Waterfowl 2026-27

California

Pacific Flyway

Open now · Ducks, Canada Goose, White & White-fronted Geese

Home state

Season

Open now

Ducks, Canada Goose, White & White-fronted Geese

Nonresident cost

$291.50

For the season · $130.58 for a 2-day trip

Daily duck bag

6 species limits apply

Next draw deadline

None

No open applications

Nonresident rules

Nonresidents can buy an annual, one-day or two-day hunting license. Waterfowl hunters also need the California Duck Validation and HIP.

Season calendar

SepOctNovDecJanFeb

Youth Waterfowl Hunt Northeastern California Zone

Ducks Northeastern California Zone

Canada Goose Northeastern California Zone

White & White-fronted Geese Northeastern California Zone

Ducks Colorado River Zone

Geese Colorado River Zone

Ducks Balance of State Zone

Geese Balance of State Zone

Ducks Southern California Zone

Geese Southern California Zone

Ducks Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Geese Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only) Northeastern California Zone

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only) Balance of State Zone

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only) Southern California Zone

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only) Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Youth Waterfowl Hunt Balance of State Zone

Youth Waterfowl Hunt Colorado River Zone

Youth Waterfowl Hunt Southern California Zone

Youth Waterfowl Hunt Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Today

Seasons & bag limits

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

YouthNortheastern California Zone

Sep 19 – Sep 20, 2026

Ducks

RegularNortheastern California Zone

Oct 3, 2026 – Jan 13, 2027

Ducks7 daily21 poss.

7 mallards
2 hen mallards
3 pintails
2 canvasbacks
2 redheads
2 scaup

Canada Goose

RegularNortheastern California Zone

Oct 3, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027

Geese (aggregate)30 daily90 poss.

20 white geese
10 dark geese
6 white-fronted geese
3 large canada geese

One aggregate goose limit across all Northeastern Zone goose seasons.

White & White-fronted Geese

RegularNortheastern California Zone

Oct 3 – Nov 29, 2026
Jan 1 – Jan 13, 2027

Geese (aggregate)30 daily90 poss.

20 white geese
10 dark geese
6 white-fronted geese
3 large canada geese

One aggregate goose limit across all Northeastern Zone goose seasons.

Ducks

RegularColorado River Zone

Oct 23, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Ducks7 daily21 poss.

7 mallards
2 hen mallards
3 pintails
2 canvasbacks
2 redheads
2 scaup

Hen mallard limit also counts Mexican ducks.

Geese

RegularColorado River Zone

Oct 23, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Geese (aggregate)24 daily72 poss.

20 white geese
4 dark geese

Ducks

RegularBalance of State Zone

Oct 24, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Ducks7 daily21 poss.

7 mallards
2 hen mallards
3 pintails
2 canvasbacks
2 redheads
2 scaup

Geese

RegularBalance of State Zone

Oct 24, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Geese (aggregate)30 daily90 poss.

20 white geese
10 dark geese
6 white-fronted geese

Ducks

RegularSouthern California Zone

Oct 24, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Ducks7 daily21 poss.

7 mallards
2 hen mallards
3 pintails
2 canvasbacks
2 redheads
2 scaup

Geese

RegularSouthern California Zone

Oct 24, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Geese (aggregate)23 daily69 poss.

20 white geese
3 dark geese

Ducks

RegularSouthern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Oct 24, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Ducks7 daily21 poss.

7 mallards
2 hen mallards
3 pintails
2 canvasbacks
2 redheads
2 scaup

Geese

RegularSouthern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Oct 24, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Geese (aggregate)30 daily90 poss.

20 white geese
10 dark geese
6 white-fronted geese

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & militaryNortheastern California Zone

Jan 17 – Jan 18, 2027

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & militaryBalance of State Zone

Feb 6 – Feb 7, 2027

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & militarySouthern California Zone

Feb 6 – Feb 7, 2027

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & militarySouthern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Feb 6 – Feb 7, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

YouthBalance of State Zone

Feb 13 – Feb 14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

YouthColorado River Zone

Feb 13 – Feb 14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

YouthSouthern California Zone

Feb 13 – Feb 14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

YouthSouthern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Feb 13 – Feb 14, 2027

Today's shooting hours in California →

What you need to buy

California Duck Validation

Required for anyone taking waterfowl, except juniors hunting on a Junior Hunting License.

Source · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·

$41.04

HIP Validation

Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·

Free

Hunting license: choose one

Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·

$225.46

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp)Federal

Ages 16+ · $25 face value. Bought online or from a license vendor, the electronic stamp adds a $4 fulfillment fee and usually a $1-$1.50 state fee, so expect to pay $29-$30. Paper stamps at the post office are $25.

Source · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·

$25.00

Total for the season

Pick a license above to compare

$291.50

More Pacific Flyway states

Official sources

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Licenses & fees

Spotted something out of date?

. How we check this data.

California

Nonresident rules

Season calendar

Seasons & bag limits

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Ducks

Canada Goose

White & White-fronted Geese

Ducks

Geese

Ducks

Geese

Ducks

Geese

Ducks

Geese

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Veterans & Active Military Hunt (ducks only)

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

What you need to buy

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