A great-tailed grackle at Graylodge Wildlife Area in Butte County. CDFW Photo by Travis VanZant.
All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadlines for Multiple Hunting Opportunities. Wild pig and waterfowl hunts are available through the SHARE program this winter. New to SHARE this year is waterfowl hunting in Colusa County on two new properties with a total of four 4-person blinds. New pig hunts are offered in Nevada County on the Garden Bar Preserve. Deadlines to submit applications are 17 days prior to hunt date. A $14.86 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Various Days — Tundra Swan Tours. Celebrate the billion-bird migration on the Pacific Flyway this fall and winter during one of CDFW’s wildly popular Swan Tours, held most Saturdays from November through early-January. In partnership with Mathews Rice Operation, these free tours transverse privately-owned flooded rice fields north of Marysville. This area boasts one of the largest overwintering populations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. To register, visit register-ed.com/programs/california/273-tundra-swan-tours. For more information, contact genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Join the reserve's naturalists every first Saturday to learn about the birds of the Elkhorn Slough. This tour is appropriate for birders from beginner to advanced and is recommended for individuals ages 16 and older. The tour meets at the reserve's visitor center, but depending on recent sightings, the group may walk the trails or caravan out to adjacent parks and natural spaces. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
1 — General Deer Season Opens in Zone D12. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
1 — White Goose Season Opens in the Imperial County Special Management Area (extends through January 28). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
2 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Enjoy the unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/11/2/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
2 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 45400 County Road 28H, Woodland (95776). The City of Davis Wetlands tours are hosted by Yolo Basin Foundation on the first Sunday of the month at the City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. These tours offer a refreshing outdoor experience where friends and family can learn all about local wetlands, native fauna and flora, and the importance of these biodiverse ecosystems. For more information, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
4 — Scaup Season Opens in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and Balance of State Zones (extends through January 28). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
6 — Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, 715 P St., Second Floor, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
7 — Scaup Season Opens in the Colorado River Zone (extends through January 31). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
7 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/11/7/friday-habitat-restoration.
8 — Stanislaus River Salmon Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Knights Ferry Recreation Area, 12 miles East of Oakdale off Hwy 120, Knights Ferry (95361). This free, family-friendly event will have more than 40 natural resource exhibitors, plus a live bald eagle! There is a $10 parking fee for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) lots. If you have a USACE or America the Beautiful pass, display it in your window for free parking. Carpooling is encouraged. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/srsfest or email sarah.mcculloch@wildlife.ca.gov.
8 — Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Granite Regional Park, 8200 Ramona Ave., Sacramento (95826). Fishing in the City (FIC) is excited to kick off the 2025-2026 trout season! This Youth Beginner Fishing Clinic is a free event for beginners ages 5-15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation, and hopefully catch their first fish! All materials are provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about FIC and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city/sac. To stay informed of upcoming events, we recommend subscribing to our newsletter. To learn more about Fishing in the City opportunities in other areas, visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city.
8 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek. Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon's Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/11/8-united-creek-cleanup.
8 — Fall Wild Turkey Season Opens Statewide (extends through December 7). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
8 — General Pheasant Season Opens Statewide (extends through December 21). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
8 — Late Season Dove Hunting Opens Statewide (extends through December 22). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
8 — Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join Nimbus Hatchery for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday of each month! Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants might see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. Tours are first come, first served with a maximum group size of 25 people. The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
15 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Enjoy the unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/11/15/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
16 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Salmon, and sturgeon, and steelhead, oh my! Swim on over to join CDFW for Tot Time every third Sunday of the month at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create fun crafts! This month, learn about some of California's migratory fish in celebration of World Fisheries Day. Recommended for children ages 2 - 7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.
16 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area tours are hosted on the third Sunday of the month from October through June. Learn about migratory bird species, flood management techniques, agricultural practices, native plants of the wetlands and more! Please dress in layers as weather can be unpredictable. For more information, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
20 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., MiraCosta San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff (92007). The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
21 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/11/21/friday-habitat-restoration.
22 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/11/22/community-habitat-restoration.
22 — Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Join an experienced reserve docent on a 2-mile walk to open the senses on a mindfulness tour around the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
29 — Brant Season Opens in the Northern Brant Special Management Area (extends through December 14). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
30 — Brant Season Opens in the Balance of State Brant Special Management Area (extends through December 15). For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641