NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering fall 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 as well as areas that have been restored to full tidal action.

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.

2014 hunts:

– Saturday, Nov. 22: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 6: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Thursday, Dec. 11: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 20: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Tuesday, Dec. 30: Check-in at 5 a.m.

2015 hunts:

– Saturday, Jan. 3: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Thursday, Jan. 8: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Thursday, Jan. 15: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Saturday, Jan. 24: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.

All hunters must possess a valid California hunting license, federal and state duck stamps and complete the Harvest Information Program validation.

Junior license holders must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older (hunter or non-hunter).

Vehicles may be driven on levees in designated areas to launch boats for waterfowl hunting, or to access approved parking areas. Vehicles are only allowed on the hunt dates specified above.

Hunters must check in with CDFW staff and provide their license, stamps and validation as listed above.

Hunters also will be required to check out upon leaving and allow inspection of any harvested game to evaluate hunter success and collect harvest data.

Improvements have been made to ELER which will affect hunters in the 2014-15 seasons. These include construction of a boat launch, newly graveled roads, improved pond access and blind refurbishment.

Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas. There is a 25-shell limit in the field. A small boat, canoe or other floatation device is highly recommended to access ponds, blinds and navigable sloughs, and for game retrieval.

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

To access ELER from I-880, exit at Alvarado Blvd., continue west on Alvarado Blvd., turn right onto Union City Blvd., left onto Bettencourt Road (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street, then right on Veasy Street. Enter at the yellow gate to check in.

Formal plans for public access opportunities at ELER in addition to hunting are being developed as part of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project.

Please visit www.southbayrestoration.org for more information.