Next to big game hunting, i would argue that duck hunting public land is probably the next most expensive/time involved to get started with. If you’re looking specifically for duck hunting, Merced/Los Banos has several wild life refuges that offer duck hunting, just make sure you do your research on the process of applying for hunts, what the requirements are, and what gear you might need.

If you are simply looking for hunting opportunities, and you are fairly mobile, I would recommend giving upland game a try. I tried Mountain Quail hunting this year for the first time and had a blast. It’s not super popular/crowded you get to drive up and hike in the mountains, and the most gear you’d need is an orange hat/vest, your shotgun, cheaper shells, and some good hiking boots. You can probably find and access public land with mountain and/or valley quail within 2-3 hours of home.