Waterfowl Hunting Season Getting Into Full Swing

Last year  over 50,000 hunters took to California's wetlands, agricultural lands and other bird friendly habitats seeking to bag ducks and geese.


The 2011 duck and geese season for the northeastern zone opened on October 8 and so did the Southern San Joaquin Zone for ducks only. Geese will follow on October 22, 2011.


Balance of the State and Southern California zones will open on October 22, 2011 preceded by the
Colorado River Zone for both ducks and geese on October 21, 2011.


Hunters should visit the DFG website to check detailed opening dates, location information, and information for individual species. 
A good example for this are Scaups (Lesser and Greater) that are open for only 86 days in most zones. These birds are notoriously difficult to identify. You can find a comparison list for scaup identification here: http://birding.about.com/od/identifyingbirds/a/scaupidentification.htm.


Almost 1 million acres of wildlife habitat provide recreational and hunting opportunities in California.
 "Many of the state-owned or operated waterfowl hunting areas are accessible to hunters through a reservation system. Last year more than one million applications were submitted by hunters wanting to hunt on one of these areas during the three-month-long waterfowl season." (DFG)

Hunters should check very carefully compliance with all regulations and license requirements as well as special rules regarding ammunition. 
DFG wardens are always very active during and around opening day to assure compliance with even minute details of all requirements. I know that from first hand experience where I was warned by fellow hunters of a private hunting club to be sure to have all stamps, especially the federal migratory bird stamp, and lead free ammunition in the chamber of the gun and in my pockets. It turned out to be good advice.
PJJ