Game Bird Heritage Program Special Hunts

These hunts were developed in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), the Kern Water Bank Authority (KWBA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Providing hunter opportunity and hunter access is a major goal of the Game Bird Heritage Program. These hunts are made possible through the purchase of an upland game bird stamp by hunters.

Huron - This area is located near Huron on land owned by the USBR and managed by the DWR. The area is divided into three hunt zones, two requiring permits and a nonpermit area for opening day only (September 1). After opening day, the entire area will be open to dove hunting and a permit will not be required. The permit zones consist of 85 acres of safflower grown specifically for doves. The nonpermit zone consists of approximately 1,160 acres of native vegetation. Two hunts are scheduled for the permit zones opening day: one-half hour before sunrise to noon and 1 p.m. to sunset. These hunts can accommodate 80 hunters, 40 hunters in the morning and 40 hunters in the afternoon. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunts are as follows:

Hunt A: Friday, September 1, morning;
Hunt B: Friday, September 1, afternoon.

Tranquillity - This area is located approximately three miles northwest of Tranquillity on USBR land. Fifty-two acres of safflower was grown specifically for doves. Two hunts are scheduled for opening day (September 1): one-half hour before sunrise to noon and 1 p.m. to sunset. After opening day, the area will be open to dove hunting and a permit will not be required. These hunts can accommodate 50 hunters, 25 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunts are as follows:

Hunt C: Friday, September 1, morning;
Hunt D: Friday, September 1, afternoon.

Bakersfield - This area is located approximately 15 miles west of Bakersfield on land owned and managed by the KWBA. Approximately 60 acres of safflower was grown specifically for doves. Two hunts are scheduled for opening day (September 1) and two hunts on Saturday, September 2: one-half hour before sunrise to noon and 1 p.m. to sunset. These hunts can accommodate 70 hunters each day (September 1 and September 2), 35 in the morning and 35 in the afternoon. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunts are as follows:

Hunt E: Friday, September 1, morning;
Hunt F: Friday, September 1, afternoon;
Hunt G: Saturday, September 2, morning;
Hunt H: Saturday, September 2, afternoon.

This area is not open after September 2.

Pilibos Wildlife Area - The Pilibos Wildlife Area is located approximately 12 miles west of Mendota adjacent to the California Aqueduct. The area encompasses approximately 128 acres with 60 acres of safflower grown specifically for doves. Two hunts are scheduled for opening day (September 1): one-half hour before sunrise to noon and 1 p.m. to sunset. After opening day, the area (except for the closed zone) will be open to dove hunting. These hunts can accommodate 50 hunters, 25 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunts are as follows:

Hunt I: Friday, September 1, morning;
Hunt J: Friday, September 1, afternoon.

Dos Amigos Wildlife Area - The Dos Amigos Wildlife Area is located approximately nine miles south of Los Banos adjacent to the California Aqueduct. The area encompasses approximately 115 acres, with 25 acres of sunflower and 25 acres of wheat grown specifically for doves. Two hunts are scheduled for opening day (September 1): one-half hour before sunrise to noon and 1 p.m. to sunset. After opening day, the entire area will be open to dove hunting. These hunts can accommodate 50 hunters, 25 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunts are as follows:

Hunt K: Friday, September 1, morning;
Hunt L: Friday, September 1, afternoon.

Success Lake Wildlife Area - The Success Lake Wildlife Area is located approximately eight miles east of Porterville and consists of approximately 1,400 acres open to hunting on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' land. Five plots of wheat, totaling 30 acres, were grown to provide feeding areas for doves. There is no hunter quota for this area, and a permit is not required.

For additional information on any of the Game Bird Heritage Program special hunts listed above, contact the Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Management section, at (559) 243-4005, extension 132 or 133.

State Wildlife Areas

Mendota Wildlife Area will be divided into two areas with the Traction Ranch portion limited to 50 reservations in the morning. Permits for this area will be available through the drawing. The balance of the area will be filled by the first-come, first-serve hunters. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunt is as follows:

Hunt M: Friday, September 1, morning.

For additional information about this hunt, contact the Department of Fish and Game, Mendota Wildlife Area, at (559) 655-4645.

Los Banos Wildlife Area will have two designated hunt areas on opening day, September 1, with a total hunter capacity of 50 for each area. The remainder of the area will be open to provide hunting for nonreservation hunters. Total capacity of the area will be 300 hunters. The area will remain open for birding, sightseeing, fishing, frogging and dog training. However, camping will be restricted to the main parking lot Thursday, August 31. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunt is as follows:

Hunt N: Friday, September 1.

Salt Slough Unit of North Grasslands Wildlife Area will be divided into three sections (northern, center and southern section) with reservations being issued for all three sections for September 1. One-half of the 120 hunters allowed will be reservation holders and their guests, with the balance of the quota available for nonreservation hunters. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must submit in writing their choice of hunts listed in order of preference. The hunt is as follows:

Hunt O: Friday, September 1.

China Island Unit of North Grasslands Wildlife Area. Reservations are not issued or required for September 1. Quota for dove hunting will be 300 hunters.

O'Neill Forebay Wildlife Area will be limited to 75 hunters on September 1, with all permits issued on a first-come, first-serve basis that morning at the parking lot. Refills will be allowed as persons leave the area. The area will be open everyday during the September dove season.

Little Panoche Reservoir, San Luis Reservoir, Gadwall Unit, Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Areas will be open to dove hunting throughout the legal season without reservations. Sign in at the self-registration booth. The number of hunters to each area will not be regulated.

Volta Wildlife Area will be closed to all dove hunting.

For additional information on the Los Banos, Salt Slough, China Island, O'Neill Forebay, Little Panoche Reservoir, Gadwall Unit, Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek wildlife areas, contact the Department of Fish and Game, Los Banos Wildlife Area, at (209) 826-0463.

How to Apply

Hunters will be selected by a random, computerized drawing. Applications may include up to three hunters applying as a party. Applications may not include more than two adults and one junior or one adult and two junior hunters. When applying for the hunts, provide the following information for yourself and your guest(s):

(1) hunt area (i.e., Huron, morning [A])
(2) name
(3) address
(4) daytime and evening telephone number
(5) 2000-2001 hunting license number
(6) if you have a mobility impairment and need special accommodations.

Hunters may only apply once, either as an applicant or as a guest for each area and hunt period. Applying for the same hunt area and period more than once will disqualify you from the drawing. Please make your selection(s) carefully. Changes cannot be made after the drawing. Applications must be returned to:

San Joaquin Valley Dove Hunts
Department of Fish and Game
1234 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno, California 93710

Applications must be received by Friday, August 11, at 5 p.m. to be eligible for the drawing. Only successful applicants will be notified and supplied with additional information about their hunt. Hunters under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age or older). An upland game bird stamp is required of all hunters, except junior license holders.