First hunt date is March 30th!

Reservations and Fees

Turkey hunting at Sutherland Reservoir is by reservation only. Reservations are sold in advance for the entire season using a lottery type drawing during the “Turkey Tune Up Event,” usually held on the second Saturday in February. Reservations are issued only to persons 16 years of age or older, and in possession of a current state of California Hunting License. Unlike the waterfowl hunts at Barrett, absolutely no tickets are sold after this lottery date.

The fee for each reservation is $30 for a blind area, adults (18 years and older) are $18 and youth (8 to 17 years of age) are $10. Blind areas that cannot be accessed by vehicle include a rowboat that can be upgraded to a motorboat on the day of the hunt for $45. Each blind area can hold only two people.

Lottery method is done by filling out and submitting an entry card upon arrival to the “Turkey Tune Up Event.” Duplicates will be discarded and may bar you from future lotteries. All the cards are mixed and placed in a metal cage that is spun and cards are drawn from here. First drawn will have first pick of date and location, second drawn second pick of date and location and so on until all hunts are taken. Once your date is selected, you proceed to the payment area. All payments must be made in cash, check or money order only. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "City of San Diego Treasurer."

No refund for confirmed reservations will be made under any circumstances. For further information, call 619-668-2050 or email lakes@sandiego.gov.

All additional handouts will be made available only on the day of the lottery draw. Both members of National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and City staff will be available on the day of the lottery to answer questions.

Please check back in January for further information on upcoming “Turkey Tune Up Events.”

Rules and Regulations

The actual lottery winner and/or designated partner must be present and show photo identification to the City staff on the day of their hunt. A lottery winner’s privilege to hunt is not transferable. Should you choose or be required to leave the premises (including ejection) your partner must leave with you. Remember, as the lottery winner, you are the party of record. No one gets to hunt more than once, either as a primary or partner. There are NO observation/non-hunting spots. Parents/legal guardians attending with their child during the youth hunt season may hunt in the general season as they are not permitted to hunt during the youth hunt season.

All youth hunt winners must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian only, no exceptions. Youth winners may not hunt in the general season.

There are no refunds, switching of dates, name changes or exchanging of permits allowed. If one of the hunters cannot make it, no one is permitted; all or none must be present.

Further detailed directions, restrictions, rules and regulations will be made available to winners and their partners following the lottery draw.

IMPORTANT: Violation of rules or guidelines may be cause for ejection without refund.

Season dates and bag limits are established annually by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife within framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For all questions regarding seasons, rules, regulations and hunting areas, please see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife web site.