NORTH AND SOUTH FREITAS UNITS HUNTING REGULATIONS

Hunting of only geese, ducks, coots, and moorhens is permitted seven days/week during hunt season on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following regulations or as otherwise posted:

• HUNTING PERMIT ALLOCATION - New procedures are in place this year for issuing permits to non-reservation hunters. The daily quota shall be filled by reservations.  Any spaces that remain will be awarded through a lottery drawing held at 9 p.m. the evening prior to the hunt.  Those arriving after the lottery will be allowed to hunt if there are spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits can be obtained through the Department of Fish and Game's reservation and check-station procedures.
• Permits are required on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fifteen permits will be issued for each boat launch access point.  During the remainder of the week, the Freitas Unit is open on a first-come, first-served basis, with no daily fee, quota, nor check-in required. 
• Construction of permanent blinds is prohibited.  Only portable blinds and temporary blinds constructed of natural materials are permitted.  The cutting/breaking of woody vegetation is prohibited.  All portable blinds and equipment must be removed from the refuge each day.
• Hunters may possess not more than 25 federally-approved nontoxic shotgun shells after leaving the boat launch.
• The taking of snipe, dove and quail is prohibited.
• The taking of pheasants is only permitted on the first Saturday and Sunday of pheasant season on the specially designated pheasant hunting area within the North Freitas unit. For more information please click on this Special Pheasant Hunt Program on the Kesterson and Freitas Units link.
•  North Freitas Permits must be returned to the Kesterson check station at the end of each hunt (Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.) Sout Freitas permits must be completed and deposited in the iron reanger prior to leaving the parking lot after each hunt. 
• You may not transport loaded firearms while traveling in a boat under power. 
• Access to the Freitas Unit is via boat only, after 2 a.m., with a maximum speed of 5 mph.  Inboard water thrust and air-thrust boats are prohibited (jet skis, air boats, inboard jet boats).  The area is closed between the hours of 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.
• Vehicles using the South Freitas boat launch (Hwy 165) must park in marked stalls, and display a parking pass obtained at the check station on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• All appropriate State regulations, season dates, bag limits, boat safety and equipment rules, shoot times, etc., apply to this area.  Hunters must possess valid hunting licenses and stamps while in the field.
• Fires are prohibited.  Fishing is prohibited.  Littering is prohibited.  Please remove all empty shotgun shells from the refuge.
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while in the field is prohibited. 

CAUTION:  The Freitas Unit hunting area directly adjoins property of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.  NO hunting is allowed on the adjoining State Park!

Click here to view or download a Freitas Unit Hunting Map

For additional information, contact:

Karl Stromayer, San Luis Assistant Refuge Manager:  karl_stromayer@fws.govSan Luis National Wildlife Refuge: (209) 826-3508

State of California Department of Fish & Game:    (209) 826-0463