In our last email, we reported that the application deadline for the January 29, 2000 Junior Waterfowl Hunt was January 6th. We have just learned that the deadline has been changed — all applications must be received by the DFG no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2000. Late applications will be disqualified and not included in the drawing.

Who can participate:

Federal regulations provide that only persons 15 years of age and younger are eligible to hunt waterfowl on January 29, 2000. All junior hunters must possess a valid California junior hunting license, available for $7.10 from license agents. State and Federal stamps are not required for this hunt.

How to apply for reservations:

Junior hunters can apply for reservations to hunt at many state-operated wildlife areas. To apply, purchase a one-choice ($1.05) or five-choice ($5.25) application form from any license agent or DFG office. The junior hunter's name, date of birth, address, and 1999-2000 junior hunting license number must be included on the form. Junior hunters can apply for each area that will be hosting a hunt, but may not submit more than one application per area.

Reservations will be mailed to successful applicants on approximately January 13, 2000. Reservations are valid for a total of two junior hunters, including the junior hunter to whom the reservation was issued. Regulations require that all junior hunters on state-controlled hunting areas be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older. No more than two junior hunters may accompany each adult. At Merced, Kesterson, and San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, reservations are valid for one junior and one adult only.

Participating state-operated areas include the following:

Southern California: Wister and San Jacinto; San Joaquin Valley: Kern, Kesterson, Los Banos, Mendota, Merced, Salt Slough, San Luis (Blue Goose Unit), and Volta; Northern Sacramento Valley: Colusa, Delevan, Gray Lodge, Grizzly Island, Howard Slough, Little Dry Creek, Sacramento, and Yolo Bypass.

State-operated areas which still have openings include the following:

Kesterson, Los Banos, Mendota, Salt Slough, San Luis, Volta, Colusa, Gray Lodge, Grizzly Island, and Yolo Bypass.

Information for junior hunters who do not have a reservation card:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DFG, and other volunteers will co-host the third annual Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge on January 29, 2000. If you do not receive a reservation card, call the Kern National Wildlife Refuge at (661) 725-2767 and your name will be placed on a first-come, first-served list. The Refuge hopes to accommodate all junior hunters who wish to participate, either with or without a reservation. Past hunts have proved to be quite popular and this is an excellent opportunity to visit the refuge and for young hunters to experience duck hunting in a relaxed environment.

Note: Gray Lodge State Wildlife Area will also accept junior hunters who were not fortunate enough to obtain a reservation card. Frietas Boat North and Frietas Boat South will be open for Junior Hunt Day, as these areas will operate as Type C areas for junior waterfowl hunts. Thus, on January 29th, junior hunters do not need a reservation card for these two areas.

In addition, DFG sponsors hunts on private land. For more information, contact Patrick Foy, Information Officer, Region 2 (916) 358-2938 or Christine Sparks, California Waterfowl Association (916) 648-1406.