News Archive

It’s a four-month drama that plays out across the Pacific Flyway each fall and winter. California’s 2026-27 waterfowl hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in most zones. Duck and goose hunters will watch it unfold from their marsh seats, layout blinds, duck boats and other hides among the wetlands, flooded fields, coastal edges and watery habitat frequented by wintering waterfowl.

Avian Influenza H5N1 is again circulating in susceptible wild birds in California during fall migration. California sits at the epicenter of the Pacific Flyway, one of North America’s major migratory routes that brings millions of visiting birds through the state each fall and winter.

Wildlife disease specialists have confirmed the re-occurrence of the Eurasian strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in California wild birds.

At its December meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wants to remind waterfowl hunters that its Ocean Ranch Unit in Humboldt County, part of the larger Eel River Wildlife Area, will be closed to all hunting and public access through the end of the year due to heavy construction and habitat work taking place.