KESTERSON UNIT HUNTING REGULATIONS

Hunting of only geese, ducks, coots, and moorhens is permitted 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.
• Hunters may possess not more than 25 federally-approved nontoxic shotgun shells after leaving the parking lot.
• Vehicles may stop only at designated, assigned parking areas.  The dropping of passengers or equipment, or stopping between designated parking areas is prohibited.  
• All permits must be returned immediately upon completion of your hunt before leaving the refuge vicinity. 
• Shoot days are Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• Firearms must be unloaded (no shells in the magazine, or in the chamber) while being transported between parking areas and blind sites.  
• The taking of snipe, dove and quail is prohibited.
• The taking of pheasants is only permitted on the first Monday after pheasant season begins. For more information please click on this Special Pheasant Hunt Program on the Kesterson and Freitas Units link.  
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while in the field is prohibited.
• Waterfowl hunters are restricted to their assigned blind except for retrieving downed birds, placing decoys, or traveling to and from the parking area.  Shooting from outside the blind is prohibited. 
• Hunters must possess valid hunting licenses, stamps, and area permits while in the field.
• Fires are prohibited.  Fishing is prohibited.  Littering is prohibited. Please remove all empty shotgun shells from the field.
• A maximum vehicle speed of 25 mph is strictly enforced.  
• NOTICE:  Blinds #28 - 31 must access parking lots 4 and 5 via a narrow, one-way road.  All morning hunters must return to the check station no later than 2:00 p.m.  In order to maximize hunter safety, there will be no afternoon re-fill of blinds #28-31 until all the morning hunters have checked-out.

Click here to view or download a Kesterson 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