California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 2 - Game, Furbearers, Nongame, and Depredators
Chapter 7 - Migratory Game Birds
Section 502 - Waterfowl, Migratory; American Coot and Common Moorhen (Common Gallinule)

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 502

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Definitions.

(1) Dark geese. Dark geese include Canada geese, cackling geese, Aleutian geese and white-fronted geese ("specklebelly").

(2) Large Canada geese. Large Canada geese include western Canada geese ("honker") and lesser Canada geese ("lessers").

(3) Small Canada geese. Small (about the size of a mallard) Canada geese include cackling geese and Aleutian geese. Both are white-cheeked geese nearly identical in appearance to Large Canada geese. Aleutian geese have a thin white neck ring and Cackling geese have dark breasts. Both species have a high-pitched cackle as opposed to the deeper "honking".

(4) White geese. White geese include Ross' geese, snow geese and blue phase of both species..]

(b) Waterfowl Hunting Zones.

(1) Northeastern California Zone: In that portion of California lying east and north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon state line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to Main Street in Greenville; north and east to its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada state line; north along the California-Nevada state line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon state lines west along the California-Oregon state line to the point of origin.

(2) Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: All of Kings and Tulare counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern California Zone.

(3) Southern California Zone: In that portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River zone) lying south and east of a line beginning at the mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of Santa Maria; continue north on 101-166; east on Highway 166 to the junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass; east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada state line.

(4) Colorado River Zone: In those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties lying east of the following lines: Beginning at the intersection of Nevada State Highway 95 with the California-Nevada state line; south along Highway 95 through the junction with Highway 40; continue south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction; south through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside county line on a road known as "Aqueduct Road" also known as Highway 62 in San Bernardino County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice Road; south on Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of Desert Center; continue east 31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its intersection with Ogilby Road; south on this road to Highway 8; east seven miles on Highway 8 to its intersection with the Andrade-Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on this paved road to the intersection of the Mexican boundary line at Los Algodones, Mexico.

(5) Balance of State Zone: That portion of the state not included in Northeastern California, Southern California, Colorado River or the Southern San Joaquin Valley zones.

(6) Special Management Areas
(A) North Coast. All of Del Norte and Humboldt counties.

(B) Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side). Beginning at the intersection of the north boundary of Table Bluff County Park and the South Jetty Road; north along the South Jetty Road to the South Jetty; west along the South Jetty to the mean low water line of the Pacific Ocean; south along the mean low water line to its intersection with the north boundary of the Table Bluff County Park; east along the north boundary of the Table Bluff County Park to the point of origin.

(C) Klamath Basin. Beginning at the intersection of Highway 161 and Highway 97; east on Highway 161 to Hill Road; south on Hill Road to N Dike Road West Side; east on N Dike Road West Side until the junction of the Lost River; north on N Dike Road West Side until the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway; east on Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway until N Dike Road East Side; south on the N Dike Road East Side; continue east on N Dike Road East Side to Highway 111; south on Highway 111/Great Northern Road to Highway 120/Highway 124; west on Highway 120/Highway 124 to Hill Road; south on Hill Road until Lairds Camp Road; west on Lairds Camp Road until Willow Creek; west and south on Willow Creek to Red Rock Road; west on Red Rock Road until Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway; north on Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway to Highway 97; north on Highway 97 to the point of origin.

(D) Sacramento Valley. Beginning at the town of Willows; south on Interstate 5 to the junction with Hahn Road; east on Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to the town of Grimes; north on Highway 45 to its junction with Highway 162; north on Highway 45-162 to the town of Glenn; west on Highway 162 to the point of beginning.

(E) Morro Bay. Beginning at a point where the high tide line intersects the State Park boundary west of Cuesta by the Sea; northeasterly to a point 200 yards offshore of the high tide line at the end of Mitchell Drive in Baywood Park; northeasterly to a point 200 yards offshore of the high tide line west of the Morro Bay State Park Boundary, adjacent to Baywood Park; north to a point 300 yards south of the high tide line at the end of White Point; north along a line 400 yards offshore of the south boundary of the Morro Bay City limit to a point adjacent to Fairbanks Point; northwesterly to the high tide line on the sand spit; southerly along the high tide line of the sand spit to the south end of Morro Bay; easterly along the Park boundary at the high tide line to the beginning point.

(F) Martis Creek Lake. The waters and shoreline of Martis Creek Lake, Placer and Nevada counties.

(G) Northern Brant. Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties.

(H) Balance of State Brant. That portion of the state not included in the Northern Brant Special Management Area.

(I) Imperial County. Beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway 86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.; northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.; south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.

(c) Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for American Coots, and Common Moorhens.

(1) Statewide Provisions.

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
American Coot and Common Moorhen Concurrent with duck season(s) Daily bag limit: 25, either all of one species or a mixture of these species.
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.

(d) Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Ducks and Geese by Zone.

(1) Northeastern California Zone (NOTE: SEE SUBSECTION 502(d)(6) BELOW FOR SPECIAL SEASONS AND CLOSURES.)

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks (including Mergansers) From the first Saturday in October extending for 103 days. Daily bag limit: 7
Scaup: from the first Saturday in October extending for a period of 58 days and from the third Thursday in December extending for a period of 28 days. Daily bag limit may include:
* 7 mallards, but not more than 2 females.
* 1 pintail (either sex).
* 2 canvasback (either sex).
* 2 redheads (either sex).
* 2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
Geese Regular Season: Daily bag limit: 30
Canada Geese: from the first Saturday in October extending for 100 days. Daily bag limit may include:
White-fronted and white geese from the first Saturday in October extending for a period of 58 days and from January 3 extending for a period of 13 days. * 20 white geese.
Late Season: White-fronted and white geese from February 5 extending for 34 days. * 10 dark geese but not more than 2 Large Canada geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
During the Late Season, hunting is only permitted on Type C wildlife areas listed in sections 550-552, navigable waters, and private lands with the permission of the landowner under provisions of Section 2016, Fish and Game Code. Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
Hunting is prohibited on Type A and Type B wildlife areas, the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, and any waters which are on, encompassed by, bounded over, flow over, flow through, or are adjacent to any Type A and Type B wildlife areas, the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, or the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge.

(2) Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone (NOTE: SEE SUBSECTION 502(d)(6) BELOW FOR SPECIAL SEASONS AND CLOSURES.)

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks (including Mergansers) From the fourth Saturday in October extending for 98 days. Daily bag limit: 7
Scaup: from November 7 extending for 86 days. Daily bag limit may include:
* 7 mallards, but not more than 2 females.
* 1 pintail (either sex).
* 2 canvasback (either sex).
* 2 redheads (either sex).
* 2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
Geese From the fourth Saturday in October extending for 98 days. Daily bag limit: 30
Daily bag limit may include:
* 20 white geese.
* 10 dark geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.

(3) Southern California Zone (NOTE: SEE SUBSECTION 502(d)(6) BELOW FOR SPECIAL SEASONS AND CLOSURES.)

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks (including Mergansers) From the fourth Saturday in October extending for 98 days. Daily bag limit: 7
Scaup: from November 7 extending for 86 days. Daily bag limit may include:
* 7 mallards, but not more than 2 females.
* 1 pintail (either sex).
* 2 canvasback (either sex).
* 2 redheads (either sex).
* 2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
Geese From the fourth Saturday in October extending for 98 days. Daily bag limit: 23
Daily bag limit may include:
* 20 white geese.
* 3 dark geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.

(4) Colorado River Zone (NOTE: SEE SUBSECTION 502(d)(6) BELOW FOR SPECIAL SEASONS AND CLOSURES.)

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks (including Mergansers). From October 23 extending for 101 days. Daily bag limit: 7
Scaup: from November 7 extending for 86 days. Daily bag limit may include:
* 7 mallards, but not more than 2 females or Mexican ducks.
* 1 pintail (either sex).
* 2 canvasback (either sex).
* 2 redheads (either sex).
* 2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
Geese From October 23 extending for 101 days. Daily bag limit: 25
Daily bag limit may include:
* 20 white geese.
* 5 dark geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.

(5) Balance of State Zone (NOTE: SEE SUBSECTION 502(d)(6) BELOW FOR SPECIAL SEASONS AND CLOSURES.)

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks (including Mergansers). From the fourth Saturday in October extending for 98 days. Daily bag limit: 7
Scaup: from November 7 extending for 86 days. Daily bag limit may include:
* 7 mallards, but not more than 2 females.
* 1 pintail (either sex).
* 2 canvasback (either sex).
* 2 redheads (either sex).
* 2 scaup (either sex).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
Geese Early Season: Large Canada geese only from the Saturday closest to October 1 for a period of 3 days EXCEPT in the North Coast Special Management Area where Large Canada geese are closed during the early season. Daily bag limit: 30
Regular Season: Dark and white geese from the fourth Saturday in October extending for 98 days EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area where the white-fronted goose season will close after December 21. Daily bag limit may include:
Late Season: Canada geese from the second Saturday in February extending for 2 days. * 20 white geese.
White-fronted and white geese from the second Saturday in February extending for a period of 5 days EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area where the white-fronted goose season is closed. * 10 dark geese EXCEPT in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area where only 3 may be white-fronted geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
During the Late Season, hunting is not permitted on wildlife areas listed in sections 550-552 EXCEPT on Type C wildlife areas in the North Central and Central regions. Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.

(6) Special Management Areas (see descriptions in 502(b)(6))

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
1. North Coast All Canada Geese From October 5 extending for a period of 78 days (Regular Season) and from February 12 extending for a period of 27 days (Late Season). During the Late Season, hunting is only permitted on private lands with the permission of the landowner under provisions Section 2016, Fish and Game Code. Daily bag limit: 10
Canada Geese of which only 1 may be a Large Canada goose (see definitions: 502(a)), EXCEPT during the Late Season, the bag limit on Large Canada geese is zero.
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
2. Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side) All Species Closed during brant season
3. Klamath Basin Geese Canada Geese from the first Saturday in October extending for 100 days. Daily bag limit: 30
White-fronted and white geese from the first Saturday in October extending for 105 days. Daily bag limit may include:
* 20 white geese.
* 10 dark geese but not more than 2 Large Canada geese (see definitions: 502(a)).
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
4. Sacramento Valley White-Fronted Geese Open concurrently with the goose season through December 21, and during Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. Daily bag limit: 3 white-fronted geese.
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
5. Morro Bay All species Open in designated area only from the opening day of brant season through the remainder of waterfowl season.
6. Martis Creek Lake All species Closed until November 16.
7. Northern Brant Black Brant From November 18 extending for 27 days. Daily bag limit: 2
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
8. Balance of State Brant Black Brant From November 19 extending for 27 days. Daily bag limit: 2
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.
9. Imperial County White Geese From November 4 extending for a period of 89 days (Regular Season) and February 3-9, 2025 and February 12-20, 2025 (Late Season). During the Late Season, hunting is only permitted on private lands with the permission of the landowner under provisions of Section 2016, Fish and Game Code. Daily bag limit: 20
Possession limit: triple the daily bag limit.

(e) Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Regulations (NOTE: To participate in these Youth Waterfowl Hunts, youth must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older. Federal regulations require that hunters must be 17 years of age or younger.)

(1) Statewide Provisions.

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag Limit
Ducks (including Mergansers), American Coot, Common Moorhen, Black Brant, Geese 1. Northeastern California Zone: The Saturday fourteen days before the opening of waterfowl season extending for 2 days. Same as regular season.
2. Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: The first Saturday in February extending for 2 days.
3. Southern California Zone: The first Saturday in February extending for 2 days.
4. Colorado River Zone: The second Saturday in February extending for 2 days.
5. Balance of State Zone: The first Saturday in February extending for 2 days.

(f) Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days Regulations.

NOTE: Veterans (as defined in Section 101 of Title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than training), may participate. Persons participating in this special hunt must possess and present upon demand verification of eligibility to participate in this hunt. Verification includes: Veteran's ID Card, or Military ID Card for active duty, or a State-issued driver's license or Identification Card with Veteran Designation.

(1) Statewide Provisions.

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag Limit
Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coot, Common Moorhen 1. Northeastern California Zone: The Saturday following the closing of the regular duck season extending for 2 days. Goose hunting in this zone is not permitted during these days. Same as regular season.
2. Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: The second Saturday in February extending for 2 days.
3. Southern California Zone: The second Saturday in February extending for 2 days.
4. Balance of State Zone: The second Saturday in February extending for 2 days.

(g) Falconry Take of Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coots, and Common Moorhens.

(1) Statewide Provisions.

(A) Species (B) Season (C) Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks (including Mergansers), Geese, American Coot and Common Moorhen 1. Northeastern California Zone. Open concurrently with duck season through January 15, 2025. Daily bag limit: 3
2. Balance of State Zone. Open concurrently with duck season, February 1-2, 2025 and February 15-19, 2025 EXCEPT in the North Coast Special Management Area where the falconry season for geese runs concurrently with the season for Canada geese (see 502(d)(6)). Daily bag limit makeup:
3. Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone. Open concurrently with duck season, February 1-2, 2025 and February 15-19, 2025. Goose hunting in this zone by means of falconry is not permitted. * Either all of 1 species or a mixture of species allowed for take.
4. Southern California Zone. Open concurrently with duck season, February 1-2, 2025 and February 15-19, 2025 EXCEPT in the Imperial County Special Management Area where the falconry season for geese runs concurrently with the season for white geese. Possession limit: 9
5. Colorado River Zone. Open concurrently with duck season and February 1-4, 2025. Goose hunting in this zone by means of falconry is not permitted. Federal regulations require that California's hunting regulations conform to those of Arizona, where goose hunting by means of falconry is not permitted.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 265 and 355, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 265, 355 and 356, Fish and Game Code.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 265 and 355, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 265, 355 and 356, Fish and Game Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.