Antioch Dunes NWR
Contra Costa County, CA · 39 mi N
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR hunt unit map
Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.
Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private)
Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Hunting at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre oasis within the heart of California's high-tech industry that provides habitat for millions of migratory birds and endangered species.
Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow California regulations plus refuge-specific rules.
Hunt units (21)
- Open7,498 ac 27%
- Special regulations2,877 ac 10%
- Closed17,762 ac 63%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 451 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A19 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 300 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| Bair Island Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 1,954 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| Greco Island Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 1,174 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| M1 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 496 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| M2 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 610 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| M3 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 544 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| M4 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 529 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| M5 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 413 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| M6 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 440 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| R1 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 454 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| R2 Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 133 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A2E Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 335 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A3N Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 164 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A3W Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 575 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A5 Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 640 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A7 Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 267 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| A8 Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 597 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| AB1 Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 154 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| AB2 Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 147 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
| Closed Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 17,762 | Required Other |
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge… |
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR by the numbers
With about 10,375 huntable acres, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR ranks #4 of 21 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in California and #187 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 37% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.
The largest huntable unit is Bair Island (1,954 acres), while the smallest, R2, covers 133 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.
1 unit totaling 17,762 acres is closed to hunting (Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.
Besides 24,986 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 46 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.
When to hunt Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. California sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Permits & licenses
Refuge permit
Required
A permit is required to hunt the Alviso Ponds; recommended, but not required, for the other portions of the refuge open to hunting.
Type: Other
How to get it:
- 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
You'll also need
- A valid California hunting license and any required tags or stamps — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
- Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
- Hunter education certification where your state requires it
- The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)
Fishing at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
- 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
Fishing is allowed year-round. The refuge includes two bank fishing locations and one fishing pier. A fishing license is not required of anglers who use Dumbarton Fishing Pier.
State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.
How to get to Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Navigate
Destination: Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
37.48184, -122.04012- DMS
37°28′54.6″N 122°02′24.4″W
Nearest towns
- San Jose, CA13 mi NW of town
- San Francisco, CA29 mi SE of town
- Stockton, CA53 mi SW of town
- Modesto, CA59 mi W of town
Closest airports
- SJC San Jose Mineta10 mi
- SFO San Francisco Intl21 mi
Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.
The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.
Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours
Today at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–
*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Los Angeles local time.
Full season calculator →2026–2027 season sun table
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:07 AM | 6:37 AM | 7:39 PM | 13h 02m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:19 AM | 6:49 AM | 7:17 PM | 12h 29m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:32 AM | 7:02 AM | 6:53 PM | 11h 51m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:44 AM | 7:14 AM | 6:32 PM | 11h 18m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:02 AM | 6:32 AM | 5:11 PM | 10h 39m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:17 AM | 6:47 AM | 4:58 PM | 10h 12m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:33 AM | 7:03 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 47m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 6:45 AM | 7:15 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 36m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 6:52 AM | 7:22 AM | 4:59 PM | 9h 37m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 6:51 AM | 7:21 AM | 5:12 PM | 9h 50m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:42 AM | 7:12 AM | 5:30 PM | 10h 18m |
Computed for 37.482, -122.040 (PDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.
7-day hunting weather
Loading National Weather Service forecast…
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.
Guides for hunting Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work
How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…
Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes
Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…
Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters
Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…
Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go
What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…
Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply
Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.
How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)
What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR FAQ
Is hunting allowed at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR?
Yes. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 20 units (10,375 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.
Do I need a permit to hunt Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR?
Yes — Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.
Can you fish at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR?
Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.
Where is Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR located?
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is in Alameda County, California, about 13 miles NW of San Jose, CA (straight-line). GPS: 37.48184, -122.04012.
What are legal shooting hours at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR?
Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.
Nearby refuges & public land
Ellicott Slough NWR
Santa Cruz County, CA · 40 mi S
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Marin Islands NWR
Marin County, CA · 41 mi NW
✕1 closed
🎣
San Pablo Bay NWR
Sonoma County, CA · 48 mi NW
✓2 open!3 special✕12 closed
🦆🐦🎣
10.4K huntable acres
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Stanislaus County, CA · 48 mi E
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
San Joaquin River NWR
Stanislaus County, CA · 49 mi E
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.