Apprentice Waterfowl Hunts Open at California’s Grizzly Island Wildlife Area
OutdoorHub 11.11.11
Permits will be issued for two California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) special apprentice waterfowl hunts at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County.
On Saturday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 28, spaced blinds on Pond 11 and the Crescent Unit of the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area will be available only for apprentice hunt participants. The area will be closed to the general public on those days.
An adult chaperone (18 years or older) must accompany and supervise each apprentice hunter. The adult may hunt with the apprentice and must possess the required 2011-2012 California hunting license and state and federal waterfowl stamps and the free Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation.
Junior hunting license holders must have a federal waterfowl stamp and the free HIP validation to hunt waterfowl. All available blinds can accommodate two persons: the apprentice hunter and the adult chaperone. Nontoxic ammunition approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for waterfowl hunting. A minimum of one dozen duck decoys are required at all blind sites and chest waders are recommended.
To apply, please mail a standard-sized post card to Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, 2548 Grizzly Island Road, Suisun, CA 94585. On the back of the card, please include the following information:
- Apprentice hunter’s name
- Junior hunting license number
- Mailing address and phone number
- Name of chaperone
- Hunt date desired
Each hunter may apply only once and for one date. Application cards must be received by close of business on Nov. 23. Apprentice hunt reservations will be filled by a random drawing conducted on Nov. 28. There will be 24 reservations issued for each date, and all successful applicants will be notified by mail.
The Grizzly Island Wildlife Area will also accept apprentice hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the hunt to use the free roam areas and to fill any no-shows from the reservations. As a reminder, all chaperones who wish to hunt must have either a Type A One Day, Two Day or Season Pass, which must be purchased prior to arriving at the check station. These can be obtained through either a License Agent or online at www.dfg.ca.gov (allow two weeks mailing time if ordering online).
DFG would also like to encourage use of the West Family Unit, which is available only to apprentice hunters. Hunt days are Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the open season. Gates will be opened approximately two hours before shoot time. An adult chaperone is required and five double blinds, including one mobility-impaired blind and one three-person blind are available.
The unit is north of Benicia on Goodyear Road; from Highway 680 take the Marshview Road exit and turn right onto Goodyear Road from the off-ramp and the hunt area will be on the left.
