2016-17 WATERFOWL REGULATIONS APPROVED
Last week, the California Fish and Game Commission approved the seasons and bag limits for the 2016-17 waterfowl season. California Waterfowl attended and spoke at the meeting, which was held in Santa Rosa.

Several of the regulatory changes supported by CWA and the Department of Fish and Wildlife for the 2016/17 season include an allowance for 16 and 17 year olds to participate in the pre and post season federal youth hunts and an increase in the white goose limit to 20 birds per day. The continued increase in white goose bag limits is an attempt to insure breeding populations are in balance with nesting habitat capacity. 
In the NE Zone, a split season will now be offered on white geese to allow hunting opportunity early in the season when the NE Zone typically receives its highest hunter visitation. An October 8th opener was also approved at the request of many local hunters and CWA, which will give wetland managers additional time to flood areas for hunting as well as reduce the opportunity for disease outbreaks. Now hunters can participate in both the NE Zone opener and the BOS Zone early goose opener.

This marked the first year of a new, streamlined waterfowl regulatory cycle mandated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). According to USFWS, "Beginning with the 2016-17 hunting seasons, the previous two-cycle regulatory practice is now compressed into a single, annual process. Biological data from the past year is now used to set hunting season dates and to project appropriate harvest limits for each game species. The change gives biologists more time to analyze bird survey data that inform the Service's regulatory decisions and gives the public more time to weigh in on proposed rules. The change will also ensure administrative procedures do not delay the opening of state hunting seasons."

While the new process requires state approval of waterfowl regulations by April, which is prior to May pond and waterfowl counts in the Prairie Pothole region and other important waterfowl breeding areas (as well as CA breeding population surveys), it should be noted that states still retain the ability to adopt any further restrictions on seasons and bag limits prior to or during their respective waterfowl seasons.

Here are some additional highlights:

  • White goose bag limit increased to 20/day (most zones)
  • Total goose bag limit increased to 30/day (most zones)
  • NE Zone: 3-way split for white geese (Dark Geese - Oct. 8 - TBD, White Geese - Oct. 8 - TBD & TBD - TBD)
  • Type C Wildlife Areas and public waters open during late season in NE Zone
  • Youth Hunt age increased to 17 and younger
  • The general duck Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California Zones will run from October 22 through January 29. The Northeastern Zone will run from October 8 through January 20. Colorado River Zone will run from October 21 through January 29
  • Youth hunts will be February 4 and 5, 2017 except in the Northeastern Zone which will be September 24 and 25, 2016
The complete 2016-17 regulations will be available soon at www.calwaterfowl.org.
CWA CAMPS AIM TO GET YOU READY FOR HUNTING SEASON
Have some fun and get ready for hunting seasons with California Waterfowl Hunting Heritage programs. Information and registration is at
 
Youth Hunter Summer Camps (Level 1) - Level 1 camps are scheduled for June 12-16 and July 10-14 including hunter safety, safe gun handling and shooting skills in shotgun, rifle and archery as well as wildlife conservation activities like duck banding.  Overnight lodging, food, ammunition, targets included, early registration discount of $50. 
 
Youth Hunter Summer Camps (Level 2) - The Level 2 camps are scheduled for June 19-23 and July 17-21 including hunting skills, shooting in shotgun, rifle and archery, fishing as well as wildlife conservation activities like duck banding.  Five days of fun for new, young hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.  Overnight lodging, food, ammunition, targets included, early registration discount of $50. 
 
Adult and Family Events
Grizzly Ranch Ladies day - May 21
Adult Hunter Day - May 22
Family Fun Shoots (June 11 and August 28)
Family Hunter Camp - Aug 5-7 

May 13-15
Rancho Esquon Youth Hunter Camp 
EVENT CALENDAR
April 23
Gray Lodge Clean Up & Field Day
April 29
Modesto Dinner
May 5
Fresno State Cinco de Mayo Party
May 6
Santa Rosa Banquet
May 6
Chuck Pihera Wild Game Feed
May 7
North Valley Fun Shoot
May 14
Siskiyou Dinner
May 14
Orange County Dinner 

CORPORATE PARTNERS 

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California Waterfowl  is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state's waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage.  In the last 20+ years, we've completed more than 1,400 individual projects to protect, restore, and enhance more than 490,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals.  Our Wood Duck Program has hatched more than 740,000 ducklings, while our Banding Programs have marked nearly 257,000 birds.  Our Youth and Education Programs have reached more than 320,000 children, young adults, and families to help to create a better understanding of biology, conservation, and outdoor heritage.  All efforts are supported largely by donations and the work of nearly 1,500 dedicated and tireless volunteers.

 

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Conserving California's Waterfowl, Wetlands and Hunting Heritage