Opening day for waterfowl hunting in the "Balance of the State Zone" will legally be Oct. 22. However, hunting on Type-A State and Federal hunting areas in the Sacramento Valley has been postponed until Oct. 29, to allow farmers to complete the delayed rice harvest. This year's rice harvest is unusually late because wet weather delayed the spring planting and a mild summer slowed maturation.

Areas affected will include Yolo Bypass WA, Gray Lodge WA, Little Dry Creek WA, Llano Seco WA, Howard Slough WA, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Delevan NWR, Sutter NWR, and Colusa NWR. This is only the third delayed opener in the last 26 years, the most recent being the 2006-07 season.

Longtime local waterfowler Harry Boyle observed, "Those who do have water won't be bothered by the delayed opener, but there won't be a lot of rice ready. It will all work out, that's just the way it goes. The local hatch report is just fantastic, and the forecast is for a wet winter, which bodes very well for ducks.

"Fortunate hunters with open fields will have to be careful with the water levels. Hunters should never touch the farmer's boards. Too much water can put pressure on the levees, and any hunter-caused failures could mean the farmer will not allow hunters future access." Boyle added, "I predict a great season. It is unfortunate that some folks won't be able to get out right off, but we are blessed with a 100-day season and a liberal limit so there will be plenty of opportunities. Just stop and smell the roses."