California Waterfowl’s family hunts make it possible for families to enjoy hunts at some of the most exclusive duck clubs in the country together.
Many of these hunts have hosts or volunteer guides to ensure that novices—whether they’re the kids or the adults—get the guidance they need.
CLOSED ZONE FARMS—WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Lottery
This is a 400-acre property situated directly next to some of the largest concentrations of mallard and pintail in the Pacific Flyway. The club sits on the north side of Little Dry Creek unit of the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area and is hunted only once a week. Eighty percent of the club is never hunted, while the remaining 20% is hunt areas that are rotated every few weeks. Opportunities to shoot limits of ducks, along with white-fronted geese as an added bonus, are very common due to location and light hunting pressure. Some of our past junior hunters have limited on all drake mallards.
All blinds are stand-up and well-hidden in natural cover throughout this incredible marsh. Transportation to the blinds is provided by the hosts via UTV. Lunch and refreshments provided. This opportunity is donated by Larry Gury.
Special conditions: Youth hunters must have prior shooting experience and be very confident handling a gun. Youth hunters must be over 12 years old. Dogs and guides will be provided. Please do not bring a dog.
Capacity: Two hunters (one junior and one adult)
Hunt Date: Nov. 16
Applications closed
GRIZZLY RANCH—FAMILY HUNT PROGRAM
Application type: First-come, first-served
Dates: Nov. 22-23
Cost: $150-$225
This special hunt opportunity offers fun and exciting waterfowl experiences for new and experienced hunters alike. The two-day event includes overnight lodging prior to the hunt, a boat ride to the blind, breakfast, lunch and a hunt in a well-managed wetland in the Suisun Marsh with very low hunting pressure. The night prior to the hunt also includes an education portion, where participants learn essential waterfowl identification and regulations, blind set-up and firearm safety skills.
The hunt is $150 for one junior and one adult or $225 for two juniors and one adult. The fee includes a Sprig membership and regular membership to California Waterfowl, as well as lodging and food.
Special conditions: At least one hunter must be a junior. Blind stools and decoys are provided.
LITTLE DRY CREEK FARM—WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Lottery
This property sits across the northwest side from Closed Zone Farms and is a 600-acre property of natural wetlands. Don Ekstrom and Joe Murphy are two of the four owners of the property who are donating the hunt. The club is lightly hunted – only twice a week – and over one-third of the property is never hunted and holds thousands of mallards. Seventy percent of the birds taken are mallards and limits are very common.
All blinds are stand-up, well-hidden in the tules and accessed by gravel paths. Transportation to the blind is provided by the hosts via UTV. This opportunity is donated by Joe Murphy, Don Eckstrom, and Mark Koller.
Special conditions: Youth hunters must have prior shooting experience and be very confident handling a gun. Youth hunters must be over 12 years old. Dogs and guides will be provided. Please do not bring a dog. Two groups will be drawn on the hunt date.
Capacity: Two hunters (one junior and one adult)
Hunt Date: Nov. 16
Applications closed
MOM’S FARMS—WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Lottery
The south and west side of Mom’s Farms sits next to the closed zone of the Little Dry Creek unit in the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area. The property is entirely natural wetlands with tules, trees, smartweed and watergrass. This beautiful club has a large sanctuary, which provides a great benefit to the entire area as the birds exchange between the club and refuge all day long. Opportunities to shoot limits of ducks, along with white-fronted geese as an added bonus, are very common due to location and light hunting pressure.
All blinds are stand-up, well-hidden in the tules and accessible by boat. This opportunity is donated by Todd and Kim Magaline.
Special conditions: Youth hunters must have prior shooting experience and be very confident handling a gun. Youth hunters must be over 12 years old. Dogs and guides will be provided. Please do not bring a dog. Two groups will be drawn on the hunt date.
Capacity: Two hunters (one junior and one adult)
Hunt Date: Nov. 16
Applications closed
MOUND FARMS—WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Lottery
Mound Farms was recently restored by CWA in 2013. Located in the southern Yolo Bypass, 16 miles south of Davis. You can plan on shooting a variety of species. All hunting will be from pit blinds or stand-up blinds.
Special conditions: At least one hunter must be a junior. Two groups will be drawn each hunt date.
Capacity: Two hunters
Hunt dates: Jan. 2
NOR CAL WINGSHOOTING – WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Lottery
Join Nor Cal Wingshooting’s owner, Mike Merlo, on a fully guided Honker hunt! Mike is known for getting his clients on the X when it comes to Canada Geese. This hunt will take place in the greater Sacramento area. Layout Blinds, quality full body decoys, professional calling and retrieving will all be included on the hunt. Hunt on a mutually agreeable date in either December or January.
Special Conditions: One hunter must be a junior.
Capacity: Two hunters
Applications closed
OPA’S DEAD END DUCK CLUB—WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: Lottery
Located in Zamora, bordered by the Roosevelt Ranch to the North and South, and the Charter Club to the West, Opa’s Dead End Duck Club is a 31-acre sportsman’s paradise. Ducks, geese and pheasant all frequent the property and may be pursued during the hunt. Hunt on a mutually agreeable date in December.
Special conditions: At least one hunter must be a junior. Food, lodging and decoys will be provided.
Capacity: Four hunters
Applications closed
Redwood Land And Cattle—Waterfowl Hunt
Application type: Lottery
Redwood Land and Cattle is located in the North Grasslands of Los Banos, CA. This Central Valley club totals 185 acres and has one of the strongest historical shooting records in the area. The property is bordered by other private clubs, and surrounded by the San Luis, Los Banos, Kesterson, and Volta Refuges. RL&C offers an exceptional multi-species waterfowl experience. Pressure on the club is relatively light, which allows ducks to work into the ponds after the heavier shooting in the marsh subsides. Patience is frequently rewarded with more selective shooting opportunities at decoying birds. The hunt will take place in well concealed cement blinds. Hunters will take a gravel path to the blind. Hunt will be with a member of Redwood Land and Cattle and decoys will be provided.
Special Conditions: At least one hunter must be a junior.
Capacity: Two hunters (one junior and one adult)
Applications closed
SOHNREY FAMILY FOODS—WATERFOWL HUNT
Application type: First-come, first-served
Cost: Free
Sohnrey Family Foods has donated a rice blind off Highway 99 and Nelson Shippee Road specifically for families and veterans. These hunts are unguided in a fully furnished rice blind. Hunters will be in charge of getting themselves to the blind (stools and decoys are provided). Youth hunters need to be accompanied by an adult chaperone (21 or older). There is no fee to reserve a date or attend.
Special conditions: At least one member of the hunting party must be a junior or a veteran. May hunt all day.
Hunt dates: Will be announced soon!
WHIFFLEMASTER GUIDE SERVICE—FAMILY HUNT
Application type: Lottery
Join Dennis Currier on a duck hunt in the famed Lambertville area, which is located less than a half-mile from the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. This area winters thousands of waterfowl each year. Hunters will hunt out of a three-man pit blind in natural habitat. Hunt on a mutually agreeable date in January with the guide.
Special condition: At least one hunter must be a junior.
Capacity: Two hunters
Hunt dates: Jan. TBD
BIRD HAVEN RANCH – TURKEY
Hunt on the famed Bird Haven Ranch. Bordering Howard Slough Wildlife Area, Little Dry Creek Wildlife Area and Butte Creek makes Bird Haven Ranch an absolute turkey hotspot. Hunters will hunt from predetermined blinds.
Special conditions: At least one hunter must be a junior.
Capacity: Two hunters
Hunt dates: Nov. 9
Applications closed
HOODOO ISLAND— TURKEY
Application type: Lottery
HooDoo Island, a portion of the Little Dry Creek Wildlife Area in Butte and Glenn counties, consists of 130 acres of pristine wetland and riparian habitats. Butte Creek and Howard Slough flow around the island, creating a wildlife corridor teeming with wild turkey and other wildlife.
Special conditions: At least one hunter must be a junior.
Capacity: Three hunters (two juniors and one adult)
Applications closed
