WATERFOWL FAQs (2023)
When and where will the registration forms be available?
Registration will be available on the Parks and Recreation website at: www.stancountyparks.com/duckblind on Sunday, June 25, 2023 through Sunday, July 23, 2023.
How much is the registration fee?
The registration fee will remain the same as prior years: $45 per person, per reservoir.
Where do I find my hunting license number?
It’s the eleven digit number that starts with the letter “D” and it’s located below the barcode on your license.
DO NOT use the “GO ID” number
DO NOT include dashes
How do we pay the $45 registration fee?
Payments must be made during the registration process. Add to Cart, Create an Account, and select 1 person at a time. Multiple people can be added to account, and paid together at checkout. Each person should be present to sign agreement for regulations.
You may also register and pay in person using our kiosk at:
Stanislaus County Parks and Recreation
3800 Cornucopia Way, Ste D
Modesto, CA 95358
If you are registering additional hunters make sure to have the following information:
Hunter’s Name
Hunter’s E-mail Address
Hunter’s Date of Birth
Hunter’s Hunting License Number (i.e. D-0000000000-1)
Visit our office at the address above, during business hours (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) to use our kiosk for account creation.
***We cannot take credit card payments over the phone at this time***
***No cash payments, all payments must be made through the registration site***
How do I know payment for my registration has been received?
You will receive an e-mail confirmation/receipt for your payment.
Can I pay with a check?
No, payment can only be made by card as the entire process is online.
Will I need to complete a separate form for each reservoir?
Yes, registration for each reservoir is a separate item. This is needed in order for the system to separate each registration form by reservoir and allow us to draw for each reservoir independently.
How will the Waterfowl Coordinator know who the hunters/registrants are that I am paying for?
Each hunter is responsible for ensuring they are registered for the draw. Multiple names can be linked to a single account in the system, and terms of the draw will need to be agreed to for each applicant.
What if I forget to pay after completing my registration form?
Payments must be received at the time of registration. If payment is not submitted at that time, the item will eventually be removed from your shopping cart and you will not receive a confirmation e-mail.
How will the selection of registrants work?
Applicants will be randomly assigned a number. Once assigned, Applicants will be organized from lowest to highest. The lowest numbers assigned will be designated the winners for each respective reservoir draw. This is done by an independent staff member in our Department who has no personal interest in the draw nor does this person know or is familiar with anyone participating in the draw.
How many will be chosen for Modesto Reservoir? How many for Woodward Reservoir?
23 for Modesto (20 spots and 3 alternates) and 19 for Woodward (16 spots and 3 alternates).
Will there be a list published of all the winners in order of reservoir choice and will they be listed by name or hunting license number?
Yes, the list of the top 23 names for Modesto Reservoir and the top 19 names for Woodward Reservoir will be published on our website: stancountyparks.com/waterfowl on July 28, 2023 at 5:00pm.
All Applicants will also receive an e-mail indicating whether or not they were selected.
Will two people still be allowed at the time of pinning?
Yes, in the order of their draw pick.
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What does "Last Day to Select Remaining Blind Sites" mean on the 2023 Waterfowl Calendar as listed for August 11th?
The registrants that were drawn in the top 20 + 3 alternates for Modesto Reservoir and the top 16 + 3 alternates for Woodward Reservoir must attend the pinning on August 5th at 9:00 a.m. at Woodward Reservoir and 1:00 p.m. at Modesto Reservoir. If additional sites remain after all the pinning is completed on August 5th, those sites will be available for the first-come, first-serve registrants by appointment.August 11th is the last day to pin for the first-come, first-serve requests.
So if all the pinning (up to the limited number of blinds allowed) is not accomplished on August 6th, will we have the opportunity to pin a site (by appointment) until August 11th?
Yes
How will the first-come, first-serve work?
First-come, first-serve is only for the blind locations that the first 23 (Modesto Reservoir) and 19 (Woodward Reservoir) do not want. Normally there is not a lot of interest in these spots. After the pinning on Saturday, photos of the pinned maps for each reservoir will be posted on the Stanislaus County Parks & Recreation Facebook page: facebook.com/stancountyparks.
Registrants who want to request one of the blind locations that are left over, will call the reservoirs' entrance stations and leave a message to let staff know they want to select a blind location. Remaining blinds will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Modesto Reservoir Blind Selection Procedure:
Modesto Reservoir staff will be available Monday, August 7th through Friday, August 11th from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to assist anyone interested in selection of any remaining Modesto Reservoir blinds.
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Woodward Reservoir Blind Selection Procedure:
Woodward Reservoir staff will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, August 7th through Friday, August 11th to assist anyone interested in selection of any remaining Woodward Reservoir blinds.
You must bring your photo ID to verify you are over 18 years of age. You also must bring your current valid hunting license and card, cash, or check for payment of fees.
Where at the reservoirs will the pinning take place exactly on August 5th?
Woodward Reservoir: Woodward Office at 9:00 a.m.
Modesto Reservoir: Marina Area in the Old Sheriff’s Office at 1:00 p.m.
(Parks staff reserves the right to move the location in extenuating circumstances.)
What is the cost I would have to pay up front if I win the draw?
A non-refundable waterfowl blind permit fee of $400 will be charged. This fee allows the permittee unlimited entry and launch pass privileges for one vehicle and one boat during the season. (Pursuant to Stanislaus County Code Section 18.12.050)
A refundable Blind Removal deposit fee of $300 will be charged. The deposit shall be refunded to the applicant upon proper removal of the blind. (Pursuant to Stanislaus County Code Section 18.12.050)