Though the weather may be unpredictable, there are still many opportunities to get out and be active during December, with activities on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CDFW, calendar.
As a reminder, wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
All calendar items are subject to change.
Various Saturdays
Tundra Swan Tours. Celebrate the bird migration on the Pacific Flyway this fall and winter. CDFW’s wildly popular swan tours are set for selective Saturdays through early January. Held in partnership with Mathews Rice Operation, the free tours transverse privately-owned flooded rice fields north of Marysville. This area boasts one of the largest overwintering populations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Visit the event registration page to sign up. For more information, contact genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
Dec. 6
Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join the reserve’s naturalists every first Saturday to learn about the birds of the Elkhorn Slough. This tour is appropriate for birders from beginner to advanced and is recommended for individuals ages 15 and older. The tour meets at the reserve’s visitor center, but depending on recent sightings, the group may walk the trails or caravan out to adjacent parks and natural spaces. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit the Elkhorn Slough calendar.
Sturgeon Session, 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. The Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center is happy to announce Sturgeon Sessions – An Educational Presentation on California’s Prehistoric Fish. We’ll cover sturgeon life history, ecology, status, conservation efforts and much more. Sessions start at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are approximately 45 minutes long. For those interested in attending, reserve your spot by emailing sturgeon@wildlife.ca.gov. If space allows, walk-ins are accepted. For those unable to attend, general information on CDFW’s sturgeon conservation efforts can be found on CDFW’s sturgeon information page.
Dec. 7
City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 45400 County Road 28H, Woodland. The City of Davis Wetlands tours are hosted by Yolo Basin Foundation on the first Sunday of the month at the City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. These tours offer a refreshing outdoor experience where friends and family can learn all about local wetlands, native fauna and flora, and the importance of these biodiverse ecosystems. For more information, visit the Yolo Basin wetlands tours page.
Dec. 9
California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, time to be determined, California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P St., Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website.
Dec. 10-11
California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined, California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P St., Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website.
Dec. 13
Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join Nimbus Hatchery for a free, family-friendly guided tour to explore the hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday of each month. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain. The maximum group size is 25 people, first-come, first-served. The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call 916-358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Dec. 18
Scaup Season Opens in the Northeastern Zone (extends through Jan. 14). For more information, visit CDFW’s waterfowl hunting page.
Upland Game Bird Account Advisory Meeting, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., via Microsoft Teams and in person at 1010 Riverside Pkwy., Poppy Room, West Sacramento. The purpose of this meeting is to review the allocation of Upland Game Bird Account funds and the use of the funds for upland game bird management. See the UGBA Advisory Committee Agenda for the notice, agenda and Teams meeting information.
Dec. 20
General Season for Band-tailed Pigeons in the Southern Hunt Zone Opens (extends through Dec. 28). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit CDFW’s upland game bird hunting page.
Dec. 21
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for Tot Time every third Sunday of the month at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create fun crafts. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.
Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area tours are hosted on the third Sunday of the month from October through June. Learn about migratory bird species, flood management techniques, agricultural practices, native plants of the wetlands and more. Dressing in layers is recommended as weather can be unpredictable. For more information, visit the Yolo Basin wetlands tours page.
Dec. 22
Archery Only Pheasant Season Opens (extends through Jan. 18, 2026). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit CDFW’s upland game bird hunting page.
Dec. 27
Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an experienced reserve docent to open up the senses on a two-mile walk through the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit the Elkhorn Slough calendar.
Dec. 28
Black Bear Season Ends Statewide (or earlier if CDFW determines that 1,700 black bears have been reported taken). All hunters must get their tag validated and present the bear head for tooth extraction by CDFW personnel. Current bear hunting regulations, in-season updates and general black bear information can be viewed on CDFW’s bear hunting page.
