California Hunting Seasons

California Hunting

In the largest state in the U.S. with a diverse ecosystem ranging from high mountain tops, sandy coastlines and forests in between there isn’t much more to ask for when outdoors in pristine conditions closer to nature and connecting with the wild then thought possible before.

There are many ecological reserve areas starting with San Diego and leading to Santa Cruz.

Bear: Concurrent with general deer season through Dec. 26 Archery Aug 21- Sep 12
Pronghorn: General Season Aug 7-Sept 13 Apprentice hunts Aug 21-29
Elk: General Season Aug 19-Dec 5 Archery July 31-Nov 14
Bighorn Sheep: Aug 21-Sept 26 and Dec 4-Feb. 6

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California Hunting Seasons Offered

Big Game: Deer, Bear, Pronghorn, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Wild Pig

Small Game: Tree Squirrel, Rabbits, Varying Hare, Jackrabbit

Bird: Waterfowl, Upland Game Birds, Greater Sage, Grouse, Sooty, White Tailed Ptarmigan, Wild Turkey, Dove Band tailed pigeon, Snipe

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California Hunting Season Dates 2023

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California Deer Season 2023

Deer General Season: Aug 14- Nov 7

Deer Archery: July 10 - Oct 2

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California Deer Archery/Bowhunting 2023:

Season	Dates	Zone
Archery	7/10/21 - 8/1/21	A
	8/21/21 - 9/12/21	B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10
	7/24/21 - 8/15/21	B4
	9/4/21 - 9/26/21	D11, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D19
	10/2/21 - 10/24/21	D12

Please see PDF for more details

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General Deer Season

Season	Date	Zone
General	8/14/21 - 9/26/21	A
	9/18/21 - 10/24/21	B1, B2, B3
	8/28/21 - 10/3/21	B4
	9/18/21 - 10/17/21	B6, C1
	9/18/21 - 10/24/21	C2, C3
	9/18/21/ - 10/3/21	C4
	9/25/21 - 10/31/21	D3, D4, D5
	9/18/21 - 10/31/21	D6, D7
	9/25/21 - 10/24/21	D8, D9, D10
	10/9/21 - 11/7/21	D11, D13, D14, D15
	11/6/21 - 11/28/21	D12
	10/23/21 - 11/21/21	D16
	10/9/21 - 10/31/21	D17
	10/2/21 - 10/31/21	D19

Please see PDF for details

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California Small Game Seasons 2023

Tree Squirrel

Archery/Falconry: Aug. 7 - Sept. 10

General: Sept. 11 - Jan. 30

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Rabbits and Varying Hare

General: July 1 - Jan. 30

Falconry: Jan. 31 - March 20

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Jackrabbit: Open season

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California Hunting Zones 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of California's hunting zones:

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California Bag Limits 2023

Bag limits vary wildly by animal, weapon, zone and you will have to check the official website at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting.

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California Hunting License 2023

You can buy a license at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales
Identification is required for a hunting license for any bird or mammal. Hunters who purchase a license for the first time must provide their proof of hunter education. You will need the following:

Buy a CA hunting license (resident vs non-resident)
Buy applicable tags (deer, bear, pronghorn, elk etch)

Resident/ Non Resident	License	Cost
Resident	Hunting	$51.02
Non Resident	Hunting	$178.20
Non Resident	One day hunting	$24.33

Big Game Tags/ Drawing Applications

Resident/ Non Resident	Title	Cost
Resident	First Deer Tag First Deer Tag Drawing Application	$33..48
Resident	Second Deer Tag or Second Deer Tag Drawing Application	$41.86
Nonresident	First Deer Tag First Deer Tag Drawing Application	$299.95
Nonresident	Second Deer Tag or Second Deer Tag Drawing Application	$299.95
	Elk, Pronghorn, Antelope and Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Applications	$8.13 per app
	Bear Tag	$49.42 Resident $315.95 Nonresident
	Elk Tag	$484.20 Resident $1,481.70 Nonresident
	Pronghorn Antelope Tag	$162.82 Resident $498.65 Nonresident
	Bighorn Sheep Tag	$443.25 Resident $1,641.00 Nonresident
	Wild Pig	$24.33 Resident $82.08 Nonresident

California Hunting Regulations 2023

A law has been passed that every purchase of a deer tag, reports their harvest even if they were unsuccessful or if they did not hunt.

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Helpful Resources

Official State Site: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting

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California Hunting Seasons 2023