The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will provide hunting opportunities on the Chimineas Unit of the Carrizo Plain Ecological Reserve in 2006-07, including additional opportunities for mobility-impaired hunters. During the appropriate seasons, walk-on hunting for dove, rabbits, quail, and wild pigs will be limited to Wednesdays and Saturdays during the first half of September and throughout the months of December, January and February.??

All access will be closed October and November during the elk hunting seasons, and the Chimineas Unit will be closed to hunting between March and September. Walk-on access is only available from Highway 166. The northern half of the Chimineas Unit will not be open for walk-on hunting. Free access permits will be available at the feed lot parking lot and at the Caliente Peak trailhead.????

Vehicle access for hunting will occur on three weekends. Twenty-five permits will be drawn for each of these two-day hunts and each permit is good for two hunters. To apply for one of these hunts, applicants need to submit a self-addressed envelope and a letter or card with the hunter's name, address, telephone number, and hunting license number to:

???? California Department of Fish and Game?Į20 Lower Ragsdale Road, Suite 100?ĮMonterey, CA?? 93940

DFG will also offer five additional permits for each hunt to mobility-impaired hunters to allow them to gain access to the property. The application process is the same as for the regular drawing above. Applicants should add the words "Special Draw" to the attention line when addressing their envelope to DFG. Successful applicants will need to show either a mobility-impaired disabled persons motor vehicle hunting license or a standard handicap vehicle placard or license plate on the day of the hunt. If more than five applicants apply, there will be a drawing among the mobility-impaired applicants.

Applicants may submit only one application for each hunt and applications need to be received at the address above by 5 p.m. on the due date. Applications received late, incomplete, or ?Įwithout a self-addressed envelope will not be considered in the draw. Successful applicants will receive additional information, including maps and special regulations, prior to the hunt.??

The first drive-on hunt will be Sept. 9 and 10, 2006 for dove, pig and rabbit. Applications must be received by Aug. 10. Include "Attention: September Chimineas Hunt" when addressing an envelope to DFG. This hunt will be held on the northern half of the Chimineas Unit.

The second drive-on hunt will be Dec. 9 and 10, 2006 for dove, quail, pig and rabbit. Applications must be received by Nov. 8. Include "Attention: December Chimineas Hunt" when addressing an envelope to DFG. This hunt will be held on the southern half of the Chimineas Unit.

The last drive-on hunt will be Jan. 6 and 7, 2007 for, quail, pig and rabbit. Applications must be received by Dec. 7. Include "Attention: January Chimineas Hunt" when addressing an envelope to DFG. This hunt will be held on the southern half of the Chimineas Unit.