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.

DENVERTON 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: 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: $6 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  Duck blind Tourhunt dates

 

MULBERRY Waterfowl hunt

Hunt dates: 12/14/24 & 1/11/25
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: Suisun Marsh
For: All hunters
Capacity: 2 hunters
Restrictions: none

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.

Click here to visit our application website.

A young hunter poses with the fruits of her hunt.

GOOSE LAKE 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: 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.

BLIND/BIRD AVG BADGER ALMOND

BLIND/BIRD AVG HOUCHIN

Hunt Dates

 

The Scurria Property 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: The Scurria Property is located just outside of Colusa, along the active floodplain of the Sacramento River. is 148 acres of fields and orchards. 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. The hunter will have the opportunity to hunt 11/2 and 11/3.

Click here to visit our application website.

pope ranch duck/pheasant hunt

Hunt dates: 11/9, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21
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: Pope Ranch, CWA's newest property, encompasses 397 in Yolo County. Wildlife is abundant in the tule thickets that run adjacent to the meandering sloughs. The winning groups will hunt mallards in the small potholes until 8 AM. After 8, they will be able to chase wild pheasants throughout the property. Two groups will be drawn for each date.

POPE RANCH DRONE VIDEO

hunt dates

Click here to visit our application website.

 

HOODOO ISLAND Veteran turkey hunt

Hunt dates: 11/13, 11/27
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.


 

 

SCHAEFER RANCH pig hunt

Hunt dates: 7/10, 7/24, 8/7, 8/21, 9/4, 9/18
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $6 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.