Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Will Again Host Spring Turkey Hunting Ops

Bouncing back after the devastating Park Fire of 2024, the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, which is under the jurisdiction of California State University, Chico, will again host spring turkey hunting opportunties when the season starts next month.

Here’s the Chico State press release with details:

Hunting at the BCCER is Back

Announced on: Monday, Feb. 02, 2026

The BCCER has been bouncing back from the impacts of the Park Fire and will again host hunting on the property, starting with the spring 2026 turkey season. Below you will find the dates that the BCCER is CLOSED to all activities due to scheduled hunting.

2026 Turkey Hunt Season
BCCER CLOSED TO ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES

Youth Opener (1): March 21st – 22nd (Sat/Sun)
Period 1: March 28th – 29th (Sat/Sun) 
Period 2: April 4th – 5th (Sat/Sun)
Period 3: April 11th – 12th (Sat/Sun)
Period 4: April 18th – 19th (Sat/Sun)
Period 5: April 25th – 26th (Sat/Sun) 
Archery or Youth (2): May 9th – 10th (Sat/Sun)
Archery or Youth (3): May 16th – 17th (Sat/Sun)

The BCCER will be closed to all other activities during these hunt dates. If you are interested in the hunting taking place at the BCCER this turkey season, the raffle is handled by the California Deer Association and they have a specific page for raffling off hunt days at the BCCER. More information about hunting at the BCCER can be found on the hunt page of the BCCER’s website.

Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER)
bccer@csuchico.edu
(530) 898-5010