Special Permits for Deer and Pig Hunting Required in Western Merced County
May 12, 2011
Media Contacts
Loni Hext, Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Kyle Orr, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8958
Applications are now being accepted for a limited number of deer and pig hunt permits valid for western Merced County. The number of deer hunters will be limited on properties managed by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) in the area on opening weekend of the Zone A deer season. The affected areas are the Upper Cottonwood Creek, Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife areas. Only 55 permits will be issued for each day.
Reservations are required for Aug.13-14, the first two days of the general Zone A deer season. Reservations will be selected via a computerized drawing. Persons applying to hunt opening weekend at these areas will be allowed to apply for a one-day hunt on one area only. Successful applicants will receive special permits in the mail stating what area and which day the hunter may hunt.
The area will be closed to all persons not holding the special permit except that each permit holder may be accompanied by one observer. The observer may not possess a weapon.
This year the 2011 Zone A Deer/Pig Application Form is required to apply for these hunts. The primary hunter (party leader) will provide their name, mailing address, phone numbers, 2011-12 hunting license number or “Get Outdoors” identification number (GO ID), and which area and hunt day they prefer. Applicants may not apply for both days or for multiple areas. Junior license holders must apply with an adult hunter. Up to three persons may apply as one party by including all the required information on the 2011 Zone A Deer/Pig Application Form. Only official applications will be accepted. An individual’s name may appear in the drawing only once and multiple applications received will be rejected.
The application form can be submitted online to LHEXT@dfg.ca.gov or mailed to toDFG’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635. Application forms must be received before4:30 p.m. on July 5. The drawing will be held July 6 at11 a.m. at the Los Banos office and is open to the public. Only successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the lottery.
The 2011 Zone A Deer/Pig Application Form may be obtained by calling DFG’s Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8 a.m.and 4:30 p.m. and is also available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region4/cottonwoodcreek.html .
A valid 2011-2012 hunting license is required of all persons applying for the drawing. Individuals who want to hunt deer are required to possess a valid Zone A deer tag. Those who are drawn and also want to hunt wild pig are required to have a valid wild pig tag. Those wishing to hunt both deer and wild pig are required to have both tags. Pig hunters will be restricted to one wild pig during the hunt period.
