2007/2008 Waterfowl Hunt Season
Type A Hunt

** Changes have been made! **
Review general rules & application procedure carefully!
Updated September 6, 2007

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) with the California Department of Fish & Game are pleased to announce the third annual public waterfowl hunt on the South Stone Lake Unit of Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. This is a Type A hunt. All General blind & post-season Youth Only Hunt applications will be processed through the California Department of Fish & Game. All Junior and Disabled blind applications will be processed through the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS.

General Rules:

“RESERVATION ONLY” hunts for the general public will be conducted on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Seven blinds will be available. Interested parties may apply for ONE of the five categories per hunt day:

• Space blind, 2-person (5 blinds Wednesday; 3 blinds Saturday)
• Boat-in-blind, 2-person (2 blinds Wednesday; 1 blind Saturday)
• Junior Space blind, 3-person (1 space blind Saturday only: only licensed juniors may apply)
• Junior Boat blind, 3-person (1 boat blind Saturday only: only licensed juniors may apply)
• Disabled blind, 2-person (1 blind Saturday only: one disabled accompanied by one able-bodied hunter; only licensed disabled hunter may apply)

* Scroll down for application procedures

The two junior blinds are only available on Saturdays. Only juniors may apply for junior blinds. Adults may NOT apply for junior blinds. Junior blinds may have up to 2 junior hunters accompanied by one adult. All licensed hunters in a blind MAY participate in hunt. Juniors are individuals 15 years or younger when junior license was purchased. If junior turns 16 during the hunt season with a junior license, the junior must have required duck stamps for rest of season once they turn 16.

The disabled blind is only available on Saturdays. To qualify as disabled, the applicant must possess a DMV placard identification card/receipt with the applicants name listed and must show at check-in station. Only disabled hunters may apply for the diabled blind. Able-bodied hunters may NOT apply for disabled blinds. Licensed able-bodied hunters accompanying disabled hunter MAY hunt.

All licensed hunters in a blind MAY participate in hunt (exceptions for 'Youth Only Hunt' in the post season hunt). Unlicensed hunters may accompany a licensed hunter but may not hunt. An unlicensed hunter counts as a 'person' in the blind just as a licensed hunter. Unlicensed hunters are not allowed to apply for the hunt (all applicants must have a current valid hunting license).

Only youth may hunt in the 'Youth Only Hunt' during the post season. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Youths are individuals 15 years or younger at the time of the hunt. Juniors who have turned 16 are not eligible for the youth hunt. Only youths may apply for the Youth Only Hunt. To apply for the post-season 'Youth Only Hunt' is through the California Department of Fish & Game application process.

Boats for the boat-in-blinds will be provided and must be manually propelled by oars, paddles (provided), or push poles (NO MOTORS). Boat hunters must provide their own Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (pdf) type II or III for each person. Boat blinds require that the party uses the boat as the mode of transportation to the floating platform blind located in the water. No hunting from the actual boat.

Space blinds consist of either a concrete pit blind or a platform blind. Chest waders are needed for space blinds.

There are no navigable waterways for hunting on Stone Lakes NWR.

All hunters 16 years or older (except under Junior license) must present Type A pass and appropriate stamps. One-day Type A passes will be available for purchase at check station; cash only. Stamps will NOT be sold at check station. All hunters must check-in and check-out at the check station, and report hunting results. This is a random drawing. Junior hunters get overall first pick on Saturdays. Hunters are responsible for bringing additional camoflauge as available natural cover may be limited at individual blinds, or 'brushing' may deteriorate as the season progresses.

Attention!!! NO waiting line ("backfill / sweatline"). NO prior access to hunt area; area is closed to general public. Please do not ask for access; requests will be refused and you may or will be cited for trespassing in a closed area.

Additional Hunt Rules for Stone Lakes NWR

Season Averages, Blind Map & Information,
& Successful Junior and Disabled Draw Applicants

Season Averages

Blind Map & Information

Successful Junior & Disabled Draw Applicants

Application Procedure
for General Hunts & Post-Season Youth Hunt:

* General blinds & post-season 'Youth Only Hunt' must be applied and processed through the California Department of Fish & Game. Applications must be purchased through license agents and most DFG license sales offices.

California Department of Fish & Game Waterfowl Reservation Drawing Information & How to Apply for General Hunts

Search for an Authorized License Agent

DFG License Sales Offices

2007 / 2008 California Department of Fish & Game Regulations

Application Procedure
for Junior & Disabled Blinds:

This is a Type A hunt. Junior & Disabled applicants must apply by seperate postcard for each hunt date sent through US Mail or dropped off during refuge office hours. Postcards must measure 4" x 6" or less. Faxes, letters, emails, and postcards over 4" x 6" will NOT be accepted. Applicants may only apply once per hunt day. No fee required to submit postcard application.

The following information must be filled out on all applications for entry into the drawing (incomplete and/or illegible applications will not be eligible for the drawing):

• Name of lead party applicant.
• Complete mailing address for lead party applicant.
• 2007/2008 Hunting License number for lead party applicant.
• Phone number for lead party applicant.
• Hunt date: Any applicant who submits multiple entries for the same hunt date or more than one hunt date listed on a single postcard will be disqualified from the drawing.
• Blind type: Applicants may only apply for one of the blind types: Junior Space, Junior Boat, & Disabled. Any applicant who submits multiple applications for more than one blind type or lists more than one blind type on a single postcard will be disqualified from the drawing.

Sample 4" x 6" postcard:

Hunt days for Junior blinds and Disabled blind will be Saturdays. Individuals interested in applying for hunting must submit their postcard applications through the US Mail or drop off during refuge office hours M-F, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Applications MUST be received on or before the appropriate application due date as listed below. This is a random drawing. Junior hunters get overall first pick on Saturdays. Successful applicants will be selected by a random drawing and notified at least ten days prior to hunt. Directions and a map of the hunt area will be mailed with official notification.

Attention!!! Due to limited blind availabliity, selected Junior & Disabled applicants MUST give a minimum 24 hour cancellation notice prior to their hunt date so refuge may try to refill blind. Failure to give 24 hour cancellation notice will resullt in applicant being withdrawn from the rest of the hunt season.

Junior & Disabled Hunt Dates

Mail or drop off postcard applications to:

Stone Lakes NWR Hunt
1624 Hood-Franklin Road
Elk Grove, CA 95757

Office Hours: M-F, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.