W.J. Hotchkiss and John H. Spring. However, the venture was not successful; by 1908, the company's charter was forfeited. By 1927, the island was home to the Mira Monte Gun Club, who in that year began construction of a new clubhouse for $20,000 ($ in ); the island was at that point well known for its large population of mallards, spoonbills and sprig. In 1932, the entire island was purchased from its then-current owner, former San Francisco police commissioner Andrew Mahonet, by the State of California for $72,000 ($ in ) to serve as a wildlife refuge. In 1934, there was an "unusual flight of teal"; by 1942, the refuge had become "a resting and feeding ground for thousands and thousands of ducks and geese during the shooting season". In 1947, largely due to the volume of ducks on Joice Island, hotel owners in surrounding areas (like Grizzly Island) anticipated a "heavy demand for rooms" during shooting season. In 1942, a project to further develop the refuge was completed; of levees and four flood gates were installed to "allow better control of the refuge water supply and protect the entire area from inundation during the flood season". The water-control system also helped prevent disease among waterfowl; in 1952, while many waterfowl in the region were struck with botulism, at Joice Island "the water was kept fresh and no sick ducks were seen even at the peak of population". In 1952, the Volanti Duck Club was situated on the island, and in 1958, the refuge was estimated to contain "slightly less than a half million" ducks. In 1963, a proposal was made to open the island to the general public for hunting. While a group known as the Humane Affiliates opposed the opening of the preserve on the principle that "hunting will soon be passe", the Department of Fish and Game approved the proposal; in 1964, the eastern portion of the island was made available for public shooting. That hunting season, there were estimated to be some 200,000 birds on Joice Island; the next year, hunters on Joice Island "brought down close to three birds per man". In 1966, the Grizzly Island hunting area (including Joice Island as well as Grizzly Island) had a limit of 550 shooters at a time. Despite unfavorable weather conditions in 1967, there were still an estimated 393,000 ducks at Joice Island during the shooting season.