Balance of the California waterfowl


by Steve Carson
10-6-2011

Opening day for waterfowl hunting in the "Balance of the State Zone" will legally be Oct. 22. However, hunting on Type-A State and Federal hunting areas in the Sacramento Valley has been postponed until Oct. 29, to allow farmers to complete the delayed rice harvest. This year's rice harvest is unusually late because wet weather delayed the spring planting and a mild summer slowed maturation.

Areas affected will include Yolo Bypass WA, Gray Lodge WA, Little Dry Creek WA, Llano Seco WA, Howard Slough WA, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Delevan NWR, Sutter NWR, and Colusa NWR. This is only the third delayed opener in the last 26 years, the most recent being the 2006-07 season.

Longtime local waterfowler Harry Boyle observed, "Those who do have water won't be bothered by the delayed opener, but there won't be a lot of rice ready. It will all work out, that's just the way it goes. The local hatch report is just fantastic, and the forecast is for a wet winter, which bodes very well for ducks.

"Fortunate hunters with open fields will have to be careful with the water levels. Hunters should never touch the farmer's boards. Too much water can put pressure on the levees, and any hunter-caused failures could mean the farmer will not allow hunters future access." Boyle added, "I predict a great season. It is unfortunate that some folks won't be able to get out right off, but we are blessed with a 100-day season and a liberal limit so there will be plenty of opportunities. Just stop and smell the roses."


< Previous Report Next Report >


< Previous Report Next Report >


More Reports

10-6-2011
Tomorrow [Saturday Oct. 8] marks the opening day for waterfowl hunting in the "Northeast Zone" of the state. This has traditionally been the first opportunity for California waterfowl hunters to pursue their quarry, but the past two years have seen the already-completed short "Early Goose Season" that ran Oct. 1-5 take a bit of the edge off of the anticipation. "We are hearing from some hunters who are heading up north to Klamath or Almanor, but not as many as in...... Read More



000

ABOUT US

SportfishingReport.com™ Built by Avid Sportsman for Avid Sportsman! We understand what fisherman need to be successful in the pursuit of target species across the United States.

Never again will you need to search countless resorces to find accurate information on the fishing grounds. SportfishingReport.com™ has brought the west coast Fishing Reports to you in one easy to use site. Now you can vew the latest catch reports, conditions, trip schedules and book your trip all in one website.


   
Established in 2000
SportfishingReport.comTM © 2000 - 2017 Sportfishingreport.com. All Rights Reserved.