Recreation
Big game hunters throughout California are eagerly anticipating the 2018 general hunting seasons.
While deer are by far the most frequently hunted big game species in California, many hunters also enjoy fair chase of bear, elk and bighorn.
Some of the seasons for these species are already under way, but the majority will open over the next month.
The upcoming general season opening and closing dates vary by zone and can be found by following the links below:
– 2018 bear hunting information;
– 2018 elk seasons;
– 2018 bighorn sheep hunts.
Hunting for wild pigs is growing in popularity and can be done year-round. Most seasons for pronghorn, another California big game species, concluded in August.
Californians enjoy some of the widest ranges of habitat and hunting conditions in the nation. While California has its fair share of privately owned land, there are vast swaths of national forest, timber lands, state wildlife areas and other lands accessible to the public that provide excellent hunting opportunities.
CDFW administers public hunts on private lands through its SHARE Program. Other opportunities for access to private lands are available through the Private Lands Management Program.
A valid California hunting license and appropriate tag(s) for each zone and/or species pursued must be obtained before entering the field. There are still many deer tags available for purchase. Hunting license and tags can be purchased online or through a CDFW office or license sales agent.
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course, pass a comprehensive equivalency test, or provide a valid hunter’s safety certificate before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Each year approximately 30,000 students complete the state’s hunter education course.
Hunters always have the responsibility to be familiar with state game laws before entering the field. All regulations can be found online.
Given the exceptionally dry conditions this year, it is even more important that everyone does their part to prevent wildfires. One less spark means one less wildfire. Learn more here.
While deer are by far the most frequently hunted big game species in California, many hunters also enjoy fair chase of bear, elk and bighorn.
Some of the seasons for these species are already under way, but the majority will open over the next month.
The upcoming general season opening and closing dates vary by zone and can be found by following the links below:
– 2018 bear hunting information;
– 2018 elk seasons;
– 2018 bighorn sheep hunts.
Hunting for wild pigs is growing in popularity and can be done year-round. Most seasons for pronghorn, another California big game species, concluded in August.
Californians enjoy some of the widest ranges of habitat and hunting conditions in the nation. While California has its fair share of privately owned land, there are vast swaths of national forest, timber lands, state wildlife areas and other lands accessible to the public that provide excellent hunting opportunities.
CDFW administers public hunts on private lands through its SHARE Program. Other opportunities for access to private lands are available through the Private Lands Management Program.
A valid California hunting license and appropriate tag(s) for each zone and/or species pursued must be obtained before entering the field. There are still many deer tags available for purchase. Hunting license and tags can be purchased online or through a CDFW office or license sales agent.
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course, pass a comprehensive equivalency test, or provide a valid hunter’s safety certificate before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Each year approximately 30,000 students complete the state’s hunter education course.
Hunters always have the responsibility to be familiar with state game laws before entering the field. All regulations can be found online.
Given the exceptionally dry conditions this year, it is even more important that everyone does their part to prevent wildfires. One less spark means one less wildfire. Learn more here.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California's 2018-2019 waterfowl hunting season is fast approaching, with one special early opportunity for young hunters in California's Northeastern Zone.
The weekend of Sept. 22 to 23 is designated as Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in this zone only.
Additional youth waterfowl hunting opportunities will follow in the other zones around the state Feb. 2 and 3.
The majority of hunters will take to the blinds Oct. 20 in most zones. Specific opening and closing dates vary by zone.
Detailed information about daily bag and possession limits can be found on the Fish and Game Commission Web site.
Most season dates and bag limits remain similar to last year with the exception of pintail, which has increased to two birds per day.
In addition, the Klamath Basin Special Management Area was created to maintain all goose hunting days during the general season while the Northeastern Zone has an extended late season for white and white-fronted geese.
Quality public hunting access can be found on more than two dozen national wildlife refuges and wildlife areas and ecological reserves managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Please note that nonlead ammunition is now required when hunting all species on CDFW wildlife areas and ecological reserves. For more information, please see the CDFW nonlead ammunition webpage.
It is also common for waterfowl hunting areas to close periodically throughout the season due to safety concerns caused by flooding. Areas that most commonly experience flood closures include Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Delevan National Wildlife Refuge, Little Dry Creek and Howard Slough.
Hunt dates and applications for Sutter National Wildlife Refuge have not yet been finalized due to uncertainty of water availability. Please call 530-934-2801 for up-to-date information.
Hunters should keep informed about current reservation and quota numbers, which are expected to fluctuate frequently.
Reservations for state-operated wildlife areas that are closed due to flooding will not be accepted at other hunting areas, and refunds will not be issued for applications submitted to areas that are closed or where reservations are not available.
Hunters can follow the Twitter tag #cawildlifeareaclosures for updates on state-operated wildlife area closures.
A valid California hunting license, appropriate validations and a signed federal waterfowl conservation stamp or an electronic federal waterfowl conservation stamp must be obtained before entering the field. In addition, a wildlife area pass is required to hunt on many state-operated wildlife areas. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas, so hunters must purchase these items in advance.
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Approximately 30,000 students complete this requirement annually.
The weekend of Sept. 22 to 23 is designated as Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in this zone only.
Additional youth waterfowl hunting opportunities will follow in the other zones around the state Feb. 2 and 3.
The majority of hunters will take to the blinds Oct. 20 in most zones. Specific opening and closing dates vary by zone.
Detailed information about daily bag and possession limits can be found on the Fish and Game Commission Web site.
Most season dates and bag limits remain similar to last year with the exception of pintail, which has increased to two birds per day.
In addition, the Klamath Basin Special Management Area was created to maintain all goose hunting days during the general season while the Northeastern Zone has an extended late season for white and white-fronted geese.
Quality public hunting access can be found on more than two dozen national wildlife refuges and wildlife areas and ecological reserves managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Please note that nonlead ammunition is now required when hunting all species on CDFW wildlife areas and ecological reserves. For more information, please see the CDFW nonlead ammunition webpage.
It is also common for waterfowl hunting areas to close periodically throughout the season due to safety concerns caused by flooding. Areas that most commonly experience flood closures include Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Delevan National Wildlife Refuge, Little Dry Creek and Howard Slough.
Hunt dates and applications for Sutter National Wildlife Refuge have not yet been finalized due to uncertainty of water availability. Please call 530-934-2801 for up-to-date information.
Hunters should keep informed about current reservation and quota numbers, which are expected to fluctuate frequently.
Reservations for state-operated wildlife areas that are closed due to flooding will not be accepted at other hunting areas, and refunds will not be issued for applications submitted to areas that are closed or where reservations are not available.
Hunters can follow the Twitter tag #cawildlifeareaclosures for updates on state-operated wildlife area closures.
A valid California hunting license, appropriate validations and a signed federal waterfowl conservation stamp or an electronic federal waterfowl conservation stamp must be obtained before entering the field. In addition, a wildlife area pass is required to hunt on many state-operated wildlife areas. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas, so hunters must purchase these items in advance.
California hunters are required to complete a hunter education training course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time in California. Approximately 30,000 students complete this requirement annually.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
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