California Department of Fish and Game Hunting Regulations
Modoc Hunt Map
General Hunting
Information
Hunt days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Information kiosks are
located at the designated parking lots North, South, and Grandma tract and at
the Refuge Headquarters. The Headquarters office hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm,
Monday through Friday. Hunting permits and fees are not required for hunting on
the Refuge (except Opening Weekend). Self check-in and check-out are required
by each hunter at the information stations in the designated parking lots in
the hunt area. These registration cards must be in possession while on the
Refuge.
Hunting Methods and
Habitat
There are a variety of
habitats on the hunt area including dry and flooded grain fields, wet meadows,
ponds and marshes. The areas include rough, uneven terrain; deep, dense stands
of bulrushes (tules) and ditches. The most common species harvested include
Canada geese, mallards, wigeon and gadwalls with decoying techniques being the
most effective method. Do not take firearms into posted "Retrieval Zone". Do not
go beyond "Closed Area" signs. Pick up your cripples at once to prevent
waste.
ADA Hunt Blinds
There are three spaced
blinds available, out of the North hunt lot, which are all ADA accessible. The
ADA blinds may be reserved by disabled hunters either through the opening
weekend application process, or during the remainder of the hunt season by
calling the Refuge office at least 24 hours in advance of the day you plan to
hunt. Blinds not reserved will be available to all hunters on a first-come,
first-served basis. The spaced blinds are accesed from the north parking areas where
there are reserved parking stalls with numbers corresponding to the spaced
blinds. Hunters utilizing the spaced blinds are required to use the numbered
parking stalls. No more than one hunting party may occupy a spaced blind site. A
hunting party is limited to four persons. Hunters must remain within the
established blind while hunting except to retrieve downed birds and return to or
from the parking area. All other State and Refuge hunting regulations apply to
the spaced blind hunting area. The remainder of the hunt area is open for free-roam hunting.
Grandma Tract
There are 5 assigned hunt units (2 wetland, 1 dry grainfield, and
2 units which may be either freshly planted grain or moist soil wetland)
available on the Grandma Tract hunt area. Hunters utilizing the assigned hunt
units must park in the numbered space corresponding to the unit they wish to
hunt. Assigned hunt units are available on a first-come, first-served basis
after opening weekend. No more than one party may occupy an assigned hunt unit. Each party may hunt from anywhere within the assigned unit boundaries. A hunting party
is limited to four persons. Hunters must remain within the assigned hunt unit
except to retrieve downed birds and going to or from their vehicle. Please note the "Retrieval Only" zones within the Grandma Tract, you may retrieve downed birds from within these areas but do not carry a gun into the closed areas. Do not enter "Retrieval Zones" on the refuge.
Hunting Access and
Terrain
Hunters must enter and
exit the hunting area from the three designated parking lots (North, South, and
Grandma Tract). All decoys and personal equipment must be taken in and out of
the hunt area through the designated parking areas. Other access is prohibited.
Guns must be unloaded in the designated parking areas at all times.
Bikes are allowed
outside the parking areas, but only on Refuge roads or graveled dikes in the
hunt area and only after opening weekend. Boats are not needed to hunt the
Refuge. There are two bridges available to cross the Pit River at the north and
south end of the hunt area. Additionally, there is a pedestrian pulley-style
crossing between the two bridges to cross the river. Hip boots or chest waders
are essential for hunting comfort and to retrieve downed birds. There are many
canals, flooded fields and marshes. Beware of deep water in ditches, usually
adjacent to dikes. Rainfall can make roads and fields muddy and slippery, making
them more difficult to negotiate. Hunting difficulty varies by location and
hunters should examine their own abilities and limitations before using the
Refuge. Handicapped persons should hunt with a partner and consult with the
Refuge Manager for suggestions for hunting the area safely.
Respect private property
adjoining the public hunt area. Unauthorized entry upon private lands is a
trespassing violation.
Camping
No overnight camping or
parking is permitted on the Refuge. Commercial campgrounds, RV parks, and hotels are available in Alturas, California - three miles northwest of the Refuge.
Have a Look at the Regulations Before Coming to Hunt the Refuge