Department of Fish and Game

2011 - 2012 Waterfowl Hunting Season Summary

This table represents excerpted details from the full waterfowl hunting regulations (CA Code of Regulations, Title 14), as adopted by the Fish and Game Commission August 3, 2011.

AREA SPECIES SEASONS DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS
Statewide Coots & Moorhens Concurrent with duck season 25/day. 25 in possession
Northeastern Zone Ducks Oct 8 - Jan 20 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards
but no more than 2 females,
2 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 3 scaup.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Scaup Oct 8 - Jan 1
Geese Oct 8 - Jan 15 8/day, which may include:
6 white geese, 6 dark geese no more than 2 Large Canada geese.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone Ducks Oct 8 - Oct 30 & Nov 12 - Jan 29 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards
no more than 2 females,
2 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 3 scaup.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Scaup Nov 12 - Jan 29
Geese Oct 22 - Jan 29 8/day, which may include: 6 white geese,
6 dark geese.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Colorado River Zone Ducks Oct 21 - Jan 29 7/day, which may include:
7 mallards no more than 2 females or Mexican-like ducks,
2 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 3 scaup.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Scaup Nov 5 - Jan 29
Geese Oct 21 - Jan 29 6/day, up to 6 white geese, up to 3 dark geese.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Southern California Zone Ducks Oct 22 - Jan 29 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards
no more than 2 females,
2 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 3 scaup.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Scaup Nov 5 - Jan 29
Geese Oct 22 - Jan 29 8/day, up to 6 white geese, up to 3 dark geese.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Balance of State Zone Ducks Oct 22 - Jan 29 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards
no more than 2 females,
2 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 3 scaup.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Scaup Nov 5 - Jan 29
Geese Early Season (Large Canada Geese only):
Oct 1 - Oct 5
Regular Season : Oct 22 - Jan 29
Late Season (White-fronts and White Geese):
Feb 18 - Feb 22		 8/day, which may include: 6 white geese,
6 dark geese.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
SPECIAL AREA SPECIES SEASON DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS
North Coast All Canada Geese Nov 5 - Jan 26 6/day, only 1 may be a Large Canada goose.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Feb 18 - Mar 10 6/day, zero Large Canada goose.
Possession limit double the daily bag.
Humboldt Bay South Spit All species Closed during brant season  
Sacramento Valley White-fronted geese Oct 22 - Dec 21 2/day. Possession limit double the daily bag.
Morro Bay All species Open in designated areas only Waterfowl season opens concurrently with brant season.
Martis Creek Lake All species Closed until Nov 16  
Northern Brant Black Brant Nov 7 - Dec 6 2/day. Possession limit double the daily bag.
Balance of State Brant Black Brant Nov 12 - Dec 11 2/day. Possession limit double the daily bag.
Imperial County White Geese Nov 5 - Jan 29 & Feb 11 - Feb 26 6/day. Possession limit double the daily bag.
YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING DAYS SPECIES SEASON DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS
Northeastern Zone Same as regular season Sept 24 - 25 Same as regular season
Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone Feb 4 - 5
Southern California Zone Feb 4 - 5
Colorado River Zone Feb 4 - 5
Balance of State Zone Feb 4 - 5
FALCONRY OF DUCKS SPECIES SEASON DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS
Northeastern Zone Same as regular season Oct 8 - Jan 20 3/day, possession limit 6
Balance of State Zone Oct 22 - Jan 29 & Feb 4 - 5
Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone Oct 8 - Oct 30 & Nov 12 - Feb 1
Southern California Zone Oct 22 - Feb 3
Colorado River Zone Ducks only Oct 21 - Feb 2