Photography Blind Guidelines
for the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The Photography Blinds at Sacramento NWR Complex are available only through RESERVATION: 

  • Reservations are granted for a RESERVATION WEEK, which runs from Wednesday through Sunday
  • During an awarded RESERVATION WEEK, a photographer may schedule a maximum of 2 visits

Please read the entire set of guidelines BEFORE submitting a request AND prior to using the blind! With a large number of applicants and few choices available, these guidelines have been created to allow everyone to have the opportunity to use the blinds. Photographers that consistently do not follow the rules (example: not showing up on time to a blind, not informing us of their cancellation, late payments, etc.) will lose their next opportunity to use a photography blind.

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I. Photography Blind Date Ranges 2023-2024

Below are the date ranges** during which the Photography Blinds are estimated to be available this season:*NOTE - blind availability is subject to change at any time due to unforeseen conditions
**NOTE - conditions may change and fewer, or extra, dates may be available

  • Sacramento NWR Blind #1: November 15, 2023 - February 25, 2024 (floodup anticipated to begin 10/1/23)
  • Sacramento NWR Blind #2: December 27, 2023 - February 25, 2024 (floodup anticipated to begin 11/15/23)
  • Colusa NWR Blind #3: November 15, 2023 - February 25, 2024 (floodup anticipated to begin 10/20/23)
  • Delevan NWR Blind #4:  CLOSED for the 2023-24 season due to habitat and facility conditions - unit is semi-permanent and in dense vegetation
  • Anticipated Photography Blind Availability – 2023-2024
    Dry = unit not yet flooded up
    Flood-up = unit in process of flooding up
    Closed = unit closed for season
    Blank = anticipated to be available for reservation
    Reserved = reservation in place

    Reservation Week
    (Wed-Sun)
    Blind #1
    (Sacramento NWR P1A.3)
    Blind #2
    (Sacramento NWR P6.2)
    Blind #3
    (Colusa NWR T1.3)
    Blind #4
    (Delevan NWR T6)
    October 4-8Flood-upDryDryClosed
    October 11-15Flood-upDryDryClosed
    October 18-22Flood-upDryFlood-upClosed
    October 25-29Flood-upDryFlood-upClosed
    November 1-5Flood-upDryFlood-upClosed
    November 8-12Flood-upDryFlood-upClosed
    November 15-19ReservedFlood-upReservedClosed
    November 22-26ReservedFlood-upReservedClosed
    November 29- December 3ReservedFlood-upReservedClosed
    December 6-10ReservedFlood-upReservedClosed
    December 13-17ReservedFlood-upReservedClosed
    December 20-24ReservedFlood-up-Closed
    December 27-31ReservedReserved-Closed
    January 3-7ReservedReserved-Closed
    January 10-14ReservedReservedReservedClosed
    January 17-21ReservedReserved-Closed
    January 24-28ReservedReservedReservedClosed
    January 31- February 4ReservedReserved-Closed
    February 7-11ReservedReserved-Closed
    February 14-18ReservedReservedReservedClosed
    February 21-25-Reserved-Closed

II. Photography Blind Reservation Process

- Photographers may receive up to two photography blind Reservation Weeks (Wednesday through Sunday) in a season.
- Reservations can be made by: A) applying for the Lottery drawing, B) signing up for the First-Come First-Served list, or C) signing up for the Wait List.  See below for information on how to apply:

A. Reservation Lottery:

  1. Reservation FormsPhotography Blind Reservation Forms must be received between September 1 - October 1
    1. Reservation requests may consist of up to 10 date/blind combinations in priority order. We suggest that you submit 10 options to have the best chance of receiving a reservation. You may list the week for several different blinds. Please make sure your Reservation Week (Wednesday through Sunday) requests are within the date range of availability (see I.1-4, above):  if you list a date on your reservation form outside of the dates offered, you forfeit that choice on your form. 

      Example of how to make your request:

      Choice
      Order
      Photography
      Blind
      Reservation Week
      (Wednesday through Sunday)
      First Visit
      during Reservation Week
      Second Visit
      during Reservation Week
      1st Choice
      (first priority)
      #1Wednesday Dec 13
      through Sunday Dec 17
      Dec 14Dec 15
      2nd Choice#1Wednesday Nov 15
      through Sunday Nov 19
      Nov 18Nov 19
      3rd Choice#3Wednesday Nov 15
      through Sunday Nov 19
      Nov 18Nov 19
    2. Submit forms via email or mail to: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov; Sacramento NWRC, Photography Program, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988
  2. Lottery Process:  The lottery will be held the first week of October. During the lottery, individuals are assigned a random number, which determines the order in which their blind request(s) will be processed.
    1. The individual selected first will be given their first priority. Then the second individual, then the third, etc. The first priority date available is selected from each blind request. 
    2. After all of the applicants have received one blind assignment (their highest priority date not already assigned), the blind assignment process continues back to the beginning of the list until all applicants receive their next priority date of choice that remains or until all available dates are filled.
      1. If all of the applicant’s date/blind choices have already been taken, they will be contacted by refuge staff about remaining available dates.
  3. Notification:  All applicants given a blind assignment will receive a confirmation form via e-mail during early to mid-October.
  4. Fees:  A $25 fee for each reservation must be paid by October 22 to confirm blind date selection (see "Payment of Photography Blind User Fee" section, below)
  5. After the Lottery is complete, blinds become available on a First-come First-served basis (see below)

B. First-come First-served Process:

  1. Application:  Following the completion of the Lottery, the Anticipated Photography Blind Availability Table (see above: Photography Blind Date Ranges, Section I) will be updated after October 1 to show all reserved dates and any remaining available dates
    1. These blinds will be available for reservation on a First-come First-served basis
    2. Beginning October 2, photographers that missed the Lottery, or received less than 2 reservations through the lottery, may submit a Photography Blind Reservation Form (see A1, above) to be placed on the First-come First-served list.
      1. The blind requests may consist of up to 10 date/blind combinations in priority order. See the examples in Section A, #1 above.
  2. First-Come First-Served List:  Photographers’ names will be put on a list and processed chronologically by the email date/time or letter postmark.
    1. The order of names on the list will remain until the applicants’ choices (up to two) are assigned.
    2. The blind requests will be processed as described in Section A, above.
    3. If all of the applicant’s date/blind choices have already been taken, they will be contacted by refuge staff about remaining available dates.
  3. Wait List:  If all dates were assigned through the lottery system, then the First-come First-served list becomes the Wait List (see below) beginning October 5. 

C. Wait List:

  1. A Wait List will be created if additional users would like to use a blind and no dates/blinds are available.
  2. When a user cancels an existing reservation, refuge staff will refer to the wait list to try to fill the opening.
  3. Wait List users will have up to 24 hours to respond back to the Refuge to reserve the photo blind. They will be contacted by email or phone.
  4. The Wait List will have a maximum of 10 people.

III. Payment of Photography Blind User Fee

There is a non-refundable component to the blind user fee for all blinds: a $25 fee per Reservation Week, which includes up to 2 days of use per week (maximum 2 Reservation Weeks - $50)

  1. Blind User Fee:  Payment must be made by October 22 to confirm reservations. If a reservation is made after October 22, payment is due within 3 weeks or before the blind is used.  Payment can be submitted:
    1. Online:  through RecAcess (note RecAccess charges an additional $5.00 service fee)
    2. By check:  make payable to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and send to:
      Sacramento NWR Complex
      c/o Photography Program
      752 County Road 99W
      Willows, CA  95988
  2. Refuge Entrance Fee: 
    1. Sacramento NWR Blinds #1 and #2 require an additional daily entrance pass, which can be in the form of:
      1. Refuge Entrance Pass ($6 Refuge Day Pass or $12 Refuge Annual Pass: these are available at the refuge entrance kiosk. Please place this pass on your dashboard while at the refuge that day.) OR...
      2. Federal Duck Stamp OR...
      3. Golden Access/Age or America the Beautiful Interagency, Senior, or Access Pass.
      4. Please visit our Passes and Permits webpage for more information
    2. Colusa NWR Blind #3 and Delevan NWR Blind #4 DO NOT require any additional refuge entrance fee
  3. Cancellations:  If payment for the Blind Fee is not received by October 22, all blind reservations for that individual will be cancelled and made available to the First-come First-served list

IV. Registration

On the photography day or day prior, photographers must pick up a "Photography Blind Folder”, which is located in a mailbox at the designated locations listed below. The folder should be placed on your vehicle’s dashboard while at the blind. The folder contains a Photography Blind Report form, directions/map to the blind, and other important information.

The folder may be picked up at the following locations:

  • Sacramento NWR Blind #1 - the mailbox behind the Sacramento NWR office. The mailbox is the black one labeled “Photo Blind Info Binder” located on the right of the line of mailboxes. Be sure to grab the correct folder (check your blind number).
  • Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - the mailbox behind the Sacramento NWR office. The mailbox is the black one labeled “Photo Blind Info Binder” located on the right of the line of mailboxes. Be sure to grab the correct folder (check your blind number).
  • Colusa NWR Blind #3 - the black mailbox across from the observation deck on the beginning of the Colusa auto tour
  • Delevan NWR Blind #4 - *please excuse us while we work on this*
  • It is required that all photography blind users fill in the photography blind report. This is how we keep records and improve the program. If the report is not completed the visit will be considered as a no-show and that user will have their next reservation cancelled.

V. Directions

  • Sacramento NWR Blind #1 - The blind access is from the auto tour. Drive approximately two miles on the auto tour to the parking area marked with the brown sign “Photo blind #1, By Reservation Only". Place the "Photography Blind Folder” and the refuge entrance pass on the dash of your vehicle. Look for a boat ramp on your left. At this site, a small sled is located just north of the boat ramp and is available for transporting your gear to the blind. It is typically out of view of the auto tour to prevent vandalism. Walk down the boat ramp and into the water until you see the first guide stake. Continue to each stake until you reach the blind (about 250 yards). If the sled is used, it should be hidden in the tules behind the photography blind. Please return the sled to the edge of the pond beside the boat ramp, turn it upside down to keep the inside dry and latch it to the post.
  • Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - Vehicle access to the blind is from the viewing platform parking area on the auto tour. From the platform parking lot, open the metal gate and close it before proceeding to the blind. Follow the road south along Logan Creek approximately 6/10 of a mile until you reach the brown sign 5 “Parking Area #2”. Place the “Photography Blind Folder” and the Refuge entrance pass on the dash of your vehicle. Look for the signs and guide stakes and follow them until you reach the access levee to the blind (about 200 yards). The road has been graveled to provide vehicle access to the parking area during the winter. Individuals using wheelchairs may drive south past the “Parking Area #2” sign to the beginning of the access levee (marked with a sign with “Photo Blind #2” and a right arrow). Do not attempt to drive down this levee to the back of the blind. Although not required, it is highly recommended that people who use a wheelchair have an able-bodied companion park their vehicle back at the “Parking Area #2” sign to reduce disturbance to wildlife using the area.
  • Colusa NWR Blind #3 - Vehicle access to the blind is from the Colusa NWR auto tour. A space for parking is located approximately 0.5 miles from the observation deck. It will be before the bridge and on the right (north) will be a brown sign marked “Photo blind #3, By Reservation Only”. Place the “Photography Blind Folder” on the dash of your vehicle. Proceed north on foot and follow the directional signs along the levee road (about 200 yards) until you reach a sign that will direct you into the water. At this site a small sled is available for transporting your gear to the blind. The water in this section of the pond is about 2 feet deep, so chest waders are needed. Follow the reflective markers about 150 yards to the blind. If the sled is used, it should be hidden in the cattails behind the blind. Please return the sled to the edge of the pond, turn it upside down to keep the inside dry and latch it to the post.
  • Delevan NWR Blind #4 - Vehicle access to the blind is from Four Mile Road on the west boundary of Delevan NWR. A space for parking marked with a sign labeled “Photo blind #4, By Reservation Only” is located at the gate on Four Mile Road. Heading south, on Four Mile Road the parking site is approximately 2 miles south of the intersection with Delevan Road. Heading north, the site is approximately 3½ miles north of Maxwell Road. Place the “Photography Blind Folder” on the dash of your vehicle. Proceed east on foot and follow the directional signs along the levee road (about 150 yards) until you reach a levee covered with plastic mats that provides entry to the blind. Individuals using wheelchairs should contact the refuge for the combination to the gate to allow vehicle access to the start of this entrance levee. Do not attempt to drive down this levee to the back of the blind. Although not required, it is highly recommended that people who use a wheelchair have an able-bodied companion park their vehicle back at the gate to reduce disturbance to wildlife using the area.

VI. Proceed to Blind

Photographers must be in the blind at least 1 hour before sunrise. Photographers must park in the designated parking area and proceed directly to the assigned blind on foot. Give yourself adequate time to get to the blind!

  • Sacramento NWR Blind #1 - the route from the parking area to the blind will be marked by stakes with reflective tape in the water. The route is designed to minimize disturbance; therefore, deviation from the staked route is not allowed. A flashlight will be needed to follow the staked route. Sometimes only one guide stake can be seen at a time. While in route to the blind, photographers may encounter deep water (waist high), ankle-deep mud, and slippery footing. Use chest waders and proceed with caution.
  • Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - there is an accessible walkway to the blind which does not go through the water.
  • Colusa NWR Blind #3 - the route from the parking area to the blind will be marked by stakes with reflective tape in the water. The route is designed to minimize disturbance; therefore, deviation from the staked route is not allowed. A flashlight will be needed to follow the staked route. Sometimes only one guide stake can be seen at a time. While in route to the blind, photographers may encounter deep water (waist high), ankle-deep mud, and slippery footing. Use chest waders and proceed with caution.
  • Delevan NWR Blind #4 - there is an accessible walkway to the blind which does not go through the water.
  • Photographers may leave the blind at any time, but once the blind has been vacated, returning to the blind is not permitted.


VII. Check Out

Photographers must check out of the blind by returning the "Photography Blind Folder” with a completed report form to the mailboxes. 


VIII. Cancelling

If you will not be able to use the blind on your designated date/week, contact the refuge as soon as possible. This allows people on a waiting list to utilize the blind. No refunds are issued. Cancellations must be received by the Sacramento NWRC at the latest by noon on the Monday prior to the assigned reservation.


IX. Blind Descriptions 

For blind descriptions, visit our  Photography page.


X. Weather Closure and Safety

  • Access to some blinds and the surrounding area may flood; therefore, blind use depends on road and habitat conditions. If the access road is closed due to flooding, the photo blind will also be closed. During adverse weather, it is highly recommended that photographers call before their blind assignment date to check on the blind and road conditions.
  • Refuge staff will contact blind users as soon as possible if there is a closure. Staff will try to provide the cancelled user a replacement opportunity if feasible.
  • This is a natural area, be alert! You may encounter ticks, mosquitos, wasps, yellowjackets, bees, poison hemlock, and other natural occurrences that may cause you harm.
  • In October and November, wasps are a normal in the blind. Staff and volunteers try to treat them and clean the blind prior but it will not be perfect! Wasps are looking for over wintering areas and congregate on structures.
  • Owls – you must put the wall panels back in the exact spot they came from. Owls can move into the blinds when there are small openings. They make a huge mess – no one wants to sit in that!
  • Use caution while wading through water or walking on roads. Surfaces may be uneven, slippery, and muddy.


XI. Checklist of helpful items to bring to the blind

  • flashlight
  • warm clothes or layers
  • field guide(s)
  • binoculars
  • insect repellent
  • snacks and water
  • sack for garbage
  • seat for a second person (blind #1, 2, 4)
  • chest waders (needed for Sacramento NWR Blind #1 & Colusa NWR Blind #3)
  • ballhead or tripod head for using adjustable shelves in Blinds #1 and #2
  • tripod or bean bag camera rest for Blind #3
     

XII. Refuge reserves the right to revoke photography privileges

Anyone found to be in violation of any of the conditions in these guidelines or refuge regulations will have their photography privileges immediately revoked and will be asked to leave the area.
 

XIII. Additional Photographic Opportunities

The auto tour and walking trail on both Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR provide excellent photographic opportunities. Some of the photography blinds may be available for use during April – June/July, depending on habitat conditions. Please call the Sacramento NWR for current conditions and blind availability or visit the website. A portion of the hunt area is open for photography from February 15 through June 30 on Sacramento and Sutter NWRs. Visitors may utilize the existing directional blind, directional assigned pond and free roam boundary signs to access the areas. Some of the in-ground, concrete hunting blinds on Sacramento NWR will be available for photographic use from mid-February through June without the photography user fee or reservations. Maps for these areas are available on the refuge website or upon request.
 

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