CDFW Offering No-Fee Waterfowl Hunts At East Bay Ecological Reserve

Hunters in Northern California will soon have the opportunity to participate in no-fee waterfowl hunts in the restored salt ponds of the Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing, located in Hayward. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is opening access to the ecological reserve for up to 100 hunters on specific dates.

The hunts are scheduled for the following dates in 2023:

  • Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Tuesday, Nov. 21
  • Saturday, Dec. 2
  • Thursday, Dec. 7
  • Saturday, Dec. 16
  • Thursday, Dec. 21

In 2024, hunters can participate on the following dates:

  • Saturday, Jan. 6
  • Thursday, Jan. 11
  • Saturday, Jan. 20
  • Thursday, Jan. 25

These hunts, known for their unique no-fee policy, are available on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering opportunities when other public waterfowl hunting areas are closed. According to CDFW Lands Manager John Krause, these hunts typically yield an average of three birds per season, with northern shoveler and American wigeon being the most common harvest.

To participate, adult hunters must possess a valid California hunting license, a signed Federal Duck stamp, California Duck Validation, and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation. Youth hunters under the age of 16 will require a valid Junior Hunting License and HIP validation. Junior Hunting License holders who have turned 16 must also have a signed Federal Duck Stamp.

Hunters should note that a 25-shell limit applies in the field, and nonlead ammunition is mandatory for all wildlife hunting in California. It is recommended to have a hunting dog for retrieving birds, as well as a small boat, canoe, or other flotation device for accessing ponds and blinds. Pete Stark Ecological Reserve offers a boat launch on Mount Eden Creek, providing access to tidal areas. Boaters are advised to consult local tide charts before launching, as low tides can expose vessels to hidden underwater hazards on mud flats.

Hunters should be aware of potential temporary restrictions on vehicle access to some areas of Pete Stark Ecological Reserve due to ongoing levee maintenance, and they are responsible for avoiding closed areas.

For those interested in accessing Pete Stark Ecological Reserve, take Interstate 880, exit at Alvarado Boulevard, continue west, turn right on Union City Boulevard, then left on Bettencourt Road (look for the Union Sanitary District sign). Afterward, turn left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street, and right on Veasy Street. Enter through the yellow gate and proceed to the check station.

Aside from hunting, the reserve offers additional public access opportunities. More information can be found on the CDFW website and the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project website.

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

41 Comments

  1. We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I should check things out.
    I like what I see so now i am following you.

    Look forward to looking into your web page repeatedly.

  2. You have made some really good points there. I checked on the net for more info about the issue
    and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  3. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this
    site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and appearance.
    I must say that you’ve done a great job with this.
    In addition, the blog loads very fast for me on Firefox.
    Exceptional Blog!

  4. You’re so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve read anything like
    that before. So good to find someone with
    some genuine thoughts on this topic. Seriously..

    thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with some
    originality!

  5. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the info you present here and can’t wait
    to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how
    quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI,
    just 3G .. Anyhow, awesome site!

  6. My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right.
    This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent
    for this information! Thanks!

  7. Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done
    a marvellous job!

  8. Hello there! This article could not be written much better!
    Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He always kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for
    sharing!

  9. We are a group of volunteers and opening a brand
    new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive task and our entire community will likely be thankful to you.

  10. hi!,I love your writing so a lot! percentage we keep in touch more approximately your article on AOL?
    I require a specialist in this area to solve my problem.

    May be that’s you! Having a look ahead to peer you.

  11. Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely great.
    I really like what you have bought right here, certainly like what you’re saying and
    the best way through which you are saying it. You are making it
    entertaining and you continue to care for to stay it sensible.

    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful website.

  12. You’re so cool! I don’t suppose I have read through anything like this before.
    So nice to find another person with some unique thoughts on this issue.
    Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is one
    thing that is needed on the web, someone with
    a bit of originality!

  13. Good blog you have got here.. It’s hard to find high quality
    writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate individuals like you!
    Take care!!

  14. What’s up to every one, since I am truly keen of reading this web
    site’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It consists of pleasant information.

  15. Hey there I am so glad I found your website, I
    really found you by error, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else,
    Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a
    incredible post and a all round thrilling blog
    (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
    look over it all at the moment but I have saved it and
    also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
    read a great deal more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

  16. That is a very good tip especially to those fresh to
    the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one.
    A must read article!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button