2009/2010 Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities for Eden Landing Ecological Reserve

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The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today announced waterfowl hunting opportunities at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve in Hayward. The reserve is composed of former industrial salt ponds now managed by DFG as low-salinity waterbird habitat. Access to ELER for waterfowl hunting will be open only on the dates listed below.

Access for 100 hunters will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis for each one-day hunt. Apprentice hunters must possess a California junior hunting license and must be accompanied by an adult (hunter or non-hunter). Vehicles may be driven on designated levees to reach various locations or to launch boats for waterfowl hunting and are only allowed on the hunt dates. To attend, hunters need to arrive at the reserve and check in with DFG staff. Hunters will also be required to check out and allow game to be inspected for use in evaluating hunter success and harvest data. Hunters will receive additional information, including maps, when checking in for a hunt. Some changes have been made for the 2009-2010 season, including additional closed areas and a 25-shell limit in the field. DFG has continued to make improvements, including graveled road access and blinds as well as a small boat launch on Old Alameda Creek.

A small boat or canoe is recommended to access ponds and blinds, as well as navigable sloughs, and a dog for retrieval is also recommended.

Directions: From Highway 92, take Hesperian Blvd. south, which becomes Union City Blvd., then turn right on Bettencourt Rd. (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Rd., right on Horner St., then right on Veasy St. and enter at the yellow gate. From I-880, exit at Alvarado Blvd., turn left, back under I-880, turn right onto Union City Blvd., left onto Bettencourt Rd. (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Rd., right on Horner St., then right on Veasy St. and enter at the yellow gate.

2009 hunt dates:

• Saturday, Nov. 28: Check-in at 5 a.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 5: Check-in at 5 a.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 15: Check-in at 5 a.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 19: Check-in at 5 a.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 29: Check-in at 5 a.m.

2010 hunt dates:

• Saturday, Jan. 2: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 7: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 12: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 23: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.

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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