Hunting dogs and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
The Delta is a network of tidal channels, islands and managed marsh where Solano County meets the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Richard trains at Hastings Island Hunting Preserve in Rio Vista, and dogs go home to hunt wherever the season takes them in California.
- 4.9 12 Google reviews
- Training since 2002
- Qualified at an AKC Master National
Delta hunting asks a lot of a dog: cold water, thick cover, tide and wind, and a long day. That is why marsh country makes a good setting for retriever work. The marsh is where the training happens, and owners bring dogs from all over California, so the skills travel home with them.
What the country is like
Nearby, Suisun Marsh covers roughly 116,000 acres according to the Water Education Foundation, and state and private duck clubs manage most of it. Read more on the Suisun Marsh page. A few miles away, Grizzly Island Wildlife Area has about 7,900 acres open to hunting, per CDFW.
Dogs that work here need good water entries, retrieves through reeds and calm waiting in a blind. For a deeper look, see training a duck dog to be calm in the blind.
The 2026-27 season at a glance
CDFW lists Balance of State zone ducks as October 24, 2026 to January 31, 2027, pheasant as November 14 to December 27, 2026, and chukar as October 17 to January 31, per wildlife.ca.gov on October 27, 2026. Confirm your county on the CDFW waterfowl zone map before you plan a hunt, and check the current regulations booklet for the legal text.
Where Richard trains
Richard trains at Hastings Island Hunting Preserve near Rio Vista, with retrievers sometimes trained at Denverton near Suisun City. Read where Richard trains for details and for what the preserve says about its fields.
Hunters who live elsewhere in California can find drive times on the from your part of California pages.
Birds for the dog
Upland birds and ducks both fit the Delta. Richard describes his work as bird dogs for the hunt, covering waterfowl and upland. For the training that fits each, see the Basic Waterfowl Program and Formal Gun Dog Training.
Planning ahead for the season
The best Delta mornings start months earlier. Owners who want a dog ready for opening day usually plan the training window backward from the date and leave time for gun and bird work. The off-season training calendar gives a month-by-month outline, and the 2026-27 season dates page collects the dated CDFW figures in one place.
Sources (4)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Waterfowl (checked October 27, 2026)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds (checked October 27, 2026)
- Water Education Foundation: watereducation.org/aquapedia/suisun-marsh (checked October 27, 2026)
- Hastings Island Hunting Preserve: hihp.com/dog-training/ (checked October 27, 2026)
Your trainer
Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National.
Meet RichardKeep reading
Where Richard trains
Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, near Rio Vista in Solano County. Call before you drive out.
DirectionsIs the Delta only for duck hunters?
No. Pheasant and chukar are hunted at nearby preserves, and the open country suits upland work too.
Do I need a license to hunt here?
Hunting requires a California license and the right stamps. CDFW publishes the rules and fees.
Can I bring my dog to any wildlife area?
Rules vary. Some areas restrict dogs, so read each area's CDFW page first.
Book a consult
Get your dog ready for next season.
Richard books by phone. Call, text, or leave your details and he will call you back.
(530) 341-4496- 4.9 12 Google reviews
- Training since 2002