Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome!  

On this page you can find all the information you need about HUNTING at Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs: 

- UPDATES
- HUNT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- LINKS(Special Hunts, Juniors, Mobility-Impaired, MAPS, River)
- ADMISSIONS
   - What You'll Need (licenses, validations, passes)
   - Admission Methods (how to gain entry)
   - Admission Process (what to expect when you check in)
   - Admission Summary Table (#people/card, quotas, entry times)
   - Check Stations (hours, rules)
- RULES AND REGULATIONS
   - General Rules Overview Table
   - SacComplex-specific Regulations (including pheasant / turkey)
   - BAG LIMITS/SEASONS Overview Table 
   - Links: STATE REGS, SHOOT TIMES
- FAQs 
- INFORMATION FOR DOG OWNERS
- SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX HUNT PLAN
- Other Resources

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

LINKS: 

Use these links to find information on special hunt programs, maps, directions and the river:  

special huntS  Junior and Youth HuntING   Mobility Impaired HuntING HunT area maps and Directions  Sacramento River NWR Hunting 

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

HUNTING THE WATERFOWL REFUGES OF SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX

Back to the Top

The Sacramento Valley is historically known for its premier waterfowl hunting. Since 1950, portions of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex have been open to the public for hunting.   

Hunting is a wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. As practiced on refuges, hunting does not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances is can be beneficial to sound wildlife management. Hunting programs can promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on lands and waters in the Refuge System.

Portions of the following refuges are open to waterfowl and upland game bird hunting (geese, ducks, coots, moorhens, snipe, pheasant, and turkey) in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations and subject to special regulations:

•  Sacramento NWR
•  Delevan NWR
•  Colusa NWR
•  Sutter NWR

During the waterfowl hunting season, these refuges are generally open to hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Hunting on these refuges is regulated through the Hunter Check Stations, and there are specific permits, fees, and regulations.

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

UPDATES FOR 2024-2025

Updates will be posted here, as information becomes available to staff. 

Back to the Top

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

HUNT AREA ADMISSION:

Image Details

Back to the Top

What You'll Need - Licenses/Validations/Passes:

Check Stations DO NOT SELL any license items, validations, or passes!

Non-hunters do not need to have any licenses, validations or passes if they are accompanying a hunting individual (even if the hunting individual is a junior hunter, as long as the non-hunter is NOT hunting).

Hunters must purchase any of the following necessary licenses, validations and passes prior to arrival at the Check Station:

1. California Hunting License, plus:
   1. Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation (if hunting ducks, geese, coots or snipe) - survey must be completed in order to purchase CA Duck Validation; can be done online or in person when purchasing CA Hunting License for the year.
   2. California Duck Validation (not required for junior hunters; not required if only hunting pheasants)
   3. Prepaid Type A Pass (not required for junior hunters) - Type A One-day, Two-day or Season Pass (this is like an entry day-pass)
   4. Upland Game Bird Validation (required if hunting pheasants/turkey; not required for junior hunters)
2. Federal Duck Stamp (required for all hunters age 16 or older; not required if only hunting pheasants)

Purchasing Licenses/Validations/Passes:

1. CDFW license sales office
2. Find a license agent (CDFW Website)
3. Purchase a hunting license online (CDFW Website)

_____________________________________________________

Admission Methods:

Back to the Top

*This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs*. Click on Sacramento River NWR for information about hunting on the Sacramento River. 

View Details: MOBILITY-IMPAIRED HUNTER ADMISSIONS

There are 3 methods of admission to the hunt areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs (more details under "Daily Admissions Process" below this write up):

***How to apply for a reservation through CDFW's Online Portal:

1. Click California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
2. Click "ONLINE LICENSE SALES AND SERVICES."
3. Click "Customer Login / Register."
4. Log into your account or create an account.
5. Click on "Purchase Licenses" at the top of the page.
6. Scroll down until you see a Menu on the left-hand side. Select "YEAR - Hunting" for waterfowl and game hunting.
7. An updated menu will appear to the right of the "YEAR - Hunting" selection. 
   1. You need to fulfill Hunter Education requirements in your account before you can purchase a hunting license.
   2. You need to purchase a hunting license in order to purchase any validations or enter any drawings for reservations.
   3. Any requirements you have not fulfilled in your account will appear in red text on the menu and will prevent you from adding anything to your cart and submitting payment.
8. Under "Main," this is where you purchase hunting licenses, upland game bird validations, fulfill Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation, etc.
   1. This is also where you can purchase a Type A Wildlife Area Pass (1 day, 2-day, or Season Pass), depending on your hunting needs.
9. Scroll down until you see a "Drawings" header.
   1. Select the option that best suits what you're looking for in terms of reservations (ex. regular waterfowl season long application, Mobility Impaired, Active Military and Veteran Weekend Application, etc.). 
   2. Select all the dates you want to hunt and add them to your Shopping Cart. 

10. When you're ready to process payment, click "View Shopping Cart" and complete your purchase.

    NOTE: The timing of notifications for reservations is solely on California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, USFWS refuge staff do not have access to any of that information.

_____________________________________________________

Daily Admission Process:

Back to the Top

*This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs*. Click on Sacramento River NWR for information about hunting on the Sacramento River. 

A. Reservation Procedures:

• Reservation holders are encouraged to pre-register to speed up the processing.
• Mobility Impaired (MI) reservation hunters will be processed before other reservation hunters in numerical sequence when the check station opens.
• Processing begins 2½ hours before waterfowl shoot time on Sacramento and Delevan, and 2 hours before waterfowl shoot time on Colusa and Sutter NWRs.
• If a reservation card holder is not present when card number is called, he/she will be allowed to enter UPON ARRIVAL, or until the end of the reservation period.
• Reservations must be presented at the check station no later than 1½ hours before waterfowl shoot time on Sacramento and Delevan and 1 hour before waterfowl shoot time on Colusa and Sutter. Once the reservation period has expired, the reservation will be invalid – NO EXCEPTIONS!
• A MI reservation holder may choose any available MI blind site or enter free-roam. If both options are refused, the MI hunter may be placed on a "MI waiting list" in order to remain eligible to hunt.
• A non MI reservation holder may choose any available regular (non-MI) blind site or enter free roam. If both options are refused, the hunter may be placed on a "waiting list" in order to remain eligible to hunt.
• MI and non MI reservation holders who wish to be put on a waiting list will be added to the list in numerical order (reservation card number) and will have priority over lottery and first-come, first-served list.
• A reservation holder selecting a hunting site, assigned pond, or free-roam may take up to three additional people of his/her choice, including no more than two juniors or nonhunters, for a total of four people. Once formed, the party cannot add or substitute other individuals. The party may not split between blinds and free-roam.
• If the reservation holder chooses a blind site or assigned pond and he has a guest who has not arrived yet, he/she may request to have this person join him/her at his assigned blind site or assigned pond. The name must be given at the time of processing. This does not affect the quota.
• If the reservation holder chooses free roam, all hunters in his/her group must be present at the time of processing. Once the group (free-roam) has been processed and the next reservation number is called, additional hunters will not be added to the card. Adding additional hunters will affect free-roam quota. If the hunter truly has a partner who will be arriving late, he will be advised to choose a blind site. Hunters may not split between blinds and free-roam.

B. Lottery Draw Procedures:

• Hunters obtain a lottery card at the check station and fill out both halves:

1. Only one hunter’s name may appear on the front of a card.
2. Hunting license number and vehicle license number must be written on the front.
3. MI hunters wishing to use the MI blind sites or ponds must mark the MI box.
4. A maximum of three additional names may be placed on the back of the card. This includes adult hunters, junior hunters (no more than two juniors per adult) and non-hunters.
5. Hunter’s names and hunting license numbers are required on the back of the card. Hunters on the back of the card do not have to be present during the lottery. 
6. Hunters who want to sign up other hunters on his/her card but do not have their license number at the time may add license numbers any time before the draw.
7. Any names recorded without hunting license numbers at time of the draw will not be eligible to hunt.
    

• A hunter’s name may be placed on the front or back of only one lottery card for each shoot day per refuge. Hunters may only apply to one refuge's lottery per day.
• A card number will be assigned to each card in top right corner. It will take the place of individuals’ name for the purpose of assigning lottery numbers.
• The right half of the lottery card will be filed at the check station. The hunter will keep the left half.
• Hunters may leave the area once the lottery card is filled out and turned in. They do not have to be present during the draw
• On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., the total number of cards that have been issued are entered into a computer program. The computer will randomly select the order of each lottery card number:

1. The card numbers (plastic tokens) are placed on a large numbered board in the check station.
2. The position of each card number (plastic token) determines the lottery number.
3. The spaces between each card number are determined by the additional number of hunters that have been entered on the cards.
4. Lottery numbers determine the order that the hunters will be called the next morning. Only one lottery number will be issued per party. All names on a card must enter as a party. Once a party is formed, the party must hunt together. No splitting between blinds and free-roam.
5. It is the hunter’s responsibility to check the board to determine what their lottery number is before lottery numbers are called.
6. Hunters should write their assigned LOTTERY NUMBER (drawing results) to the left of the CARD NUMBER on their portion of the lottery card.
7. Hunters will be called by their lottery number.
    

• If a lottery cardholder does not show on the morning of the hunt, the other hunters on the back of the card are eligible to hunt.
• At Sacramento and Delevan, lottery numbers will be called 1 ½ hours before shoot time. At Colusa and Sutter, lottery numbers will be called 1 hour before shoot time. Hunters must be present when their number is called and will be eliminated from the list if they are not present.
• A lottery purge will occur at 8:00 a.m. Names of hunters that are not present will be removed from the list.

C. First-Come, First-Served:

• Hunters arriving after the 8:00 p.m. (lottery draw) will be issued a first-come, first-served number which will begin after the last number on the lottery list.
• Unlike the lottery, each hunter must be physically present to sign up.

D. Filling Vacancies:

• Vacancies occurring from no-show reservation hunters and from hunters leaving the area are filled in accordance with current CDFW procedures. If you do not get drawn for a reservation, you may enter a lottery the evening before the hunt. Non-reservation hunters may enter the lottery drawing for all of the following: Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter Refuges, on any hunt date. After all reservation and lottery number holders have been processed, hunters may enter on a first-come, first-served system.

_____________________________________________________

Check Stations: 

Back to the Top

• Hours:  the check station hours at Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter during waterfowl season are:
  • 6:00 pm Tuesday until 1.5 hours after shoot time ends Wednesday
  • 6:00 pm Friday until 1.5 hours after shoot time ends Sunday  
• Special Hours:  for the Special Monday Pheasant Hunt, the Check Stations at Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa will have special hours - see our Special Hunts section for more information.
• Entry:  all hunters and non-hunters must obtain an entry permit from the check station before entering the hunt area.  See the Admissions section for information about other passes and licenses needed for hunting. 
• Overnight Parking: is allowed in the check station parking lots. You must stay inside your vehicle/RV - trailers are allowed, but tents are not allowed. 
• Fires:  no open flames are permitted, but you can have a portable gas stove.
• What time should you arrive?  See our Admissions Summary Table, below, for information on what time the lotteries are held, what time reservation-holders are called in the morning, and what time lottery-holders are called in the morning.

_____________________________________________________

Admissions Summary: 

Back to the Top

*This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs*. Click on Sacramento River NWR for information about hunting on the Sacramento River. 

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

HUNTING RULES AND REGULATIONS:

Image Details

*This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs*. Click on Sacramento River NWR for information about hunting on the Sacramento River. 

Back to the Top

General Rules Overview Table

_____________________________________________________

Sacramento NWR Complex Special Regulations:

*This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs*. Click on Sacramento River NWR for information about hunting on the Sacramento River. 

Back to the Top

• Assigned Blinds:
  Hunters in assigned hunting blinds are restricted to hunting within a 100 foot radius of the blind, except to retrieve birds.
• Assigned Ponds:  
  Hunters in assigned ponds (AP) are restricted to the area within the signed AP boundary. No hunting from levees
• Free Roam Areas:
  Hunters may use only portable blinds, temporary blinds constructed of natural materials, or existing concrete in-ground blinds. The construction of permanent blinds is prohibited. The cutting/breaking of woody vegetation is prohibited. All portable blinds, decoys, and other personal equipment must be removed from the refuge each day.
• Hunt Area Access:
  Hunters may only enter or exit the hunt area from designated parking areas. Equipment may not be dropped off or picked up between parking areas.
• Firearms:  
  Loaded firearms are prohibited in parking areas. Shooting from or across parking areas, safety zones and access roads is prohibited.  No shot guns larger than 12-gauge and no shot size larger than BB, except steel “T” (.20” diameter), are permitted.  Federally approved non-toxic shot is required for all hunting. Hunters are limited to a 25-shell limit while in the field.  
• Substances:
  Possession or consumption of an open container of alcohol or marijuana (including medical marijuana) are prohibited.
• Electronic Decoys:
  Electronic or mechanically-operated spinning blade devices or decoys are prohibited from the start of waterfowl season through November 30. Windpowered spinning-wing decoys are allowed.
• Pheasant Regulations:
  • Pheasant hunting is permitted in the free-roam and pheasant-only areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs and is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays from 8:00am - sunset.   
  • Pheasant hunting is NOT permitted in the Assigned Blind/Assigned Pond areas, except during the Special Monday Pheasant Hunt on Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs (see Special Hunts page for more information).  
  • Hunting pheasants requires an Upland Game Bird Validation in addition to a California Hunting License.  
  • Admission:  you can enter via 1) reservation, 2) lottery or 3) first-come-first-serve (see Admissions section, above), but need to keep in mind that shoot time for pheasants does not start until 8:00am.  You may apply for a 'waterfowl reservation' to hunt pheasants on any waterfowl hunting day, but will have to arrive at 2 1/2 hours prior to waterfowl shoot time on Sacramento/Delevan and 2 hours prior to waterfowl shoot time on Colusa/Sutter when reservations are admitted, even though pheasant shoot time doesn't start until 8:00am.  You may also enter the lottery the night before any waterfowl hunting day, but will have to arrive 1 1/2 hours prior to waterfowl shoot time on Sacramento/Delevan and 1 hour prior to waterfowl shoot time on Colusa/Sutter when lottery holders are admitted, even though pheasant shoot time doesn't start until 8:00am.  You may also enter as a first-come first-serve on the waterfowl hunt day.
  • River:  Pheasant hunting is permitted on various units of the Sacramento River NWR concurrent with established CDFW pheasant hunting season - please see the Sacramento River NWR Hunting page for more information.  The Sacramento River NWR is a Type-C Area (no check stations and no Type-A pass needed).
• Turkey Special Regulations:
  • Fall turkey hunting is permitted in the free-roam and pheasant-only areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs and is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays from 8:00am - sunset, concurrent with established CDFW fall turkey hunting season. 
  • Fall turkey hunting is NOT permitted in the Assigned Blind/Assigned Pond areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs.
  • River:  Fall and Spring turkey hunting is permitted on various units of the Sacramento River NWR concurrent with established CDFW fall and spring turkey hunting seasons - please see the Sacramento River NWR Hunting page for more information.  The Sacramento River NWR is a Type-C Area (no check stations and no Type-A pass needed).
  • Starting in 2020, a special Mentored Spring Turkey Hunt has been in development at Sacramento and Delevan NWRs to connect with first-time hunters in the CDFW hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) program.  The Refuge does not administer this program but information may be posted to our Special Hunts page as it becomes available. 
• 

  Image Details
• Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (tule greater white-fronted goose):
  • The White-fronted Goose Special Management Area is a specific zone within which there are special restrictions on the harvest of all white-fronted geese.  This area is located around the areas of Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs, and is bounded by Highway 162 to the north, Highway 45 to the east, Interstate 5 to the west, and Hahn Rd/Grimes Arbuckle Rd to the south. 
  • Within the Special Management Area, hunting regulations of all white-fronted geese are subject to a delayed opening date, lower bag limit, and mid-December closure, all of which are intended to reduce the harvest of tule greater white-fronted geese (aka 'tule geese'). 

  • The majority of all tule geese winter in the western Sacramento Valley, especially on or adjacent to the Sacramento, Delevan, and Colusa NWRs. In 1975 a Special Management Area was created around these refuges to eliminate the harvest of the then-endangered Aleutian cackling goose. Cackling cackling geese and Pacific white-fronted geese were included when both of those populations were also at record low levels. While those goose populations have since recovered, tule goose numbers remain low and require restrictive hunting regulations to protect their population.

    How are Tule white-fronts different?

    There are two subspecies of white-fronted geese (aka specklebellies) that winter in California: the tule greater white-fronted goose and the Pacific greater white-fronted goose.  Tule geese breed in the upper Cook Inlet Basin of Alaska and number only 7,000-10,000 birds and are only know to winter in the small area surrounding Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs. Pacific white-fronts breed in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Alaska number upward of 600,000 birds and winter throughout California. Physically, tule geese tend to be larger and darker than Pacifics with less speckling on the adults' breasts, have thicker and darker heads and necks, and have larger bills.  Despite these differences, there's a large degree of overlap in body size when comparing smaller tules to larger Pacifics, making field identification difficult.  Anatomical measurements are often needed to distinguish the two subspecies.

Image Details

_____________________________________________________

Bag Limits, Shoot Times, and Other Regulations:

Back to the Top

• California Regulations:
  • 2024-25 Shoot Times - use the Colusa column for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs
  • 2024-25 Waterfowl Regulations- use Balance of the State Zone
  • 2024-25 Upland Game Bird Regulations  - use the Zone maps for each species
  • 2024-25 Fishing and Hunting Regulations 

2024-2025 Sacramento NWR Complex - Hunting Seasons and Bag Limit Summary:

KEY:

1. Refuges:
   • SAC = Sacramento NWR
   • DEL = Delevan NWR
   • CLS = Colusa NWR
   • SUT = Sutter NWR
   • RIV = Sacramento River NWR, all or part of the following units: La Barranca, Todd Island, Mooney and Ohm (portions closed to waterfowl hunting), Flynn, Heron Island, Rio Vista, Foster Island, Pine Creek, Capay, Phelan Island, Jacinto, Dead Man’s Reach, South Ord, Llano Seco Island 1 and 2, Sul Norte, Codora (Juniors only on weekends only), Afton, Drumheller North, Drumheller Slough, and Bogg’s Bend
2. Daily Waterfowl Bag Limits: 
   • DUCKS = 7 ducks/ but not more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail (either sex), 2 canvasback (either sex), 2 redheads (either sex), 2 scaup (either sex – scaup season Nov 7 – Jan 31); possession limit is triple the daily bag limit
   • GEESE =  30 geese; may include up to 20 white geese and 10 dark geese (dark geese include large Canada, small Canada, and white-fronted EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, including Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs, where the white-fronted goose bag limit is 3 and white-fronted goose season is open October 26 - December 21 and during Youth Hunting Days); possession limit is triple the daily bag limit

Image Details

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS AND SAFETY TIPS:

Are you new to hunting on the Complex? Click here to see a video our staff put together to help new hunters. Visit this Facebook Program for information.

Back to the Top

Hunt Area Admission Questions (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs):

Junior/Youth Hunter Questions:

Please visit the Junior/Youth Hunt page

Mobility-Impaired Hunter Questions:

Please visit the Mobility-Impaired Hunting page

Pheasant Hunting Questions:

Turkey Hunting Questions:

Sacramento River NWR Hunting: 

Safety Tips:

Be Safe!!
- Exercise caution when pursuing downed and crippled waterfowl.
- Be aware of the locations of nearby hunters when shooting at crippled birds, especially across large areas of open water.
- Firearms must be unloaded while in the parking area and while being transported between parking areas, spaced hunting areas, and assigned ponds.
- Irregularities in pond bottoms can make wading hazardous.
- While walking trails/levees use a flashlight to avoid tripping over hazards.
- Mountain lions and rattlesnakes inhabit the Sacramento Valley and are frequently seen on the Sacramento River NWR Units and occasionally on the west-side refuges.
- Be a good sportsperson and respect the rights of other hunters afield. When entering or leaving the field, try to avoid flaring birds which are working another hunter's setup.

Our wildlife is a valuable resource. Laws and regulations are intended to protect them, while allowing for some consumptive use. Hunters are encouraged to report any violations they may encounter to a state or federal employee (see below).

While driving:

1. Use CAUTION....slow down so you have time to read the small road signs and to make a safe turn.
2. Plan additional driving time when there is foggy or rainy weather.
3. Review the driving directions, location map, and GPS coordinates BEFORE you begin driving - PLAN AHEAD! Visit the Maps and Directions page. 

Report Accidents, Violations, and Incidents

Incidents involving injury or accident occurring on the refuge must be reported immediately to the check station (in person) or call the refuge headquarters. 

1. Call the visitor center phone number (open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) (530)934-2801
2. Call to report any wildlife violations to CalTip 1-888-334-CalTip (1-888-334-2258) (leave message and an operator checks it frequently)
3. Text "847411" and write "CALTIP [your message]" to submit anonymous tips to state wildlife officers 
4. Call to report federal wildlife crimes 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477)
    

CALTIP - Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters - Learn more 

Report violations on the refuge headquarters by calling (530) 934-2801 or in person to the staff at the check station. Report violations off refuge lands to CDFW at 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258).

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

INFORMATION FOR DOG OWNERS

Image Details

Back to the Top

Canine Pythiosis

This and further information can be viewed at: http://pythiosis.com/

What is Canine Pythiosis?

• A relatively new pathogen, Pythium insidiosum, has rarely been documented in the California Central Valley over the last 10 years.
• It is a parasitic oomycete, commonly called water mould, and is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is more common in the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast areas, but can rarely be found in cooler and drier areas of the U.S. as well. The zoospores are thought to be hosted by aquatic plants such as water lilies, submerged grasses and rice.
• Infection is contracted by exposure of open wounds or by ingestion.
• Because it is so uncommon, many veterinarians are unaware of it, and thus have difficulty in making an early diagnosis.

What are symptoms of Canine Pythiosis?

• Vomiting diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss, occasional fever, abdominal mass, and enlarged lymph nodes. Vomitus that looks like coffee grounds, and bloody diarrhea indicate gastric bleeding.
• Skin lesions may occur if open wounds have been exposed, and are characterized by swollen, non-healing wounds with pus-filled nodules and draining sinus tracts that often enlarge rapidly.

What is the treatment for Canine Pythiosis?

• Early diagnosis is important, since P. insidiosum lesions progress rapidly. Diagnosis is made by use of biopsies, blood tests and abdominal radiographs.
• Even with treatment, pythiosis is commonly fatal. But early diagnosis increases the chances that treatment will be effective. Treatments may include surgery, anti-fungal drugs and immunotherapeutic drugs.

Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Blooms

Information from: NY State Department of Environmental Conservation and California Department of Public Health. This and further information can be viewed at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html 

What are blue-green algae blooms?

• Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are microscopic bacteria that occur naturally in lakes and streams.
• Blooms are likely to occur more often in warmer months when conditions are optimal (warm temperatures, elevated nutrient levels, and lack of water flow).
• A blue-green algae bloom can be hard to distinguish from other types of algae. While it's often described as looking like pea soup or spilled green paint, it can take other forms as well (turquoise or green tint, thick or thin viscosity, may get blown into a “mat”)
• View photo gallery at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/81962.html

What’s the concern about blue-green algae blooms?

• While most blue-green algae blooms are not harmful, some blooms can produce toxins that pose risks to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife.
• It is not possible to determine the presence of toxins without testing. Thus all blooms should be considered potentially toxic.
• Exposure may occur through ingestion, dermal contact, or aspiration/inhalation. Ingestion of just a few mouthfuls of severely contaminated water may result in poisoning. After leaving the water, dogs can also be poisoned by grooming their fur and paws.

What are the symptoms of toxic blue-green algae exposure?

• Symptoms of poisoning depend on the cyanobacterium/toxin involved:
• Ingestion of Microcystins can result in liver damage/failure. Symptoms include: vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stool or black/tarry stool, weakness, pale mucous membranes, jaundice, seizures, and disorientation. Death often occurs within 12-24 hours of exposure.
• Ingestion of Anatoxins result in neurotoxicity. Symptoms include: excessive salivation, muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, seizures, paralysis, blue discoloration of skin and mucous membranes, and difficulty breathing. Symptom onset is rapid (30-60 minutes), and death from respiratory paralysis can quickly follow the onset of symptoms.
• Symptoms of skin contact include dermatitis (irritated, red skin or hives).

What is the treatment for toxic blue-green algae exposure?

• Treatment is limited and often unsuccessful due to the rapid onset of symptoms. Immediate, aggressive veterinary treatment may be helpful. Treatments may include anti-seizure medication, intravenous fluids and oxygen.

What should I do to protect my dog?

• Keep pets out of water with blue-green algae blooms. Wash your pet if they have been exposed.
• If your dog exhibits the above symptoms, seek immediate care.

Where have blooms occurred in California (as of 2013)?

• Blue-green algal blooms have been reported for a number of water bodies, including: Klamath River (Siskiyou County), Big Lagoon and Eel River, (Humboldt County), Clear Lake (Lake County), Lake Isabella (Kern County), Crowley Lake (Mono County), Lake Elsinore (Riverside County), San Francisco Bay Delta & Stockton Channel (San Joaquin County), Pinto Lake (Santa Cruz County), Sacramento River (Sacramento County), Russian River (Sonoma County).

Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease)

Information from: County of Los Angeles Public Health-Veterinary Public Health. This and further information can be found at: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/Leptospirosis.htm
What is Leptospirosis?

• Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans.
• It can infect humans, dogs, livestock, and many other animals.
• Infection occurs by direct or indirect contact with the urine of an infected animal through the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin. Exposure to water or mud contaminated with infected urine can spread the disease.
• Because infection can be transmitted through contact with urine, a person caring for a dog with Leptospirosis should wear gloves, especially when cleaning up urine.

What are symptoms of Leptospirosis?

• Symptoms in dogs include: fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, stiffness, muscle pain.
• Symptoms in humans include: high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash. 
• Left untreated, Leptospirosis can eventually lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress or death.

What is the treatment for Leptospirosis?

• Veterinarians can perform tests to confirm Leptospirosis. Antibiotic treatments are often highly successful, especially if diagnosed early

What should I do to protect my dog? 

• Consider vaccinating your dog for Leptospirosis
• Local data suggest that a variety of Leptospira serotypes (strains) of bacteria may have caused illness in dogs.
• The 4-way vaccines (protecting against 4 strains of the bacteria) are a better choice for protection than the 2-way vaccines.

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX HUNT PLAN

Back to the Top

Management of the hunt program is outlined in the Sacramento NWR Complex's Hunt Plan. This document outlines how the refuges will provide safe, quality hunting opportunities while minimizing conflicts with other priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses. When found to be compatible at a refuge, the USFWS considers hunting to be one of the six priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses (the other 5 priority uses include fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation). The Hunt Plan and a Compatibility Determination can be found in the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Appendices B and C), and determined hunting to be a compatible use at Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. The Complex's hunting objective is to implement a safe and high quality hunting program including opportunities for approximately 22,000 annual hunting visits on over 8,525 acres.

The Sacramento NWR Complex manages our lands, habitats and facilities, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife selects and processes the hunters and operates the hunter check stations. The hunt areas are physically separated from non-hunted lands and are open to migratory bird and upland game bird hunting during the appropriate seasons. These hunt program parameters help minimize conflicts with visitors engaged in other recreational activities. The Complex adopts harvest regulations set by the state, which uses concepts of density-dependent compensatory mortality and adaptive harvest management to ensure sustained game species populations.

A Refuge Hunting Program Working Group was established in 1991 to exchange ideas and information with the public regarding the Complex's hunting program. A Disabled Hunter Working Group also supports the hunt program by providing feedback, ideas, and information about the mobility impaired blinds.

An annual Brush Up Day occurs every year in September to allow the public assist in cleaning up the Sacramento and Delevan NWRs. Volunteers are an essential part of the refuge and this day gets a lot of work completed! Contact the refuge for more information or see above under "news" if the event is coming up.

Comments about the hunt program can be submitted via the comment boxes posted on the hunter check stations, via phone (530-934-2801), or via email sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov 

Hunt program volunteers are needed! Contact us if you are interested to see how you can assist: 530-934-2801 or sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov 

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

OTHER RESOURCES

Back to the Top

• Sac NWR Complex - New to hunting on the Complex? Watch this video for new hunters (link to Facebook)
• CDFW's Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Booklet (2023-24)
• CDFW's Shooting Times for Bird Hunting - Sac NWR Complex falls under Colusa column
• CDFW's Public Hunting Areas - for info about other hunting areas  
• LEAD SLUGS - as of July 1, 2015, LEAD SLUGS are no longer permitted on the Sacramento River NWR Units or state Wildlife Areas for big game. For more information about Non-lead Ammunition in California, visit the CDFW's website (look under Frequently-Asked Questions).

Back to Home Page