California Goose Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits by Zone

The Goose hunting season in California is broken up in five (5) zones. Here is a listing of the California goose hunting season by zone. We have also listed the complete California waterfowl season including the duck hunting season as well as the American Coot and the Common Moorhen. Lastly, we have included the special California youth hunting season dates by zone.



California Goose Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits by Zone:

Northeastern California Zone:

Geese From the second Saturday in October extending for 100 days. (Oct 11 – Jan 18)

Daily bag limit: 8
Daily bag limit may include:

6 white geese.
4 white-fronted geese.
2 Large Canada geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
1 Small Canada goose (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit

Ducks (including Mergansers - From second Saturday in October extending 105 days. (Oct 11 – Jan 23). Canvasback Season Closed. Scaup: From the second Saturday in October extending for 86 days. (Oct 11 – Jan 4)

Daily bag limit: 7
Daily bag limit may include:

7 mallards, but not more than 1 female.
1 pintail (either sex).
2 redheads (either sex).
2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit

Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone

Geese - From the third Saturday in October extending for 100 days. (Oct 18 – Jan 25)
Daily bag limit: 8
Daily bag limit may include:

6 white geese.
4 white-fronted geese.
4 Large Canada geese. (see definitions: 502(a)).
6 Small Canada geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Ducks (including Mergansers) - A split season from the first Saturday in October extending for a period of 23 days (Oct 4 – Oct 26) and from the second Saturday in November extending for a period of 79 days. (Nov 8 – Jan 25)
Canvasback Season Closed.

Scaup: From the second Saturday in November extending for 79 days. (Nov 8 – Jan 25)

Daily bag limit: 7
Daily bag limit may include:

7 mallards, but not more than 1 female.
1 pintail (either sex).
2 redheads (either sex).
2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.



Southern California Zone

Geese From the third Saturday in October extending for 100 days. (Oct 18 – Jan 25)
Daily bag limit: 8
Daily bag limit may include:

6 white geese.
3 dark geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Ducks (including Mergansers) From the third Saturday in October extending for 100 days. (Oct 18 – Jan 25)
Canvasback Season Closed.

Scaup: From the first Saturday in November extending for 86 days. (Nov 1 – Jan 25)
Daily bag limit: 7
Daily bag limit may include:

7 mallards, but not more than 1 female.
1 pintail (either sex).
2 redheads (either sex).
2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Colorado River Zone

Geese From October 17 extending 101 days. (Oct 17 – Jan 25)

Daily bag limit: 6
Daily bag limit may include:

6 white geese.
3 dark geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Ducks (including Mergansers). From the Friday after the second Sunday in October extending for 101 days. (Oct 17 – Jan 25)
Canvasback Season Closed.

Scaup: From the first Saturday in November extending for 86 days. (Nov 1 – Jan 25)
Daily bag limit: 7
Daily bag limit may include:

7 mallards, but not more than 2 females or Mexican-like ducks.
1 pintail (either sex).
2 redheads (either sex).
2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Balance of State Zone

Geese From the third Saturday in October extending for 100 days (Oct 18 – Jan 25) EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area where the white-fronted goose season will be open from the last Saturday in October through December 14. (Oct 25 – Dec 14)

Daily bag limit: 8
Daily bag limit may include:

6 white geese.
4 white-fronted geese. EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area where only 2 may be taken.
4 Large Canada geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
6 Small Canada geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Ducks (including Mergansers). From the third Saturday in October extending for 100 days. (Oct 18 – Jan 25)
Canvasback Season Closed.

Scaup: From the first Saturday in November extending for 86 days. (Nov 1 – Jan 25)
Daily bag limit: 7
Daily bag limit may include:

7 mallards, but not more than 1 female.
1 pintail (either sex).
2 redheads (either sex).
2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: double the daily bag limit.

Youth Hunting Days Regulations

(NOTE: To participate in these Youth hunts, federal regulations require that hunters must be 15 years of age or younger and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older.)

Ducks (including Mergansers), American Coot, Common Moorhen, Black Brant, Geese
1. Northeastern California Zone: The Saturday fourteen days before the opening of waterfowl season extending for 2 days. (Sept 27 – Sept 28)

2. Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: The Saturday following the closing of waterfowl season extending for 2 days. (Jan 31 – Feb 1)

3. Southern California Zone: The Saturday following the closing of waterfowl season extending for 2 days. (Jan 31 – Feb 1)

4. Colorado River Zone: The Saturday following the closing of waterfowl season extending for 2 days. (Jan 31 – Feb 1)

5. Balance of State Zone: The Saturday following the closing of waterfowl season extending for 2 days. (Jan 31 – Feb 1)

Bag Limit same as above zones.

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