California’s 2025-26 waterfowl hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in most zones. Detailed information about specific opening and closing dates, daily bag and possession limits can be found in the 2025-26 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations booklet.

“With wetland conditions looking favorable across much of the state, waterfowl hunters can look forward to a strong start to the season,” said Melanie Weaver, Waterfowl Coordinator with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Public hunting opportunities can be found on more than two dozen public hunt areas.

CDFW has implemented several changes at public hunt area check-stations. A few key changes to note for the upcoming season are:

Hunters requiring a hunting pass must present photo identification at the time of entry.
Reservations will be accepted in numerical order, except for the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area.
Party leaders must have a valid GO ID and hunting license to enter a party in the in-person vacancy draw (lottery).
In-person vacancy draw (lottery) results will be available online by logging into the Online License Sales and Services, by using the CDFW License App, or on a dedicated web page accessible by a QR code at the check-station.
For properties requiring all members to be listed on an in-person vacancy draw (lottery) application, only one member from each party will be required to be present to enter the draw.
Hunters may only enter one in-person vacancy draw (lottery) per hunt day.

For more information regarding season updates and to view additional changes, please review the 2025 Waterfowl Hunting Newsletter.

Hunters are encouraged to review area-specific regulations and plan ahead as licenses, validations and passes must be purchased in advance. Updates about wildlife area and refuge closures will be posted on CDFW’s Closures web page. Licenses, validations and passes can be purchased at select CDFW License Sales Offices, online through CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services, in-person at a license agent, or through telephone license sales at (800) 565-1458.

Hunters should also take precautions when handling harvested birds and cleaning equipment as avian influenza H5N1 continues to circulate among wild waterbirds and typically re-emerges during the fall migration. While the risk to humans remains low, hunters are still encouraged to follow safety tips and review information related to avian influenza. Importantly, dress wild game in a well-ventilated area and away from chickens and other pet birds. Do not feed dogs or other animals raw meat or organs from harvested waterfowl.

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Media Contacts: 
Taylor Williams – Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Manager
Melanie Weaver – Statewide Waterfowl Coordinator