Sacramento NWR Complex - Hunting - Mobility Impaired Procedures

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Mobility Impaired Hunting  <--- Click here to return to the Mobility Impaired Hunting Opportunities page

I. Definition of “Mobility Impaired”

A "mobility impaired hunter” is defined as a person who has been issued one of the following:

1. A Department of Motor Vehicles Mobility Impaired License Plate
2. A Permanent Parking Placard Identification Card
3. A “Mobility Impaired Veteran” License Plate
4. A valid “Mobility Impaired Persons Motor Vehicle Hunting License” (FG Form 1460).

**The blue plastic “Mobility Impaired Parking Placard” may not be substituted for the required identification which bears the name of the mobility impaired person. Mobility impaired hunters must provide the registration certificate for DMV issued mobility impaired license plates. Any person who possesses a valid Mobility Impaired Persons Motor Vehicle Hunting License (FG 1460), issued by the CDFW, is qualified to enter under the “reasonable accommodation procedures”. Use of a motor vehicle is limited to the procedures described below.

II. Methods of Entry

a. Reservations:

Mobility impaired (MI) reservations on Sacramento and Delevan National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) will be processed starting 2 ½ hours before waterfowl shoot time until 1 ½ hours before waterfowl shoot time. On Colusa and Sutter NWRs, MI reservations will be processed starting 2 hours before waterfowl shoot time until 1 hour before waterfowl shoot time. 

Hunters holding MI hunter reservations issued by California Department of Fish & Wildlife License and Revenue Branch will be processed first according to the following procedures:

1. Numbered reservations will be called in sequence.
2. MI hunters must provide proof of eligibility as described in “Definition of Mobility Impaired”. 

The reservation holder (junior or adult) must have the appropriate documentation (see above) to access MI hunting sites.

b. Lottery List: 

1.  After the cut-off time for reservations and prior to calling other hunters, the area manager may issue any vacant MI hunting sites to MI hunters in the "lottery line”.
2. To be eligible for a MI site the MI hunter’s name must appear on the front of the lottery card and the MI box must be marked. It is the hunter’s responsibility to check the appropriate MI box on the lottery entry card or request that the MI box be marked if the check station staff is filling out their card.
3. If there is more than one MI hunter in the lottery line who has checked the MI entry box, the lowest number will have first choice.
4. However, if there are no vacant or desirable MI Blinds, or MI Assigned Ponds, these hunters may be placed on the MI “blind waiting” or “pond waiting” list.
5. MI hunters who have checked the MI Entry Box may not have access to a nonmobility impaired blind site for the hunt day. They may choose to go to free roam when their number is called along with the standard lottery hunters.
6. MI hunters entering the lottery through the standard process, with the MI Entry Box unchecked, will be processed as any other hunter in the lottery line and are not eligible for access to MI sites.
7. MI hunters who wish to use their non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors may gain entry to the free roam areas (except Colusa and Sutter NWRs) by using accessible boat ramps through the standard reservation and lottery draw systems.

III. Refilling Mobility Impaired Blinds

• Sacramento NWR – 5D, 23D, 27D and 9 D may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
• Delevan NWR- Blinds 13D, 29D and 30D may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
• Colusa NWR – Ponds P2A and P2B may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.
• Sutter NWR – Pond 6D may be refilled by MI hunters until 3:00 p.m.

IV. ATV Use (Sacramento and Delevan NWRs only)

1. Only MI hunters may use ATV's to access designated hunting sites.
2. A helmet must be worn while driving the ATV.
3. A driver must provide proof of completion of ATV safety training.

V. Other

• MI hunters desiring special accommodations should use the above procedures. MI hunters who want to hunt without any accommodations, and do not need assistance, are welcome to enter the hunting area under standard procedures.
• During the in-season junior hunts and post season youth hunts, junior/youth hunters may access the MI hunting sites via the lottery process, if they have a guardian with a permanent disability and the MI sites are vacant.