CA Scaup Hunting

California Scaup Season Dates 2026

Scaup season in California runs Oct 3 – Jan 31 across 5 Zones.

6 Seasons1 Weapon Types

General

ZoneTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Zone Balance of stateGeneralNov 7Jan 31
Zone Colorado riverGeneralNov 7Jan 31
Zone Northeastern CaliforniaGeneralOct 3Nov 29
Zone Northeastern CaliforniaGeneralDec 17Jan 13
Zone Southern CaliforniaGeneralNov 7Jan 31
Zone Southern San Joaquin ValleyGeneralNov 7Jan 31

Scaup in California: FAQ

When is scaup season in California?

Scaup season in California currently runs Oct 3 to Jan 31, across 6 season rows and 5 Zones, split by weapon (General).

Where is the best place to hunt scaup in California?

The best Zones for scaup in California depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per Zone above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.

Plan your Scaup hunt in California

View Zone boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

Also see California seasons, public land, and license.

Scaup seasons in California — offline