Latest dates for the duck Hunting Season California 2016-2017
| Species | Season Dates | Bag Limits (Daily) | Possession Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- STATEWIDE --- | |||
| Coots & Moorhens | Concurrent with duck season | 25 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| --- NOTHEASTERN ZONE --- | |||
| Ducks | Oct 10 to Jan 22 | 7 Ducks in aggregate no more than: 7 mallards (Max 2 hens) 2 pintail 2 canvasback 2 redheads | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Scaup | Oct 10 to Dec 6 Dec 26 to Jan 22 | Regular Season | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Geese | Regular Season Dark geese: Oct 10 to Jan 17 White geese: Nov 7 to Jan 17 Late Season White geese: Feb 7 to Mar 10 Whitefronts: Mar 6 to Mar 10 | 25 which may include: 15 white geese 10 dark geese Max 2 Large Canada geese | 3 times daily bag limit |
| --- SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE --- | |||
| Ducks | Oct 24 to Jan 31 | 7 Ducks in aggregate no more than: 7 mallards (Max 2 hens) 2 pintail 2 canvasback 2 redheads | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Scaup | Nov 7 to Jan 31 | 3 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Geese | Oct 24 to Jan 31 | 25 which may include: 15 white geese 10 dark geese Max 2 Large Canada geese | 3 times daily bag limit |
| --- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE --- | |||
| Ducks | Oct 24 to Jan 31 | 7 Ducks in aggregate no more than: 7 mallards (Max 2 hens) 2 pintail 2 canvasback 2 redheads | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Scaup | Nov 7 to Jan 31 | 3 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Geese | Oct 24 to Jan 31 | 18 which may include: 15 white geese 3 dark geese | 3 times daily bag limit |
| --- Colorado River Zone --- | |||
| Ducks | Oct 16 to Jan 24 | 7 Ducks in aggregate no more than: 7 mallards (Max 2 hens OR or Mexican-like ducks) 2 pintail 2 canvasback 2 redheads | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Scaup | Oct 31 to Jan 24 | 3 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Geese | Oct 16 to Jan 24 | 14 which may include: 10 white geese 4 dark geese | 3 times daily bag limit |
| --- Balance of State Zone --- | |||
| Ducks | Oct 24 Jan 31 | 7 Ducks in aggregate no more than: 7 mallards (Max 2 hens) 2 pintail 2 canvasback 2 redheads | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Scaup | Nov 7 Jan 31 | 3 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Geese | Early Season: Large CAGO only Oct 3 to Oct 7 Regular Season: Oct 24 to Jan 31 Late Season: Whitefronts and white geese Feb 13 to Feb 17 | 25 day which may include: 15 white geese 10 dark geese | 3 times daily bag limit |
| ---SPECIAL AREAs --- | |||
| North Coast - All Canada Geese | Nov 8 to Jan 31 Feb 20 to Mar 10 | 10 (only 1 Large Canada goose) | 3 times daily bag limit Large Canada geese are closed during the Late Season |
| Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side) - All species | Closed during brant season | ||
| Sacramento Valley - White-fronted geese | Open concurrently to general goose season through Dec 21 | 3 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Morro Bay - All species | Open for designated areas only | ||
| Martis Creek Lake - All species | Closed until Nov 16 | ||
| Northern Brant - Black Brant | Nov 8 to Dec 14 | 2 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Balance of State Brant - Black Brant | Nov 9 to Dec 15 | 2 | 3 times daily bag limit |
| Imperial County - Black Brant | Nov 7 to Jan 31 Feb 6 Feb 21 | 15 | 3 times daily bag limit |
Duck hunting is one of the most popular outdoor sports in the United States of America. Every year hundreds of enthusiasts from all over the country wait impatiently for the duck hunting season to begin. Once that it has been started, they are free to hunt down ducks and enjoy the satisfaction of being a predator. More and more people are drawn to this sport every year. Although it is an interesting and entertaining sport, there are some regulations that have to be kept in order to do everything legally and correctly. Every state of the country has its own set of unique laws that you have to be aware of when you are hunting there.
Many people agree that California is one of the biggest centres for duck hunting in the United States. There are many river bodies that are filled with game for the enthusiasts who are ready to take down as much as they can. Although at first it might sound like you simply have to go to a lake and start shooting down duck, there is actually much more to it. Keep reading in order to find out what are the requirements for legal duck hunting season California.
License
Every duck hunter out there needs a hunting license in order to be part of the California duck season. There are different kinds of licenses available depending on many things. There are hunting licenses available for both residents and non-residents of the state. In addition, there are hunting licenses specifically for children under the age of 15 or veterans and people with disabilities. For further information about all of them and which one you are required to have you can contact the authorities and find out. In addition to the regular hunting license that is required of every duck hunter, if you want to be a part of the CA duck season then you will also need to obtain a California Duck Stamp and a Federal Duck Stamp.
Most of the hunting and sport fishing license items, including waterfowl hunting items, can be purchased via a telephone. In addition, you can get them in person, while some can be even purchased online. It does not matter how you obtain the needed validations and licenses, the only thing that is required for a comfortable duck hunting season CA is that you bring them with you.
Regulations
There are several regulations that you should now if you want to have a proper California duck season.
First off, the use of decoys is legal, however keep in mind that it is illegal that you use live birds as decoys. Second, you are limited by shooting hours during which you are allowed to hunt for game. The usual hours for all waterfowl are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. There are some exceptions such as Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo County where shooting hours are from 7:00 am up until sunset.
Gear and Equipment
Duck hunting season CA cannot be successful without the use of the proper equipment. Every duck hunter should bring a shotgun with them, however keep in mind that there are regulations about the number of shells that a gun can hold. If you are caught with a gun that has more than the allowed number of shells, you will face a penalty. Other equipment that is a must for successful CA duck season is bringing decoys with you. They can be of great help in attracting or distracting the ducks and will allow you for an easier take down. Many hunters also use duck calls. Never forget to make sure that all of your clothes and equipment are camouflaged during the hunt, otherwise you won’t be able to get even one bird. Lastly, some of the more experienced and advanced duck hunters tend to brings trained dogs with them which they use to fetch the game. However, keep in mind that your dog has to have gone through the proper training in order to be with you.
The regulations for the duck hunting season California are not that hard to follow, so make sure that everything is correct if you want a safe and legal hunt. In addition, keep in mind that you should ask the more experienced hunters about some tips on how you have a better chance of catching good game.
For more detailed info check out the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.