Sacramento NWR Complex - Hunting - Annual Hunt Program Changes

Hunting home page  <--- Click here to return to the Hunting home page

Image Details

I. Opening of hunting season for Sacramento, Delevan, and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) will be Saturday, November 19, 2022. Last day of the regular season will be Sunday January 31, 2023

• RESERVATIONS - UPDATE!!! = You can now apply for waterfowl hunting reservations for the November 19 opener at Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa NWRs through the CDFW online License Service, CDFW License Agents, CDFW License Sales Office.  Deadline to apply is 17 days before each hunt.
• Sutter NWR = will open to hunting December 10, 2022 at a reduced quota, and entry will be by lottery/first-come-first-serve until December 24, 2022 when reservations will be available through CDFW (see above)
• Water availability continues to be unstable, and the refuges may close at any time if conditions deteriorate

II. Check Station Operation during Holidays

1. Check stations will be closed on Sunday, December 25, 2022 for Christmas Day. 
2. Check stations will be open on Saturday, December 31, 2022 to conduct the lottery for the January 1, 2023 shoot day.

III. Special Hunts

1. Special Monday Pheasant Hunt:

   • Pheasant Monday at Sacramento, Delevan, and Colusa NWRs will NOT occur this year due to ongoing drought conditions (usually the first Monday after Pheasant opener). Usually the three check stations would close at 3 pm. See the CDFW hunting regulations booklet for details.

2. In-Season Junior Waterfowl Hunt:

   • Sacramento NWR – December 17, 2022, On this day, all blinds at Sacramento NWR are reserved for junior hunters. Hunters must have a valid junior hunting license to apply. Use a postcard to apply directly to the USFWS. For additional information visit our Junior and Youth Hunting page
   • Delevan NWR – December 10, 2022, On this day, all blinds at Delevan NWR are reserved for junior hunters. Hunters must have a valid junior hunting license to apply. Use a postcard to apply directly to the USFWS. For additional information visit our Junior and Youth Hunting page

3. Post-Season Youth Waterfowl Hunt:

   • February 4 and 5, 2023. Reservations can be made by putting in through the CDFW website. For additional information visit our Junior and Youth Hunting page

4. Special Veteran Hunt at Colusa NWR:

   • Anticipated to be January 7, 2023 (pending due to drought).  If this event becomes available, hunters can apply through California Waterfowl and will have use of assigned ponds. Regular reservation holders for that day will have access to the free roam area only.

5. Post-Season Veteran and Active-duty Military Hunt:

   • February 11 and 12, 2023. Reservations can be made by putting in through the CDFW website. Only veterans and active duty military are able to hunt.

IV. Quotas 

V. Daily Reservation Draws (RD)

VI. Changes on the hunt areas of Sacramento NWRC

1. Colusa NWR:
   • AP 8 is in a permanent water. Expect very thick emergent vegetation (tule, cattail) and little open water.
2. Delevan NWR:
   • No significant changes from the 2021-2022 season.
3. Sacramento NWR:

   •  P11.2 - Permanent pond this year (blinds 50, 54, 56)

4. Sutter NWR:
   • No significant changes from the 2021-2022 season.
5. Sacramento Complex & Pandemic
   • Hunters are permitted to enter only one lottery for one Type A wildlife area each Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for the 2022-23 waterfowl season. This includes refuges and state wildlife areas. Hunters in violation of this regulation are subject to citation and a seasonal ban from National Wildlife Refuge hunting areas.
   • Hunters are permitted to enter only one lottery whether you are personally entering the lottery or someone is putting your name in the lottery. If a hunter’s name appears on more than one lottery list, they will be removed and are subject to citation and a seasonal ban from National Wildlife Refuge hunting areas.
   • Hunters can sign up for the lottery between 6-8 p.m.
   • Safety and distancing precautions will be in place at the check stations. For all details, refer to the pandemic procedures described on this website. Stay home if you are sick or have a fever.
   • Groups of hunters will be called into the patio area of the check stations. If overcrowding occurs at the check station, check station windows will close.
   • The health and safety of staff and visitors are our highest priority.

VI. Habitat Conditions on the hunt areas of Sacramento NWRC

• See our Hunt Area Descriptions page for updated information about habitat conditions

VII. Hunting Maps for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter NWRs

Visit the website to print the current hunting maps