When does deer season start in California?

No current deer opener is listed for California yet. Check California CDFW for the latest published dates.

When is California's firearm deer season?

California does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check California CDFW for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.

When does spring turkey open in California?

A current spring turkey opener is not listed for California yet. Check California CDFW for the latest turkey dates.

Do I need a license to hunt in California?

Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate California hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with California CDFW.

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California Waterfowl Season 2026-27

California waterfowl season dates start with Sep 19-20, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.

Quick answer

California's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Sep 19-20, 2026.

Regular Season All Canada Geese opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Dec 19, 2026.

Regular Season Canada Geese opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Jan 10, 2027.

The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to California CDFW.

Last verified: June 15, 2026 · Source: California CDFW

Waterfowl

96 listed rows

All Canada Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 4-Dec 20, 2025

Split season: Oct 4 - Dec 20 & Feb 12 - Mar 10. Large Canada geese closed during Late Season

Zone: North Coast Special Management Area

All Canada Geese

Late Season

Closed

—

Feb 12-Mar 10, 2026

Large Canada geese closed during Late Season

Zone: North Coast Special Management Area

All Canada Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3-Dec 19, 2026

Two splits: Oct 3 - Dec 19 & Feb 12 - Mar 10. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: North Coast Special Management Area

All Canada Geese

Late Season

Upcoming

223d

Feb 12-Mar 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: North Coast Special Management Area

All Species

Regular Season

Closed

—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Open in designated areas only. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Morro Bay Special Management Area

All Species

Regular Season

Closed

—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Closed during brant season. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side) Special Management Area

All Species

General

Closed

—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Closed during brant season

Zone: Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side) Special Management Area

All Species

General

Closed

—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Waterfowl season opens concurrently with brant season. Open in designated areas only

Zone: Morro Bay Special Management Area

All Species

General

Closed

—

opens Nov 16, 2025

Closed until Nov 16

Zone: Martis Creek Lake Special Management Area

All Species

Regular Season

Closed

—

opens Nov 16, 2026

Closed until Nov 16. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Martis Creek Lake Special Management Area

Black Brant

General

Closed

—

Nov 29-Dec 14, 2025

Zone: Northern Brant Special Management Area

Black Brant

General

Closed

—

Nov 30-Dec 15, 2025

Zone: Balance of State Brant Special Management Area

Show 84 more waterfowl rows

Black Brant

Regular Season

Upcoming

148d

Nov 29-Dec 14, 2026

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northern Brant Special Management Area

Black Brant

Regular Season

Upcoming

149d

Nov 30-Dec 15, 2026

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Brant Special Management Area

Canada Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 11, 2026

Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area

Canada Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 11, 2026

May include: 20 white geese, 10 dark geese (no more than 2 Large Canada geese)

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Canada Geese

Late Season

Closed

—

Feb 14-15, 2026

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Canada Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area

Canada Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Canada Geese

Late Season

Upcoming

231d

Feb 20-21, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Coots & Moorhens

General

Closed

—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Concurrent with duck season

Zone: Statewide

Coots & Moorhens

Regular Season

Closed

—

dates not listed

Exact dates not listed in the current data.

Concurrent with duck season. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Statewide

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 14, 2026

7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks

Falconry

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Falconry Take; ducks only; multiple segments: Oct 18 - Jan 28, Jan 31 - Feb 1, Feb 7 - 8

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks

Falconry

Closed

—

Oct 23, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Falconry Take; ducks only; multiple segments: Oct 23 - Jan 31, Feb 1 - 4

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 23, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

7 mallards (no more than 2 females or Mexican ducks), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Ducks

Veterans and Active Military

Closed

—

Jan 17-18, 2026

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days; ducks only

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks

Veterans and Active Military

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days; ducks only

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks

Falconry

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026

Falconry Take second segment; ducks only

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks

Falconry

Closed

—

Feb 1-4, 2026

Falconry Take second segment; ducks only

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Ducks

Falconry

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Falconry Take third segment; ducks only

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 13, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

111d

Oct 23, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

112d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

112d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

112d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 14, 2026

Falconry Take

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Falconry Take; multiple segments: Oct 18 - Jan 28, Jan 31 - Feb 1, Feb 7 - 8

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Oct 28, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Falconry Take; multiple segments: Oct 28 - Jan 28, Jan 31 - Feb 1, Feb 7 - 8

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026

Falconry Take second segment

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026

Falconry Take second segment

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Falconry Take third segment

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, Common Moorhens

Falconry

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Falconry Take third segment

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks only

Veterans and Active Military

Upcoming

197d

Jan 17-18, 2027

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks only

Veterans and Active Military

Upcoming

217d

Feb 6-7, 2027

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Youth

Closed

—

Sep 20-21, 2025

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Veterans and Active Military

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Veterans and Active Military

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Youth

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Youth

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Youth

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks, Geese, Coots, Moorhens

Youth

Closed

—

Feb 7-8, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Zone: Southern California Zone

Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 18, 2025-Jan 25, 2026

In Sacramento Valley Special Management Area only 3 white-fronted geese may be taken

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 23, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

111d

Oct 23, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

112d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

112d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Large Canada Geese

Early Season

Closed

—

Oct 4-6, 2025

Large Canada geese only

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

77d

Sep 19-20, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Same as regular season

Veterans and Active Military

Upcoming

217d

Feb 6-7, 2027

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Same as regular season

Veterans and Active Military

Upcoming

217d

Feb 6-7, 2027

Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

224d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

224d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

224d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

224d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Scaup

General

Closed

—

Oct 4-Nov 30, 2025

Split season: Oct 4 - Nov 30 & Dec 18 - Jan 14

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Scaup

General

Closed

—

Nov 4, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Scaup

General

Closed

—

Nov 4, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Scaup

General

Closed

—

Nov 4, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Zone: Southern California Zone

Scaup

General

Closed

—

Nov 7, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Scaup

General

Closed

—

Dec 18, 2025-Jan 14, 2026

Split season second segment

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3-Nov 29, 2026

Two splits: Oct 3 - Nov 29 & Dec 17 - Jan 13. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

126d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

126d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

126d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

126d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

White and White-fronted Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026

Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area

White and White-fronted Geese

General

Closed

—

Oct 4-Nov 30, 2025

Split season: Oct 4 - Nov 30 & Jan 2 - Jan 14

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White and White-fronted Geese

General

Closed

—

Jan 2-14, 2026

Split season second segment

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White and White-fronted Geese

Late Season

Closed

—

Feb 5-Mar 10, 2026

Late Season

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White and White-fronted Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 13, 2027

Two splits: Oct 3 - Nov 29 & Jan 1 - Jan 13. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White and White-fronted Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

91d

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 15, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area

White and White-fronted Geese

Late Season

Upcoming

216d

Feb 5-Mar 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White Geese

General

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 28, 2026

Split season: Nov 1 - Jan 28, Jan 31 - Feb 6, Feb 12 - Feb 20

Zone: Imperial County Special Management Area

White Geese

General

Closed

—

Jan 31-Feb 6, 2026

Split season second segment

Zone: Imperial County Special Management Area

White Geese

General

Closed

—

Feb 12-20, 2026

Split season third segment

Zone: Imperial County Special Management Area

White Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

123d

Nov 4, 2026-Feb 21, 2027

Multiple segments: Nov 4 - Jan 31, Feb 1-5, Feb 8-12, Feb 16-21. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Imperial County Special Management Area

White-fronted Geese

Regular Season

Closed

—

through Dec 21, 2026

Open concurrently with general goose season through Dec 21. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Sacramento Valley Special Management Area

White-fronted Geese

General

Closed

—

through Dec 21, 2025

Open concurrently with general goose season through Dec 21

Zone: Sacramento Valley Special Management Area

Whitefronts and White Geese

Late Season

Closed

—

Feb 14-18, 2026

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Whitefronts and White Geese

Late Season

Upcoming

231d

Feb 20-24, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone