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Few bays along the Pacific Coast of contiguous states have escaped development for commercial or recreational purposes. In most cases this process has greatly reduced the value of bays to waterfowl. Intensive recreational and industrial uses are rapidly depriving brant (Branta bernicla) of food and shelter on California bays. So few birds are present prior to January and February that starting the season one or more months before the first of January has little effect on overall harvest. However, hunters concentrate on the early arrivals and, at times, have driven these small flocks from the Bay.