California Waterfowl Season 2026-27

California waterfowl season dates start with Oct 3-Dec 19, 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 Oct 3-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: September 16, 2026 · Source: California CDFW

Waterfowl

39 listed rows

All Canada Geese

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

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

132d

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

Regular Season

Closed

—

opens Nov 16, 2026

Closed until Nov 16. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Martis Creek Lake Special Management Area

Black Brant

Regular Season

Upcoming

57d

Nov 29-Dec 14, 2026

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northern Brant Special Management Area

Black Brant

Regular Season

Upcoming

58d

Nov 30-Dec 15, 2026

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Brant Special Management Area

Canada Geese

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area

Canada Geese

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Canada Geese

Late Season

Upcoming

140d

Feb 20-21, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

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

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 13, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

20d

Oct 23, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

21d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

21d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Ducks

Regular Season

Upcoming

21d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Ducks only

Veterans and Active Military

Upcoming

106d

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

126d

Feb 6-7, 2027

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

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

20d

Oct 23, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

21d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

21d

Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Closed

—

Sep 19-20, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

Same as regular season

Veterans and Active Military

Upcoming

126d

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

126d

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

133d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

133d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

133d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Same as regular season

Youth Hunt

Upcoming

133d

Feb 13-14, 2027

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

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

35d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern California Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

35d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

35d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Colorado River Zone

Scaup

Regular Season

Upcoming

35d

Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

White and White-fronted Geese

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

Oct 3, 2026-Jan 15, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area

White and White-fronted Geese

Regular Season

Open

OPEN

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

Late Season

Upcoming

125d

Feb 5-Mar 10, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White Geese

Regular Season

Upcoming

32d

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

Whitefronts and White Geese

Late Season

Upcoming

140d

Feb 20-24, 2027

2026-2027 regulations.

Zone: Balance of State Zone

Compare waterfowl seasons across all 50 states →

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California Waterfowl Season FAQ

When does waterfowl season open in California?

September 19, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in California — youth hunt same as regular season runs Sep 19-20, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with California CDFW.

What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in California?

California lists 35 waterfowl season windows: Regular Season All Canada Geese (Oct 3-Dec 19, 2026); Late Season All Canada Geese (Feb 12-Mar 10, 2027); Regular Season All Species (opens Nov 16, 2026); Regular Season Black Brant (Nov 29-Dec 14, 2026); Regular Season Black Brant (Nov 30-Dec 15, 2026); Regular Season Canada Geese (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027); Regular Season Canada Geese (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027); Late Season Canada Geese (Feb 20-21, 2027); and more. Always verify against California CDFW before hunting.

Are there different waterfowl seasons in California?

Yes — California lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Season All Canada Geese, Late Season All Canada Geese, Regular Season All Species, Regular Season Black Brant, Regular Season Canada Geese, Late Season Canada Geese. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and California CDFW.

Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in California?

Yes. California generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with California CDFW.