California

The state’s varied terrain ranges from the high deserts of Eastern California to the lush foothills and valleys of the Sierra Nevada, providing ideal environments for upland birds like pheasant, quail, and chukar. Notable upland hunting areas include the Sacramento Valley, home to thriving populations of California quail, as well as the Modoc National Forest and the Eastern Sierra for chukar hunting.

California also offers some of the best waterfowl hunting opportunities on the West Coast, particularly in the Central Valley, which serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. Areas like the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area near Fairfield are famous for their high densities of waterfowl, especially ducks and geese, making them prime spots for hunters with retrievers. The Delta region, near cities like Stockton and Antioch, offers access to marshes and tidal flats where hunters can work their dogs in both freshwater and saltwater environments.