Hunting can be an exciting hobby and way to connect with nature, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. Birds Landing, located in Solano County, California, offers public hunting opportunities for waterfowl and upland game. For hunters looking to visit Birds Landing, a primary question is “How much will it cost me?”
In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the various costs associated with hunting at Birds Landing. This includes license and permit fees set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, daily entry fees to access the hunting area, equipment and gear expenses, shotgun shells and rounds, hunting dog-related costs for those who use them, and travel expenses like fuel and lodging if required.
We’ll break down approximate costs for both residents and non-residents of California. We’ll also provide tips for how to potentially reduce costs and save money on your Birds Landing hunting trip. Whether you’re an experienced hunter or someone new to the sport considering checking out this location, this guide will give you a realistic idea of what to budget for a hunt here.
License and Permit Costs
The first major expense for hunting at Birds Landing is purchasing your proper licenses and permits. These are mandatory for all hunters in California, resident or not, before you can legally hunt game.
Here are the license and permit costs that would apply for hunting at Birds Landing:
Hunting License
This is the base hunting license required. The fees are:
– Resident: $49.56
– Non-resident: $146.75
This license covers small game hunting of species like rabbits, squirrels, and quail. To hunt waterfowl and deer at Birds Landing, you’ll also need the additional permits below.
Upland Game Bird Validation
Required for hunting quail at Birds Landing. The fees are:
– Resident: $25.10
– Non-resident: $86.75
California Duck Validation
Required for hunting ducks, geese, coots, moorhens, and snipe. The fees are:
– Resident: $25.10
– Non-resident: $86.75
Habitat Conservation and Enhancement Validation
This validation helps fund wetland habitat conservation and is required to hunt waterfowl in California. The fees are:
– Resident: $14.51
– Non-resident: $51.02
Deer Tag
Required for hunting deer at Birds Landing. The fees are:
– Resident: $29.26
– Non-resident: $248.16
In total, resident hunters can expect to pay $143.53 in license and validation fees to hunt small game birds, waterfowl, and deer at Birds Landing. For non-residents, the total fees come out to $619.43.
These licenses and validations are valid for the entire 2023 hunting season. They can be easily purchased online through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Birds Landing Access Fees
In addition to your hunting licenses, you’ll need to pay a daily entry fee to access the hunting grounds at Birds Landing.
Here are the current 2023 entry fees:
– Adult Daily Permit: $18
– Junior Daily Permit (under 16): $10
– 2-Day Permit: $30
– Reservation fee (opening weekend): $12
So for a standard 1-day hunt for one adult, you can plan on paying $18 plus your licensing fees. Opening weekend with a reservation will run $30 plus licenses.
You can purchase your daily permits on-site at the check stations when you arrive. Cash and major credit cards are accepted.
These access fees help fund operation, maintenance, and conservation efforts at Birds Landing.
Hunting Equipment Costs
The next major expense will be any hunting gear and equipment you need for your outing. This includes:
Shotgun
– New shotgun: $500 to $2,000+
– Used shotgun: $200 to $800
You’ll need some type of 12 or 20 gauge shotgun for bird hunting at Birds Landing. Expect to spend around $500+ for a new basic pump-action or semi-auto shotgun. Used shotguns offer significant savings.
Hunting Clothing
– Hunting jacket: $100 to $200
– Hunting pants: $50 to $150
– Hunting boots: $120 to $300
– Camo/blaze orange accessories: $50 to $100
Suitable hunting clothing for cold/wet conditions could set you back $500 or more for a whole set. Look for off-season sales on hunting apparel to save.
Decoys
– Duck decoys: $150 for 12-pack
– Goose decoys: $80 to $100 each
Decoys can improve your chances drawing in birds. Expect to pay $150+ for a dozen basic plastic duck decoys. Goose decoys are sold individually at around $80 to $100 each.
Blinds
– Ground blind: $100 to $300
– Boat blind: $300 to $600
– Materials to build blind: $50 to $150
A pre-made ground or boat blind offers convenience but costs more. You can also DIY build a blind from camo netting and poles for around $100.
Calls
– Duck call: $50 to $150
– Goose call: $30 to $100
Game calls for ducks and geese can improve your odds but are not strictly necessary. Polycarbonate calls cost $50 to $150 while basic acrylic calls can be had for under $50.
Shells
– 25 shotgun shells: $15 to $30
Shells are your ammunition for each hunt. With bulk discounts, budget around $15 to $30 for a box of 25 shells. You’ll likely need several boxes per day of hunting.
The total cost for gear can vary widely based on your existing equipment and needs. But expect to budget $500 to $1,000+ for your initial shotgun setup and hunting garb. You can spend much more for high-end gear or save with used bargains.
Other Hunting Expenses
Some additional variable costs include:
Hunting Dog
– Dog purchase: $500 – $2000
– Vet bills: $300 per year
– Food: $200 per year
A well-trained hunting dog can improve your success but adds to costs. The initial dog can cost $500 to thousands from a breeder, plus ongoing expenses for veterinary visits, food, and more.
Taxidermy
– Basic duck/goose mount: $300-$500
– Deer shoulder mount: $700-$1,200
To preserve that trophy game animal, taxidermy mounting costs $300+ for birds and $700+ for big game like deer.
Processing
– Deer processing: $100-$200
You’ll need to pay a butcher to process the deer into cuts of meat. Expect to pay $100 to $200 for basic processing.
Travel
– Fuel: Varies
– Lodging: $100 per night
– Meals: $30 per day
Factor in travel expenses like gas, lodging, and food if Birds Landing is located far from your home. These can add up quickly.
Cost Saving Tips
Here are some tips to help cut down on hunting costs:
– Buy used equipment and gear when possible. Shop classified ads or sites like Craigslist.
– Split costs with other hunters in your group. Share blinds, decoys, dog expenses, fuel, etc.
– Join a hunting club. This can lower ammo prices, access fees, land leasing costs, etc.
– Buy licenses and permits early. Fees may increase closer to seasons.
– Take a hunter education course online to save on class fees.
– Process your own game meat to avoid butcher fees.
– Stay in budget motels or camp if traveling. Avoid luxury accommodations.
– Look for off-season sales on hunting clothing and supplies.
– Use wildlife management area lands like Birds Landing that offer affordable public access.
Total Estimated Hunting Costs at Birds Landing
Given the major costs covered above, here are some estimated all-in budgets for hunting at Birds Landing:
Resident Total Costs
– Small game hunting: $175 to $375
– Waterfowl hunting: $400 to $700
– Deer hunting: $800 to $1,100
Non-resident Total Costs
– Small game hunting: $700 to $1,000
– Waterfowl hunting: $900 to $1,200
– Deer hunting: $1,400 to $1,700
These estimates include low and high ends for licenses, daily fees, gear, dog expenses, shipping, and travel. Actual costs can vary based on your specific hunting setup.
As you can see, resident hunters can hunt at Birds Landing for a full season for under $1,000 in total expenses. For out-of-state hunters, costs for a 1 to 2 day trip will likely total $1,000 to $1,500 including travel. With strategic budgeting, it’s possible to reduce these estimates.
Conclusion
Hunting at the Birds Landing wildlife area offers an affordable and accessible option for California waterfowl and upland game hunters. Total per season costs typically range from around $400 to $1,700 depending on your residency status, hunting needs, and other factors.
The two primary costs are state hunting licenses and daily access fees, followed by essential hunting gear and equipment if you don’t already own it. There are also ways to potentially lower your overall budget through used gear purchases, trip sharing, and more.
While not a free activity, with some planning Birds Landing provides the chance to enjoy a quality guided hunting experience in beautiful wetlands habitat. Following this cost overview and budgeting accordingly can help you embark on a rewarding and reasonably priced hunt.
