Grizzly Island Wildlife Area
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area is a CDFW property near Suisun City in Solano County, about 12,900 acres with about 7,900 acres open to hunting. Dogs must be on a leash of 10 feet at most when not actively hunting.
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Grizzly Island is one of the best-known public hunting areas near the Delta, and a handy place to see how marsh country works. The facts below come from CDFW's own page, fetched October 27, 2026. Rules change, so check the page before you go.
The basics
CDFW describes the area as about 12,900 acres on 10 parcels at 2548 Grizzly Island Road, Suisun, about 11 miles from Fairfield. Waterfowl hunting is by reservation, and a free Junior Pheasant Hunt is held on the second weekend of the season. Dog training facilities are listed among its features.
Dogs on the property
CDFW states that dogs must be on a leash of 10 feet at most when not actively hunting. A retriever that waits quietly and heels well is a better guest anywhere, and those habits are what the Basic Waterfowl Program builds.
Planning a visit
Reserve ahead if you plan to hunt, read the current CDFW rules and carry your license and any required passes. For the wider area, see Suisun Marsh and hunting dogs and the Delta.
Getting a dog ready for public ground
A dog that will hunt a wildlife area needs steady marks, a clean delivery and good manners around other hunters. Read getting a dog ready for the California waterfowl opener for a checklist you can work through before the season.
How it fits the area
The area sits in Solano County, close to Suisun Marsh and the Delta, so it is a natural stop when you are exploring the region with a dog. The place is also a good example of how public land works: reservations, set days and clear rules for everyone, dogs included.
CDFW's property page is the place for hours, maps and any alerts. Print the map, keep your dog under control, and ask Richard about preparing your dog for public ground.
Questions hunters ask
Hunters often ask how a retriever should behave around other parties. The answer is the same anywhere: steady at your side, quiet in the blind and under control on the leash during the walk in. These habits come from basic work, and the Basic Waterfowl Program page shows how that starts.
Sources (2)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Grizzly-Island-WA (checked October 27, 2026)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Waterfowl (checked October 27, 2026)
Your trainer
Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National.
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Where Richard trains
Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, near Rio Vista in Solano County. Call before you drive out.
DirectionsAre dogs allowed at Grizzly Island?
Yes, on a leash of 10 feet at most when not actively hunting, per CDFW.
How much of it is open to hunting?
About 7,900 acres of roughly 12,900, per CDFW.
Do I need a reservation?
Waterfowl hunting is by reservation. Read CDFW's current page for the process.
Book a consult
Get your dog ready for next season.
Richard books by phone. Call, text, or leave your details and he will call you back.
(530) 341-4496- 4.9 12 Google reviews
- Training since 2002