A brief update on the status of Kern National Wildlife Refuge. More refuge updates coming soon!

Water
The water allocation for the refuge was cut for the 2020-21 water year so that will affect the habitat and hunt program.
Only 17,000 acre-feet, which is 5,000 less than received last year and 8,000 acre-feet less than a full allocation, is scheduled to be delivered.
This will give the refuge the ability to flood about 3,500-4,000 acres when fully flooded in December.

Opening Day
For the opener on Oct. 24, they are planning on about 35-45 hunters and the quota will continue to increase as more habitat is flooded.
No changes to the hunt program for the upcoming season all the changes made last year were well received, so they will continue to be implemented this season.

Do not forget about the new Veteran hunt (Feb. 13) after the Junior hunt (Feb. 6).

Covid
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is working on Covid guidance for the hunter check station to operate safely during the hunt season. That information will be released on their website when approved.