Hunt Results for Kern National Wildlife Refuge, Wednesday – 11/28/18

This is the inaugural hunt results report for the Kern Nation Wildlife Refuge for SoCalHunt, so we have no comparison to last Saturday’s numbers.  The next report, for Saturday, 12/1/18, will have the bird average take comparison as in our reports for San Jacinto and Wister.  The average bag of waterfowl for the Kern National Wildlife worked out to fair numbers on a hunt day just ahead of an advancing storm. Shovelers came in first place for number of birds harvested with Gadwall showing up in the second spot.  The Kern NWR Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/28/18 were as follows:

71 adult hunters and 1 junior hunter checked in with 35 Shovelers, 5 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 7 Widgeon, 12 Pintail, 14 Green Wing Teal, 8 Cinnamon Teal, 11 Redheads, 7 Canvasbacks, 9 Ring Necks, 5 Buffleheads, 2 Mergansers, and 3 Ruddy Ducks. There were no Geese bagged at Kern on Wednesday.  Also, no Coots were checked in at Kern on Wednesday.  This figured to an average take of 1.93 ducks per hunter and, of course, with no Geese or Coots to include, 1.93 waterfowl for each person. Out of 11 reservation cards issued 7 arrived on time for their spot.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing.  Hunters with reservations must present their reservation at the Hunter Check Station on the Refuge 2 1/2 hours before local shoot time. Vacancies occurring from no-show reservation holders and from hunters leaving the area shall be filled according to the order established in the standby drawing which occurs 2 hours before shoot time, the day of the hunt, and is performed at the Refuge Hunter Check Station. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 11/28/18

The waterfowl averages for San Jacinto Wildlife Area headed back up from Saturday’s numbers with cool temperatures under building clouds ahead of an incoming storm. Green Wing Teal showed up in first place for number of birds bagged with Shovelers coming in second place.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/28/18 were as follows:

133 adult and 3 junior hunters bagged 37 Northern Shovelers, 7 Mallard, 27 Gadwall, 30 Widgeon, 57 Green Wing Teal, 13 Cinnamon Teal, 4 Redheads, 15 Ring Necks, 1 Scaup, 5 Buffleheads, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Wood Duck, and 7 Ruddy Ducks. Again, no Geese were taken at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  9 Coots were included in the count at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  This worked out to an average bag of 1.55 ducks per gun or, with the Coots included, 1.62 waterfowl for each person. Tom advised that out of 52 reservation cards 32 showed up on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

SoCalHunt Now Including Kern National Wildlife Refuge Bird Count Reports / Maps

Beginning with the Wednesday 11/28/2018 hunt day SoCalHunt will now be publishing the Kern National Wildlife Refuge bird counts each week along with San Jacinto Wildlife Area and the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area counts.  SoCalHunt now has a source for the Kern bird counts so they will be included each week as soon as the US Fish and Wildlife Service (which runs Kern as it’s a Federal Refuge) can get the info to us.

In addition, on the SoCalHunt website “Maps and Downloads” page we have included the Kern NWR area map and a link to a google maps page so you can find directions to get to Kern.  Just click the link below to check it out:

http://www.socalhunt.com/maps-and-downloads.html

(Scroll down to near the bottom of the page to find the Kern NWR map links)

Good luck, no matter which of our So. Cal. Duck spots you choose to hunt.  See you out there some time!

Hunt Results for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, 11/10/18 through 11/25/18

(As you probably know, if you follow SoCalHunt’s hunting results reports for Wister, we haven’t had a report from the DFW on Wister since Wednesday, 11/7/18.  This was apparently due to some type of computer glitch, but this morning SoCalHunt obtained the missing reports so we will catch you up to date with this post.  If the computer problem has been resolved the regular Wister reports should start coming in shortly after the hunt days.  As always SoCalHunt will give you those reports ASAP after we receive them, not more than a day or so after they arrive at the latest, usually sooner).

The waterfowl take for Saturday 11/10/18 for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area slipped back a little compared to Wednesday’s numbers, however, with the Geese and Coots added, the average remained nearly the same.  Cinnamon Teal took over first place for number of birds taken and Mallards jumped up into the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 11/10/18 were as follows:

140 adult and 12 junior hunters harvested 3 Shovelers, 26 Mallards, 16 Gadwall, 20 Widgeon, 21 Pintail, 23 Green Wing Teal, 29 Cinnamon Teal, 15 Redheads, 2 Canvasbacks, 4 Ring Necks, 2 Bufflehead, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Wood Duck, 4 Blue Wing Teal, 2 Surf Scooters, 1 Merganser, and 1 Ruddy Duck.  There was 1 White Front Goose, 19 Snow Geese, and 1 Ross’ Goose harvested at Wister on Saturday.  7 Coots were also taken at Wister on Saturday.  This worked out to an average take of 1.10 ducks per hunter or, with the Geese and Coots added in, 1.30 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 32 arrived on time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl take for Sunday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, as always, slipped back somewhat compared to Saturday’s already low numbers.  Green Wing Teal jumped into first place for number of birds taken with Mallards holding on to the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 11/11/18 were as follows:

58 adult and 2 junior hunters checked in with 6 Mallards, 5 Gadwall, 3 Widgeon, 3 Pintail, 9 Green Wing Teal, 4 Cinnamon Teal, 4 Redheads, 2 Blue Wing Teal, 1 Surf Scooter, and 1 Ruddy Duck.  No Geese were taken at Wister on Sunday.  There were no Coots bagged either at Wister on Sunday.  This figured out to an average bag of 0.63 ducks per gun and, of course, with no Geese or Coots to add in, 0.63 waterfowl for each person. There was no information provided as to how many reservation holders arrived on time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl take for Wednesday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area climbed back up a little compared to Sunday’s very low average.  Green Wing Teal took over first place for number of birds checked in with Gadwall being found in the second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/14/18 were as follows:

69 adult hunters and 1 junior hunter checked in with 1 Shoveler, 6 Mallards, 14 Gadwall, 7 Widgeon, 8 Pintail, 21 Green Wing Teal, 11 Cinnamon Teal, 5 Redheads, 7 Ring Necks, 2 Scaup, 3 Bufflehead, 4 Goldeneye, and 1 Ruddy Duck.  There were 4 Snow Geese, and 2 Ross’ Geese bagged at Wister on Wednesday.  3 Coots were also downed at Wister on Wednesday.  This came out to an average take of 1.29 ducks per person or, with the Geese and Coots included, 1.41 waterfowl per hunter. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 27 arrived on time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl averages for Saturday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area climbed a little more compared to Wednesday’s count.  Widgeon took climbed into first place for number of birds harvested with Gadwall slipping back into the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 11/17/18 were as follows:

135 adult and 14 junior hunters bagged 6 Shovelers, 9 Mallards, 43 Gadwall, 58 Widgeon, 35 Pintail, 32 Green Wing Teal, 22 Cinnamon Teal, 27 Redheads, 4 Canvasbacks, 9 Ring Necks, 4 Bufflehead, 6 Goldeneye, 1 Blue Wing Teal, and 2 Ruddy Ducks.  4 Snow Geese were also harvested at Wister on Saturday.  6 Coots were also taken at Wister on Saturday.  This worked out to an average take of 1.73 ducks per gun or, with the Geese and Coots figured in, 1.80 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 34 arrived on time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl harvest for Sunday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area dropped quite a bit compared to Saturday’s numbers.  Snow Geese popped up into first place for number of birds checked in with Cinnamon Teal showing up in the second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 11/18/18 were as follows:

51 adult and 4 junior hunters checked in with 4 Shovelers, 3 Mallards, 1 Gadwall, 5 Widgeon, 3 Green Wing Teal, 8 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Redheads, 1 Bufflehead, and 5 Ruddy Ducks.  10 Snow Geese were downed at Wister on Sunday.  6 Coots were also included in the bag at Wister on Sunday.  This worked out to an average take of 0.60 ducks per person or, with the Geese and Coots figured in, 0.89 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 13 showed up in time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl take for Wednesday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area climbed back up some compared to Sunday’s averages.  Widgeon and Pintail came in tied for first place for number of birds harvested with Snow Geese sliding down into the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/21/18 were as follows:

103 adult and 9 junior hunters downed 8 Shovelers, 8 Mallards, 9 Gadwall, 31 Widgeon, 31 Pintail, 6 Green Wing Teal, 15 Cinnamon Teal, 9 Redheads, 2 Ring Necks, 3 Bufflehead, 2 Goldeneye, and 1 Ruddy Duck.  There were 16 Snow Geese, and 1 Ross’ Goose bagged at Wister on Wednesday.  A lone Coot was also checked in at Wister on Wednesday.  This figured out to an average take of 1.12 ducks per hunter or, with the Geese and Coots worked in, 1.28 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 34 arrived on time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl take for Saturday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area slipped way back compared to Wednesday’s numbers.  Shovelers took over the first spot for number of birds checked in, but just by one bird with Widgeon slipping back into the second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 11/24/18 were as follows:

161 adult and 18 junior hunters collected 22 Shovelers, 11 Mallards, 7 Gadwall, 21 Widgeon, 9 Pintail, 6 Green Wing Teal, 3 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Ring Necks, 2 Bufflehead, 2 Mergansers, and 8 Ruddy Ducks.  14 Snow Geese were harvested at Wister on Saturday.  In addition, 8 Coots were taken at Wister on Saturday.  This came out to an average bag of 0.53 ducks per person or, with the Geese and Coots worked in, 1.28 waterfowl for each hunter. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 29 arrived on time to claim their spot.

The waterfowl take for Sunday for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area just about the same as Saturday’s averages.  Shovelers retained first place for number of birds bagged with Widgeon holding on to the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 11/25/18 were as follows:

52 adult and 7 junior hunters harvested 8 Shovelers, 1 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 6 Widgeon, 4 Pintail, and 4 Cinnamon Teal.  There was a single Snow Geese checked in at Wister on Sunday.  There were also 3 Coots harvested at Wister on Sunday.  This worked out to an average take of 0.56 ducks per person or, with the Goose and Coots added in, 0.63 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 16 showed up on time to claim their spot.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of.  Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done the night before at 10:30 pm, with sign-up for the drawing between 7:30 and 10:30 pm. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you’re the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  No licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at Wister Staff at 760-359-0577.

 

 

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 11/24/18

The waterfowl averages for San Jacinto Wildlife Area fell even further back compared to Wednesday’s count under cloudy skies with temperatures again just making it into the low 70’s. Shovelers jumped into first place for number of birds bagged at SJ with Cinnamon Teal holding on to second place.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 11/24/18 were as follows:

158 adult and 10 junior hunters bagged 41 Northern Shovelers, 13 Mallard, 26 Gadwall, 22 Widgeon, 12 Green Wing Teal, 28 Cinnamon Teal, 5 Redheads, 12 Ring Necks, 12 Buffleheads, 1 Merganser, and 23 Ruddy Ducks. There were no Geese taken at San Jacinto on Saturday.  10 Coots were included in the count the count at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This figured out to an average bag of 1.16 ducks per hunter or, with the Coots included, 1.22 waterfowl for each gun. Tom advised that out of 52 reservation cards 33 showed up on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 11/21/18

The average take of waterfowl at San Jacinto Wildlife Area slid back into fair territory compared to Saturday’s good numbers under skies with building clouds and temperatures just getting into the low 70’s. Green Wing Teal climbed back into first place for number of birds checked in with Cinnamon Teal coming in second.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/21/18 were as follows:

138 adult and 29 junior hunters bagged 30 Northern Shovelers, 9 Mallard, 22 Gadwall, 30 Widgeon, 1 Pintail, 59 Green Wing Teal, 44 Cinnamon Teal, 9 Redheads, 1 Canvasback, 14 Ring Necks, 32 Buffleheads, and 12 Ruddy Ducks. Again, no Geese were bagged at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  There were 4 Coots added to the count at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  This figured out to an average bag of 1.57 ducks per person or, with the Coots included, 1.60 waterfowl per gun. Tom advised that out of 52 reservation cards 24 showed up on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

Missing Wister Bird Stats – Info

As you probably know SoCalHunt, in addition to posting the bird counts and averages for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, has also been posting the bird counts and averages for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area for the past few seasons.  You may also have noticed that all of a sudden, the counts for Wister are missing.  The last Wister report was for Wednesday, 11/7/18.

For some unknown reason, the DFW staff at Wister has quit emailing SoCalHunt the Wister information.  Upon contact with them, I was told that the reason was “We are having other employees do the composition reports due to schedule changes.”  However, so far, we have not received further reports from Wister.

We are working with the DFW to get this straightened out ASAP.  When the reports come in, we will post them, usually within a day maximum of receiving them.

This is not meant as a criticism of the Wister Staff or the DFW.  As most of you probably know, especially in a big government organization, when changes are made sometimes there are glitches in the system.  With any luck, this should be resolved soon.  I just wanted to put this out there as an explanation as to why the Wister reports suddenly disappeared.  Hopefully, we’ll be back to normal on this soon.  Thanks for your patience on this.

 

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 11/17/18

The average take of waterfowl at San Jacinto Wildlife Area slipped back some from Wednesday’s great count under clear, calm skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s. Widgeon took over first place for number of waterfowl harvested with Green Wing Teal showing up in the second position.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 11/17/18 were as follows:

150 adult and 6 junior hunters bagged 62 Northern Shovelers, 20 Mallard, 35 Gadwall, 76 Widgeon, 3 Pintail, 64 Green Wing Teal, 32 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Redheads, 2 Canvasbacks, 43 Ring Necks, 44 Buffleheads, 2 Wood Ducks, 10 Ruddy Ducks, and 1 duck indicated as “other”.  No Geese were taken at San Jacinto on Saturday.  There were 18 Coots checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This worked out to an average harvest of 2.55 ducks per gun or, with the Coots added in, 2.67 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservation cards 30 showed up on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 11/14/18

The average waterfowl bag at San Jacinto Wildlife Area Jumped up quite a bit from Saturday’s good numbers with temperatures in the mid 70’s and clear windy conditions.  Shovelers climbed into first place for number of waterfowl taken with Widgeon dropping down into to the second spot.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/14/18 were as follows:

105 adult and 3 junior hunters bagged 86 Northern Shovelers, 34 Mallard, 32 Gadwall, 84 Widgeon, 6 Pintail, 61 Green Wing Teal, 23 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Redheads, 1 Canvasback, 43 Ring Necks, 1 Scaup, 20 Buffleheads, 1 Goldeneye, and 10 Ruddy Ducks.  1 Snow Goose was bagged at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  6 Coots were also taken at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  This worked out to an average harvest of 3.75 ducks per person or, with the Goose and Coots included, 3.81 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 52 reservation cards 27 showed up on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 11/10/18

The duck harvest average for the San Jacinto Wildlife Area slipped back just slightly from Wednesday’s good numbers with temperatures in the mid 70’s under clear skies.   Widgeon held on to first place for number of birds bagged with Shovelers climbing into to the second position.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 11/10/18 were as follows:

130 adult and 8 junior hunters bagged 51 Northern Shovelers, 30 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 54 Widgeon, 2 Pintail, 40 Green Wing Teal, 40 Cinnamon Teal, 10 Redheads, 3 Canvasbacks, 21 Ring Necks, 8 Scaup, 10 Buffleheads, 2 Mergansers, and 17 Ruddy Ducks.  3 White Fronted Geese and 2 Snow Geese were also checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday.  In addition, 16 Coots were taken at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This worked out to an average harvest of 2.24 ducks per gun or, with the Geese and Coots included, 2.39 waterfowl per person. Tom advised that out of 50 reservation cards sent out 36 arrived on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

Hunt Results for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Wednesday 11/7/18

The waterfowl take for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, as usual, ticked back up somewhat, but not a lot, compared to Sunday’s usual low numbers.  Cinnamon Teal slid up into first place for number of birds bagged only beating out the Green Wing Teal, which were in the second spot, by one bird.   The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/7/18 were as follows:

85 adult and 0 junior hunters harvested 18 Gadwall, 6 Widgeon, 11 Pintail, 24 Green Wing Teal, 25 Cinnamon Teal, 15 Redheads, 5 Ring Necks, 1 Scaup, and 3 Bufflehead.  There were no Geese downed at Wister on Wednesday.  2 Coots were bagged at Wister on Wednesday.  This resulted in an average take of 1.27 ducks per hunter or, with the Coots added in, 1.29 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 26 arrived on time to claim their spot.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of.  Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done the night before at 10:30 pm, with sign-up for the drawing between 7:30 and 10:30 pm. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you’re the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  No licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at Wister Staff at 760-359-0577.

 

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 11/7/18

The average bag for the San Jacinto Wildlife Area hunters jumped up into the “very good” category from Saturday’s fair count with weather conditions reflecting mild temperatures, in the mid 70’s, with an occasional cloud found in the skies.   Widgeon climbed into first place for number of birds checked in with Green Wing Teal sliding back to the second spot.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 11/7/18 were as follows:

113 adult and 5 junior hunters bagged 15 Northern Shovelers, 17 Mallard, 34 Gadwall, 67 Widgeon, 10 Pintail, 62 Green Wing Teal, 17 Cinnamon Teal, 6 Redhead, 2 Canvasbacks, 48 Ring Necks, 4 Scaup, 3 Buffleheads, 1 Blue Wing Teal, and 13 Ruddy Ducks.  There were no Geese harvested at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  There were 9 Coots brought in to the check station on Wednesday.  This figured out to an average take of 2.53 ducks per hunter or, with the Coots added in, 2.61 waterfowl per gun. Tom advised that out of 52 reservation cards 26 showed up in time to claim their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

 

Donations Needed for San Jacinto Wildlife Area’s 25th Annual Junior Waterfowl Hunt Giveaway

On February 2^nd, 2019, one week after the last regular season hunt day at San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Junior Hunters will have a unique opportunity to end the season on a high note by participating in the 25^th Annual Junior Waterfowl Hunt.  Traditionally the hunting on this day has been great to fantastic, attributed to the fact that the birds have had a week off and we’re then a week deeper into the migration.

Of course, besides the hunting, one of the great things about the SJWA Junior Hunt is the lunch and giveaway at mid-day.  The Junior Hunters hunt cards are entered into a drawing for all kinds of great prizes and usually there’s enough to go around that the Junior Hunters walk away with at least two giveaway prizes each!  The San Jacinto Staff puts in a lot of work on this Junior Hunt as do many volunteers. The SJ crew and the volunteers truly believe the annual San Jacinto Wildlife Area Junior Hunt is an important event to pique the interest of our up and coming Junior Hunters who will be the future of hunting in California.

This year, being the 25^th Annual Junior Hunt, it would be nice to see a flood of donations for the giveaway prizes to make a really impressive show for our great Junior Hunters.

In 2015 there was a change in state policy regarding donations for the annual Junior Hunt.  Per the change in policy, by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, donations of money, food or merchandise cannot be accepted unless the donations go through a formal acceptance procedure. (You can read SoCalHunt’s post on the 2015 donation procedures change at this link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/  )

I should note that this donation procedure will not affect San Jacinto’s Annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Preschool as, in that case, they are just collecting the toys for the preschool and the donated toys are not being donated to the DFW, they are just the middle-man in that situation so the toy box will be at the check station as usual.  There is no formal acceptance procedure required for the Toy Drive donations.

So, if you are of a mind to contribute anything to the Annual Junior Hunt, which will be held on Saturday, February 2^nd, 2019 this season, you need to contact Tom Trakes at either his phone at 951-236-3040 or email at Thomas.Trakes@wildlife.ca.gov by January 15^th,  2019.

To break it down for you though, after you wade through all the State bureaucratic mess, what it boils down to is sending Tom Trakes a simple email detailing what you intend to donate.  To make it easy I’ve included a link below to the SoCalHunt website’s “Maps and Downloads” page.  At the very bottom of this page, I’ve posted a link to an MS Word file of an example email to send to Tom Trakes so you can make your donation.  Just follow the instructions at the top of the Word file. Just copy and paste this into an email and plug in what you’re donating and the details in the underlined sections.  The Donation Email MS Word file will be found at the very bottom of the SoCalHunt website’s “Maps and Downloads” page. Just click on it to download the Word file to your computer.

http://www.socalhunt.com/maps-and-downloads.html

Hopefully, this season’s Junior Hunt will be a record event, both in birds harvested and giveaway prizes donated.  This is a great opportunity to show our Junior Hunters how much we value them as the future of our sport, so I hope you can contribute to this great cause.

Thanks in advance to all who can donate and/or volunteer this year!

Hunt Results for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Saturday – 11/3/18 and Sunday – 11/4/18

The waterfowl average bag for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area for Saturday 11/3/18 ticked upward slightly from Wednesdays average take.  Green Wing Teal were found in the first position for number of birds bagged with Cinnamon Teal held on to second place. The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 11/3/18 were as follows:

109 adult and 5 junior hunters bagged 9 Northern Shovelers, 4 Mallards, 19 Gadwall, 18 Widgeon, 32 Pintail, 56 Green Wing Teal, 37 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Redheads, 10 Ring Necks, 3 Scaup, 5 Bufflehead, 1 Blue Wing Teal, and 2 Ruddy Ducks.  4 Snow Geese were also downed at Wister on Saturday.  In addition, 14 Coots were checked in at Wister on Saturday.  This worked out to an average bag of 1.75 ducks per person or, with the Geese and Coots included 1.90 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 22 arrived on time for their spot.

The average waterfowl harvest for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area for Sunday, as it usually does, dropped off quite a bit from Saturday’s fair average.  Green Wing Teal retained first place for number of birds checked in with Pintail climbing into the second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 11/4/18 were as follows:

58 adult hunters and 3 junior hunters downed 4 Shovelers, 4 Gadwall, 1 Widgeon, 9 Pintail, 16 Green Wing Teal, 3 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Redheads, 1 Ring Neck, 1 Scaup, 2 Bufflehead, and 1 Blue Wing Teal.  4 Snow Geese and 1 Ross’ Goose were bagged at Wister on Sunday.  There were no Coots checked in on Sunday.  This figured out to a per hunter average of 0.72 ducks per gun or with the Geese added in, 0.80 waterfowl per hunter. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 22 showed up on time to claim their spots.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of.  Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done the night before at 10:30 pm, with sign-up for the drawing between 7:30 and 10:30 pm. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you’re the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  No licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at Wister Staff at 760-359-0577.

Hunt Results for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Saturday – 11/3/18

The duck count average for San Jacinto Wildlife Area slid a little from Wednesday’s numbers under clear, cloudless skies and temperatures pushing 90 degrees.   Green Wing Teal were again in first place for number of birds harvested with Cinnamon Teal still found in second place, but only by one bird over Widgeon.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 11/3/18 were as follows:

139 adult and 8 junior hunters bagged 19 Northern Shovelers, 1 Mallard, 19 Gadwall, 35 Widgeon, 3 Pintail, 43 Green Wing Teal, 36 Cinnamon Teal, 5 Redhead, 22 Ring Necks, 1 Scaup,16 Buffleheads, 2 Wood Ducks, 2 Blue Wing Teal, 2 Mergansers, and 22 Ruddy Ducks.  Again, no Geese were checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday.  10 Coots were also taken at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This worked out to an average bag of 1.55 ducks per person or, with the Coots figured in, 1.62 waterfowl per hunter. Tom advised that out of 50 reservation cards 34 checked in on time for their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).  Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing or you can get in on the daily “sweatline” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweatline” drawing is done after that. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link –

https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales

San Jacinto Wildlife Area has begun its annual Toy Drive for the Bryant Park Head Start Preschool.  If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the kids.  Toys for donation should be targeted for 3 to 5-year-old boys and girls.  This is a great program and a chance to show that hunters have a heart. Details of this year’s toy drive can be seen here:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/san-jacinto-wildlife-areas-annual-bryant-park-preschool-toy-drive-begins-3/?fbclid=IwAR3Okyyj61n8gzVCI7BrNRrbrMy9oJQhKRvWogplIeB268pA0Sei0u43OII

Also, San Jacinto’s 25^th Annual Junior Hunt is coming up on February 2^nd, 2019.  New state regulations, which went into effect 3 years ago, regarding donations for this great event are in effect again this year.  It’s a great cause to donate to as the Junior Hunters are the future of our sport so don’t let a little paperwork keep you from donating. Details on the procedures for donating can be found at the below link:

https://socalhunt.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/new-procedures-for-donations-for-the-annual-junior-hunt-at-san-jacinto-wildlife-area/

Also, don’t let a little paperwork stop you from donating.  It’s not that hard, I know, I’ve done it every year since DFW started this requirement.

Don’t forget that all licenses and 1 day, 2 day or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge.  These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days.  If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail.  As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.  You can also show up for an afternoon refill hunt, but the last refill is at 2 PM. For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.