Sacramento Ca

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering waterfowl hunting opportunities at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward. The reserve includes former salt ponds now managed by CDFW as low-salinity waterfowl habitat and areas restored to full tidal action. For the 2015-2016 hunting season, hunters will be also able to enjoy recent improvements at ELER, including a new boat launch into Mt. Eden Creek that allows access into tidal areas on specified hunt days.

Access to ELER for waterfowl hunting will be open for 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis for each hunt only on the dates listed below. There is no fee for these hunts.

2015 hunts (check-in at 5 a.m. on each of the following dates):
• Saturday, Nov. 21
• Tuesday, Dec. 1
• Saturday, Dec. 5
• Thursday, Dec. 10
• Tuesday, Dec. 15
• Saturday, Dec. 19

2016 hunts (check-in at 5:30 a.m. on each of the following dates):
• Saturday, Jan. 2
• Thursday, Jan. 7
• Thursday, Jan. 14
• Saturday, Jan. 23

All hunters must check in with CDFW staff on the morning of the hunt with a valid California Hunting License, federal duck stamp and state duck and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validations. Hunters will also be required to check out upon leaving and allow inspection of game to evaluate hunter success and collect harvest data.

Junior hunters must be accompanied by an adult hunter or non-hunter 18 years or older. Vehicles are only allowed on the hunt dates specified above; drivers must stay on designated levees and use approved parking areas. Hunting in this area can be dangerous and everyone should be aware of the hazards, including swift moving water, tidal fluctuations and close proximity to other hunters.

There is a 25-shell limit in the field, and hunters must use nonlead ammunition. (As of July 1, 2015, nonlead ammunition is required when hunting on all state wildlife areas and ecological reserves. For more information, please see the CDFW nonlead ammunition page.)

A small boat, canoe or other flotation device is highly recommended to access ponds and blinds, navigable sloughs and for game retrieval. Boaters are advised to consult local tide charts before launching and should be aware that extensive mud flats may be exposed and even shallow draft vessels can be subject to hidden underwater hazards during low tides.

A hunting dog is also recommended for retrieval of birds. Hunters will receive additional information, including area rules and regulations and maps, upon check-in.

To access ELER from I-880, exit at Alvarado Boulevard and continue west. Turn right onto Union City Boulevard, left onto Bettencourt Road (at the sign for the Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street, then right on Veasy Street. Please enter at the yellow gate to check in. Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas.

Formal plans for public access opportunities at the reserve in addition to hunting are being developed as part of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (www.southbayrestoration.org).

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