The Wire · CalGunHub

California commission adopts 2026-27 waterfowl seasons, goose limit changes

Published April 16, 2026 · Updated October 12, 2026

The commission adopted 2026-27 waterfowl rules with longer seasons in three zones, a lower white-fronted goose limit, and added falconry days, per California Waterfowl.

Written by the CalGunHub desk from public reporting

Who this affects: For the 2026-27 season, waterfowl hunters in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California zones have a regular season running through Jan. 31, with duck seasons opening Oct. 24. The Northeastern Zone duck season runs Oct. 3 to Jan. 13, and the Colorado River Zone runs Oct. 23 to Jan. 31. The white-fronted goose daily limit is 6 statewide, the Northeast Zone large Canada goose limit is 3, and the pintail limit stays 3. Nonlead ammunition remains required for all firearm take of wildlife in California. This is general information, not legal advice.

The California Fish and Game Commission adopted waterfowl hunting regulations for the 2026-27 season at its April 15-16, 2026, meeting in Sacramento, with changes that include a longer regular season in three zones and revised goose bag limits, according to a summary published by California Waterfowl.

The rulemaking was noticed in December 2025 and discussed at the commission's Feb. 11-12, 2026, meeting before adoption April 16, according to the commission's 2026 rulemaking page. The adoption came at the same meeting where the commission approved two black bear tags per hunter, as recapped in an April 22, 2026, Department of Fish and Wildlife release.

Per California Waterfowl's summary, regular-season waterfowl hunting in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California zones was extended through Sunday, Jan. 31. The Northeast Zone daily bag limit for large Canada geese increased to 3, while the white-fronted goose daily limit decreased from 10 to 6 across all zones under a newly adopted harvest strategy. Three falconry-only hunting days, Feb. 20-22, were added after the regular season in those zones. The pintail limit remains 3.

Approved season structures: ducks Oct. 3 to Jan. 13 in the Northeastern Zone; Oct. 24 to Jan. 31 in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California zones; and Oct. 23 to Jan. 31 in the Colorado River Zone.

State waterfowl regulations fit within Pacific Flyway frameworks set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. California's longstanding requirement that hunters use nonlead ammunition for all firearm take of wildlife, under Title 14 Section 250.1, continues to apply.

Informational only, not legal advice. Facts are attributed to the sources listed above.