Welcome! Need information about hunting at Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs?

Click on one of the topics below to jump to that section of this page:

Hunt Program Overview
Updates
Admissions
- What You'll Need and How to Purchase (licenses, validations, passes)
- Admission Methods (how to gain entry)
- Admission Procedures (what to expect when you check in)
- Admission Summary Table (#people/card, quotas, entry times)
- Check Stations (hours, rules)
Rules and Regulations
- Sac Complex-specific Regulations (including pheasant, turkey, whitefronts)
-  Bag Limits/Seasons Overview Table
-  Links: State Regulations, Shoot Times, Weekly Averages
Frequently Asked Questions and Safety Information
Information for Dog Owners
Sacramento NWR Complex Hunt Plan
Other Resources 

Links to Additional Sacramento NWR Complex Hunting Pages:

Special Hunts, Junior/Youth Hunting, Mobility-Impaired Hunting
Hunt Area Maps, Directions, Sacramento RIVER NWR Hunting

Hunting the Waterfowl Refuges of Sacramento NWR Complex

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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 and Sutter NWR. Other hunting is available along certain units of the Sacramento River NWR, also in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations.

During the waterfowl hunting season, these refuges (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs)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.

Who manages the hunt programs? Understanding the different roles of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) manages the hunting programs of both state and federal lands in the Sacramento Valley, while Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) manages the lands and habitats of our 5 federal refuges, on which hunting happens. Much of the information found across our hunting pages will be directly copied from CDFW webpages, as the information pertains to state regulations and is applicable to hunting on the refuges listed below. Our small team of staff and volunteers can do our best to help answer questions regarding the regulations for hunting, but you may find that contacting CDFW directly is a better fit to getting your questions answered.

Updates for 2026-2027

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Updates will be posted here as information becomes available:

• ALERTS and CLOSURES (Sacramento NWR Complex) = are posted at the top of our Main homepage and on Facebook  and Instagram as soon as they are known.  
• ALERTS and CLOSURES (State Wildlife Areas) = for closures at Gray Lodge, Little Dry Creek, Upper Butte Basin's Llano Seco hunt area, Howard Slough, etc., please visit CDFW's Wildlife Area Emergency Closures webpage .
• Waterfowl Hunting Season = October 24, 2026 - January 31, 2027 (Balance of the State Zone, regular season)
• Lottery (Vacancy Draw) Results Now Available Online = log in to CDFW's Online License Sales and Services page, use the CDFW License App, or visit the dedicated web pages accessible with a QR code posted at the check-stations (Sacramento results, Delevan results, Colusa results, Sutter results).
• Special Hunt (Junior/Youth, Veteran/Active Military) Dates = visit our Special Hunts page
• Seasons and Bag Limits = see our BAG LIMITS, SHOOT TIMES and REGULATIONS section, below
• Shooting Times = Shooting Times for Bird Hunting (CDFW, 2025-2026 - update pending) - refer to the times in the Colusa column for all refuges within the Sacramento NWR Complex.
• Hunt Area Maps = visit our Hunt Area Maps page
• Flood-up Maps, Weekly Quotas, Blind/Pond Results = this information is ONLY available in-person at the Hunter Check Stations - this information is NOT available by calling the refuge.
• Weekly Refuge Hunt Results = this information is ONLY available online through CDFW's Waterfowl Hunt Results webpage - this information is NOT available by calling the refuge.
• California Regulations = visit CDFW's Hunting License Items and Fees page and/or the season's Regulations Booklets for complete information from the state.  Also, see our BAG LIMITS, SHOOT TIMES and REGULATIONS section, below.

Hunt Area Admission

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Licenses, Validations and Passes:

The following information was pulled from CDFW's Hunting License Items and Feespage that's applicable to hunting Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Please visit their page for more information regarding costs and other types of hunting licenses, big game tags/drawing applications, reservation applications for state-operated hunting areas and more.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED before you arrive*:  Licenses, Validations and Passes

*Hunters must purchase any of the following necessary licenses, validations and passes prior to arrival at the Check Station (non-hunters do not need to have any licenses, validations or passes when accompanying a hunting individual):

1. CALIFORNIA HUNTING LICENSE = required for any person taking birds or mammals. 
   1. Hunters must carry licenses and be prepared to show them on request. 
   2. The license is valid July 1 through June 30. 
   3. Copied from CDFW's Hunting License Page: "Resident Hunting License: Required for any resident 16 years of age or older who takes birds or mammals." "Junior Hunting License: Required for any resident or nonresident less than 16 years of age who takes birds or mammals. To qualify, hunter must be less than 16 years of age at the beginning of the license year (July 1)."
2. HARVEST INFORMATION PROGRAM (HIP) VALIDATION = required for any person hunting ducks, dove, gallinules, geese, band-tailed pigeon, black brant, coots, and snipe. 
   1. This validation is free to hunters who complete the Harvest Information Program (HIP) Survey. The HIP Validation is imprinted on your hunting license document when you answer the HIP Survey questions. If you hunt migratory game birds, verify that a HIP Validation has been printed on your hunting license.  The HIP Survey provides wildlife biologists with data needed to make wildlife management decisions and formulate hunting seasons. More information about HIP.
3. CALIFORNIA DUCK VALIDATION = Required for any hunter taking waterfowl. 
   1. Not required if only hunting pheasants. 
   2. Not required for Junior Hunters under the authority of a Junior Hunting License. 
   3. A full breakdown of what permits are required for Junior and Youth Hunters, organized by license type and age, can be found on our Hunting: Junior, Mobility & Special Hunts page.
4. FEDERAL DUCK STAMP = Required for all hunters age 16 or older. 
   1. Not required if only hunting pheasants. 
   2. A full breakdown of what permits are required for Junior and Youth Hunters, organized by license type and age, can be found on our Hunting: Junior, Mobility & Special Hunts page.
5. UPLAND GAME BIRD VALIDATION = Required for any person taking upland game bird species, excluding juniors hunting under the authority of a Junior Hunting License. 
   1. A full breakdown of what permits are required for Junior and Youth Hunters, organized by license type and age, can be found on our Hunting: Junior, Mobility & Special Hunts page.
6. PREPAID TYPE A PASS = Allows a licensed hunter to hunt on a Type A State-operated Wildlife Area. 
   1. Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs are all Type A hunt areas. 
   2. Hunters can choose from a One-Day, Two-Day or Season Pass. 
   3. More details can be found on CDFW's Hunting License Items and Fees page. Junior hunters are exempt from permit requirements. A full breakdown of what permits are required for Junior and Youth Hunters, organized by license type and age, can be found on our Hunting: Junior, Mobility & Special Hunts page.

WHERE TO PURCHASE licenses, validation and passes BEFORE you arrive (check stations do NOT sell these):

1. CALIFORNIA HUNTING LICENSE, HIP VALIDATION, CALIFORNIA DUCK VALIDATION, TYPE-A PASS, UPLAND GAME BIRD VALIDATION:
   1. Go in-person to a CDFW License Sales Office
   2. Go in-person to a License Agent (i.e. a sporting goods store)
   3. Purchase Online at: CDFW Online License Sales and Services  - click on the blue ONLINE SALES AND SERVICES button, click on orange CUSTOMER LOG-IN button, log in with DOB/name/GO-ID, click on PURCHASE LICENSES button, then on HUNTING.
      1. *if you purchase a Type A Pass online, you CANNOT print it at home for immediate use - Type A Passes purchased online are mailed to the customer, and take up to 15 days for shipping.  If you need a pass for use in less than 15 days, visit a license agent or CDFW license sales office in-person.
   4. find more information on CDFW's Hunting License Items and Feespage regarding costs and other types of hunting licenses, big game tags/drawing applications, reservation applications for state-operated hunting areas and more.
2. FEDERAL DUCK STAMP:
   1. Federal Duck Stamps can be purchased at many post offices and some license agents.
   2. Purchases can be made online (including E-Stamps) or in-person by visiting Buy a Duck Stamp or E-Stamp. 

How to Gain Admission to the Hunt Areas:*

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There are 3 methods for hunt area admission:  1) by reservation, 2) by lottery (vacancy draw) and 3) first-come first-served. For details on mobility impaired hunter admissions, see our Hunting: Junior, Mobility & Special Hunts page. This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs - visit our Sacramento River NWR page for information about hunting on the river.

1. RESERVATIONS - how apply for a reservation:
   1. A hunter must apply for a reservation at least 17 days in advance of desired hunt day.
   2. A hunter may apply for a reservation online through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (click on the blue ONLINE SALES AND SERVICES button, click on orange CUSTOMER LOG-IN button, log in with DOB/name/GO-ID, click on PURCHASE LICENSES button, then on HUNTING, then go to DRAWINGS section), or wherever hunting licenses are sold. Only the hunter who is applying needs to provide their GO-ID at the time of application.
   3. If a reservation is granted, the reservation holder may bring 3 additional party members on the day of their reservation (see Admissions Summary Table, below). The reservation holder must be present for entry on that reservation.
   4. The daily quota of hunters is filled first by those holding advance reservations - see Daily Admissions Procedures, below.
   5. See past years' waterfowl reservation drawing statistics (this link will take you to CDFW's website).
2. LOTTERY - how to apply for the Lottery (Vacancy Draw):
   1. Hunters who do not have a reservation may enter the lottery at the Check Station between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, the night before the desired hunt day. 
      • Hunters may only enter one Type A  Area lottery each Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; hunters in violation of this regulation are subject to citation and a seasonal ban from National Wildlife Refuge hunting areas. This means a hunter's name is only permitted to show up on the front/back of ONE lottery card per hunt day.
   2. Hunters obtain and fill out a lottery card at the Check Station, and are given a card number. 
      • Up to 4 people may put their names on one lottery card. All party member names & license numbers must be on the lottery card at the time of the drawing for entry the next day. This includes adult hunters, junior hunters (no more than two juniors per adult) and non-hunters (non-hunters do not need license numbers).
      • Hunters may leave the area once their lottery card is submitted and need not to be present during the drawing.
   3. The drawing is conducted at 8:00pm on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Card numbers are randomly drawn and given a lottery number:
      1. Lottery results will be posted at the Check Station and will be available online by logging in to CDFW's Online License Sales and Services page, via the CDFW License App, or on the dedicated web pages accessible with a QR code posted at the check-stations (Sacramento results, Delevan results, Colusa results, Sutter results)
      2. Hunters will be called by their LOTTERY NUMBER the next morning.
   4. The morning of the hunt, lottery number holders will be issued an entry permit after reservation holders have been processed - see Daily Admissions Procedures, below.
   5. Lottery numbers will be purged at 8:00 am the morning of the hunt, and names of hunters not present will be removed from the list.
3. FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED - how to apply for a "sweat-line" number:
   1. A hunter without a reservation or a lottery number may wait in the "sweat-line" and will be allowed admission that morning after all reservations and lottery holders are admitted.
   2. Hunters arriving at the Check Station any time after the lottery drawing (8:00 pm the night before the hunt day) and the end of entry admissions (3:00 pm on the hunt day) will be issued a first-come, first-served number.
   3. Unlike the lottery, each hunter must be physically present to sign up.
   4. After all reservation and lottery number holders have been processed, first-come, first-served hunters are admitted - see Daily Admissions Procedures, below.
   5. No entry permits will be issued after 3:00 pm.

Daily Admissions Procedures - what to expect the morning of your hunt:

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This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. 

1. RESERVATIONS - daily admission procedures:
   1. Processing begins 2½ hours before waterfowl shoot time on Sacramento and Delevan, and 2 hours before waterfowl shoot time on Colusa and Sutter NWRs.
      • 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. If a reservation card holder is not present when card number is called, they will be allowed to enter upon arrival, or until the end of the reservation period. Once the reservation period has expired, the reservation will be invalid with no exceptions.
   2. Mobility Impaired (MI) reservation holders will be processed first.
      • An 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.
   3. Non-MI reservation holders will be processed second. 
      • 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.
   4. A reservation holder may take up to three additional people, including no more than two juniors or nonhunters, for a total of four people. Once formed, the party may not add or substitute other individuals. The party may not split between blinds and free-roam.
      • If the reservation holder chooses an assigned site (blind) or assigned pond and they have a guest who has not arrived yet, the reservation holder may request to have this person join them at their assigned 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 their 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, they will be advised to choose an assigned site or assigned pond. Hunters may not split between blinds and free-roam.
   5. 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.
2. LOTTERY (Vacancy Draw) - daily admission procedures:
   1. Processing begins after reservation holders have been admitted.
   2. 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.
      • If a lottery cardholder does not show up on the morning of the hunt, the other hunters on the back of the card are still eligible to hunt.
      • 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. 
   3. A lottery purge will occur at 8:00 am and the names of those hunters who are not present will be removed from the list.
3. FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED - daily admission procedures:
   1. After all reservation and lottery number holders have been processed, hunters may enter on a first-come, first-served system.
   2. No entry permits will be issued after 3:00pm on the hunt day.

Check Stations

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• 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 free-standing 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. First-come first-serve and refills end at 3:00pm - no entry permits will be issued after this time.
• What time do you need to vacate?  All hunters are required to check out at the check station, report hunting results, return their permits, and vacate the refuge no later than 1.5 hours after the end of shoot time. Hunters don't need to vacate the refuge if they are participating in an overnight stay on Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday nights.

Admissions Summary Table by Refuge

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

Hunting Rules and Regulations

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Sacramento NWR Complex Special Regulations

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This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Visit Sacramento River NWR for information specific to hunting on the Sacramento River.

Find out more about permitted/prohibited activities on the Sacramento NWR Complex broadly in the Rules and Policies section of our Visit Us page.

Admissions and Regulations

Review the Admissions Summary for information on the number of admissions per entry card, adult-to-junior ratios, lottery timing, morning reservation call times, and daily hunter quotas.

Regulations to know once you arrive at the refuge

Pheasant Regulations

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• Pheasant hunting is permitted in the free-roam and pheasant-only areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs on regular hunt days (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays) from 8:00am - sunset, concurrent with established CDFW pheasant hunting season.
• 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).
• Required Licenses/Validations/Passes: California Hunting License, Upland Game Bird Validation (not required for junior hunters), Prepaid Type A Pass for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs (not required for junior hunters). Type A Pass is not required for Sacramento River NWR.
• 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.
• Sacramento River: Pheasant hunting is permitted on various units of the Sacramento River NWR concurrent with established CDFW pheasant hunting season - please review our Sacramento River NWR Hunting page for more information. The Sacramento River NWR is a Type-C Area, meaning there are no check stations and a Type-A pass is not needed.

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Turkey Regulations

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• 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.
• Required Licenses/Validations/Passes:  California Hunting License, Upland Game Bird Validation (not required for junior hunters), Prepaid Type A Pass for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs (not required for junior hunters).  Type A Pass is not required for Sacramento River NWR.
• 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.
   

Whitefront Regulations: Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (specific to the tule greater white-fronted goose)

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• 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 spend 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 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 spend 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, 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.

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Bag Limits, Shoot Times, Seasons and Hunt Results

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• California Regulations:
  • Shoot Times - use the Colusa column for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs
  • Waterfowl Regulations- use Balance of the State Zone
  • Upland Game Bird Regulations  - use the Zone maps for each species
  • CDFW Fishing and Hunting Regulations
• California Weekly Hunt Results: CDFW's Weekly Waterfowl Hunt Results webpage  
  • FYI: The State typically calculates their hunt week as Wednesday-Sunday, so it can take a few days after the conclusion of hunting on Sundays to compile and post results from across the state. This information is not available by calling the Refuge Complex. Staff at the Refuge Complex have access to the weekly hunt results at the same time as the general public when it's posted on CDFW's website, not before, and we will direct callers to the State's webpage.

Sacramento NWR Complex - Hunting Seasons and Bag Limit Summary Table

The following information was copied from various California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Hunting Season and Bag Limit Regulations. Please refer to CDFW's Species-specific Regulations directly as the primary source of information for all hunters.

Key # 1 for the Hunting Seasons and Bag Limit Summary Table below:

SAC = Sacramento NWR Hunt Area
DEL = Delevan NWR Hunt Area
CLS = Colusa NWR Hunt Area
SUT = Sutter NWR Hunt Area
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.  Find unit-specific regulations in our River Unit Brochures.

KEY:

• SAC = Sacramento NWR Hunt Area
• DEL = Delevan NWR Hunt Area
• CLS = Colusa NWR Hunt Area
• SUT = Sutter NWR Hunt Area
• RIV = Sacramento River NWR. Areas open to hunting include all, or only part of, the following units (see brochures): 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 Islands 1 and 2, Sul Norte, Codora (juniors only on weekends only), Afton, Drumheller North, Drumheller Slough and Bogg’s Bend. 
• Duck Bag Limit = 7 per day, which may include:  7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 2 scaup (season is November 7, 2026 – January 31, 2027). Possession limit is triple the daily bag.
• Goose Bag Limit = 30 per day, which may include:  20 white geese and 10 dark geese, but not more than 6 white-fronted geese EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs) where only 3 white-fronted geese may be taken (season is October 24 – December 21, 2026, plus post-season Youth Hunt). Possession limit is triple the daily bag.
• Special Pheasant Monday Hunt:  Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs = November 16, 2026
  • In-Season Junior Hunts (18 or younger):  Sacramento NWR = December 19, 2026; Delevan NWR = December 12, 2026 
    • Post-season Youth Hunt (17 or younger):  Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs = February 13 – February 14, 2027; Sutter NWR = February 14, 2027; same duck and goose bag limits as regular season, including 3 white-fronted geese in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area. 
      • Post-season Veteran and Active Military Hunt:  Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs = February 6 – February 7, 2027; same duck bag limits as regular season, closed to all goose hunting. 
      • Special Veteran Hunt: Colusa NWR = January 2, 2027 (offered by California Waterfowl)

Deer Hunting Resources:

• CDFW's Deer Hunting Season Dates, Hunts and Hunting Zones, Issues of Concern and more
• Deer Hunting Licenses and Tags Information (CDFW)
• Subsection 351: "(a) Forked-Horn Buck Defined For the purpose of these regulations a forked-horn buck is defined as a male deer having a branched antler on either side with the branch in the upper two-thirds of the antler. Eyeguards or other bony projections on the lower one-third of the antler shall not be considered as points or branches."

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Frequently Asked Questions and Safety Information

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

Junior and Youth Hunter Questions

Please visit the Junior/Youth Hunt page for detailed information.

Mobility Impaired Hunter Questions

Please visit the Mobility Impaired Hunting page for detailed information.

Pheasant Hunting Questions

Turkey Hunting Questions

Sacramento River NWR Hunting

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Safety Information

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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 and slow down so you have time to read the small road signs and to make safe turns.
2. Plan for additional driving time when there is foggy or rainy weather.
3. Before you begin driving, review driving directions, location maps, and GPS coordinates! Visit the Maps and Directions page for more information.

Reporting Accidents, Violations, and Incidents

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

If you are on-refuge:

1. Go in person to the refuge hunter check station to report accidents, violations and incidents. There is no phone number for the check stations.
2. Call the refuge headquarters: 530-934-2801 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.).
3. If you believe illegal take (killing) of federally protected wildlife is happening, call to report federal wildlife crimes 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477).
   1. We have more information specific to reporting federal wildlife crimes on our Contact Us page under Law Enforcement.

If you are off-refuge: 

1. Call to report any wildlife violations to CalTip: 1-888-334-CalTip (1-888-334-2258). Leave message and an operator checks it frequently.
2. Text "847411" and write "CALTIP [your message]" to submit anonymous tips to state wildlife officers. Learn more about CALTIP (Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters).
3. If you believe illegal take (killing) of federally protected wildlife is happening, call to report federal wildlife crimes 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477).
   1. We have more information specific to reporting federal wildlife crimes on our Contact Us page under Law Enforcement.

Information for Dog Owners

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Canine Pythiosis

The following information and more can be viewed at: http://pythiosis.com/

Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Blooms

Information from the 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 

Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease)

Information from the 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

Sacramento NWR Complex Hunt Plan

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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

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• 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).

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