The average take for the 2020/21 waterfowl season opener for the Kern National Wildlife Refuge showed excellent averages for the hunters partaking, although it was just slightly less than last year’s opener averages. Shovelers came in way out in front for first place for number of birds harvested with Green Wing Teal in the second spot with exactly half the birds checked in as Shovelers. The Kern NWR Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 10/24/20 were as follows:
55 adult and 4 junior hunters checked in with 100 Shovelers, 6 Mallards, 25 Gadwall, 23 Widgeon, 19 Pintail, 50 Green Wing Teal, 9 Cinnamon Teal, 13 Redheads, 2 Canvasback, 4 Ring Necks, 1 Bufflehead, and 4 Ruddy Ducks. There was a lone Snow Goose bagged at Kern on Saturday. No Coots were checked in at Kern on Saturday. This worked out to an average take of 4.34 ducks per hunter or, with the Goose included, 4.36 waterfowl for each person. No info was given regarding the reservation cards issued or claimed.
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 – Additional information may be obtained by calling their Kern’s office at (661) 725-2767.
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.
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