Waterfowl Hunting
Access to Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing (formerly Eden Landing Ecological Reserve) for waterfowl hunting will be open on a first-come, first-served basis for each hunt only on the dates listed below. There is no fee for these hunts. There is a 25-shell limit in the field. No hunting is allowed within the reserve except on specified days.
2022-2023 Hunt Results (Averaged):
80 Hunters/day; ~171 ducks/day; ~4 geese/day (2.1 birds/hunter). #1-2 NOSH, AMWI
American Widgeon (AMWI), Northern Shoveler (NOSH), Bufflehead (BUFF), American Green-Winged Teal (AGWT)
2023-24 Waterfowl Hunt Dates and Results
| Hunt Date
|
No. of Hunters
|
No. Ducks
|
No. Geese
|
No. 1 Species WF
|
No. 2 Species WF
|
Average Waterfowl
|
| November 11 (Sat)
|
116
|
138
|
0
|
NOSH
|
BUFF
|
1.2
|
| November 21 (Tue)
|
72
|
101
|
0
|
NOSH
|
BUFF
|
1.4
|
| December 2 (Sat)
|
84
|
175
|
0
|
NOSH
|
BUFF
|
2.1
|
| December 7 (Thur)
|
60
|
139
|
0
|
NOSH
|
AGWT
|
2.3
|
| December 16 (Sat)
|
79
|
107
|
0
|
NOSH
|
BUFF
|
1.4
|
| December 21 (Thur)
|
84
|
143
|
3
|
NOSH
|
AMWI
|
1.7
|
| January 6 (Sat)
|
121
|
306
|
7
|
NOSH
|
AMWI
|
2.6
|
| January 11 (Thur)
|
86
|
264
|
4
|
AMWI
|
NOSH
|
3.1
|
| January 20 (Sat)
|
107
|
270
|
1
|
NOSH
|
AMWI
|
2.5
|
| January 25 (Thu)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hunting Rules and Information
Check in and check out by CDFW staff at the hunter check station is required and you must present waterfowl taken to CDFW for species and hunter success data. MINIMUM 100 YARDS BETWEEN HUNTERS/GROUPS.
The entry gate and check station will typically open at least two hours before shoot time to allow time for hunters and guests to check in, drive/walk to open ponds/levees, set up any decoys, etc. Please drive on existing, graveled levee roads and park to side of roads. AREA RULES INCLUDE A 25-SHELL LIMIT IN THE FIELD.
The entry gate and check station will close approximately one hour after shoot time. Please plan your hunt to allow time to collect your gear, make it back to parking areas and load up to drive back to the check station within an hour of the end of shoot time.
A small boat, kayak, canoe or flotation device is strongly recommended to access ponds, sloughs and marshes. Areas subject to tidal action have very soft mud and water depths vary daily. Pond bottoms are soft mud, have unmarked hazards and depths vary due to borrow ditches next to levees, remnant slough channels, etc. Boats may be portaged over levees and berms to get to areas further from the access levees. It may not be safe to enter the ponds and wade in water for retrieval due to soft mud, hazards such as ditches and channels in many areas. So please, SHOOT ONLY WHAT YOU CAN RETRIEVE!
- There is a 25-shell limit in the field.
- Hunters must be at least 100 yards apart.
- Do not shoot over travelled levee roads
- Dogs may be used for hunting purposes.
- One blind in Pond 5C may be reserved for disabled/mobility-impaired hunters (maximum of 4) with appropriate ID, by reservation with CDFW prior to hunt dates or by inquiring at the check station, as available. This area requires alternative access arrangements provided at the check station.
A boat launch into Mt. Eden Creek allows access into tidal areas on specified hunt days. Boat users are advised to consult local tide tables before launching. Boaters should use caution and consider varying conditions as during low tides extensive mud flats may be exposed and even shallow draft vessels can be subject to hidden underwater hazards.
If using a boat with an outboard motor, use caution due to unmarked obstacles. Shallow pond areas or obstructions could result in propeller damage. If not using the boat launch ramp at Mt. Eden Creek, it is recommended to hand launch from, and land at, levees at higher tides for best access conditions.
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