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.
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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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | ✓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 | !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 | !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 | !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 | !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 | !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 | !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 | !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 | !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 | ✕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… |
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.
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 September 29, 2026.