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LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HUNT, NOT JUST WATERFWOL, BUT ALSO DOVES, PIGS, TURKEY 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.)

DOVE APPLICATION DEADLINE - 2 WEEKS BEFORE HUNT DATE!!!!

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 HUNT PROGRAM

All upcoming hunts (and fishing trips!) are listed below. Choose what types of hunts that interest you - then you can choose regions. 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.

 
 

CHINA BEND DEER HUNT

Hunt dates: 10/28-10/29
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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: China Bend, 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.

POPE RANCH DEER HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/16-9/17
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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.

See our new aerial drone footage of Pope Ranch.

Click here to visit our application website.

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BUTTE CREEK ISLAND RANCH/SANBORN SLOUGH DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/1/23 and 9/2/23
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 and Sanborn Slough sit across from the famed Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.  Four will be drawn each date. Due to food plot success, hunters will most likely be hunting Butte Creek Island Ranch.

Watch the drone footage of Butte Creek Island Ranch.

Click here to visit our application website.

CICC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/1/23
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: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.

QUIMBY ISLAND DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/1/23
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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.

Click here to see the new drone video of Quimby Island.

Click here to visit our application website.

QUIMBY ISLAND DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/1/23
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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.

Click here to see the new drone video of Quimby Island.

Click here to visit our application website.

QUIMBY ISLAND DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/1/23
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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.

Click here to see the new drone video of Quimby Island.

Click here to visit our application website.

QUIMBY ISLAND DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: 9/1/23
Application type: Lottery
Cost: $5 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.

Click here to see the new drone video of Quimby Island.

Click here to visit our application website.

BIRD HAVEN RANCH FAMILY TURKEY HUNT

Hunt dates: 11/18
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) 
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.

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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

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

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

Click here to visit our application website.

 

Blind/Bird AVG

Hunt Dates

GOOSE LAKE 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: 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.

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. After 12/20, any hunters drawn will also be able to hunt planted pheasants after 8am.

BLIND/BIRD AVG BADGER ALMOND

BLIND/BIRD AVG HOUCHIN

Hunt Dates

 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.

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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

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

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

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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

Click here to visit our application website.

 

Blind/Bird AVG

Hunt Dates

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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.

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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.

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GOOSE LAKE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED DOVE HUNT

Hunt dates: Every Sat, Sun, Wed from 9/3-9/15
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.

Click here to visit our application website.

See our brand new aerial drone footage of Goose Lake!

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location species hunt/fishing trip

Hunt dates: xxx
Application type: Lottery | First-come, first-served | Special application
Cost: Free | $XXX | $5 to apply, $25 to hunt (hunt fee waived for youth)
Region: XXX
For: xxx
Capacity: x hunters
Restrictions: xxx

Description: Highlight information that isn't mentioned above. Embed links to partners. Click on the Google map image below and then on the link button above to embed a google map link.

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HOW-TO VIDEOS


How to create new account


How to choose hunts


How to add a youth hunter

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 [email protected] or [email protected].