Did you know that waterfowl hunting regulations are set at two levels? First, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service set frameworks based on waterfowl populations, migration data, and other relevant data points specific to each flyway. From there, the California Fish & Game Commission sets regulations that fit within those frameworks and guidelines.
What’s New for the 2020/2021 California Waterfowl Season?
Bag Limits
The pintail limit will remain at one per day, and the scaup limit will drop from three per day to two, pursuant to federal frameworks that the state cannot exceed.
California Waterfowl Season Closing Date
This year marks a return to the regular-season closing on the last Sunday in January for the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California zones.
Veteran Hunt Days
Veterans and active-duty military personnel will have their very own special waterfowl hunt days, similar to the already existing youth hunt weekends, which will come out of the 107 days of total duck and goose hunting allowed in each zone.
The veteran hunt days will be held the weekend after the close of general duck and goose season in the Northeastern Zone, which reduces the general season length there to 103 days. Veteran hunt days will be held after Youth Hunt Weekend in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California zones.
Veteran hunt days participants will need to carry proof of eligibility for the hunt, including a Veterans Affairs-issued veterans ID card, state-issued driver’s license, or identification card with a veteran designation, or a current military identification card.
New Refuge Lottery Process
More info to come.
California Waterfowl Hunting Season Dates 2020/2021
NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Klamath Basin Special Management Area
Seasons:
- Ducks: Oct. 3-Jan. 13
- Scaup: Oct. 3-Nov. 29 and Dec. 17-Jan. 13
- Canada Geese: Oct. 3-Jan. 10
- White Geese & White-Fronts: Oct. 3-Nov. 29 and Jan. 2-Jan. 15 (except in the Klamath Basin Special Management Area).
- Special Youth Hunt Days: Sept. 19-20.
- New Special Veteran Hunt days: Jan. 16-17 (no geese allowed)
- Late White Goose & White-Front Season: Feb. 6-Mar. 10 (except in the Klamath Basin Special Management Area).
Limits:
- Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7, which may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 1 pintail; 2 canvasbacks; 2 redheads; 2 scaup.
- Geese: Daily bag limit: 30, which may include up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese, of which only 2 may be large Canada geese.
- Possession Limit of Ducks and Geese: Triple the daily bag limit.
BALANCE OF STATE ZONE
Seasons:
- Ducks and Geese: Oct. 24-Jan. 31
- Scaup: Nov. 7-Jan. 31
- Early Canada Goose Season: Oct. 3-Oct. 7 (except in the North Coast Special Management Area).
- Late White-Fronts and White Goose Season: Feb. 20-24 (except Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, where white-fronts are closed).
- Special Youth Hunt Days: Feb. 6-7.
- “New” Special Veteran Hunt Days: Feb. 13-14 (no geese allowed)
Limits:
- Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7, which may contain 7 mallards of which only 2 can be female; 1 pintail; 2 canvasbacks; 2 redheads; 2 scaup.
- Geese: Daily bag limit: 30, which may include up to 20 white geese and up to 10 dark geese.
- Early Canada Goose Season: 10 large Canada geese
- Possession Limit Ducks and Geese: Triple the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE
Seasons:
- Ducks and Geese: Oct. 24-Jan. 31
- Scaup: Nov. 7-Jan. 31
- Special Youth Hunt Days: Feb. 6-7.
- “New” Special Veteran Hunt Days: Feb. 13-14
Limits:
- Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7, which may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 1 pintail; 2 canvasbacks; 2 redheads; 2 scaup.
- Geese: Daily bag limit: 30, which may include up to 20 white geese and up to 10 dark geese.
- Possession Limit Ducks and Geese: Triple the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
- Ducks and Geese: Oct. 24-Jan. 31
- Scaup: Nov. 7-Jan. 31
- Special Youth Hunt Days: Feb. 6-7.
- “New” Special Veteran Hunt Days: Feb. 13-14
Limits:
- Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7, which may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 1 pintail; 2 canvasbacks; 2 redheads; 2 scaup.
- Geese: Daily bag limit: 23. Of which only 20 may be white geese and only 3 may be dark geese.
- Possession limit ducks and geese: Triple the daily bag limit.
COLORADO RIVER ZONE
Seasons:
- Ducks and Geese: Oct. 23-Jan. 31
- Scaup: Nov. 7-Jan. 31
- Special Youth Hunt Days: Feb. 6-7.
Limits:
- Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7, which may contain 7 mallards, but not more than 2 female mallards or Mexican-like ducks; 1 pintail; 2 canvasbacks; 2 redheads; 2 scaup.
- Geese: Daily bag limit: 24, which may contain 20 white geese and up to 4 may be dark geese.
- Possession Limit Ducks and Geese: Triple the daily bag limit.