Looking for a place to hunt, not just waterfowl, but also doves, pigs, turkeys and more?

The California Waterfowl Hunt Program provides access to 60,000 acres of private land — including some of the most prestigious duck clubs in the country — to hunters of all ages and abilities. Many hunts include volunteer or professional guides, making them suitable for novice hunters. Scroll down to check out our offerings - you can filter for only the kinds of hunts you want to see.

There are three kinds of applications:

  • Application: Hunts have an application fee of $5 per hunt, plus $25 if you win the hunt, which is waived for youth.
  • First-come, first-served: Just what the name suggests. The cost is usually higher than lottery hunts, but if you register for it, it's yours - there's no drawing to determine winners.
  • Special veteran hunts: Free hunts whose participants are chosen by a committee. (Click here to learn more.)

All upcoming hunts (and fishing trips!) are listed below. Use the "Filter by Category" dropdown menu to see only the types of hunts that interest you - you can choose species, regions, application types and specialty hunts. Our peak season runs from the beginning of dove season on September 1 through the end of regular waterfowl season by January 31, with some youth, veteran, late goose and turkey hunts in the following months and fishing trips in the summer. If you don't see what you're looking for now, check back often — we are constantly adding new hunts as new seasons approach.

Once you know which hunts you want to apply for, click "Apply." It will take you to a secure external website.

Pig Application Deadlines - 2 Weeks Before Hunt Date!!!! 

Apply/Log in/check resultsFAQ Deadlinesdonate a hunt

HOW-TO VIDEOS:

BLINDS FOR VETERANS AND MOBILITY-IMPAIRED HUNTERS

Need more help? Call our Hunt Program Coordinator Carson Odegard at 916-960-9848 or our Hunting and Education Programs Supervisor Jeff Smith at 530-305-9234, or email them at codegard@calwaterfowl.org or jsmith@calwaterfowl.org.

BUTTE CREEK ISLAND RANCH waterfowl  hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: None

Description: This 110-acre, CWA-owned property sits between Butte Creek and Sanborn Slough, across from the famed Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area. Hunts will take place either in stand-up blinds or floating blinds located in two separate units. Mallards and wood ducks are common in the area, as they come into the marsh after feeding in nearby rice.

Special thanks to Closed Zone Farms for providing mowing and discing services to CWA’s Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough properties.

Decoys are provided. Two groups of three hunters will be drawn each hunt date. Groups will draw for blinds the morning before the hunt.

 Click here to visit our application website.

VideoBlind/Bird AVG Hunt Dates


 

SANBORN SLOUGH waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Dec-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: This 260-acre, newly acquired CWA-owned property sits between Sanborn Slough and Cherokee Channel, across from the famed Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area. Hunts will take place in stand-up blinds scattered across the wetland unit. Hunters will boat to selected blinds.

Decoys and boats are provided. Four groups of three hunters will be drawn each hunt date. Groups will draw for blinds the morning before the hunt.

Special thanks to Closed Zone Farms for providing mowing and discing services to CWA’s Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough properties.

 Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVGHunt Dates Video Tour


 

STATEN ISLAND WATERFOWL HUNT

Application type: Lottery

The Delta island is 9,200 acres and located roughly 10 miles east of Rio Vista. It is home to thousands of wintering ducks, geese, swans and cranes. A large population of Aleutian geese winter on the island. Crops consist of corn, triticale, potatoes and hay. Hunters will hunt from pit-blinds, in flooded rice fields. Water depth range from 6 to 24 inches. Blind stools and decoys provided.

Special Conditions: Hunting will end at 10 a.m. Each group must consist of at least two hunters. Hunt winner must bring a guest. Five groups will be drawn each hunt date. Groups will draw for blinds before the morning hunt. 

Capacity: Three hunters

 

Blind/Bird AVG

Hunt Dates

Click here to visit our application website.

 


DENVERTON waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb

Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: None

Description: This is a California Waterfowl-owned property encompassing 762 acres and located in the Suisun Marsh off Highway 12. Six hunting groups will be allowed each hunt date, giving every group a chance for a memorable hunt. The hunt area consists of three XFowler floating blinds and three Black Box pit blinds. One of the XFowler blinds is wheelchair accessible and able to float from the parking lot to the desired location in the pond. Decoys are provided.

 Click here to visit our application website.

View the Denverton drone video here.

Blind/Bird AVGHunt Dates


GRIZZLY RANCH waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: None

Description: This is a California Waterfowl-owned property in the famed Suisun Marsh, bordering Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. Grizzly Ranch is over 900 acres and the wetlands are managed by CWA biologists. Decoys and transportation to and from the blinds is provided. Ten groups of two hunters will be drawn on each hunt date. Hunters will draw for blinds the morning of the hunt.

Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVG Hunt Dates Duck blind Tour


SOHNREY FAMILY FOODS RICE BLIND YOUTH OR VETERAN duck hunt

Hunt dates: Sat,Sun and Wed
Application type: First-come, first-served
Cost: free
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: At least one member of the hunting party must be a junior or a veteran. Youth hunters need to be accompanied by an adult chaperone (21 or older)
Capacity: 4 hunters
Restrictions: Must have a junior or veteran in the blind.

Special conditions: ****May only register as a hunt winner or attend as guest once per person, per hunting season. May not register as hunt winner and attend as guest on separate dates****

Description: Sohnrey Family Foods has donated a rice blind off Highway 99 and Nelson Shippee Road specifically for families and veterans. These hunts are unguided in a fully furnished rice blind. Hunters will be in charge of getting themselves to the blind (stools and decoys are provided). There is no fee to reserve a date or attend. May hunt all day.

APPLY FOR HUNTS

 

 

 

A hunter poses after a hunt with California Waterfowl at Sohnrey Family Farms.


MULBERRY youth waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: 2/3/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: Youth
Capacity: One youth hunter and one non shooting chaperone

This 600-acre Suisun Marsh duck club is located adjacent to Highway 680 near the "Mothball Fleet." The club traditionally holds large numbers of pintail, as well as other ducks, in the 200-acre private sanctuary on the west side of the property. As with most clubs on the marsh, access to the blind is by boat (provided). With recent habitat improvements, this club will offer great teal and pintail hunting. Do not miss this opportunity to hunt a premier Suisun Marsh duck club.

Capacity: One junior and one non-shooting adult chaperone. One group will be drawn for this hunt.

Click here to visit our application website.

A young hunter poses with the fruits of her hunt.


CICC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Hunt date:  TBD on a mutually agreed-upon date in January
Application type:
Lottery
Cost:
$5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region:
Sacramento Valley
For:
All hunters
Capacity:
4 hunters
Restrictions:
none

Description: Enjoy a morning hunt with the professional team of CICC Outdoor Adventures, hunting premier waterfowl properties bordering the Delevan or Colusa national wildlife refuges in the beautiful Sacramento Valley. All calling and game retrieval is included.

One suggestion: Don't forget to tip! These are professional guide teams who rely in part on tips to make a living.

 

 Click here to visit our application website.


FOWL PURSUER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES & NORTH WIND OUTFITTERS WATERFOWL hunt

Hunt dates: Nov-Jan
Application type:
Lottery
Cost:
$5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region:
Sacramento Valley or San Francisco Bay
For:
All hunters
Capacity:
2 hunters
Restrictions:
None
Special: The hunt on 12/31 as well as 1/21 will include one free taxidermied duck from Andres Gallo at Artisan Creations Taxidermy

Description: Fowl Pursuer Outdoor Adventures and North Wind Outfitters have partnered to offer specialized hunting opportunities. Together they have the expertise and properties to offer a great waterfowl hunt. All hunts are fully guided and include transportation to and from the blind, decoys, calling and bird retrieving.

The hunt location will be determined based on scouting reports, with options including: Sacramento Valley dry-field goose hunting, Sacramento Valley flooded-rice duck hunting, San Francisco Bay diver hunting and California Delta hunting on a floating blind.

Due to the drought flooded rice hunting may be limited.

One suggestion: Don't forget to tip! These are professional guide teams who rely in part on tips to make a living.

 Click here to visit our application website.

 


GRIZZLY RANCH mi/veteran Blind waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: Veteran* or active-duty military, or mobility-impaired hunter
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: One hunter must be able to push the floating blind to the hunt location.

Description: This 982-acre formerly private duck club is California Waterfowl's flagship property. Blind E0 is accesible by boat or by using a wheelchair accessible floating blind.  Decoys and stools are provided. Learn more about Grizzly Ranch here.

Capacity: 3 hunters

*Open to any active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

 Click here to visit our application website.

Watch the Grizzly Ranch Drone Flyover Video Now.

Learn more about the CWA Veteran Hunt Program.

Blind/Bird AVG Hunt dates


SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL LOS ANGELES CHAPTER - VETERAN PHEASANT HUNT

Hunt dates: January 13, 2024
Application type: Veteran
Cost: Free
Region: Southern CA
For: Active military and veterans

Description: Join CWA Veteran Hunt Program and SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL Los Angeles Chapter for a day of Pheasant Hunting at LONE PINE PHEASANT CLUB in Lone Pine, CA.

https://www.lonepinepheasantclub.com/

On January 13th, 2024, you will join CWA and SCI-LA for a day afield including birds, continental breakfast, lunch, bird cleaning, dogs and handlers.  LONEPINE Pheasant Club is a professional hunt club with over 800 acres of exclusive pheasant hunting habit. If you are hoping to do a pheasant hunt with a great organization, this is the hunt for you and your Veteran friends.

Special conditions: Open to any active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Learn more about the Veteran Hunt Program.

 

Click here to visit our application website.


Butte sink veteran WATERFOWL HUNT

Hunt dates: 2/10
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Veterans or active-duty military*
Capacity: 6-8 hunters
Description: Come and experience some of the best waterfowl hunting in the Butte Sink at CWA’s Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough property.All Veterans are welcome to apply for this hunt as we can accommodate any Veterans with or without disabilities. 

*Open to any active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Learn more about the Veteran Hunt Program.

Click here to visit our application website.


BARRON RANCH veteran WATERFOWL HUNT

Hunt dates: 1/20, 1/21, 1/24, 1/27, 1/28
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Veterans or active-duty military*
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: Veterans, come join CWA on a Veteran Hunt at the Barron Ranch near Lincoln on an exclusive private property rice blind duck hunt.  This is a great hunt for those just beginning and you can expect to hunt till mid or late morning. This club consistently produces Pintail, Widgeon, Gadwall, Teal, and the Great Northern Shoveler!  If you are a physically challenged Veteran, no worries, the guide has two quads to traverse the property.  Recommend #2, 3 or 4 shot for ducks and although waders are not required, some kind of rubber boots above the ankle works well for the wet and mud. Face masks for this hunt are required…….the Camo ones…..as we like the ducks in close when it comes time to shoot them.  No Dogs please on this hunt as a trained lab trained is used with a field dog blind. Decoys are provided, simply bring your gun, shells, license, and enjoy the day.

*Open to any active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Learn more about the Veteran Hunt Program.

Click here to visit our application website.


 

Popup veteran Goose HUNTs

Hunt dates: LATE SEASON
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Veterans or active-duty military*
Capacity: Multiple hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: CWA Veteran Hunt Program and some extremely gracious landowners and Volunteer Guides have donated POP-UP (when the geese are there you gotta go) goose hunts for VETERANS. These hunts are LAST MINUTE, we may even call you the night before to hunt, but generally try to give a 24-48 hour notice.  If you want to be on the LAST MINUTE call list for these hunts sign up and come join CWA for some of the best Goose Hunting we have to offer.  Hunts will take place from Willows to Dixon. These hunts are not for the faint of heart, we set out 1,000’s of decoys, generally at 03:00 a.m., we usually lay-out, and we will wear you out…..but WE HAVE GEESE! Apply once per month and you will be on the list for that months hunts.

*Open to any active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Learn more about the Veteran Hunt Program.

Click here to visit our application website.


DENVERTON mi/veteran Blind waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: Veteran* or active-duty military, or mobility-impaired hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters 
Restrictions: None, but one hunter must push the floating blind out to the hunt location

Description: Denverton is a 762-acre formerly private duck club in the Suisun Marsh. Assigned Pond MI/VET is wheelchair accessible, and blind stools are provided. One member of the hunting party must be able to push the blind out to the desired hunt location. Learn more about Denverton here.

Capacity: 3 hunters

Click here to visit our application website.

View the Denverton aerial video here.

Watch our veteran hunt stor here.

Blind/Bird AVG Hunt Dates


GOOSE LAKE  MI/VET blind waterfowl HUNT

Hunt dates: Dec-Jan
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Tulare Basin
For: Veteran or active-duty military*, or mobility-impaired
Capacity: 3 hunter

Description: CWA's Goose Lake property located just south of Lost Hills consists of 2,175 acres of total habitat. Our floating blind is wheelchair accessible and has low sides for shooting from a sitting position. Decoys and stools are provided. This years MI blind will be at the Badger Almond Unit.

*Active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVG

Hunt dates


 

SCHAEFER RANCH pig hunt

Hunt dates: 12/20, 1/17, 1/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Bay Area
For: All hunters
Capacity: Two hunters
Restrictions: Must be in good physical condition

Schaefer Ranch is a conservation easement located in Dublin. The Ranch is teeming with wildlife and pigs are abundant. Hunts will be spot and stalk. Hunters should expect to walk 8-10 miles on uneven terrain. Hunters will be accompanied by CWA’s Hunt Program coordinator. This hunt is a rifle hunt but if you have a bow as well, it will open up an extra 200 acres to hunt.

Capacity: Two hunters

Special conditions: Must be in good physical condition

PIG HUNT VIDEO

Click here to visit our application website.                                    


Bird Haven Ranch - Youth Hunt WEEKEND

Hunt dates: 2/3
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters (one adult non shooter and up to two youth shooters) 

Description: This is one of the premier duck clubs in the country. At 2,200+ acres and located just west of and adjacent to the closed zones of Howard Slough and Little Dry Creek units of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area, this club is one of the most beautiful and productive marshes in the Pacific Flyway. In addition to lush watergrass and smartweed fields intermixed with willow trees and tules, Bird Haven Ranch also farms about 1,000 acres of rice and a considerable amount of corn and milo food plots. If you’re not chasing mallards and wood ducks in the oak trees along Butte Creek or in a flooded corn field, you’re sure to see plenty of ducks and geese using the manicured wetlands. Hunters will be driven out to large and comfortable stand up blinds for a morning shoot. Don’t miss this opportunity to spend some time at the one-of-kind Bird Haven Ranch. 5 groups will be drawn.

Click here to visit our application website.


H-POND waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: January (TBD by hunter and host)
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 1 hunter
Restrictions: none

Description: Join H-Pond club member Dean Ongaro at the H-Pond duck club in the Yolo Bypass near Davis. The hunter will be boated to the blind on this beautiful natural wetland.

Click here to visit our application website.


OBANION ROAD RICE BLIND waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: 11/15 through end of the season
Application type: First-come, first-served
Cost: $25 (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 4 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: Hunt a four-person rice blind southeast of the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge. Stools and decoys are provided.

*May only register or attend as a guest once.*

APPLY FOR HUNTS

 

Image of a hunter walking through decoys before sunrise


GRIZZLY RANCH Veteran waterfowl hunts

Hunt dates: 12/9, 12/10, and 2/10
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: Veteran* or active-duty military
Restrictions: none

Description: This is a California Waterfowl-owned property in the famed Suisun Marsh, bordering Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. Grizzly Ranch is over 900 acres and the wetlands are managed by CWA biologists. Decoys and transportation to and from the blinds is provided. Ten groups of two hunters will be drawn on each hunt date. Hunters will draw for blinds the morning of the hunt.

 Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVG Hunt Dates Video Tour


TULE PATCH waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Jan, date TBD by hunter and host
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: Tule Patch is a long-standing duck club in the heart of the Butte Sink, located about 3 miles south of the Little Dry Creek Unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area, and bordering CWA’s Sanborn Slough property. The lucky winner and their guest will show up the morning of the hunt and will be taken to the blind by UTV. 

Apply for hunts


QUIMBY ISLAND WATERFOWL HUNT

Hunt dates: Oct-Jan
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Delta
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: This 789-acre property is located in East Contra Costa County between Mandeville Island, Frank's Tract and Holland Tract in the heart of the California Delta. The property was farmed for corn until it was enrolled in a federal wetland conservation easement program in 2012 and restored to managed wetlands by California Waterfowl staff. Habitats consist of seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands, riparian and grassland areas. The fertile peat soils grow wetland plants and trees like nowhere else in the Valley, producing impressive stands of smartweed and watergrass intermixed with lush willow thickets that attract large numbers of waterfowl. The hunt will take place either in the morning or afternoon depending on weather conditions. All hunters will be transported to the blind by boat. Decoys, blind stools, jet sleds, etc. will be provided.

 

 Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVGHunt Dates


STATEN ISLAND—VETERAN HUNTS

Hunt dates: 12/16, 1/13, and 2/10
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: CA Delta
For: Veteran* or active-duty military
Restrictions: none

The Delta island is 9,200 acres and located roughly 10 miles east of Rio Vista. It is home to thousands of wintering ducks, geese, swans and cranes. A large population of Aleutian geese winter on the island. Crops consist of corn, rice, triticale, potatoes and hay. Hunters will hunt from stand-up blinds in flooded, harvested corn fields. Water depth range from 6 to 24 inches. Blind stools and decoys provided.

Special conditions: Hunters will arrive the night before the hunt for dinner. Each blind will have a waterfowl guide. The volunteer guide will assist with calling, decoy set-up, bird ID, retrieving birds and more. Food and lodging included.

Open to any active-duty service member, or veteran of the military, naval or air service who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Learn more about the Veteran Hunt Program.

 

Blind/Bird AVG

Hunt Dates

Click here to visit our application website.

A hunter returns to the blind during a hunt with California Waterfowl.