2025-26 Waterfowl HUNTING Newsletter - only avail online!!!!!

[Duckfan]

From the Department:

IMPORTANT WATERFOWL HUNTING NEWSLETTER - AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY

As part of a broader effort to go paperless, CDFW will no longer print and mail waterfowl hunting newsletters to hunters. The cost to print and mail waterfowl hunting newsletters is significant, and money saved will be put toward fish and wildlife conservation. The Waterfowl Hunting Newsletter is available exclusively online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Waterfowl.

Direct link NEWSLETTER:
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=70409&inline


The Lands Program added a paragraph that outlines the changes for the upcoming season. See below


IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

During the spring of 2024, CDFW conducted a survey of waterfowl hunters on their experiences accessing Type A wildlife areas. The Survey is available at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=233037&inline. Results from the survey and a review of Title 14 regulations indicated that changes are needed to improve consistency and fairness for hunters. Some improvements that will be implemented in the upcoming season include the following:

All check-stations will be using the electronic check-in system (WLAP)

Hunting passes must be presented with photo identification at the time of entry

Reservations will be accepted at check-stations in numerical order

Party leaders must have a valid GO ID and hunting license to enter a party in the in-person vacancy draw (lottery)

In-person vacancy draw results will be available online by logging in to www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales, via the CDFW License App, and on a dedicated web page accessible with a QR code at the check-station

Only one person is required to be present from each party to enter an in-person vacancy draw

Hunters may only enter one in-person vacancy draw per hunt day



For more information regarding changes for the upcoming waterfowl season, please email [email protected].

 

[ilovesprig]

Thanks Rick,

I think the new system will be better in many ways...3 sprig baby!....................................

 

[slinky_70]

What am not clear on is Junior hunters. In one section states "Hunting passes must be presented with photo identification at the time of entry" but in another article states juniors not required to show photo ID so not clear.

Also how is the online non-reservation going to work? Not much detail on this.

Everything else seems to remain the same

 

[ilovesprig]

What am not clear on is Junior hunters. In one section states "Hunting passes must be presented with photo identification at the time of entry" but in another article states juniors not required to show photo ID so not clear.

Also how is the online non-reservation going to work? Not much detail on this.

Everything else seems to remain the same

Mike,

Most juniors don't have a PHOTO ID...I don't think that would be required, but they do have a junior license...I'm assuming that would be all that is needed...Just like before........

This is pretty confusing..."Party leaders must have a valid GO ID and hunting license to enter a party in the in-person vacancy draw (lottery)"...This may eliminate guys signing other guys up for the sweat...Which I'm sure won't be very popular with some..............

I think the biggest takeaway is that you can look to see where you drew in the sweat line without going to the check station.............


ps...The state makes it where we have to have a PHOTO ID to hunt, but they fight like crazy not to have one to vote.................

 

[slinky_70]

Mike,

Most juniors don't have a PHOTO ID...I don't think that would be required, but they do have a junior license...I'm assuming that would be all that is needed...Just like before........

This is pretty confusing..."Party leaders must have a valid GO ID and hunting license to enter a party in the in-person vacancy draw (lottery)"...This may eliminate guys signing other guys up for the sweat...Which I'm sure won't be very popular with some..............

I think the biggest takeaway is that you can look to see where you drew in the sweat line without going to the check station.............


ps...The state makes it where we have to have a PHOTO ID to hunt, but they fight like crazy not to have one to vote.................

Don't get me started on the voter ID.

Confusing about the lottery draw. So if the draw is going to be online does that mean that all the entries are going to be re-entered into a system? If so I can see huge issues with that or is there going to be a kiosk for signing up maybe just scan license to get on the list?

 

[ilovesprig]

Don't get me started on the voter ID.

Confusing about the lottery draw. So if the draw is going to be online does that mean that all the entries are going to be re-entered into a system? If so I can see huge issues with that or is there going to be a kiosk for signing up maybe just scan license to get on the list?

I'm only guessing, but I think you walk up like normal (7:00 pm) and tell the kid you'd like to be put on the sweat line draw...He then scans your ID and off you go...You and whoever you added is on the list...It appears to me, that you have to be present to do this...So, it will force folks to be there before 10:30 pm, if they're hunting alone.

I think the difference is, you can check your result on line, instead of checking in the morning or after 10:30 in person.

 

[slinky_70]

I'm only guessing, but I think you walk up like normal (7:00 pm) and tell the kid you'd like to be put on the sweat line draw...He then scans your ID and off you...You and whoever you added is on the list...It appears to me, that you have to be present to do this...So, it will force folks to be there before 10:30 pm, if they're hunting alone.

I think the difference is, you can check your result on line, instead of checking in the morning or after 10:30 in person.

That sounds like what they are implementing hope they are not going to be trying to re-enter all the people on the list

 

[Duckfan]

Juniors with a junior hunting license Do NOT need photo ID. All others - yes

Sign up for lottery etc done like before but will be automated. You can sign up and check the DFW app to see your number.

Some hunters sign up and head for dinner somewhere for example. They can see they have a high lotto number online and decide what to do without having to drive all the way back just to see theiir number.

Since all licenses will be checked in using the system as well, you will have to be sure you return and check out before heading to another refuge for an afternoon hunt. If you haven’t checked out, the system won’t let you go elsewhere and check in . You hadn’t checked out.



There will likely be some confusion to start. Just be patient with check station staff. They don’t make the rules. Help them out and be ready to go.

PS: try to target Drake pintails only.

Enjoy your season. My 63rd season coming up. Times goes fast. Don’t waste your opportunities. One day you wake up and can’t believe you are closer to your hunt career being over versus the beginning. Every hunt needs to be treated with appreciation for all you’ve been given …. In the marsh.

 

[slinky_70]

I don't see much of an issue at Wister but I do not see how this works at Mendota. They never did a lotto just a sweatline lineup.

Agree shoot drakes only. Should not have allowed 3 hens to be shot