Where Do California Ducks Come From?

The Western Boreal Forest is critical to California waterfowl hunters. The majority of ducks that winter in California originate in this important breeding area, including nearly all our green wing teal and wigeon. In addition, the prairies of the North Central United States and Canada provide California with the bulk of our pintail migration and a variety of other species.

California also supports a substantial mallard breeding population that directly impacts our annual waterfowl harvest rates. Over half of the mallards harvested in California originate in the wetlands of the Central Valley.

Click on Map to enlarge

Please note this map represents birds recovered in the same year they were banded to show a direct correlation between banding site and harvest. The Prairie Pothole Region is outlined in maroon.

The Western Boreal Forest, Prairie Pothole Region, and California Central Valley & Coast are all high priority conservation focus areas for Ducks Unlimited. In addition California benefits from DU’s Pacific Northwest conservation work as the organization continues to conserve critical waterfowl habitat in our state.

There is no waterfowl conservation organization that represents the needs of California waterfowl hunters like Ducks Unlimited. Our vital conservation work provides support to our migration both on the breeding grounds and here in the Golden State.

With your help, we will preserve our waterfowl hunting heritage through habitat conservation of these areas vital to the California migration and harvest.

Click here for more information on DU's conservation priority areas.