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MERCED NWR 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 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 9p.m. the evening prior to the hunt at the Los Banos State Wildlife Area headquarters located on Henry Miller Road. Those arriving after the lottery will be allowed to hunt if space is available on a first-come, first served basis. Only hunters participating in the lottery should report to Los Banos SWA. All other hunters should report to the Merced NWR check station located on Sandy Mush Road. Permits can be obtained through the Department of Fish and Game's reservation and check-station procedures. The MNWR Check Station will open two hours before shoot time.
• Hunters may possess or use no more than 25 federally-approved nontoxic shotgun shells per day after leaving parking lot.  
• Firearms must be unloaded (no shells in the magazine nor the chamber) while being transported between parking areas and blind sites.  
• Hunters are restricted to their assigned blind, except for retrieving downed birds, placing decoys, or traveling to the from the parking area.  Shooting from outside the blind is prohibited.  
• The taking of snipe, dove, quail, and pheasant is prohibited.  
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while in the field is prohibited.  
• Shooting days are Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Shooting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 o'clock noon, and are posted at the check station. 
• Hunters must possess valid hunting licenses, stamps, and area permits while in the field.
• Fires are prohibited.  Littering is prohibited.  Please remove empty shotgun shells from the field.
• Permits must be returned to the check-station upon completion of your hunt.  
• Hunters must park in assigned parking lots.  

Click here to view or Download a Merced NWR Hunting Map

For additional information, contact:

Rich Albers, Merced Assistant Refuge Manager:  rich_albers@r1.fws.gov

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge: (209) 826-3508

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