Hunting Seasons & Licensing · CA
California Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonCalifornia offers more diverse hunting than most people expect, with species including mule deer, black-tailed deer, wild pig, black bear, pronghorn, elk (tule and Roosevelt), wild turkey, upland birds, and waterfowl. The state manages over 700,000 acres of Wildlife Areas and has millions of acres of national forest and BLM land. California uses a draw system for deer zone tags and most premium species. The state banned lead ammunition for all hunting in 2019, requiring non-toxic alternatives.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer | Archery | Jul through Sep (varies by zone) | 1 deer per tag | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer | General Rifle | Sep through Nov (varies by zone) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader |
| Wild Pig | Year-round | No closed season | No limit | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, bow |
| Black Bear | General | Late Aug through Dec (varies by zone) | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Pronghorn | General | Aug through Sep | 1 pronghorn per tag | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Tule Elk / Roosevelt Elk | General | Varies by zone | 1 elk per tag | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer (Archery): Zone-specific tags by draw. A-zone archery is popular.
Mule Deer / Black-tailed Deer (General Rifle): All deer tags by draw. Preference point system.
Wild Pig (Year-round): Pig tag required ($25). One of California's most popular hunts.
Black Bear (General): Bear tag available OTC. No hound hunting (banned by voter initiative). No spring season.
Pronghorn (General): Very limited tags by draw. Northeastern California.
Tule Elk / Roosevelt Elk (General): Extremely limited tags by draw
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Late Mar – May (varies by zone) | 1 bearded turkey per tag (3 tags available) | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Nov 8 – Dec 13, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Quail | General | Oct 18 – Jan 25, 2026 | 10 daily / 10 possession | Shotgun |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Nov 8 – Jan 25, 2026 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 6 possession | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep 1 – Sep 15 & Nov 8 – Dec 23, 2025 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 7 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Pacific Flyway. Sacramento Valley is premier waterfowl habitat.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Jul 1 – Jan 25, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Jackrabbit | General | Year-round | No limit | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $55.83 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $194.13 | — |
| Resident Deer Tag | $34.86 | Draw required. Preference point system. |
| Non-Resident Deer Tag | $332.61 | — |
| Bear Tag | $53.56 (resident) / $367.71 (non-resident) | OTC |
| Wild Pig Tag | $25.10 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Reduced fees | — |
| Draw Application Fee | $8.63 per application | — |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
California uses a preference point system for deer zone tags. Applications are due in early June. Hunters who are not drawn receive one preference point. Elk, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep tags are by draw with separate point systems. Wild pig tags are over the counter. Bear tags are over the counter. The state's lead ammunition ban (effective 2019) requires non-toxic bullets and shot for all hunting — plan ammunition choices accordingly.
Harvest Reporting
California requires mandatory harvest reporting for deer, bear, elk, pronghorn, and wild pig through the CDFW online system. Deer and bear must be reported within specified timeframes. CWD surveillance is active — mandatory testing in designated areas. All big game must be tagged immediately upon harvest.
California Wildlife Resources
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: CalTIP: 1-888-334-2258
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.