Hunt Program

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Hunting Programs
Hunting Overview Hunt Program Hunter Ed Online Resources Hunter development Veteran Hunt Program Women's Hunt Program Season dates and bag limits

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:

  • Lottery: Lottery 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.

Turkey and 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.

 

 

Mentored spring turkey hunts at sacramento and delevan nwr

Hunt dates: 3/25-26, 4/1-2, 4/8-9, 4/15-16, 4/22-23, 4/29-30
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $0 to apply, $0 to hunt
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: 

  • First time hunters (Jr and adult hunters)
  • First time turkey hunters (Jr and adult hunters)

Capacity: 1 hunters
Restrictions: Must be either a first time hunter or first time turkey hunter.  

*Selected applicants will be screened to ensure they meet the eligible standards provided.*

Description: The Sacramento NWR Complex, National Wild Turkey Federation, and California Waterfowl will be partnering to implement mentored spring turkey hunts to novice hunters on Sacramento and Delevan National Wildlife Refuges. The goal of this hunt is to provide a high quality and educational hunting experience to novice hunters. Hunters will be paired up with an experienced mentor who will take them out on Sacramento or Delevan NWRs for 2 days of turkey hunting.

Click here to visit our application website.

alaska fishing adventure

Fish dates: May 30-Jun 3
Application type: Special Application
Cost: Free
Region: Alaska
For: Veterans or active-duty military*
Capacity: 4 Veterans
Restrictions: None

Description:This unbelievable opportunity is an ALL EXPENSE PAID, including airfare, to Rocky Point Resort in Petersburg Alaska and takes place from May 30th, 2023 – June 3rd 2023. 4 Veterans will be selected and head off to Petersburg, Alaska, located on the northern tip of Mitkof Island. Mitkof Island is separated from Kupreanof Island by the 25 mile long Wrangell Narrows. Rocky Point Resort is located midway down the Narrows thus providing boaters with many miles of protected salt water in which to fish and explore. You have all of the advantages of salt water fishing without the rough waters of the open ocean. We are also located about a mile from the mouth of Blind River which has a state run fish hatchery and so the kings and coho return to spawn right in our "front yard”!

Click here to visit our application website.

 

HOODOO ISLAND youth/family turkey hunt

 Hunt dates: 3/18 (youth opener), 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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 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 Scurria Property TURKEY HUNT

Hunt dates: 3/26, 4/2, 4/5
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: The Scurria Property is located just outside of Colusa, along the active floodplain of the Sacramento River. is 148 acres of fields and orchards. One group of hunters will be drawn per hunt date.

Click here to visit our application website.                                   

BIRD HAVEN RANCH youth/family turkey hunt

Hunt dates: 3/18 (youth opener), 4/1, 4/29
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters (one adult shooter and up to two youth shooters) no shooting adults on youth opener
Restrictions: One hunter must be a junior. No more than one adult hunter.

Description: Hunt on the famed Bird Haven Ranch. Bordering Butte Creek and the the Howard Slough and Little Dry Creek units of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area makes Bird Haven Ranch an absolute turkey hotspot. Hunters will hunt from predetermined blinds.

 Click here to visit our application website.

 

HOODOO ISLAND Veteran turkey hunt

Hunt dates: 4/5, 4/12
Application type: Special Application
Cost: Free
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Veterans or active-duty military*
Capacity: 1 hunter
Restrictions: None

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.


 

BUTTE CREEK ISLAND RANCH spring TURKEY HUNT

Hunt dates: 3/25, 4/2, 4/15
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: CWA’s Butte Creek Island Ranch sits in the middle of turkey heaven. The property is nestled between Sanborn Slough and Butte Creek, across from the famed Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.

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.

 

SANBORN SLOUGH Spring turkey hunt

Hunt dates: 3/26, 4/1, 4/8, 4/16, 4/22
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 260-acre CWA-owned property sits between Sanborn Slough and Cherokee Canal, across from the famed Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.

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.

 

SCHAEFER RANCH pig hunt

Hunt dates: 4/1, 4/5, 4/15, 5/3, 5/13, 5/17
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

 

Click here to visit our application website.                                    

SCHAEFER RANCH VETERAN pig hunt

Hunt dates: 4/29, 5/24
Application type: Lottery
Cost: Free
Region: Bay Area
For: Veterans
Capacity: One hunter
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.

 

IF YOU ARE SELECTED, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM CWA'S VOLUNTEER VETERAN HUNT PROGRAM COORDINATOR, MIKE PEETERS.

Click here to visit our application website.                                  

SCHAEFER RANCH Womens pig hunt

Hunt dates: 4/19
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. Must be a woman to apply.

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. Must be a woman to apply.

 

Click here to visit our application website.