The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is pleased to continue to provide waterfowl hunting opportunities at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward. ELER is composed of former industrial salt ponds now managed by DFG as low-salinity waterbird habitat. Drive-on, boat-in and walk-on access to ELER for waterfowl hunting will be open only on the specified dates listed below. A boat and/or a dog for retrieval are strongly recommended for successful hunting due to site conditions.

Access for hunting will occur on three weekends and six weekdays. One hundred hunters will be allowed on a first-come, first-served basis for each of these one-day hunts. Junior hunters must possess a valid California junior hunting license and be accompanied by either a licensed adult hunter or a non-hunting adult. Vehicle access for the purpose of launching boats for waterfowl hunting will only be allowed on the hunt dates. To attend one of these hunts, hunters need to arrive at ELER and check in with DFG staff. Hunters will also be required to check out and allow game to be inspected for use in evaluating hunter success and harvest data. Hunters will receive additional information, including maps, when checking in prior to the hunt. Improvements made in 2008 include additional graveled road access and a small boat launch on Old Alameda Creek.

A site maintenance day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Boats are needed to access blinds in the ponds. Please bring a boat, canoe, tools, nuts, bolts, washers, lumber, etc. Truck-loads of gravel to improve access roads would also be appreciated.

Directions: From Highway 92 take Hesperian Blvd. south, which becomes Union City Blvd., then turn right on Bettencourt Rd. (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Rd., right on Horner St. and then right on Veasy St. and proceed to the yellow gate. From I-880, exit at Alvarado Blvd., turn left, back under I-880, turn right onto Union City Blvd., left onto Bettencourt Rd. (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Rd., right on Horner St. and then right on Veasy St. and proceed to the yellow gate.

2008 hunt dates:
Tuesday, Nov.4. Check-in at 5:00 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 15. Check-in at 5:00 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 20. Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec.4. Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6. Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16. Check-in at 5:30 a.m.

2009 hunt dates:
Tuesday, Jan. 6. Check-in at 6:00 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10. Check-in at 6:00 a.m.
Thursday, Jan.15. Check-in at 6:00 a.m.

Formal plans for public access opportunities at ELER in addition to hunting are being developed as part of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (www.southbayrestoration.org).