[UPDATED With Map] Ocean Ranch Within CDFW’s Eel River Wildlife Area Opens To Waterfowl Hunting And Other Public Access Dec. 1
The Ocean Ranch Unit within CDFW’s Eel River Wildlife Area near Loleta. [Photo from CDFW]
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will reopen the Ocean Ranch Unit within the Eel River Wildlife Area to waterfowl hunting and other public access beginning Wednesday, December 1 as the majority of habitat restoration work taking place there winds down for the year.
The area will remain open to waterfowl hunting and other public access through the remainder of the Balance of the State Zone season. Hunters and other users should be aware that small closures within the wildlife area may be implemented due to ongoing light restoration work and future temporary closures may still take place.
“We’re happy to reopen this property to waterfowl hunting in time for the holidays, as the duck season should get good in December and January,” said Shawn Fresz, a senior environmental scientist supervisor for CDFW’s Northern Region.
Located in Humboldt County near the community of Loleta, the Ocean Ranch Unit is undergoing an 850-acre restoration project to benefit native plant, fish and wildlife species and greatly improve public access and enjoyment of the property.
A Type C Wildlife Area, the Ocean Ranch Unit is open to walk-in and boat-in hunting without any reservations, hunting passes or entry permits required beyond a valid hunting license, California Duck Validation and Federal Duck Stamp for adult hunters.
UPDATE with Map of the closures:
oru_duck_hunting
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Another piece of once productive farmland and freshwater waterfowl habitat destroyed by conversion to saltwater habitat, with elevations lower than original due to trampling, erosion and removal of siltation replenishment over the years, under the govt. illusion it will help restore coho runs.
It broke my heart when they tore down the old homestead and that big beautiful barn. They could have made it a histerical monument/ bed& breakfast or something.
One thing that was left out of your lower elevation scenario is the fact that the whole of Loleta bottoms has been sinking a little with every earthquake. Farmers have had to abandon, or sell to the state hundreds of acres that have been inundated with salt water to the extent it will no longer support agriculture.
Brackish and saltwater wetlands can be among the most productive ecosystems anywhere. Arcata Marsh, with its brackish, salt, and freshwater patchwork of wetlands has become a world-renowned sewage treatment, wetland restoration, and birder destination as well as a major link in the Pacific Flyway for migratory and resident waterfowl. Not bad for a bunch of hippies.
Sea levels are rising worldwide, so an alleged raised water table is self-correcting. AND you can hunt waterfowl in season at the Loleta unit, but even THAT is not good enough! Not enough public benefit for you? Anything else wrong? Days are too short? Fog is too gray? Sky is too blue?
The Arcata Marsh is NOT a MAJOR link in the Pacific Flyway. It does support a number of waterbirds, but is not nearly big enough to be considered major. Humboldt Bay as a whole is certainly a player on the Pacific coast however.
Anyone know where Tundra swans hang out at what time of year? Have looked for them to photograph but when I’ve seen them they always look like they’re in private pastures hanging with the cows. Which is not as photogenic anyway as say near reeds or a pond..
Up Near Sacramento Wildlife area
thanks
There’s some kind of big swan that hangs out on the South Bay. Big white birds. Not sure if they’re Tundra or Trumpeter. You can see them on the road to Table Bluff in the marsh during the winter.
Thanks. Have looked off and on there but didn’t see them. Saw a lot of white egrets though.