Waterfowl Reservation Drawing Information

New for 2011

Beginning in 2011, DFG plans to implement a new reservation application system. After the new system is implemented, you will be able to submit reservation drawing applications at license agents, DFG license sales offices or online through the new Automated License Data System (ALDS). The new application system is much more convenient for hunters and does not require any paper applications. Mail-in applications are no long used and cannot be accepted.

Season-Long Reservation Application – Available in September

The season-long reservation application can be submitted at license agents, DFG license sales offices or online.  The season-long application may be used to apply for every available Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday shoot date.

Examples:

For every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday at Little Dry Creek.

-- OR --

Every Saturday at Little Dry Creek, Sacramento, Delevan, Sutter and Colusa.

Multiple-Choice Reservation Application – Available in September

Replacing the one- and five-choice reservation applications is a new multiple-choice application that can also be submitted at license agents, DFG license sales offices or online.

The electronically submitted, multiple-choice application will allow a hunter to select hunt areas and choose any combination of hunt dates from a calendar of hunts. 

Fee

$1.34 per hunt choice.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is 17 days before each hunt date.

Duplicate Hunt Choices

You may submit one application for each hunt. You may submit as many hunt choices as you like as long as you do not submit more than one hunt choice for the same area on the same day. Duplicate hunt choices will be disqualified.

How do the drawings work?

First drawing application data is sorted first according to waterfowl hunting area and shoot date, then drawings are conducted:

The computer checks for persons submitting more than one application for the same area and shoot date and rejects those applications. The computer assigns a random number to each hunt choice. For example, a person applying for several areas for the same shoot date receives a different random number for each area. The random numbers will determine the order in which reservations are awarded. To conduct the drawings, the computer assigns reservations for each area in random number order (the person with the lowest random number for Gray Lodge gets Gray Lodge reservation #1; the next lowest random number gets reservation #2, etc., until the quota fills. Using computer drawing data, DFG staff print and mail postcard reservations to successful applicants.

Reservations include the hunter's GO ID, name and address, and the area and shoot date for which the reservation is valid. Numbered reservations (#1, #2, etc.) show the order drawn and may determine the order of admission to the area.

If drawn, you must present your reservation for admission to the area. (Lost reservations: Lists of reservation holders are provided to waterfowl hunting areas. If you lose your reservation postcard, area personnel may verify your reservation on the list, but you should plan to arrive early and be prepared to show your hunting license and driver's license for verification purposes.)

DFG recommends keeping a record of requested areas and shoot dates to avoid duplication and rejection from the drawing.

Questions? Comments? Email Glenn Underwood at DFG's License and Revenue Branch.