Hunt Program
Click the following links for hunt unit maps:
San Luis Unit
Blue Goose Unit
Frietas Unit
West Bear Creek Unit
East Bear Creek Unit
Kesterson Unit
Merced Unit
Lonetree Unit
General Information:
Goose, duck, coot, and moorhen hunting is permitted on
designated areas of the Refuge Complex subject to the following conditions or
as may otherwise be posted. In addition, pheasant and snipe hunting
is allowed on designated portions of the San Luis NWR.
- Hunters may possess not more than 25 federally approved
nontoxic shotgun shells after leaving parking lot (the Merced NWR is 25 shells per day).
- Vehicles may stop only at designated, assigned parking
areas. The dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between
designated parking areas is prohibited. All permits must be returned to the check-stations immediately upon completion of your
hunt, before using any tour routes or leaving the refuge vicinity.
- Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while in the
field is prohibited.
- Hunters must possess valid hunting licenses, stamps,
and area permits while in the field.
- Access to individual blinds and zones may be limited
to those holding location-specific permits. This includes Kesterson
and Freitas pheasant zones, pond assignments within West Bear Creek, East Bear Creek, Lonetree, the
San Luis River Unit, and within the spaced blind areas of Merced, Blue
Goose, and Kesterson Units. Hunters are restricted to their assigned
blind or zone, except to retrieve downed birds, place decoys, or to
travel between the blind and the assigned hunter parking area.
- Loaded weapons are prohibited outside of assigned blinds
within the spaced blind areas. At all times on the refuge, weapons
must be unloaded (no ammunition in the magazine or chamber) when in
a boat under power, in a vehicle, or on a bicycle.
- Within the free roam area, hunters may use only portable
blinds, temporary blinds constructed of natural materials, or existing
concrete barrel blinds. The construction of permanent blinds is
prohibited. The cutting/breaking of woody vegetation is prohibited.
All portable blinds, decoys, and other personal equipment must be removed
from the refuge each day.
These additional regulations are specific to individual
units:
- For Kesterson blinds 28 - 31 accessed
via a one-way road: No new permits will be issued after start of shoot time. No refills will be issued for these blinds.
- At the North and South Freitas unit, hunting is allowed
7 days per week. On Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays permits
are required and the California Department of Fish and Game check station
regulations and procedures are in effect. The area is closed from
8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Access to the Freitas Unit is via boat only, with a
maximum speed of 5 mph. Inboard water thrust and air-thrust boats
are prohibited (jet skis, air boats, inboard jet boats). State
and Coast Guard boating regulations apply.
- At the South Freitas Unit boat launch parking lot on
Highway 165, vehicles must park in marked stalls, and on Wednesdays,
Saturdays, and Sundays, vehicles must display a parking pass obtained
at the check station.
For additional information, contact:
Jack Sparks, Outdoor Recreation Planner: jack_sparks@fws.gov
Karl Stromayer, San Luis NWR Assistant Refuge Manager: karl_stromayer@fws.gov