowl average. The bag consisted of 11 ruddies, 11 greenwings, eight widgeon, six ringnecks, six mallards, four pintail, two gadwall, two cinnamons, one bufflehead, one shoveler, one wood duck and one redhead.

10/24/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 54 ducks and three snipe for a 4.5 waterfowl average. There were five limits. The duck bag consisted of 29 mallards, nine cinnamon teal, eight greenwing teal, seven pintail, and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 20 hunters who shot 55 ducks and a coot for a 2.8 average. The bag was made up to 20 ruddies, 15 mallards, nine greenwings, five pintail, three widgeon, two cinnamons, and one ringneck.

10/17/01 - BARRETT LAKE had 24 hunters opening Saturday who shot 106 ducks, including 11 limits. The duck bag consisted of 50 mallards, 27 cinnamon teal, 12 widgeon, 12 greenwing teal, three shovelers, one pintail and one ringneck. Some reservations are still available for Otay and Sutherland. Barrett is sold out.

There were 11 limits posted at Barrett. Mike Moen, Ron Butcher, and Bruce Butcher, all Santee, hunted the No. 8 blind in the Hauser Arm and all posted limits. The trio shot 12 mallards, four cinnamon teal, a shoveler, a pintail, a widgeon, a greenwing and one ringneck. Skip and Brian Bowman, along with Bob Walker, all Lakeside, hunted the No. 6 blind at the Pine Creek-Hauser split and had 11 cinnamon teal, five greewings, three mallards, and two shovelers. At the No. 7 blind in Becky Cove, Pat Morton, Escondido, Rick Walker, Ramona, and Steve Bowman, Lakeside, took eight cinnamons, six mallards, four widgeon, and three greenwings for their limits. John and Curtis Visilchak, both West Covina, and Mike Feilen, Salinas, hunted the No. 5 blind in the Pine Creek Arm and shot nine mallards, three widgeon, three cinnamons, and two greenwings.

Barrett is open Wednesday and Saturdays. For information on the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl program, call (619) 668-2060.

You need an application to apply for the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunts at Lake Barrett, Upper and Lower Otay Reservoir, and Sutherland Reservoir.

San Diego waterfowl hunting application deadline Sept. 24, 2001.

LAKESIDE -- Mail-in lottery reservations for the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunting program must be received by either mail or fax by 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 24 2001 to be eligible for the Oct. 5 drawing. Two reservations for each hunting day at Otay and Sutherland, and one reservation for Barrett, will be issued in the drawing. Remaining reservations at all three waters will be issued during the city’s historic in-person lottery to be held beginning 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 at San Vicente Reservoir. Hunters can reserve up to eight reservation dates for waterfowl hunting during this in-person lottery.

The city has an information packet it mails to hunters that explains all of the details of the program and includes application forms. Hunters can call the city lakes at (619) 668-2050 to request a packet. Jim Brown, program manager for the city lakes, said this hunting program has been operated since 1913, and it is the only municipally-operated waterfowl hunting program in the country. The bad news is that this is likely to be the last year waterfowl hunting will be allowed at Upper and Lower Otay Reservoirs, which will provide 696 hunter days this season, more than half of the total available at the city lakes. Housing development right on the shores of the lake will likely end the program.

OTAY RESERVOIR