CWA Hunt Program Preview: 2026–27 Waterfowl Season

Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard break down what’s ahead for the 2026–27 California Waterfowl Hunt Program, covering everything from dove and big-game opportunities to the full slate of duck and goose hunts coming this season. They walk through CWA-managed properties from Suisun Marsh and the Delta to the Butte Sink and Goose Lake, share updates on habitat and blind improvements, and highlight several donated hunts that give everyday hunters access to some exceptional private clubs.

Episode highlights

• Dove season recap — how opening weekend went at Goose Lake and in the Butte Sink, plus why some of the best dove hunting can happen after the opener when most hunters have already moved on.
• A brand-new CWA property: the Golden Gate Duck Club joins the Hunt Program this year near the Pacific Flyway Center, with Wednesday hunts, two groups of two hunters, and decoys provided.
• Butte Sink updates — what hunters can expect at Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough, including habitat conditions and a new blind location at Sanborn.
• Staten Island & Quimby Island — why Staten continues to produce strong goose and duck numbers, and what makes both Delta properties capable of delivering a hunt of a lifetime.
• Goose Lake keeps improving — habitat work at the Badger Almond unit has helped turn it into one of CWA’s strongest-producing properties, with more improvements planned this season.
• More than waterfowl — the crew covers CWA’s Schaefer Ranch pig hunts, deer opportunities, and other programs available before and during duck season.
• Donated private-club hunts — opportunities at places like Mystic Lake, Lucky Seven, Upper Valley Ranch, and Mulberry, giving hunters access to properties they might otherwise never get the chance to experience.

Whether you’re putting in for your first CWA hunt or already planning out your season, this episode is your roadmap to the properties, application hunts, and unique opportunities available this year.

🦆 Get those applications in. Follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with your blind crew—and keep an eye on CWA’s Hunt Program throughout the season as additional opportunities come online.