BY JIM NIEMIEC
WASCO – The Kern National Wildlife Area shot well this past week upon the arrival of new flocks for diving ducks, as ring-necks and bufflehead ducks to go along with plenty of shovelers. Tule fog in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley made for some difficult hunting conditions. Wister shot a little better this past Saturday, as did San Jacinto, with the first significant harvest of sprig reported for Wister. Overall duck hunting in Imperial Valley was still very slow.
Basically, duck hunting is sluggish in this flyway. Western Outdoor News checked in with Scott Sewell, Wildlife Habitat Supervisor II for Southern California refuges.
“I would hope it’s just a late migration for birds coming south from the Pacific northwest. As of yet, Canada hasn’t frozen up, it is still warm in the Pacific northwest, and there has been little pressure to get ducks moving. This is by far the latest migration that I have ever witnessed,” said Sewell.
The arrival more white geese in Imperial Valley offered up more opportunities to harvest a snow or Ross’s goose. There should have been more white geese than arrived last week, but that should change this coming week.
There are very few Canada geese in Cibola, AZ. The river is very low and ponds on the Island Unit are drying up. The reason for low water is due to the lowering of dams, as a result of all the heavy rain over a week ago. It is expected that the lower Colorado River will be raised next week.
Wister Wildlife Refuge – The Saturday hunt produced a total of only 159 ducks for the 138 hunters out in blinds for a 1.15 bird per gun average. Finally, a few more pintail have showed and accounted for 35 ducks in the comp count. Shovelers and two species of teal finished off the comp count. For more information on hunting Wister Unit call the DFW on site office at (760) 359-0577.
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge – Hunting slow with just a few snow geese shot. For more information on hunting this national refuge, which is managed by the Wister staff, call (760) 359-0577.
Finney-Ramer Unit – No report filed. Finney-Ramer is part of the Imperial Wildlife Area, located on the south end of the Salton Sea, is open to hunters 7 days a week under a self-registration and self-reporting system. For more details on this refuge, also managed by the Wister Unit call (760) 359-0577.
San Jacinto Wildlife Area – Northern shovelers and teal accounted for the best shooting at this refuge that saw a total of 149 shooters bag 174 ducks and no geese. Shoot days are Wednesday and Saturday and draw time is 3 A.M. For additional information call the wildlife office at (951) 928-0580.
Lake Perris – According to John Rowe, duck hunting at this lake has been canceled for this season due to low applications. Hunting in the future will be reconsidered for next season. For additional information contact lakeperrishunting.com.
Prado Basin – The basin flooded up after last week’s heavy rains making access to ponded blinds difficult, but water level is dropping. A few new flocks of shovelers, widgeon and big divers showed up, and the average per gun was near 3 ducks.
Lake Henshaw (My Country Club) – No report for this past week. Will start hunting the first week of December. Waterfowl hunting reservations are a must. For additional information call (760) 782-3501.
San Diego City Reservoirs – Mix of big diving and lots of ruddy ducks were bagged this past week. Some widgeon and a few mallards harvested. Hunters averaged 3 ducks a gun.
Kern National Wildlife Refuge – This refuge harvested 364 ducks for the Wed. shoot that resulted in a 3.4 bird average. Hunting slowed on Saturday with only a 2.1 bird average. Shovelers and teal topped the comp count list. For additional information on hunting Kern call (661)725-2767 or for the hunter information hotline call (661) 725-6504, which is updated after each shoot day. A web site is also available to access hunt results and other information about this popular southern San Joaquin Valley hunting refuge.
Cibola/Lower Colorado River – The Cibola National Wildlife Area started hunting the Farm Fields on Saturday, but there were no reports from the refuge. Very few Canada geese showing up. Good numbers of ducks and 2,000 white geese in the valley. For waterfowl hunting information contact the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge at (928) 857-3253 for shoot days and draw information on the Farm Fields and open hunting on the Island Unit. The Palo Verde Wildlife Reserve, located north of Blythe on the California side of the Colorado River, is open for dove and duck hunting.
