04/17/2026
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⚖️ F&G Commission Approves 2026/27 Waterfowl Regs, Other Hunting Regulations ⚖️
Yesterday, the California Fish and Game Commission met in Sacramento and approved the 2026/27 seasons and bag limits for waterfowl hunting. CWA attended and spoke at the meeting.
Notable changes from last season that CWA supported in our input to the Commission include:
• Extending the regular season in the Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California zones to January 31, with the season starting the fourth Saturday in October.
• Increasing the Canada goose limit to 3 birds per day in the Northeast Zone.
• Allowing 3 days of falconry-only hunting after the regular season.
• Ensuring 5 days of rest (no hunting) just prior to the postseason youth hunt, which will begin the second Saturday in February.
CWA appreciates the willingness of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to attend our Regulations and Traditions meeting back in February and work collaboratively on these waterfowl regulatory changes.
The Commission also approved a decrease in the white-fronted goose limit from 10 to 6 birds per day due to the newly adopted harvest strategy for that species and the 3-year average fall index falling below 450,000 birds. (In future years, if the index rises above 450,000 birds, the bag limit may be increased accordingly.)
Additionally, CWA testified at yesterday’s Commission meeting in support of changes to black bear hunting regulations that will allow:
Hunters to secure a second bear tag, and
Expansion of the bear hunting zone to include all of Modoc and Lassen counties (approved by the Commission).
We also supported a petition to allow the use of bicycles on roads and levees in the Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area during waterfowl season, which was approved for further consideration through a separate process.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be updating its website soon with the finalized regulations.
