Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Hunts
Hunter information phone number: (530) 898-6977

General Hunt Program Information

The reserve is private property, located just 9 miles East of Chico and owned by the California State University, Chico, Research Foundation. The mission of the reserve is to preserve critical habitat and provide a natural area for environmental research and education. As part of the purchase agreement, the Research Foundation cooperatively developed a program with the California Department of Fish and Game to allow hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing is allowed on the reserve by permit only. This program provides a unique opportunity to gain access to property that would otherwise be closed to the general public.

Hunting opportunities include the following hunts:

Spring Turkey: Shotgun and Archery - closed
Fall Deer: Rifle and Archery - closed
Fall Turkey: Shotgun only - closed

The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve offers hunting opportunities for deer, quail and turkey. Our goal is to provide a high quality hunting experience. In order to maintain this high quality, we limit the number of hunt days and number of hunters on the reserve at any given time. To insure that all interested parties get an equal chance for a hunting date, a random lottery system is used. Applicants can put in for the lottery drawing through the CDA website. Check back in this section regularly for announcements about upcoming hunting opportunities. Please take note of the application deadline dates.

All hunters must have a valid California hunting license, deer tags and/or bird stamps before applying for any hunt on the BCCER. All California Fish and Game Code laws apply. Each hunter will be required to read, sign and return the Hunting Regulations Form and the BCCER Liability Release Form prior to being issued a permit. All persons under 18 years of age must sign the Minor Release Form and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Hunting is restricted to deer, turkey, and quail. Target shooting is strictly prohibited. All hunters will report hunting results by phone within five working days after hunting by calling the Research Foundation at (530) 898-6977 or mailing tags to:

BCCER
CSU Chico Research Foundation
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929-0215

No overnight camping or fires are allowed on the BCCER. All vehicles are required to stay in established parking areas. No ATV’s or mountain bikes. The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve is a research and educational facility. Hunting guests should be extremely careful not to disturb or interfere with marked research areas or equipment. Please be respectful and remove all shell casings, garbage, and toilet paper. You can help us keep this hunting opportunity for generations to follow.

Each person is allowed one application as the primary applicant, per hunt period. Each primary applicant is allowed up to two guests, who may hunt or observe. Hunters who are guests on one application are allowed to apply as the primary applicant on a separate application. Hunters are not allowed to submit multiple applications, as the primary applicant, for the same hunt date. Doing so will result in disqualification from the drawing process. You will be notified if you have been drawn to hunt and unsuccessful applicants will not be notified