Federal regulations provide that only persons 15 years of age and younger are eligible to hunt waterfowl on January 27 and 28, 2001. All junior hunters must possess a valid California junior hunting license, available for $7.10 from license agents. State and federal duck stamps are not required for this hunt.

Reservations are not absolutely required, but those who want to be at the front of the line to get the best area should make one. Junior hunters may apply for reservations to hunt at many state-operated wildlife areas by purchasing 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 2000/2001 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 per hunt day.

All applications must be received at DFG's License and Revenue Branch no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2001, for the hunts on Saturday, January 27, 2001, and no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 11 for the hunts on January 28, 2001. Late applications will not be included in the drawings. However, if juniors have not received a reservation in the mail there may still an opportunity to hunt on these special days. Normal lottery and first-come, first-served procedures will be in effect. Contact the wildlife area for more information.

Reservations will be mailed to successful applicants on approximately January 16, 2001. 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 nonhunting 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 wildlife areas include the following:

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