Hastings Island Hunting Preserve

HASTINGS ISLAND HUNTING PRESERVE IS EXTENDING

THE 2025/2026 PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON

Weather-wise, this has been one of the most challenging pheasant seasons in the Club’s history. We experienced more than six consecutive weeks of dense fog, with very few clear days and limited sunshine. While fog is not unusual for our area, several local octogenarians remarked that they have never seen such a prolonged stretch of continuous fog.

This unusual weather pattern has impacted both our farming operations and the hunting experience at the Club. Although fog has forced us to completely cancel hunting on only two days so far this season, we have experienced more fog-related delays than ever before.

Our priority is ensuring that every member has a full opportunity to complete their bird card. To that end, we are extending the 2025/2026 pheasant season by two weeks. The season will now conclude on Sunday, March 29th, and the Cleanup Hunt has been rescheduled to Monday, March 30th. We sincerely appreciate our seasonal employees for their willingness to help accommodate this change. We hope this change to the final date of our Pheasant Season does not inconvenience you.

If you are eligible to attend the Cleanup Hunt and have already registered, no further action is required—please simply note the new date of Monday, March 30th. If you are eligible but have not yet made a reservation, we encourage you to contact the Club Office at your earliest convenience to secure your spot.

Late September, October, and early November offered beautiful conditions this year, and historically those early fall months provide some of the finest days afield. As always, we encourage members to take advantage of those ideal conditions when possible.

Extending our Season should not give you a reason to procrastinate!!! While we are pleased to offer this extension, we encourage you not to wait until the final days of the season. As the Pheasant Season draws to a close, field availability often tightens and waiting lists can develop, especially on the weekends.

If you want further hunting opportunities beyond March 30th, remember that we schedule chukar hunts throughout the off-season, from April through September. Please check with the Club Office should a chukar hunt sound like something that would be of interest to you.

We look forward to seeing you soon and hope the extended season provides ample opportunity for a successful and memorable finish to the year.

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As we head toward the end of pheasant season, we’re seeing a lot of folks eager to get out and fill the rest of their card—and we get it. Pheasant hunting is a blast, and there’s nothing better than a fun day outdoors with good dogs, good company, and birds flushing.

This time of year, though, is when complacency can creep in, and that is one of the leading causes of hunting accidents. When people feel rushed or pressured to take a shot, judgment can slip.

Hunting is lots of fun but it is also inherently dangerous, especially when safety is not observed. Please remember: no shot is ever worth taking if it isn’t 100% safe. That includes no pass shooting and no low shots. Always be aware of other hunters and dogs and their proximity to you. Know what’s beyond your target and keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. Please make sure to only use permitted shot sizes and do not use magnum loads.

Let’s finish the season strong—with great hunts, safe practices, and everyone heading home with nothing but good memories and a full ice chest of birds. Hunt smart, hunt safe, and we’ll see you at the Club.

Pheasant Season Club Operating Hours

Club Hours: With the official start of the Pheasant Season, Saturday, September 20, 2025, the Club will be open Wednesday to Sunday, 7:00am to 4:30pm. Field hours are 7:30am to 4:00pm. The Club is closed to all activity on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Coffee Shop: This Season, the coffee shop will serve coffee and pastries in the mornings. Also, for the present, the coffee shop will not be open for a full breakfast or lunch.

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Established for the 1968-1969 hunting season, Hastings Island Hunting Preserve is a State licensed, Zone B, pheasant club located 70 miles east of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of Sacramento. Nestled in California’s Sacramento / San Joaquin Delta on Hastings Island, this private ranch contains an expansive 4,700 acres, with over 800 acres dedicated solely to prime upland bird cover. The balance of this family farming operation is occupied by The Hastings Island Land Company, which provides a rich habitat of Delta irrigated alfalfa, corn, wheat and safflower.

Hastings Island is surrounded by river on all sides, providing you with a variety of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities. There are activities to keep you and your family busy throughout the year. We have dog training, fishing, trapshooting, and picnicking available to our members and their families. During the spring and summer, several local dog clubs host field events.

Hunter Safety Courses, along with introductory orientation sessions are offered to familiarize new members to the Club. We encourage and enjoy family participation which support our Junior hunters, by offering activities and safety classes. Our personable and seasoned staff are dedicated to insuring your success. Please call for an appointment to meet us, tour our operations, and or ask any questions not covered in our Rules and Regulations. .