Popup veteran Goose HUNTs
Hunt dates: TBD
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. VHP will provide hunts from the Delta Islands, Dixon, Colusa area, over to the west side of the valley near Sacramento Wildlife Refuge, and in between. These hunts are not for the faint of heart, as it will be mornings as early as 3am setting up decoy spreads into the thousands.
You must know that you could be notified as little as 24-48 hours before the day of the hunt. We do our best to get notice out well before each hunt, but it is not always possible.
*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.
BUTTE CREEK ISLAND RANCH youth waterfowl hunt weekend
Hunt dates: Feb. 1, 2025
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Youth hunter, with non-hunting adult chaperone
Capacity: 2 youth hunters and 1 adult
Restrictions: none
Description: This 110-acre, CWA-owned property sits between Butte Creek and Howard Slough, across from the famed Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area. Hunts will take place in either stand-up or floating blinds located in two separate units. Mallards and wood ducks are commonly harvested in the area, as they come into the marsh after feeding on nearby rice. Decoys are provided.
Special thanks to Closed Zone Farms for providing mowing and discing services to CWA’s Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough properties.
Two groups of three will be drawn. Groups will draw for blinds before the morning hunt.
Click here to visit our application website.
DENVERTON YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT
Hunt dates: 2/1/2025
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: At least one hunter must be a youth hunter, and there must be an adult chaperone/hunter
Capacity: 2 youth hunters and 1 adult
Restrictions: none
Description: This is a California Waterfowl-owned property encompassing 762 acres in the Suisun Marsh off Highway 12. Five hunting groups will be allowed each hunt date, giving every group a great chance for a memorable hunt. The hunt area consists of three XFowler floating blinds and three Black Box pit blinds.
Click here to visit our application website.
GRIZZLY RANCH waterfowl youth hunt weekend
Hunt dates: 2/1/2025
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: Youth hunters, with non-shooting adult chaperone
Capacity: 2 youth hunters and 1 chaperone
Restrictions: none
Description: This is a California Waterfowl-owned property in the famed Suisun Marsh, bordering Grizzly Island State Wildlife Area. Grizzly Ranch is over 900 acres and the wetlands are managed by CWA biologists. Groups will draw for blinds before the morning hunt. Decoys and transportation to and from the blinds are provided.
Click here to visit our application website.
SANBORN SLOUGH YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT
Hunt dates: 2/1/25
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Youth hunters with non-shooting adult chaperone
Capacity: 2 youth and 1 adult
Restrictions: none
Description: This 260-acre CWA 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. 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.
GOOSE LAKE Veteran waterfowl HUNT
Hunt dates: 2/8/2025
Application type: Lottery
Cost: Free
Region: Tulare Basin
For: Veterans or Active Military
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: Blind #1 at the Houchin Unit will have the option to hunt the entire unit or hunt from the floating blind or stand-up blind. One member of the hunting party must be able to push the floating blind out to the desired hunt location.
Description: CWA's Goose Lake property located just south of Lost Hills consists of 2,175 acres of total habitat. In 2014, we reconstructed 300-acres of wetlands on the Houchin Unit to improve water use efficiency and promote the growth of waterfowl food plants, such as swamp timothy and watergrass.
New-The 926 acre Badger-Almond Unit has undergone separate restoration/reconstruction efforts since acquisition in 2014. In 2015 CWA restored the eastern 320 acres of fallow farmland into 300 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands and 20 acres of upland habitat. In 2018 through a project funded by NAWCA and WCB, CWA reconstructed 346 acres of previously developed ground by NRCS to allow for more efficient moist soil management practices. No all-season roads. Access will be closed with inclement weather.
Click here to visit our application website.
GRIZZLY RANCH Veteran waterfowl hunts
Hunt dates: 2/8/25
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.
GRIZZLY RANCH Veteran waterfowl hunts
Hunt dates: 12/14 and 12/15
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.
Separate hunters will be drawn for each hunt date. You may apply for both days.
Click here to visit our application website.
STATEN ISLAND—VETERAN HUNTS
Hunt dates: 12/14, 1/11, and 2/8
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.
DENVERTON veteran WATERFOWL HUNTS
Hunt dates: 11/27, 12/7, 1/4, and 2/8
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 encompassing 762 acres and located in the Suisun Marsh off Highway 12. The hunt area consists of three Xfowler floating blinds and three Black Box Pit Blinds. Hunters will arrive Friday night for dinner. Each blind will have a volunteer guide. the volunteer guide will help with blind safety, waterfowl identification, decoy placement, bird retrieval, calling, etc.
*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.
View the Denverton drone video here.
BUTTE CREEK ISLAND RANCH/SANBORN SLOUGH veteran WATERFOWL HUNT
Hunt dates: 12/11 and 2/8
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: Sacramento Valley
For: Veteran* or active-duty military
Restrictions: none
Description: Butte Creek Island Ranch -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 pit blinds located in three separate units. Mallards and wood ducks are common in the area, as they come into the marsh after feeding in nearby rice.
Sanborn Slough-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 transportation near the blind is provided. Overnight lodging and meals provided.
Special thanks to Closed Zone Farms for providing mowing and discing services to CWA’s Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough properties.
*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.
Vietnam veteran Waterfowl hunt
Hunt dates: 1/1-1/2 2025
Application type: Special application
Cost: Free
Region: Colusa
For: Vietnam Era Veteran
Restrictions: none
CALLING ALL VIETNAM VETERANS!!! Ring in the New Year with CWA's Veteran Hunt Program at CWA's premier Sanborn Slough Clubhouse. Come enjoy dinner, drinks, the view, and camaraderie with some of our nation's finest veterans on the afternoon of 1/1/25. The hunt will take place at three different properties on 1/2/25. We will hunt blinds out of Lambertville, Colusa, and the Durham area
Hunt date will be January 2nd, arrive afternoon of the 1st and all food, lodging and beverages will be provided during the event.
Special conditions: Open to Vietnam Era Veterans. Learn more about the Veteran Hunt Program.
COLUSA NWR veteran WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Special veteran hunt
Hunt date: 1/4/25
Cost: Free
Region: Colusa
For: Veterans or Active Military
On this special hunt, all the assigned ponds in the northern area at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge will be reserved for disabled veterans. Traditionally, this is a spectacular time for waterfowl hunting in the Sacramento Valley. The assigned pond locations will be reserved for the entire day. All selected hunters will be paired with a volunteer who will assist with calling, decoy set-up, bird ID, retrieving birds and more. This is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of a hunting a national wildlife refuge. A BBQ lunch will be provided after the hunt.
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.
Hunt date: 1/4/24
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!
UPPER VALLEY RANCH North
Hunt dates: 1/8/2025
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: Hunt ends at 11AM
Description: Located north of Marysville and east of Gridley, this property can produce great duck hunting opportunities as birds move down the eastern half of the Valley into the historic District 10. The ranch was restored by California Waterfowl in 1999 and contains over 450 acres of seasonal wetlands and 350 acres of uplands dedicated to waterfowl and pheasant. The property is well-known for its mallard harvest and its ability to work birds with little disturbance due to the lack of neighbors. CWA Director of Wetland Programs Chadd Santerre designed and built this spectacular ranch, and he will be your host. Hunt ends at 11AM.
hit and miss Ranch veteran PIG HUNT
Hunt dates: Starting back again in January, so please check back in December.
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
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.
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: 2/1/25
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.
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.
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.
GOOSE LAKE Youth waterfowl hunt
Hunt dates: 2/1/25
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Tulare Basin
For: All hunters
Capacity: 3 hunters
Restrictions: None
Description: CWA's Goose Lake property located just south of Lost Hills consists of 2,175 acres of total habitat. In 2014, we reconstructed 300-acres of wetlands on the Houchin Unit to improve water use efficiency and promote the growth of waterfowl food plants, such as swamp timothy and watergrass. Houchin will not be avialable for waterfowl this season.
The 926 acre Badger-Almond Unit has undergone separate restoration/reconstruction efforts since acquisition in 2014. In 2015 CWA restored the eastern 320 acres of fallow farmland into 300 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands and 20 acres of upland habitat. In 2018 through a project funded by NAWCA and WCB, CWA reconstructed 346 acres of previously developed ground by NRCS to allow for more efficient moist soil management practices. No all-season roads. Access will be closed with inclement weather.
THERE WILL BE NO PHEASANTS FOR THE 24-25 SEASON!
Click here to visit our application website.
GRIZZLY RANCH mi/veteran Blind waterfowl hunt
Hunt dates: Oct-Feb
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt
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.
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.
