Free roam hunting allows unrestricted hunter movement, with variable hunting locations selected daily. It requires the hunter to have a knowledge and understanding (most often based on specific refuge experience) of the refuge habitats and corresponding cover types, bird use, and flight patterns given certain weather conditions, in order to be successful.

Spaced blinds allow hunters to hunt from within 100 feet a designated island or in-ground pit blind. This opportuntiy allows hunters to hunt with less interference or competition from other hunters and for an increased effectiveness of decoys and calls.

Assigned ponds provide an opportunity to hunt anywhere within a designated pond with little interference or competition from other hunters. This allows for the maximum effectiveness of decoys and calls.

Descriptions of habitat type, water depth, percent of open water, and length of walk from parking areas for each of the hunting areas (view the description key):

Sacramento NWR includes Free Roam, Assigned Ponds, and Spaced Hunting Areas with blinds for waterfowl hunting and a Pheasant Only Area. The blinds are concrete pits with enough space for two hunters. Hunters are restricted to within 100 feet of their assigned blind or hunt site except for retrieving downed or crippled birds. Pheasant hunting is not permitted in the blind area or the assigned ponds except on the first Monday of pheasant season.

• Sacramento NWR Blind and Assigned Pond Descriptions
• Sacramento NWR Free Roam Area Descriptions

Delevan NWR includes Free Roam, Assigned Ponds, and Spaced Hunting Areas with two blinds. The blinds are concrete pits with enough space for two hunters each. The spaced hunt site areas have 10x20 foot islands. Hunters are restricted to within 100 feet of their assigned blind or hunt site except for retrieving downed or crippled birds. Pheasant hunting is not permitted in the blind area or the assigned ponds except on the first Monday of pheasant season.

• Delevan NWR Blind and Assigned Pond Descriptions
• Delevan NWR Free Roam Area Descriptions  

Colusa NWR includes Free Roam and Assigned Ponds. Some assigned ponds have restrictions. Refer to this season's hunt map for the latest restrictions on party type and size. Pheasant hunting is not permitted in the assigned ponds except on the first Monday of pheasant season.

• Colusa NWR Free Roam and Assigned Pond Descriptions

Sutter NWR includes Free Roam and Assigned Ponds for waterfowl hunting and a Pheasant Only Area. Some assigned ponds have restrictions. Refer to this season's hunt map for the latest restrictions on party type and size.

• Sutter NWR Free Roam and Assigned Pond Descriptions