California Duck Hunting Season Looks Promising With Wet Weather

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Hunters are getting ready to take aim at a season they won't soon forget after years of drought in California.

Sadie is getting psyched for when she hears the sound of a duck call and knows when it's time to go to work.

It could be one of the best seasons ever for duck and geese hunting in Northern California.

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Greg Galli runs River Valley Outfitters, offering waterfowl excursions for novice and experienced hunters.

"It looks promising," he said. "We have a lot more water than we had last year."

That means hunters won't have to travel as far to look for waterfowl.

Rice fields are soaking in the benefits of a good rainy season after seeing a 40 percent drop in the number of fields they were able to fill with water during the drought, some rice farmers are now leasing land to guys like Galli, so his clients can take aim.

The variation of targets will be enticing, and hunters can count on a cleaner bird. Last season's lack of water spots caused waterfowl to cluster together, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera or botulism.

Even though waterfowl season is a ways away, you better plan ahead. The season runs from mid-October to January.

"Usually I'm filled up by August, where I can't take any more people," he said. "This year is going a little quicker."

Excursions start at around $275 a day with him for adults and $225 for juniors.