Imperial NWR

[huntmuch]

Anyone have info/comments on the Imperial NWR below Cibola NWR. I know a lotta Yuma hunters shoot the place, but I don't hear much about it here. What gives?
HM

[code5coupe]

This area is unlike most California refuges, and requires a lot of effort and dedication if you are going to be successful. The reason is that there is no nice map showing roads leading to numbered blinds where you'll find a convenient parking lot....no sireeeee. It's boat hunting with (VERY) limited access and you are on your own.
The guys who hunt places like this aren't inclined to talk much about it, since it is all open and who likes to give their honey holes away?

Hope this helps, both to tell you why you don't hear much about it and to prepare you for what you'll face if you decide to give it a try.
I tell you this; duck hunting this way is as close as you'll come to hunting the way your grandfather did as you can find in California today; no lodge, no guide, no lottery, no lines, no assigned blinds, no $passes, no rules (outside state and fed game laws, of course). It's not for everyone...not with most of us wanting guaranteed birds handed to us these days. But if you are willing to put the effort in, it can be most satisfying.
Them's my comments....

Larry

[huntmuch]

c5c,
Thanks a ton!
That's kinda what I thought. And, that's exactly what appeals to me. I've done most of my duck hunting on the Snake in Idaho. All from a boat.
Buddy has a new boat with all the good stuff. We might give it a go.
Still hopin' I can gather some more info. What about geese? I know Cibola just north gets a good flight, wouldn't it stand to reason that Imperial would as well?
HM

[quack_headjr]

You should go in the DU Magazine it was ranked #4 in the country. Just have to find the birds.

[code5coupe]

Originally posted by huntmuch@Nov 14 2005, 10:17 AM
What about geese? I know Cibola just north gets a good flight, wouldn't it stand to reason that Imperial would as well?
HM

Cibola's goose numbers have, over the last 10 years, dropped from the high 5-figure digits to the low 4-figures....and Cibola is set up for geese. Imperial is not, so don't expect much more than a lucky chance at the big birds on occaison.
Your buddy's new boat sounds like the ticket for you. It will take you more than one season to figure out the patterns in a new area, especially one as large as Imperial, so don't get discouraged at first.

Maybe I'll see you in the area some morning; look for a 12ft marsh boat and a chocolate Lab with an old geezer, all having a great time.

Larry

[riverduckhunter]

Code5coupe I did not know you hunt Imperial I will look for the boat Imperial is Duck huntings well kept secret even more specific spots are inherited not given away. It will take time but you will learn it. Large area both Cali and Az. access.

[huntmuch]

Larry and Ron
Thanks guys! I think were on for it. I understand the dedication thing. But, it sure bats the alternatives here in So Cal. Not wanting to sound snobby but, the So Cal refuge thing is just not what I'm into. I've done it years ago and it's a huge departure from what I grew up with. What are the usual put-in spots? I did a web search and info is scant but, I was able to find Martinez Lake on the Yuma side and two on the Cali side, I won't name them here, but they require a long dirt road trips to get into. Am I gettin' warmer for starters. If these are all viable pu-tins let me know, then nuff sed and I'll startin' burnin' a groove in the road twixt here and there.Thanks Again!!
Randy

[Greenhouse]

Just a note, there is no hunting in the river channel inside of the cibola refuge boundries. And yes to the question about where to put in. Also, do you have google earth?

[widgnwhacker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Anyone have info/comments on the Imperial NWR below Cibola NWR. I know a lotta Yuma hunters shoot the place, but I don&#39;t hear much about it here. What gives?[/b]

There is very LIMITED hunting on this refuge. There are NO BLINDS!

They do have an area where the birds can loaf and feed and is OFF LIMITS to hunting. There are usually about 400 Honkers in the high point of the season and the best shot at them is on Martinez but I have only shot a few in the past 10 years. They will on occassion go to Ferguson Lake.

You can hunt Ferguson Lake and the northern portion of that lake is OFF LIMITS and is marked with a refuge boundary marker. You can also hunt Martinez Lake but the northern portion of that lake is also marked with a bouy line and is OFF LIMITS to hunting.

The river is also within the refuge boundaries and mostly off limits with the exception of a few backwaters. Some people think it is ok to shoot ducks and geese past the refuge markers on the river and they have found themselves with a nice big fat ticket.

Here are some links to the refuge you are refering too. Hope this helps.

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges.../imperial.html

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges...a/imphunt.html

[code5coupe]

Forget the put-in spot that starts with a "P", it&#39;s too far away from where you want to be....that and the road to it is not only long but rough.

One other thing; the state boundaries are so unclear on the river and it&#39;s backwaters that you and your buds will probably want to have both CA and AZ licenses. That&#39;s the way I do it and it avoids a whole lot of questionable situations.... you can go anywhere without worries.

Good luck!


PS. While there are blinds on the refuge, no one is going to tell you their locations.... you&#39;ll have to find them yourself.

Larry

[huntmuch]

Man, you guys have been great! I do have the Nat&#39;l Geo TOPO program which pulls the USGS topo&#39;s in pretty close. That&#39;s how I came across the "P" and other put-ins. I was afraid of that, that dirt road looked pretty stinkin&#39; long. We do plan to pick-up the AZ license as well, and will mind our manners regarding the postings. I don&#39;t want to perpetuate the "visting California hunter" stigma that I get when hunting out of state. And, Widgeonwacker thanks for the info on the lakes. You mentioned there is no hunting on the actual waterway at Cibola, does that apply to Imperial as well? Also, I was surprised to hear you can shoot at Martinez. There website makes no mention.
Thanks All,
Randy

[widgnwhacker]

Picacho is a terrible drive down a road that will shake lose everything on your truck, trailer and fillings in your teeth. You can launch from Martinez Lake or Fishers Landing. You can also launch from Hidden Shores.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

One other thing; the state boundaries are so unclear on the river and it&#39;s backwaters that you and your buds will probably want to have both CA and AZ licenses.[/b]

NOT TRUE, anything from Imperial Dam up, if your on the California side of the river your in California. If your on the Arizona side of the river your in Arizona. The lower river below Imperial Dam is a different story.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

PS. While there are blinds on the refuge, no one is going to tell you their locations.... you&#39;ll have to find them yourself.[/b]

NOT TRUE, there are NO BLINDS on this refuge. Permanent blinds are ILLEGAL and the refuge does not build blinds available for hunters.

I have lived here in Yuma for 25 years and I spend a ton of time on the river during the season and if there were blinds and a hunting program on the refuge I would have taken advantage of them along time ago.

You can hunt Martinez but you will have to use sound judgement and make sure that your not to close to the housing around the lake.

I mentioned that you cannot hunt on the river within the boundaries of IMPERIAL NWR. The same applies to the river around Cibola. You can get additional maps from both refuges with open and closed areas on them. I would recommend this as it may prevent you from getting a ticket.

[huntmuch]

Thanks WW
I read the no perma blinds note on the refuge&#39;s website. I know it&#39;ll take a couple seasons to get the lay of the place. And, I appreciate you being forthright with info regarding your home waters, we&#39;ll treat em&#39; with respect.
Randy

[code5coupe]

Originally posted by widgnwhacker@Nov 15 2005, 05:43 PM
NOT TRUE, anything from Imperial Dam up, if your on the California side of the river your in California. If your on the Arizona side of the river your in Arizona. The lower river below Imperial Dam is a different story.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

PS. While there are blinds on the refuge, no one is going to tell you their locations.... you&#39;ll have to find them yourself.

NOT TRUE, there are NO BLINDS on this refuge. Permanent blinds are ILLEGAL and the refuge does not build blinds available for hunters.
I have lived here in Yuma for 25 years and I spend a ton of time on the river during the season and if there were blinds and a hunting program on the refuge I would have taken advantage of them along time ago.
[/b][/quote]

..and if you set up on a sandbar in the middle of the river? Or on the west side of an island that is closer to the east side of the river? Where are you then? I&#39;ve talked to enough game wardens...CA, AZ, and Fed...to know that everyone&#39;s opinion is different. That&#39;s why I wouldn&#39;t take the chance.


As far as no blinds there; okay...if you say so!

Larry

[widgnwhacker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

and if you set up on a sandbar in the middle of the river? Or on the west side of an island that is closer to the east side of the river[/b]

Basically the line that divides California from Arizona runs right down the middle of the river. That is why I said if your on the east side of the river you will be in Arizona and if your on the West side your in California.

If you are setup in the middle of the river within the boundaries of the NWR then you are most likely hunting in a CLOSED ZONE.

I didn&#39;t come here to get in a pissin match but only to provide (huntmuch) information that would help him. I do hunt this area 50+ days out of the season and have lived here for 25 years and I think I pretty much have the lay of the land down.

It is this simple if you have only a Arizona license then you need to stay on the EAST side of the river and any backwaters or lakes on that side. That way you will not have to worry about anything.

If you have only a California license then you need to stay on the WEST side of the river and any lakes or backwaters.

And if you are in question of anything then you need to get maps of the refuge so you know exactly where the closed zones are.

This should pretty much keep you within the rules and keep you from getting a ticket.

Talking with Game Wardens is great as they can provide you with valuable information, but sometimes they are new and don&#39;t know the lay of the land or he river.

I guess the bottom line is good old common sense. If you think you might be doing something wrong, you probably are. That is why they have maps and rules and regulations.

HUNTMUCH,

If I can be of anymore assitance shoot me a pm or and e-mail.

IM DONE WITH THIS POST AND WILL NOT RESPOND AGAIN!

[code5coupe]

What wigeonwhacker said is 100% true.

That&#39;s why it is so much easier to just have both CA and AZ licenses....and that&#39;s all I&#39;ve been trying to say all along; certainly not that WW is wrong. He&#39;s not.

I look at it like this: there are two ways to do it: his way and make damn sure you know where you are at all times, and my way and never give it a second thought.
His way requires less $$ outlay, there&#39;s no doubt about that. My way is simply buying peace of mind. One of those two methods will work for anyone hunting the area.

WW&#39;s statement about new wardens not knowing the lay of the land is accurate and is all the more reason to take your location out of the question by having both licenses. If the warden thinks you are in AZ when you know you are in CA, he can still issue you the ticket...it&#39;s HIS call. Whether you decide to go before a judge and fight it is then YOUR call. I would rather not have the ticket issued.

I&#39;m not going to get into a pissing contest with you, either, WW. Wasn&#39;t my intention at the beginning and it isn&#39;t now. Like you, I just wanted to point out to a person new to that area how I do it, and why.

Larry

[Tuleman]

I think what wigeonwhacker is saying is that there are no LEGAL permanent blinds in this area.
What Code5coupe is saying is that there are blinds that hunters have put up, even though they may not be legal.

Is that about right, guys?

Now, kiss and make up....

[d trees]

Originally posted by Tuleman@Nov 16 2005, 04:07 PM
Now, kiss and make up....

Please dont ewwwww

[feathershot]

Its on HM!!!


Thanks WW and others for your help!!!!!


FS

[Gotdux]

testy testy now, aren&#39;t we?

Hey I heard they were going to be posting the blind results for Cibola NWR starting this week??????

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!

[spectr17]

I once had a AZ warden check me while calling bobcats on the river. I&#39;d of sworn I was in CA. I had a AZ license so I was okay. YOu can really get turned around down there with all the backwaters and boundaries running every which way.

[huntmuch]

Hey guys
Let&#39;s keep this spirited in the right direction. I&#39;ve picked up some great info from allayuz. Can&#39;t tell you all how much I appreciate it.
But, how bout this question......suppose you get stopped by the warden while pullin&#39; out at the ramps? What then? I don&#39;t think he&#39;s gonna give much credence to whatever side of the river you say you shot em&#39; on. All he knows is your pullin&#39; ducks out of a boat on his turf. In that scenario you can bet I&#39;ll have both. Besides, at this point I have NOOOOOO idea where we&#39;ll be shootin&#39;, and I think it&#39;s right that I contribute to AZ&#39;s funds since eventually I&#39;ll be dumpin&#39; so many of their birds. lol!
Randy