The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wants to remind waterfowl hunters that its Ocean Ranch Unit in Humboldt County, part of the larger Eel River Wildlife Area, will be closed to all hunting and public access through the end of the year due to heavy construction and habitat work taking place.

Located near the community of Loleta, the Ocean Ranch Unit is in the final stages of an 850-acre restoration project to benefit native plant, fish and wildlife species, and greatly improve public access and enjoyment of the property by establishing a formal trail system, improving parking, building a launch for kayaks and canoes, and installing interpretive signage, among other features.

Current restoration efforts are being overseen by Ducks Unlimited and carried out by McCullough Construction Inc. Construction crews will be working six days a week through the end of the year when the project is expected to be completed and reopened to full public access.

A Type C wildlife area, the Ocean Ranch Unit will reopen Jan. 1, 2023, to walk-in and boat-in hunting. No reservations, hunting passes or entry permits will be required beyond a valid hunting license, California Duck Validation and Federal Duck Stamp for adult hunters.