A valid 2000-2001 hunting license is required for all persons applying for the drawing. Persons drawn for permits who want to hunt deer are required to possess a valid Zone A deer tag. Those who are drawn and want to hunt wild pig are required to have a valid wild pig tag. Those desiring to hunt both deer and wild pig are required to have both tags. Pig hunters will be restricted to one wild pig during the two-day hunt period.

The area will be closed to all persons not holding the special permit, and nonshooters may not accompany a permit holder.

An application should be made on a standard postcard listing the hunter's name, complete mailing address, and 2000-2001 hunting license number. Junior license holders must submit with an adult hunter. Up to four persons may apply as one party by including all the required information on one postcard. Only postcard applications will be accepted. Multiple applications in an envelope will be rejected. A person's name may appear in the drawing only once.

Mail postcards to the Department of Fish and Game, 18110 West Henry Miller Avenue, Los Banos, California 93635. Postcards must be in the Department of Fish and Game, Los Banos office, by July 19, 2000 by 1 p.m. The drawing will be held at that time and is open to the public. Only successful applicants will be notified by return mail.

After the opening weekend, permits for deer hunting will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the self-registration booth in the main parking lot of Upper Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area.

Hunting for wild pig on the area is restricted from the opening of Zone A deer season through the last Sunday in January. Only archery equipment may be possessed during the Zone A deer archery season when hunting either deer or pig on the area. From the start of the Zone A general deer season through the last Sunday in January, weapons legal for taking big game may be used. No pig hunting is allowed on Upper Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area during the remainder of the year.

For additional information, call the Los Banos Complex office at (209) 826-0463 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.