CWA heritage programs information

Give some examples of what each event includes?
1. Beginning Hunter Camps include hunter education, shooting and conservation activities along with lodging, supplies and meals. Some of them even include a hunt at the end of the camp. They range from $150 to $250 depending on camp activities and location. See matrix below for more details.
2. Skills camps and clinics are designed to help you enhance your hunting skills and work with hunting experts to become a better hunter. Check out the Youth Hunter Skills camp or Duck camp for exciting hunting skills activities, these camps are designed for those with a hunter safety certificate that want to further develop hunting skills and confidence. Clinics are similarly designed, day-long opportunities to develop skills and network with fellow hunters.
3. Family Fun shoots include pellet gun, archery and shotgun instruction. There is also some fun, challenging sporting clays options for more experienced shooters.
4. Field days, Outdoor Adventure days and Expo events include a smorgasbord of activities for all ages along with raffles, auctions, great food and social activities.
5. The Hunt program includes statewide opportunities to hunt waterfowl, dove, pheasant and turkey for all ages and interest levels.

Do I need to have a hunting license or hunter education certificate to attend?
Beginning hunter camps include the hunter education course to get your certificate. Many of our family events have fun activities for beginners and those with no experience shooting or hunting. Events like Family Fun shoots, Wood duck field day, Suisun field day and Duck banding are good choices.What is the goal of California Waterfowl Hunter Camps?

The goal is to prepare youths for a lifetime of outdoor experiences in a unique and exciting way. We do this by using great locations and experts in the field – staff and volunteers who enthusiastically share outdoor skills with the kids.

I want to get started waterfowl hunting, what do you suggest?
1. Once you have a hunter education certificate, events like Family Fun shoots, Duck and Goose Calling clinic, DFG Waterfowl Hunting clinics are great ways to gain skills and learn about opportunities in California for waterfowl hunting.
2. Using an experienced guide can be a great way to get started waterfowl hunting. The Youth hunts have guided opportunities each week throughout the waterfowl season. The Hunt program also includes many guided hunting opportunities.

What if I don’t have equipment?
All events can provide the equipment needed including guns, waders, jackets and everything needed for that event. Speak with the event coordinator to make sure we have all the appropriate gear for you.

I would like to attend events with my son or daughter, do you have any opportunities?
The Beginning hunter camps include Camp Moms and Camp Dads that help as chaperones. Camp Moms and Dads can take the hunter education course with the campers and go along with kids in activities like shooting and duck banding. There is no charge for Camp Mom/Dads but we do fingerprint all overnight chaperones.
We also have camps for Parents and kids to hunt together (Family Hunter Camp) and another for lady hunters and kids to attend together (Montna Farms).

Speaking of ladies, what programs are specifically targeted for women?
We have Beginning Hunter camps, Women’s Hunter Skills Camp plus lots more designed for just women. See our Women's Outdoor Connections events page for more information. Becoming an Outdoorswoman also has many exciting opportunities around the state for lady hunters and outdoorswoman.

Beginning Hunter Camp Matrix
These are activities campers will be involved in at camp. 2.5 day camps start at 6:00 pm on Friday and end at 3:30 pm on Sunday. 2 day camps start at 8:00 am on Saturday and end at 3:30 pm on Sunday. View the campers handbook on the camp downloads page for driving directions and additional details.

Disclaimer:  Weather and other factors beyond our control may cause us to delete items like fishing and duck banding.  CWA reserves the right to delete these items without prior notice to attendees.

What age is appropriate for these hunter camps?

The camps are designed for youth ages 10-16, please call George Oberstadt at (916) 275-0961 if your child is not within that age range on the camp date.

What safety precautions will be in place?

The camps will have shooting ranges in place with specific range safety rules defined. The kids will shoot in small groups (max 5-6) with adult safety volunteers controlling all safety aspects. Male and Female overnight chaperones are also fingerprinted.

Will my child earn a CA DFG Hunter Education certificate?

Except for the advanced camp, all overnight camps teach the certified Hunter Education course, and campers take the certification test at camp. The campers are to review chapters 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the Hunter Education manual prior to camp. We will work quickly through the Hunter Education material so we can spend as much time as possible on shooting, archery, duck calling, and all of the many great activities that are part of the program.

What's special about the Bird Haven camp?

The Bird Haven camp is deisgned to recruit new, young hunters into waterfowling. Youth with hunter safety certificates are excluded from registering. The camp includes a guided waterfowl hunt on Sunday at this premier location. An adult chaperone is required to go on the Sunday morning hunt to provide encouragement and take pictures.

What do you recommend for family events?
The Suisun March Field day, Family Fun shoots and Waterfowl Expo and Skills Challenge has something for every member of the family and are very reasonably priced.

I cannot find anything in my area or information on what I am looking for?
Call Hunting Heritage coordinators George Oberstadt at 916-275-0961 or Jeff Smith at 530-305-9234 if you have any further quesitons.