Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Fish and Wildlife Service

Waterfowl Hunting
Tule Lake
National Wildlife Refuge

Description of the Area
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in northern Siskiyou and Modoc counties, California, 25 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Waterfowl and pheasant Hunting occurs 7 days per week during the normal California seasons, but shooting ends every afternoon at 1 pm. Tule Lake hunts consist of two large marsh units accessible by boats, a spaced-blind hunt in dry fields, and open free-roam areas offering field hunts over harvested grain and smaller marsh units. Opening weekend hunts are under a draw-permit system.

NOTE: A Recreation Pass is required for all hunting on the refuge. See general regulations for more information.

All hunters are required to have in their possession all necessary state licenses and duck stamps and permits.

Waterfowl
Ducks are the most commonly hunted species on Tule Lake Refuge. Most duck hunting takes place on the large Tule Lake Marsh and is accessible only by boat. Water is very shallow in the marsh. Goose hunting for Canada, White-fronted, Snow/Ross', and Cackling Canada ranges from good to fair on Tule Lake Refuge. White-front hunting can be good in the early season as well as a good number of Ross's/Snows in the late season. As with all areas, Tule Lake goose numbers can vary greatly from year to year.

Spaced-Blinds
The Tule Lake fields hunting area is divided into two sections: restricted space blind fields, and an unrestricted free-roam area known as the "League of Nations". There are 60 to 65 space blinds available that are issued by random drawing each morning 2 hours before shoot time. You must check in and register to hunt these fields. As each group is called randomly, they then choose their "blind"...a numbered post in the field. One dozen goose decoys are required to hunt these fields. No digging of pit blinds in these stubble fields. The unrestricted League of Nations fields do not require check in, and you may drive into these fields to set up.

Note: depending upon the growing season, some of these fields may be unharvested and unavailable early in the hunt season.

Tule Lake NWR Hunt Map 2009 / 2010

Tule Lake Marsh Air Photo 1.08 MB
(View looking southwest)

Ring-necked Pheasant
Pheasant hunting on Tule Lake Refuge is fair to poor. Population numbers are low at this time, but may improve in the future. Hunting is in agricultural stubble fields. Steel shot is required and the use of a trained dog is recommended. Hunting is allowed 7 days per week with no check in required. Shoot times coincide with California State regulations. A Recreation pass is required.

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