Welcome!
On this page you can find all the information you need about HUNTING at Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs:
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LINKS:
Use these links to find information on special hunt programs, maps, directions and the river:
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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
- 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.
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UPDATES FOR 2024-2025
Updates will be posted here, as information becomes available to staff.
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2024-2025 SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX - HUNTING UPDATES, CHANGES AND HIGHLIGHTSALERTS! - check here for any flooding or closure information | No alerts at this time. |
2024-25 Waterfowl Hunting Season | Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs = October 26, 2024 - January 31, 2025 |
Hunt Area Maps, 2024 | Hunt Area Maps: Find maps that show free roam, assigned pond, and assigned blind areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Maps include refuge-specific information and regulations. |
Flood-up Maps Weekly Quotas Blind/Pond Results | Starting in 2022, this information is ONLY available in-person at the Hunter Check Stations. It is NOT available online or by calling the refuge. |
Weekly refuge hunt results | Starting in 2022, this information is ONLY available online through CDFW's Waterfowl Hunt Results webpage It is NOT available by calling the refuge. |
California Regulations | See BAG LIMITS, SHOOT TIMES and REGULATIONS section, below |
Pheasant Monday, 2024 | Pheasant Monday is Monday, November 11 2024 (Veteran's Day Holiday) on Sacramento, Delevan, and Colusa NWRs. See the Special Hunts Page for details. Click here to find more information on: Pheasant Hunting |
Sutter NWR, 2024 | Due to the lengthy timeline of the nearly-completed Sutter Lift Pump Project, the estimated flood-up timeline for Sutter NWR is delayed. Reservations for Sutter NWR are available online through CDFW. |
Sul Norte and Codora, 2024 | Sacramento River NWR - Sul Norte/Codora Units will continue to be open to the public through the current parking lot during the ongoing Butte City Bridge/CalTrans project. Road/trail access may temporarily be re-routed. The Safety Zone adjacent the bridge has been expanded by 150 feet during the construction project - please follow all signs in the field. More info on: Sacramento NWR River - Hunting. |
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HUNT AREA ADMISSION:
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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:
- California Hunting License, plus:
- 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.
- California Duck Validation (not required for junior hunters; not required if only hunting pheasants)
- 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)
- Upland Game Bird Validation (required if hunting pheasants/turkey; not required for junior hunters)
- Federal Duck Stamp (required for all hunters age 16 or older; not required if only hunting pheasants)
Purchasing Licenses/Validations/Passes:
- CDFW license sales office
- Find a license agent (CDFW Website)
- Purchase a hunting license online (CDFW Website)
2024 - Fees for Licenses/Validations/Passes (info copied from CDFW's License page, prices subject to change.)Type of Pass (for CA residents) | Cost | Notes |
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Type A 1-Day Pass | $27.82 | Junior hunters do not need this |
Type A 2-Day Pass | $44.85 | Valid for 1 hunter for 2 days or 2 hunters for 1 day |
Type A Season Pass | $210.09 | Junior hunters are exempt from permit requirements. |
Reservations | $1.34 | Per application |
Resident License | $61.82 | 18 and older |
Junior Hunter License | $16.20 | under 16 years of age as of July 1 |
CA Duck Validation | $39.14 | Required for any person taking waterfowl, excluding juniors hunting under the authority of a Junior Hunting License. |
Upland Game Bird Validation | $24.33 | Required for any person taking upland game bird species (ex. pheasants), excluding juniors hunting under the authority of a Junior Hunting License. |
Federal Duck Stamp | $25.00 | ~ |
Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation | $0 | Required for any person hunting ducks, dove, gallinules, geese, band-tailed pigeon, black brant, coots, and snipe. This validation is free to hunters who complete the Harvest Information Program (HIP) Survey. The validation is available where hunting licenses are sold. 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 |
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Admission Methods:
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*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):
Admission Method | Details |
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1.Reservation | - A hunter must apply for a reservation at least 17 days in advance of desired hunt day.
- A hunter may apply for a reservation online through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (called "Drawings" in CDFW's portal***) or wherever hunting licenses are sold.
- The daily quota of hunters is filled first by those holding advance reservations
- See past years' waterfowl reservation drawing statistics (link to CDFW page)
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2.Lottery | - A hunter can enter one refuge's lottery per hunt day by going to that refuge's check station between 6:00-8:00 pm the night before the desired hunt day.
- Up to 4 people may put their names on one lottery entry.
- Results of the lottery will be posted at the check station after 8:00 pm that evening; hunters don't have to be present for the lottery results that night.
- Lottery number holders will be admitted after reservation holders the morning of the hunt; Numbers will be purged at 8:00 am.
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3.First-come First-Served (aka "Sweat-line") | - A hunter may wait in the "sweat-line" and will be allowed admission that morning after all reservations and lottery holders are admitted.
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***How to apply for a reservation through CDFW's Online Portal:
- Click California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Click "ONLINE LICENSE SALES AND SERVICES."
- Click "Customer Login / Register."
- Log into your account or create an account.
- Click on "Purchase Licenses" at the top of the page.
- Scroll down until you see a Menu on the left-hand side. Select "YEAR - Hunting" for waterfowl and game hunting.
- An updated menu will appear to the right of the "YEAR - Hunting" selection.
- You need to fulfill Hunter Education requirements in your account before you can purchase a hunting license.
- You need to purchase a hunting license in order to purchase any validations or enter any drawings for reservations.
- 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.
- Under "Main," this is where you purchase hunting licenses, upland game bird validations, fulfill Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation, etc.
- 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.
- Scroll down until you see a "Drawings" header.
- 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.).
- Select all the dates you want to hunt and add them to your Shopping Cart.
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.
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Daily Admission Process:
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*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:
- Only one hunter’s name may appear on the front of a card.
- Hunting license number and vehicle license number must be written on the front.
- MI hunters wishing to use the MI blind sites or ponds must mark the MI box.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- The card numbers (plastic tokens) are placed on a large numbered board in the check station.
- The position of each card number (plastic token) determines the lottery number.
- The spaces between each card number are determined by the additional number of hunters that have been entered on the cards.
- 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.
- It is the hunter’s responsibility to check the board to determine what their lottery number is before lottery numbers are called.
- Hunters should write their assigned LOTTERY NUMBER (drawing results) to the left of the CARD NUMBER on their portion of the lottery card.
- 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.
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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 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.
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Admissions Summary:
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*This information is specific for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs*. Click on Sacramento River NWR for information about hunting on the Sacramento River.
Admissions Summary for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs Information | Sacramento NWR | Delevan NWR | Colusa NWR | Sutter NWR |
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Reservation | 4 individuals per reservation | 4 individuals per reservation | 4 individuals per reservation | 4 individuals per reservation |
Lottery | 4 people per card | 4 people per card | 4 people per card | 4 people per card |
First-come, first-serve | Each person has to be present to receive a number. However, adults can get a number for a junior hunter. | Each person has to be present to receive a number. However, adults can get a number for a junior hunter. | Each person has to be present to receive a number. However, adults can get a number for a junior hunter. | Each person has to be present to receive a number. However, adults can get a number for a junior hunter. |
Adult to Junior ratio | No more than 2 junior hunters or 2 non-shooters or 1 of each per adult. | No more than 2 junior hunters or 2 non-shooters or 1 of each per adult. | No more than 2 junior hunters or 2 non-shooters or 1 of each per adult. | No more than 2 junior hunters or 2 non-shooters or 1 of each per adult. |
What time is the Lottery? | 6-8 pm the night before | 6-8 pm the night before | 6-8 pm the night before | 6-8 pm the night before |
What time does Check Station begin calling reservations? | 2.5 hours before shoot time | 2.5 hours before shoot time | 2 hours before shoot time | 2 hours before shoot time |
What time does Check Station begin calling lottery #s? | 1½ hours before shoot time | 1½ hours before shoot time | 1 hour before shoot time | 1 hour before shoot time |
# of Reservations drawn (when fully flooded) | 59 + 4 mobility-impaired | 39 + 3 mobility-impaired | 23 + 2 mobility-impaired | 17 + 1 mobility-impaired |
# Assigned Blinds (when fully flooded) | 26 + 3 mobility-impaired | 15 + 3 mobility-impaired | - | - |
# Assigned Ponds (when fully flooded) | 20 + 1 mobility-impaired (has a blind) | 10 + 1 junior | 10 + 2 mobility-impaired (have blinds) + 1 junior | 11 + 1 mobility-impaired (has a blind) |
Free roam hunting quotas (when fully flooded) | 54 | 25 west 25 east | 14 west 34 east | 25 |
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HUNTING RULES AND 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.
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General Rules Overview Table
Topic | GENERAL Overview Information (see below for more SacNWR Complex-specific Regs) |
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Licenses | All adult hunters must possess a valid California State hunting license, HIP Validation, signed Federal Duck Stamp, California Duck Validation Stamp, and Upland Game Bird Validation (if hunting pheasant or turkey). See "Licenses/Validations/Passes" above. See Junior Hunting page for Junior and Youth hunter requirements. |
Pass required | All adult hunters must purchase a Type A Pass(one-day, two-day, or season) prior to their arrival at the Check Station. Junior hunters and non-hunters do not need to purchase a Type A Pass. |
Check Station Access | All hunters and non-hunters must obtain a permit at the check station before entering the hunting area. Check Station 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 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. No open flames are permitted, but you can have a portable gas stove. |
Parking | Vehicle parking is allowed only in designated parking areas. Vehicles may stop only at designated, assigned parking areas. The dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated parking areas is prohibited except for designated mobility impaired areas. |
Checkout | 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 need not vacate the refuge if participating in overnight stay on Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday nights. |
Ammunition | Approved nontoxic shot is required on all refuges. No shot shell larger than 12 gauge and no shot size larger than T is permitted. Hunters may possess not more than 25 federally approved nontoxic shotgun shells after leaving the parking area. Weapons must be unloaded (no ammunition in the magazine or chamber) when in a vehicle or walking to/from a hunt area. |
Dogs | In the check station parking area, dogs must be kept in autos or on a leash. Dogs are allowed off-leash only while hunting and under the control of their owner. Learn more dog-specific information in "Frequently-Asked Questions and Safety Tips" as well as "Information for Dog Owners" below. |
Littering and Fires | Please take your refuse with you when you leave; littering is unlawful and can be fined. Open fires are prohibited. |
Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs | The consumption or possession of an open container of alcohol, within public areas of the refuge, is prohibited. Marijuana and illegal drugs are prohibited. |
Bicycles | Access to the hunt area is by foot only. Bicycles and other conveyances are not permitted. |
Injuries and Accidents | Incidents involving injury or accident occurring on the refuge must be reported immediately to the check station or Complex headquarters at (530) 934-2801. See additional information in "Frequently-Asked Questions and Safety Tips" below. |
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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.
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- 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.
- 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.
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Bag Limits, Shoot Times, and Other Regulations:
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2024-2025 Sacramento NWR Complex - Hunting Seasons and Bag Limit Summary:
Refuge (see Key #1) | Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limits |
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RIV | Deer – Archery (Zone C4, A-1 Tag) | August 17 – September 1 Third Saturday in August, extending 16 days | One buck, forked horn or better per tag |
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RIV | Deer – Archery (Zone D3) Afton, Codora, Drumheller, and Bogg’s Bend Units only | August 17 – September 8 Third Saturday in August, extending 23 days | One buck, forked horn or better per tag |
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RIV | Deer – General (Zone C4) | September 21 – October 6 Third Saturday in September, extending 16 days | One buck, forked horn or better per tag |
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RIV | Deer – General (Zone D3) | September 28 – November 3 Fourth Saturday in September, extending 37 days | One buck, forked horn or better per tag |
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RIV | Deer – G1 Late Season (Zone C4) | October 26 – November 3 Fourth Saturday in October, extending 9 days | One buck, forked horn or better per tag |
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RIV | Feral Pigs | Year-round | No daily bag or possession limit |
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RIV | Waterfowl – Early Resident Canada Geese | September 28 - September 30 Saturday closest to October 1, extending 3 days | 10 large Canada geese per day; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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SAC, DEL, CLS, SUT, RIV | Waterfowl – Ducks | October 26 – January 31 Fourth Saturday in October, extending 98 days; Except scaup - from November 7 extending 86 days (Nov 7 - Jan 31) | 7 per day; See Key #2 below; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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SAC, DEL, CLS, SUT, RIV | Waterfowl – Geese | October 26 – January 31 Except white-fronted geese in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (Oct 26 - Dec 21 and during Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Feb 1-2) | 30 per day; See Key #2 below; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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RIV | Waterfowl - Late Season Geese | Canada geese February 8 - 9 (second Saturday in February extending for 2 days) White-fronted geese and white geese February 8 -12 (second Saturday in Feb extending 5 days, except in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area where white-fronted goose season is closed). Type A Hunt Areas (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs) are closed to late season goose season. | 30 per day; See Key #2 below; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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SAC, DEL, CLS, SUT, RIV | American Coot and Common Moorhen | October 26 – January 31 Concurrent with duck season | 25 per day, 25 in possession |
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SAC, DEL, CLS, SUT, RIV | Snipe | October 19 – February 2 Third Saturday in October | 8 per day; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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RIV | Quail – General | October 19 – January 26 Third Saturday in October, extending through the last Sunday in January | 10 per day; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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RIV | Quail – Archery Only | August 17 - September 6 Third Saturday in August, extending 21 days | 10 per day; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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SAC, DEL, CLS, SUT, RIV | Pheasant – General | November 9 – December 22 Second Saturday in November, extending 44 days | 2 males first two days; 3 males thereafter; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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RIV | Pheasant – Archery Only | October 12 – November 3 December 23- January 19 Second Saturday in October, extending 23 days Fourth Monday in December, extending 28 days | 2 pheasants first two days; 3 pheasants thereafter; 1 female per day; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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RIV | Dove | September 1 - September 15; November 9 – December 23 Second Saturday in November, extending 45 days | 15 per day of which no more than 10 may be white-winged doves; possession triple the daily bag limit |
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SAC, DEL, CLS, SUT, RIV | Turkey – Fall | November 9– December 8 Second Saturday in November, extending 30 days | 1 either sex; 2 per season |
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RIV | Turkey – General Spring | March 29 - May 4 Last Saturday in March, extending 37 days | 1 bearded per day; 3 bearded per spring season |
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RIV | Turkey – Spring - Juniors Only | March 22 - 23 May 5 - 18 Saturday and Sunday preceding General Spring opening day and following General Spring, extending 14 days | 1 bearded per day; 3 bearded per spring season |
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RIV | Turkey – Spring – Archery Only | May 5 - May 18 | 1 bearded per day; 3 bearded per spring season |
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KEY:
- 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
- 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