Hunt Program

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Applications and Reservations will be going live July 14th between 7-8am!!

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 $6 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.

*The price per application has increased to $6 starting from the 2024-2025 season.*

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.

Women's overnight Duck Hunt - First-come, first-served

Hunt dates: 12/11 @ Staten Island, 12/18 @ Denverton, 1/1 @ Staten Island, 1/18 @ Grizzly Island 
Application Type: FCFS
Cost: $250
Region: Delta/Suisun Marsh
For: Women
Capacity: 8-10 women per hunt
Restrictions: Must be a women to attend

Description: This will be an overnight hunt. Food and drinks will be provided. Dinner the night before, a quick breakfast and then lunch available after hunting. If you need any equipment such as waders, a shotgun etc. it will be provided. Guides can also be provided if needed!

 

Click here to visit our application website.

 

Duck Camp

Camp dates: 11/1-11/3, 12/6-12/8, 1/17-1/18
Application type: First Come First Served
Cost: $500 per group for Family Duck Camp at Staten Island (one youth and one adult). 500$ per spot at Grizzly Ranch Duck Camp (any age)
Region: Suisun Marsh/CA Delta
Restrictions: Family Duck Camp at Staten Island requires you to have a youth in your group.

Description: CWA's Duck Camp is the leading camp in bridging new and beginning waterfowlers into feeling more comfortable in hunting either by themselves or with other beginners. The goal of the camp is to teach the attendees by providing two mentored hunts (Staten Camp will be one hunt) as well as after hunt instruction such as how to apply for refuges, calling, id, decoy spreads, etc. Grizzly Ranch Duck Camp is a Fri-Sun camp for any age. Staten Island Family Duck Camp is a Fri-Sat camp and you purchase a group spot for $500 and you are required to bring a youth with you.

 

November Grizzly Ranch Duck Camp

December Grizzly Ranch Duck Camp

January Staten Island Family Duck Camp

 

 

Quimby Island dove hunt

Hunt dates: 9/1/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: CA Delta
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: CWA's Quimby Island sits in the heart of the California Delta and is a wildlife paradise. With trees, water, and gravel all throughout the property, the doves have no reason to leave. Come join us on CWA's first ever Quimby Island Dove Hunt! One group of three hunters will be drawn.

QUIMBY ISLAND VIDEO

Click here to visit our application website.

CICC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Dove hunt

Hunt dates: 9/1/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description:Join the CICC Outdoor Adventures Crew on a one-day dove hunt for two taking place in the Sacramento Valley near the scenic Sutter Buttes along the river bottoms in Colusa or in the foothills just west of Maxwell. Either location will provide plenty of action. One group of two hunters will be drawn.

 

Click here to visit our application website.

 

 

 

GOOSE LAKE - TWO DAY dove hunt PACKAGE

Hunt dates: 9/1/23 - 9/2/23
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $50 to hunt for both days(hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Tulare Basin
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: CWA's Goose Lake property located just south of Lost Hills consists of 2,175 acres of total habitat. Join us this September for a two-day dove hunting package on the opener (Sept. 1 & 2)! Overnight camping is available. 15 groups will be drawn.

Hunters will draw for safflower food plots or fallow fields near water.

goose lake drone video

Click here to visit our application website.

GOOSE LAKE First-come, First-Served DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: Every Sat, Sun, Wed from 9/4-9/15
Application type: First-Come, First-Served
Cost: $50 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Tulare Basin
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: CWA's Goose Lake property located just south of Lost Hills consists of 2,175 acres of total habitat. Known for its stellar dove hunts, participants will be allowed to hunt over different upland food/hunting plots. During the September dove season, swarms of dove utilize the safflower food plots, eucalyptus tree lines, upland habitat and water in the canals. Ten groups will be available for each hunt day.

goose lake drone video

Click here to visit our application website.

GRIZZLY RANCH dove hunt

Hunt dates: 9/1/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 groups of 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: Grizzly Ranch is a California Waterfowl-owned property located in the famed Suisun Marsh, bordering the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. Hunters will hunt over a small safflower food plot. Two groups will be drawn.

grizzly ranch drone video

Click here to visit our application website.

 

 

pope ranch deer hunt

Hunt dates: 9/7-9/8
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 1 hunter and 1 non hunter
Restrictions: none

Description: Pope Ranch, CWA's newest property, encompasses 397 in Yolo County. Deer are abundant in the tule thickets that run adjacent to the meandering sloughs. The hunt winner will be accompanied by a CWA employee and is permitted to hunt during the first two days of the A Zone rifle season. One hunter and one non hunter. Hunter is responsible for acquiring A Zone tag.

POPE RANCH DRONE VIDEO

Click here to visit our application website.

hit and miss Ranch veteran PIG HUNT

Hunt dates: 7/17, 7/27, 8/7
Application type: Lottery
Cost: Free for Veterans or Active Military 
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Veterans or Active Military 
Capacity: Two hunters
Restrictions: Must be in good physical condition

Join the California Waterfowl's Veteran Hunt Program for an unforgettable pig hunt at the Hit and Miss Ranch near Williams, CA. This hunt in the hills on the west side of the Sacramento Valley offers a great hunting experience. Hunters must be capable of walking short distances over rough terrain and riding in a UTV for extended periods in rugged terrain. Hunters will meet the host near Interstate 5, close to Maxwell, and proceed to the location.

Participants are responsible for bringing their own rifle with lead-free ammunition, binoculars, food, water, knives, gloves, ice, and a valid CA hunting license with a pig validation.

Capacity: Two hunters

Special conditions: Must be in good physical condition

Click here to visit our application website.

 

HOODOO ISLAND youth/family turkey hunt

 Hunt dates: 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters (two juniors and one shooting adult) no shooting adults on spring season youth opener
Restrictions: At least one hunter must be a junior.

Description: HooDoo Island, a portion of the Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area in Butte and Glenn counties, consists of 130 acres of pristine wetland and riparian habitats. Butte Creek and Howard Slough flow around the island, creating a wildlife corridor teeming with wild turkey and other wildlife.

Click here to visit our application website.

 

The Flynn Property TURKEY HUNT

Hunt dates: 11/10
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: The Flynn Property is a 259-acre site located in the southeastern corner of Glenn County just south of the Llano Seco Rancho. One group of hunters will be drawn per hunt date.

Click here to visit our application website.

MULBERRY youth waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: 2/1/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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: $6 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: $6 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

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.

 

Northwind Outfitters logo

Fowl Pursuers Outdoor Adventures

GRIZZLY RANCH mi/veteran Blind waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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.

Watch the Grizzly Ranch Drone Flyover Video Now.

Learn more about the CWA Veteran Hunt Program.

Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVG hunt dates

GRIZZLY RANCH first-come, first-served waterfowl HUNT

Hunt dates: Nov-Jan
Application type: First-come, first-served
Cost: $200-300 (no hunter-access fee for guests)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2-3 hunters
Restrictions: ****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: 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 are provided.

Click here to visit our application website.

Video TourBlind/Bird AVGhunt dates

 

 

Turning point preserve deer hunt

Hunt dates: 11/2-11/3
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 1 hunter and 1 non hunter
Restrictions: none

Description: Turning Point, situated in Yolo County along the active floodplain of the Sacramento River, is 2,525 acres of agricultural fields as well as river bottoms. The hunt winner will be accompanied by a CWA employee and is permitted to hunt during the last two days of the D3-5 season. One hunter and one non hunter. Hunter is responsible for acquiring D3-5 tag.

Click here to visit our application website.

DENVERTON mi/veteran Blind waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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 story here.

Blind/Bird AVGHunt Dates

GOOSE LAKE  MI/VET blind waterfowl HUNT

Hunt dates: Dec-Jan
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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.

THERE WILL BE NO PHEASANTS FOR THE 24-25 SEASON!

BLIND/BIRD AVG BADGER ALMOND

BLIND/BIRD AVG HOUCHIN

Hunt Dates

Click here to visit our application website.

 

BUTTE CREEK ISLAND RANCH waterfowl  hunt

Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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

Turning point preserve TURKEY HUNT

Hunt dates: 11/9
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: Turning Point Preserve is almost 700 acres of wildlife bliss! Sitting next to the Sacramento River outside of Knight's Landing, this property offers riparian as well as agriculture which in turns makes for great hunting. One group of two hunters will be drawn for each hunt date.

Click here to visit our application website.

 

SANBORN SLOUGH waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: Dec-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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 AVGVideo TourHunt dates

QUIMBY ISLAND WATERFOWL HUNT

Hunt dates: Oct-Jan
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Delta
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 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. Two groups will be drawn for each hunt date.

 

Click here to visit our application website.

Blind/Bird AVGHunt dates

 

STATEN ISLAND WATERFOWL HUNT

Hunt dates: Nov-Jan
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Delta
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: none

Description: 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.

 

Blind/Bird AVG

Hunt Dates

Click here to visit our application website.