Follow Up – Notes on Kern National Wildlife Refuge and the Shutdown

Now that the Government Shutdown is over, at least temporally, SoCalHunt has again reached out to the Kern National Wildlife Refuge regarding the publication of the hunt results since the shutdown went into effect.

We, as hunters, should be thankful that the hunting program at Kern NWR was allowed to continue despite the shutdown.

As you probably know, even though hunting continued, SoCalHunt didn’t receive any hunt results from Kern.  So far, since the shutdown ended, SoCalHunt hasn’t received any hunt result information from Kern from the point the shutdown started until the end of the season.  This is understandable since the season is over (except for the Junior Hunt day coming up this Saturday) it is not a priority to publish this information.  There are plenty of habitat management priorities to get up and running before the Kern Staff gets to this.  SoCalHunt did contact a member of the Kern Staff and was assured that they would publish this information after other priorities are taken care of.

This is the latest info SoCalHunt has from Kern NWR regarding the end of the Government Shutdown.  As soon as SoCalHunt gets Kern’s hunt results info you can be assured, it will be posted here ASAP.

Again, thanks for your patience regarding the missing info during the shutdown.  I’m sure the Kern NWR Staff appreciates your patience also.

 

Hunt Results for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Sunday – 1/27/19

The waterfowl averages for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area took a downturn, as is usual for a Sunday, compared to Saturday’s averages.  Pintail popped up in the first position for number of birds taken and Shovelers held on to the second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 1/27/19 were as follows:

91 adult and 7 junior hunters checked in with 33 Shovelers, 1 Mallards, 4 Gadwall, 12 Widgeon, 36 Pintail, 30 Green Wing Teal, 19 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Redheads, 1 Ring Neck, and 4 Ruddy Ducks.  There were 2 Snow Geese and 7 Coots taken at Wister on Sunday.  This worked out to an average bag of 1.46 ducks per hunter or, with the Geese and Coots included in the figures, 1.55 waterfowl per gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 19 showed up in time to claim their hunting spot.

So, the 2018/2019 regular waterfowl season is in the books. Junior hunters have two more chances at the ducks at Wister, next weekend, February 2^nd and 3^rd.  If you’re a junior hunter or you have a junior hunter in the family you can get in on the Junior Waterfowl hunt, next Saturday and Sunday, 2/2 & 2/3/19. If your junior hunter doesn’t have a reservation for the Junior Hunt weekend he or she can still get in on the sweatline drawing, just like any regular hunt day, by showing up at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots given out after that. For more information, contact the staff at Wister Staff at 760-359-0577.

 

Hunt Results for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/26/19

The waterfowl averages for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area headed further upward compared to Wednesday’s averages.  Green Wing Teal appeared in the first position for number of birds bagged and Shovelers slid back into the second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 1/26/19 were as follows:

226 adult and 9 junior hunters checked in with 165 Shovelers, 11 Mallards, 85 Gadwall, 37 Widgeon, 149 Pintail, 185 Green Wing Teal, 108 Cinnamon Teal, 8 Redheads, 8 Ring Necks, 2 Scaup, 10 Bufflehead, 10 Blue Wing Teal, and 7 Ruddy Ducks.  Once again, there were no Geese or Coots taken at Wister on Saturday.  This worked out to an average bag of 3.34 ducks per person and, of course, with no Geese or Coots to include in the figures, 3.34 waterfowl per gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 39 showed up in time to claim their hunting spot.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.  At this point in the season it is now too late to put in for reservations on-line through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).   You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds by arriving at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots given out after that.

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 – 1/26/19

The average waterfowl take at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area slipped back a little as compared to Wednesday’s averages under partly cloudy skies with temperatures that climbed into the mid-70’s.  Shovelers held on to the number one spot for number of birds taken with Gadwall taking over the second spot.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/26/19 were as follows:

136 adult and 17 junior hunters bagged 77 Shovelers, 10 Mallards, 39 Gadwall, 7 Widgeon, 5 Pintail, 35 Green Wing Teal, 24 Cinnamon Teal, 5 Bufflehead, and 15 Ruddy Ducks. Again, no Geese were bagged at San Jacinto on Saturday.  23 Coots were checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This worked out to an average harvest of 1.42 ducks per gun or, with the Coots included, 1.57 waterfowl for each person. Out of 52 reservation cards issued 28 arrived on time to claim their spot.

Well, that’s it for the 2018/2019 regular waterfowl season. Junior hunters have one more chance at those elusive waterfowl, next Saturday, February 2^nd.  If you’re a junior hunter or you have a junior hunter in the family, here’s hoping you’ll take advantage of San Jacinto’s Annual Junior Waterfowl hunt, next Saturday, 2/2/19. Here’s hoping the Juniors have a great hunt!  If your junior hunter doesn’t have a reservation for the Junior Hunt he or she can still get in on the sweatline drawing, just like any regular hunt day, by showing up at SJ at 3 AM to get their name in on the sweatline drawing.  For more information, contact the staff at San Jacinto at 951-928-0580.

2019 California Game Warden Stamp Now Available

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announces the 2019 edition of the Warden Stamp is now available.  As we all should know by now the Department of Fish and Game changed its name on January 1^st, 2013 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The DFW officially calls their Wardens “Wildlife Officers” now, and it even says so on the Warden Stamps since 2014, but most hunters and fisherpersons still call them “Wardens” and the DFW is still calling this the “Warden Stamp”.

The new Warden Stamp, for 2019 is now available for purchase online via the CDFW online license services (ALDS).  To purchase the new Warden Stamp, just follow the link below to purchase via the ALDS system.

Click on the below link to go to the Warden Stamp page and follow the instructions to buy it online:

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Warden-Stamp

The Game Warden Stamp isn’t really a “stamp” for your license, such as your federal duck stamp is, although the name might lead you to believe that, rather it’s a roughly 3” x 3” decal.

The 2019 version of the stamp is a dark blue background with a Warden’s badge and a drawing of two snow geese flying.  (see picture below)

 

The DFW still has their entire series of Warden Stamps available.  If you like a prior year’s design better than this year’s or would like to collect the entire series, they are all still available, from the first one in 2010 up through this year’s stamps.

The 2010 version is a green shield with a Warden’s badge and an elk silhouette on it.  The 2011 version is a light blue background with a Warden’s badge and a silhouette of a trout or salmon on it. The 2012 version has a dark brown background with a Warden’s badge and a silhouette of a California quail on it. The 2013 version has a gold background with a Warden’s badge and a silhouette of a duck landing on it. The 2014 version has a red background with a Warden’s badge and a silhouette of a lobster on it. The 2015 version of the stamp has a wood grain background with a Warden’s badge and the shadow of a bear on it. The 2016 version has a blue background with a Warden’s badge and the silhouettes of two bighorn sheep on it. The 2017 version of the stamp is a green background with a Warden’s badge and drawing of a sturgeon. The 2018 version of the stamp is an orange background with a Warden’s badge and a drawing of a Warden K9. (See pictures below). If you like them all you could buy one, or more, of each one if you want to.

 

The stamps are $5 each and the funds go into a special account. The money is used to provide our Game Wardens with additional equipment, training and new programs, such as new communications and surveillance devices, protective equipment, training in specialized areas, new law enforcement programs to assist them in their duties.

Due to State budget cuts, non-hunting / fishing politicians feel that the DFW is a “painless” way to cut back on the budget by giving the DFW less to do more with.

Quoting the DFW website on the Warden stamp:

“The Warden Stamp is a decal that can be proudly displayed on vehicles or other items. All funds raised from the sales of the stamp go to purchase:

• New communications and surveillance devices
• Protective equipment
• Training in specialized areas
• New law enforcement programs, such as the CDFW’s K-9 Program

The Warden Stamp Program was initiated in 2010 to address the need for better equipment and training for the state’s wildlife officers and to provide funding for special law enforcement programs.

Wildlife crimes are on the rise and becoming more complex to solve. With approximately 400 wildlife officers in the state patrolling 159,000 square miles of natural habitat, the job is extremely demanding.

Officers must perform a number of roles including catching poachers, eradicating illegal marijuana grows, responding to oil spills, providing public safety, educating the public and much more. Every day is a new challenge.

• Wildlife officers protect more than 1,000 native fish and wildlife species, 6,300 native plant species and 360 threatened or endangered species.
• Wildlife officers patrol about 400 square miles of land per officer.
• Wildlife officers keep watch over 1,100 miles of coastline, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs and 80 major rivers.
• Wildlife officers patrol on foot, by plane, boat, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and even on horseback.
• There is approximately one wildlife officer for every 100,000 Californians.

By purchasing this special stamp you can show your support for the important work wildlife officers do. Purchase online today!”

Now – back to me…

As I’ve said every year that I’ve written about the Warden Stamp, the important point here, in my opinion, is getting the money to the “boots on the ground”.  If your $5 (or more, if you can afford it) results in some equipment, training or what have you that helps catch a poacher in your area the payoff may be more game or more fish for you and yours to legally harvest.  And, the bottom line is, that’s what’s important.  As for the “stamp”, stick it on your truck, ammo box or tackle box, stick it in a drawer, throw it away if you want, do whatever you want with it.  The important thing is to help give our Wardens the tools they need to protect our hunting and fishing heritage.

Now, as I have done every year since 2010, excuse me while I pull up the ALDS on my computer and order this year’s Warden Stamps.

Hunt Results for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 1/23/19

The waterfowl averages for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area climbed back up, as usual, compared to Sunday’s low averages.  Pintail and Shovelers swapped places again with Shovelers jumping up in to first place for number of birds taken and Pintail sliding back to the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/23/19 were as follows:

153 adult and 5 junior hunters checker in with 107 Shovelers, 34 Gadwall, 9 Widgeon, 84 Pintail, 64 Green Wing Teal, 42 Cinnamon Teal, 9 Redheads, 3 Ring Necks, 6 Bufflehead, 11 Blue Wing Teal, and 9 Ruddy Ducks.  Again, there were no Geese checked in at Wister on Wednesday.  Also, no Coots were collected at Wister on Wednesday.  This figured out to an average harvest of 2.39 ducks per hunter and, of course, with no Geese or Coots to add to the figures, 2.39 waterfowl per gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 31 showed up in time to claim their hunting spot.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.  At this point in the season it is now too late to put in for reservations on-line through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).   You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds by arriving at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots given out after that.

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 – 1/23/19

The average waterfowl bag at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area climbed back upward as compared to Saturday’s numbers under clear skies with temperatures that started just at freezing and climbed to just touch 70 degrees.  Shovelers were the number one bird taken and, if you didn’t count Coots, which would have been the number two bird, Green Wing Teal took over the second spot, but only by one bird over Gadwall.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/23/19 were as follows:

121 adult and 5 junior hunters bagged 83 Shovelers, 2 Mallards, 30 Gadwall, 5 Widgeon, 5 Pintail, 31 Green Wing Teal, 22 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Ring Neck, 1 Blue Wing Teal, 8 Bufflehead, and 27 Ruddy Ducks. Once again, no Geese were checked in at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  45 Coots were also taken at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  This came out to an average bag of 1.71 ducks per hunter or, with the Coots worked in, 2.06 waterfowl for each person. Out of 52 reservation cards issued only 19 showed up on time to claim their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. At this point in the season, it is now too late to put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).   You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” drawing is at 3:30 AM.

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, Sunday – 1/20/19

The waterfowl averages for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area headed downward even more as compared to Saturday’s averages.  Pintail held on to first place for number of birds bagged and Shovelers were still found in the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 1/20/19 were as follows:

63 adult and 6 junior hunters checker in with 18 Shovelers, 6 Mallards, 5 Gadwall, 9 Widgeon, 23 Pintail, 5 Green Wing Teal, 4 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Redheads, 2 Ring Necks, and 2 Bufflehead.  Again, there were no Geese bagged at Wister on Sunday.  A lone Coot was downed at Wister on Sunday.  This worked out to an average take of 1.10 ducks per person or, with the Coot added to the figures, 1.12 waterfowl per gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 11 arrived on time to claim their hunting spot.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.  At this point in the season it is now too late to put in for reservations on-line through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).   You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds by arriving at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots given out after that.

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 the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/19/19

The average take of waterfowl at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area headed downward somewhat as compared to Wednesday’s averages.  Pintail took over first place for number of birds bagged today with Shovelers appearing in the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 1/19/19 were as follows:

192 adult and 6 junior hunters harvested 122 Shovelers, 17 Mallards, 44 Gadwall, 49 Widgeon, 126 Pintail, 65 Green Wing Teal, 40 Cinnamon Teal, 7 Redheads, 9 Ring Necks, 3 Scaup, 19 Bufflehead, 2 Goldeneye, 15 Blue Wing Teal, 1 Merganser, and 26 Ruddy Ducks.  No Geese was harvested at Wister on Saturday.  3 Coots were checked in at Wister on Saturday.  This came out to an average bag of 2.75 ducks per hunter or, with Coots worked in to the figures, 2.77 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 38 showed on time to claim their hunting spot.

Wister is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.  At this point in the season it is now too late to put in for reservations on-line through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).   You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds by arriving at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots given out after that.

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 – 1/19/19

Waterfowl averages at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area slid back even further compared to Wednesday’s averages under clear skies with temperatures climbing into the low 70s.  Shovelers were way out front in the first position for number of ducks taken with Gadwall still sitting in the second position.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/19/19 were as follows:

147 adult and 24 junior hunters bagged 107 Shovelers, 4 Mallards, 28 Gadwall, 3 Widgeon, 3 Pintail, 12 Green Wing Teal, 14 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Redheads, 1 Scaup, 1 Blue Wing Teal, 5 Bufflehead, 1 Goldeneye, and 16 Ruddy Ducks. No Geese were harvested again at San Jacinto on Saturday.  5 Coots were also checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This worked out to an average harvest of 1.15 ducks per gun or, with the Coots figured in, 1.18 waterfowl for each hunter. Out of 52 reservation cards issued 29 showed up on time to claim their spot.

San Jacinto is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. At this point in the season, it is now too late to put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS).   You can still get in on the daily “sweat line” drawing for the remaining blinds after the reservations are taken care of. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” drawing is at 3:30 AM.

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 – 1/16/19

The average bag of waterfowl at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, as usual, headed back upward quite a bit compared to Sunday’s averages.  Green Wing Teal held on to first place for number of birds bagged and Pintail held on to the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/16/19 were as follows:

70 adult and 5 junior hunters harvested 45 Shovelers, 7 Mallards, 23 Gadwall, 55 Widgeon, 57 Pintail, 78 Green Wing Teal, 34 Cinnamon Teal, 4 Redheads, 1 Ring Neck, 12 Bufflehead, 1 Goldeneye, 10 Blue Wing Teal, and 10 Ruddy Ducks.  1 Snow Goose and 11 Coots were bagged at Wister on Wednesday.  This figured out to an average take of 4.49 ducks per person or, with the Goose and Coots included in the count, 4.65 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 18 came in on time to claim their hunting 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 – 1/16/19

The average take of waterfowl for the San Jacinto Wildlife Area slid downward slightly compared to Saturday’s numbers under cloudy skies with off and on rain and temperatures in the mid-50s. Shovelers and Gadwall swapped places again with Shovelers popping up in the first spot for number of ducks checked in and Gadwall sliding back into the second position.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/16/19 were as follows:

145 adult and 4 junior hunters bagged 77 Shovelers, 11 Mallards, 54 Gadwall, 5 Widgeon, 2 Pintail, 23 Green Wing Teal, 5 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Redheads, 1 Ring Neck, 22 Bufflehead, and 20 Ruddy Ducks. No Geese were harvested again at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  42 Coots were also checked in at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  This came out to an average bag of 1.49 ducks per person or, with the Coots figured in, 1.77 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 52 reservation cards issued 25 showed up on 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

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, Sunday – 1/13/19

The waterfowl average bag at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area slid downward some compared to Saturday’s averages, but not by nearly as much as usual for a Sunday.  Green Wing Teal held on to first place for number of birds bagged, but only by one bird over Pintail which held on to the second spot by just one bird over Shovelers.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 1/13/19 were as follows:

34 adult and 3 junior hunters checked in with 14 Shovelers, 10 Gadwall, 6 Widgeon, 15 Pintail, 16 Green Wing Teal, 3 Cinnamon Teal, 3 Redheads, 1 Goldeneye, 5 Blue Wing Teal, and 6 Ruddy Ducks.  There were no Geese or Coots taken at Wister on Sunday.  This figured out to an average harvest of 2.14 ducks per hunter and, of course, with no Geese and Coots to include in the count, 2.14 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 7 rolled in on time to get their hunting 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 – 1/12/19

The waterfowl averages at San Jacinto Wildlife Area ticked upward a little as compared to Wednesday’s numbers under rainy conditions and temperatures that only rose into the mid-50s. Shovelers and Gadwall swapped places with Gadwall climbing into the first spot for number of ducks checked in Saturday and Shovelers falling back into the second position.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/12/19 were as follows:

145 adult and 11 junior hunters checked in with 66 Shovelers, 16 Mallards, 91 Gadwall, 2 Widgeon, 2 Pintail, 63 Green Wing Teal, 9 Cinnamon Teal, 10 Bufflehead, and 19 Ruddy Ducks. No Geese were bagged again at San Jacinto on Saturday.  18 Coots were also brought in to the check station at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This came out to an average take of 1.78 ducks per gun or, with the Coots figured in, 1.90 waterfowl per hunter. Out of 52 reservation cards issued 29 arrived on 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

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. The hunt day in this report was the last hunt day you could bring in donations for the Junior Hunt.  The last day to donate to the Junior Hunt is January 15^th.  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, Saturday – 1/12/19

The average take of waterfowl for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area slipped back some compared to Wednesday’s good averages.  Green Wing Teal stayed way out in front in first place for number of birds checked in with Pintail holding on to second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 1/12/19 were as follows:

176 adult and 11 junior hunters harvested 68 Shovelers, 8 Mallards, 32 Gadwall, 46 Widgeon, 90 Pintail, 131 Green Wing Teal, 53 Cinnamon Teal, 18 Redheads, 4 Ring Necks, 10 Bufflehead, 16 Blue Wing Teal, and 7 Ruddy Ducks.  2 Snow Geese were bagged at Wister on Saturday.  Also, 4 Coots were taken at Wister on Saturday.  This worked out to an average bag of 2.58 ducks per hunter or, with the Geese and Coots added in, 2.61 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 29 came in 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 the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Wednesday – 1/9/19

The average bag of waterfowl at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area jumped back up quite a bit compared to Sunday’s usual low averages.  Pintail and Green Wing Teal swapped spots again with the Green Wing Teal surging back into first place for number of birds taken and the Pintail sliding back into second position, but only by one bird over Shovelers.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/9/19 were as follows:

112 adult hunters and 1 junior hunter bagged 41 Shovelers, 7 Mallards, 36 Gadwall, 27 Widgeon, 42 Pintail, 124 Green Wing Teal, 31 Cinnamon Teal, 5 Redheads, 1 Ring Neck, 4 Bufflehead, 12 Blue Wing Teal, and 9 Ruddy Ducks.  There were 5 Snow Geese harvested at Wister on Wednesday.  No Coots were taken at Wister on Wednesday.  This came out to an average bag of 3.00 ducks per hunter or, with the Geese added in, 3.04 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 26 showed up in 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 – 1/9/19

The average bird bag at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area took a dive downward as compared to Saturday’s averages under clear skies and temperatures that just reached into the 70s. Coots were actually tied with Shovelers for most numerous bird bagged but, if you didn’t count the coots, Shovelers continued to hold on to first place for number of ducks checked in Wednesday with Gadwall showing up in the second position.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/9/19 were as follows:

139 adult and 8 junior hunters checked in with 63 Shovelers, 8 Mallards, 47 Gadwall, 5 Widgeon, 19 Green Wing Teal, 12 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Ring Neck, 7 Bufflehead, 14 Ruddy Ducks. Again, there were no Geese bagged at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  63 Coots were also brought in to the check station at San Jacinto on Wednesday.  This came out to an average take of 1.20 ducks per hunter or, with the Coots figured in, 1.63 waterfowl per gun. Out of 52 reservation cards issued 25 arrived on 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

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. The upcoming hunt on Saturday, January 12^th, is the last hunt day you can bring in donations for the Junior Hunt.  The actual last day to donate to the Junior Hunt is January 15^th.  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, Sunday – 1/6/19

As is usual for a Sunday, the average take of waterfowl for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area slid down quite a bit compared to Saturday’s good averages, which were taken by probably the smallest group of hunters ever at Wister.  Pintail jumped back into first place for number of birds taken with Green Wing Teal sliding back into second position.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Sunday, 1/6/19 were as follows:

11 adult and 2 junior hunters checked in with 7 Pintail, 5 Green Wing Teal, 1 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Redhead, and 1 Canvasback.  There were no Geese or Coots checked in at Wister on Sunday.  This figured out to an average bag of 1.15 ducks per gun and, of course, with no Geese or Coots to add in, 1.15 waterfowl for each person. Out of 105 reservation cards issued only 5 showed up in 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 the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Saturday – 1/5/19

The waterfowl averages for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area slipped back down slightly compared to Wednesday’s good numbers but not by much.  Green Wing Teal surged way out ahead for first place for number of birds checked in with Cinnamon Teal showing up in the second spot.  The Wister Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 1/5/19 were as follows:

185 adult and 13 junior hunters checked in with 51 Shovelers, 2 Mallards, 43 Gadwall, 37 Widgeon, 82 Pintail, 215 Green Wing Teal, 96 Cinnamon Teal, 19 Redheads, 1 Canvasback, 7 Ring Necks, 1 Scaup, 19 Bufflehead, 1 Wood Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 7 Blue Wing Teal, 1 Merganzer, and 12 Ruddy Ducks.  A lone Snow Goose was bagged at Wister on Saturday.  Also, a single Coot was taken at Wister on Saturday.  This came out to an average harvest of 3.01 ducks per hunter or, with the Goose and Coot to included, 3.02 waterfowl for each gun. Out of 105 reservation cards issued 34 arrived in 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 – 1/5/19

The waterfowl averages at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area took a jump upward as compared to Wednesday’s averages under cloudy conditions with rain in the late afternoon and temperatures only getting into the mid-50s. Shovelers and Green Wing Teal swapped spots again with the Shovelers holding first place for number of ducks bagged Saturday and Green Wing Teal dropping back to the second spot.  Tom Trakes, from San Jacinto Wildlife Area, reported that the results for Saturday, 1/5/19 were as follows:

141 adult and 7 junior hunters checked in with 96 Shovelers, 38 Mallards, 69 Gadwall, 5 Widgeon, 3 Pintail, 74 Green Wing Teal, 29 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Canvasback, 9 Bufflehead, 1 Merganser, and 12 Ruddy Ducks. There were no Geese taken at San Jacinto on Saturday.  5 Coots were also checked in at San Jacinto on Saturday.  This worked out to an average harvest of 2.28 ducks per person or, with the Coots worked in, 2.31 waterfowl per gun. Out of 52 reservation cards issued 22 arrived on 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

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. The last day to donate to the Junior Hunt is January 15^th.  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.