California Ducks Numbers Declined In Ducks Unlimited Breeding Survey

Ducks Unlimited’s latest State Waterfowl Surveys report is out, and DU called the Golden State’s duck status as a “mixed bag” with positive breeding habitat data but still an overall decline for ducks. Here’s how the report broke down:

California

California’s 2026 survey showed a mixed bag of results, with overall duck numbers declining from last year despite generally favorable breeding habitat conditions across much of the state. Breeding duck numbers dropped 10 percent from last year to 435,937, and totals remain below the long-term average (LTA).

Mallards remained the most abundant duck species at 267,101, though showing a 1 percent decline and a 16 percent decline in the LTA. Gadwall fell 44 percent from 2025 to 61,658 and sits at 28 percent below the LTA.

Cinnamon teal rallied with an increase of 8 percent and are 5 percent below the LTA. Northern shovelers dropped 16 percent from 2025 and are 11 percent below the LTA.

In the Northeastern stratum, Canada geese dropped 18 percent year over year and are now 14 percent above the LTA.

Spring 2026 saw reduced precipitation and snowmelt across most of California, yet breeding habitat conditions were rated from average to good. Favorable conditions were largely supported by water carryover from 2025 and a series of January storms that helped counterbalance drier weather patterns. As of July, rainfall remained below average statewide, with the northern and southern regions experiencing the driest conditions, while the Sacramento Valley was closest to its LTA. Despite current moisture deficits, the production outlook remains positive due to water allocations and carryover supplies from the previous year.

California waterfowl hunters will get their first opportunity to hunt on October 3, with the Northeastern Zone opening for ducks, scaup and geese hunts. Other special-area hunts will also open that day.