The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will reopen the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County to limited waterfowl hunting this season after a complete closure the past two seasons.
Although many parts of California received record rainfall and snowpack during the winter and spring of 2022-23, northeastern California remained comparatively dry. As a result, only dry field hunting will be allowed for waterfowl hunting this season at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area.
The Northeastern Zone waterfowl season runs from Oct. 7, 2023, through Jan. 17, 2024. Hunting at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area will be allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. The preseason Northeastern Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days are scheduled for Sept. 23-24, 2023, and the postseason Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days are scheduled for Jan. 20-21, 2024.
The 4,700-acre Shasta Valley Wildlife Area provides important seasonal wetlands for migrating waterfowl with water supplied by three storage reservoirs on the property. Two of those reservoirs – Steamboat Lake and Bass Lake – are completely dry. Trout Lake is currently near 50 percent capacity and will serve as the closed zone for the 2023-24 waterfowl season where no hunting will be permitted.
The Shasta Valley Wildlife Area will be open for upland game bird hunting for dove, quail, snipe and pheasant as regulations permit. Pheasant hunting is allowed only on Sundays during the season and will be by reservation only with no walk-ins, sweat line or refills. A Type A or B season pass is required for all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications for Sunday pheasant hunts are available at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website.
Waterfowl hunting opportunities will vary at other Northeastern Zone state and federal lands popular with duck and goose hunters. Hunters are strongly advised to call ahead in preparing for any Northeastern Zone waterfowl hunt. Other popular public waterfowl hunting areas in the Northeastern Zone include:
Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Once one of the nation’s premier waterfowl hunting destinations, the complex – consisting of the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge – continues to suffer from water shortages. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced earlier this month that waterfowl hunting will be allowed on dryland units at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge for the 2023-24 waterfowl season and that pheasant hunting will also be allowed at Tule Lake on dry field areas. The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to all hunting for the entirety of waterfowl and upland game bird seasons.
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge will have normal water levels and good habitat conditions this season. Drawings for the preseason youth hunt and opening weekend have been conducted for the free roam and Grandma Tract hunt areas. Self-serve hunting will begin Tuesday Oct. 10 and hunt days will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hunt maps and site-specific regulations can be found on the refuge website, but for the most-up-to-date information, please refer to the Modoc NWR Facebook page. (530) 233-3572.
Ash Creek Wildlife Area
A bright spot among Northeastern Zone public hunting areas, Ash Creek wetlands are expected to be mostly flooded for waterfowl season due to its combination of spring-fed creeks and groundwater supplies. Reservations are required to hunt the opening weekend, Oct. 7-8, along with a Type A or B season pass for all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications are available at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website. Ash Creek also will be open for the preseason Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on a walk-in basis. No reservations or other check-in procedures required. (530) 294-5824.
Butte Valley Wildlife Area
Butte Valley began pumping groundwater in July to flood its seasonal wetlands in time for the Northeastern Zone waterfowl opener. Butte Valley expects to have 500 to 600 acres flooded by opening day. Reservations are required to hunt opening weekend along with a Type A or B season pass for all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications are available at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website. Butte Valley also will be open for the preseason Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on a walk-in basis. (530) 398-4627.
Honey Lake Wildlife Area
Another option for youth hunters, the Honey Lake Wildlife Area Fleming Unit will be open for the preseason Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on a walk-in basis though hunters will find fewer wetlands than in 2022-23. The Dakin Unit will be dry this upcoming season – though still open to dry field waterfowl hunting and upland game bird hunting. The Fleming Unit will see just about 20 percent of its seasonal wetlands flooded by the Oct. 7 season opener. Reservations are required to hunt opening weekend. A Type A or Type B season pass is required of all adult hunters (not juniors). Reservation applications are available at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website. (530) 254-6644.
Willow Creek Wildlife Area
This 2,700-acre wildlife area north of Susanville in Lassen County expects 250 acres of huntable, flooded wetlands by the Northeastern Zone season opener Oct. 7. Reservations are required to hunt opening weekend. A Type A or Type B season pass is required of all adult hunters (not juniors). No preseason youth hunt will take place. Reservation applications are available at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website. (530) 254-6644.
- California Gov. Newsom Announces Special Legislative Session After Trump VictoryBy Jack Phillips – California Insider California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Nov. 7 announced that he is calling for state lawmakers to convene a special session later this year after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory earlier this week. Newsom said the special session will focus on safeguarding the state’s progressive policies around the climate, abortion, and… Read more: California Gov. Newsom Announces Special Legislative Session After Trump Victory
- Lucky Miller’s Bar and Grill: The New Fun Place in DunsmuirA new one-of-a-kind, fun place for those who like fantastic food, fun entertainment, or just a good evening out with a great atmosphere; Lucky Miller’s Bar and Grill just opened in Dunsmuir. The proprietor, Jason Miller, has been in the business since 1995 and comes from a family that owned similar small ventures with 29 years of family recipes… Read more: Lucky Miller’s Bar and Grill: The New Fun Place in Dunsmuir
- Klamath National Forest offers Christmas tree permits – Lifelong memories await!KNF Press Release Yreka, Calif., November 7, 2024— This holiday season, the Klamath National Forest invites families to continue a cherished tradition by obtaining a permit to cut their own Christmas tree from designated areas on the Forest. This unique experience allows families to connect with nature while helping to maintain forest health. Christmas tree permits… Read more: Klamath National Forest offers Christmas tree permits – Lifelong memories await!
- Trump Win Signals ‘Historic Realignment’By Philip Wegmann – RealClearWire November 06, 2024 WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Donald John Trump, the 45th U.S. president, will soon become the 47th president, after he was projected to win not just the 270 electoral college votes needed to return to the White House but also the national popular vote. His humiliation of the political elite… Read more: Trump Win Signals ‘Historic Realignment’
- Kirk Cameron: A Call for Spiritual Renewal Starts at HomeBy Jeff Minick ~ the Epoch TImes Kirk Cameron is outspoken, restless in his ambitions, and passionate about faith and freedom. In 2022, the actor and film producer began writing biblically based children’s books for the Christian publishing house Brave Books. His first book, “As You Grow,” is the tale of an oak tree, its… Read more: Kirk Cameron: A Call for Spiritual Renewal Starts at Home