California, known for its varied terrain and plentiful wildlife, is a dream spot for pursuers. The awe-inspiring Sierra Nevada mountains uproar with deer and elk, whilst the productive Central Valley becomes a hub of waterfowl. Responsible hunters can find countless possibilities here. For those upholding hunting rules and ethical guidelines, the 2024-2025 season seems thrilling.
This guide is your map for the coming season. It marks the important dates, tells what licenses you need, and explains rules for different animals. If you’re an old hand at outdoor life or a fresh-faced woodsman ready to see what California’s wilderness has to offer, here’s the info you need to make your hunting trip a hit and to keep safe.
CA Hunting Calendar
Big Games
Deer
A-Zone
- Archery: 7/12/2025 – 8/3/2025
- General: 8/9/2025 – 9/21/2025
- Tag Quota: 65,000
B-Zones (B1-B6)
- Archery:
- B1-B3, B5-B6: 8/16/2025 – 9/7/2025
- B4: 7/26/2025 – 8/17/2025
- General:
- B1-B3, B5: 9/20/2025 – 10/26/2025
- B4: 8/23/2025 – 9/28/2025
- B6: 9/20/2025 – 10/19/2025
- Tag Quota (shared): 35,000
C-Zones (C1-C4)
- Archery: See Hunt A-1 (not listed here)
- General:
- C1, C4: 9/20/2025 – 10/19/2025 (C4 ends 10/5/2025)
- C2-C3: 9/20/2025 – 10/26/2025
- Tag Quota (shared): 8,150
D-Zones
- D3-D5 (Shared Tag):
- Archery: 8/16/2025 – 9/7/2025
- General: 9/27/2025 – 11/2/2025
- Tag Quota: 33,000
- D6-D10, D12, D14, D16-D17, D19:
- Archery: Mostly 8/16 – 9/7 or 9/6 – 9/28 (D12: 10/4 – 10/26)
- General: Varies (9/20 – 11/23, see table for specifics)
- D11, D13, D15 (Shared Tag):
- Archery: 9/6/2025 – 9/28/2025
- General: 10/11/2025 – 11/9/2025 (D16: 10/25 – 11/23)
X-Zones (General Season Only)
- X1-X7b, X8-X10, X12:
- General: Mostly 10/4 – 10/19 (X8-X10, X12 vary: 9/20 – 11/9)
- Archery: See referenced Hunts (A-3 to A-20)
Notes:
Tag quotas shown are per zone unless marked “(shared)”
B/C/D group tags valid across respective zones
Archery dates vary for X zones (see referenced hunts)
ELK
Apprentice Hunts
- Rocky Mountain: Sep 17 – Sep 28, 2025
- Roosevelt: Sep 10 – Sep 21, 2025
- Tule:
- Cache Creek: Oct 11 – Oct 26, 2025
- Fort Hunter Liggett: Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
- Grizzly Island: Aug 12 – Aug 17, 2025
- La Panza: Oct 11 – Nov 2, 2025
Archery Hunts
- Rocky Mountain: Sep 3 – Sep 14, 2025
- Roosevelt: Aug 27 – Sep 9, 2025
- Tule:
- Fort Hunter Liggett: Jul 26 – Aug 3 & Nov 1 – Nov 9, 2025
- Lone Pine: Sep 13 – Sep 28, 2025
General Hunts
- Roosevelt:
- Marble Mountains: Sep 10 – Sep 21, 2025
- Northwestern: Sep 3 – Sep 25, 2025
- Rocky Mountain:
- Bull: Sep 17 – Sep 28, 2025
- Antlerless: Nov 12 – Nov 23, 2025
- Tule:
- Cache Creek: Oct 11 – Oct 26 (bull), Oct 18 – Nov 2 (antlerless)
- Fort Hunter Liggett: Nov 22 – Nov 30 (antlerless), Dec 20 – Jan 1 (bull)
- Various archery and rifle hunts available across zones
- Dates vary – see listing for details
Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunts
General Notes
- Zones 501-506, 509, 512-513: Steep terrain, limited vehicle access.
- Zone 505: Horseback recommended.
- Zones 507 & 511: Extreme elevation (10,000-14,000 ft), physically demanding.
- Safety: Altitude sickness risk; hunters must be in peak condition.
Hunt Codes & Dates
- 599 (Preference Point Only): No season dates.
- 501 (Marble/Clipper Mtns): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (1 tag).
- 502 (Old Dad/Kelso Peak): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (3 tags).
- 503 (Clark/Kingston Mtns): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (4 tags).
- 504 (Orocopia Mtns): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (1 tag).
- 505 (San Gorgonio Mtns): Dec 20, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026 (1 tag).
- 506 (Sheep Hole Mtns): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (1 tag).
- 507 (White Mtns, Period 1): Aug 16 – Sep 28, 2025 (3 tags).
- 511 (White Mtns, Period 2): Jan 3 – Feb 1, 2026 (2 tags).
- 508 (South Bristol Mtns): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (1 tag).
- 509 (Cady Mtns): Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 (2 tags).
- 512 (Newberry/Rodman/Ord, Period 1): Dec 6, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026 (4 tags).
- 513 (Newberry/Rodman/Ord, Period 2): Jan 4 – Feb 1, 2026 (4 tags).
Key Reminders
- Vehicle restrictions apply in most zones.
- Physical prep is critical for high-elevation hunts.
- Contact (760) 895-0114 for zone-specific queries.
Bear Seasons
- Archery: Aug 16 – Sep 7, 2025
- General (A, B, C, D, X8-X12): Follows deer dates, ends Dec 28
- General (X1-X7): Oct 11 – Dec 28, 2025
- Quota: 1,700 statewide
Pronghorn Antelope
- Archery: Aug 9 – Aug 17, 2025
- General: Aug 23 – Aug 31, 2025
- Zone 4 (Lassen): Sep 6 – Sep 14, 2025
Turkey Seasons
Spring 2026
- General: Mar 28 – May 3
- Archery: May 4 – May 17
- Junior: Mar 21-22 & May 4-17
Fall 2025
- Season: Nov 8 – Dec 7
Small Game & Birds
Rabbits & Hares
- Season: Jul 1, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026
Tree Squirrels
- General: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026
- Archery: Aug 2 – Sep 12, 2025
Wild Pigs
- Year-round: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026
Pheasants
- General: Nov 8 – Dec 21, 2025
- Archery: Oct 11 – Nov 2 & Dec 22 – Jan 18, 2026
Quail
- Mountain (Q1): Sep 13 – Oct 17, 2025
- All Quail (Q1): Oct 18 – Jan 25, 2026
- Q2 & Q3: Sep 27 – Jan 25, 2026
Doves
- Mourning/White-winged: Sep 1-15 & Nov 8-Dec 22, 2025
Waterfowl
Ducks
- Balance of State: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 28, 2026
- Northeastern: Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 14, 2026
Geese
- Regular: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026
- Late: Feb 14-18, 2026
Youth/Veteran Days
- Youth: Feb 7-8, 2026
- Veteran: Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2026
Special Management Areas
There are certain rules to follow for North Coast, Humboldt Bay South Spit, Klamath Basin, Sacramento Valley, Morro Bay, and Martis Creek Lake. Always check these regulations before visiting these locations.
Furbearers
Raccoon
- Imperial County and parts of Riverside & San Bernardino counties: July 1 – March 31 (No Limit)
- Rest of California: Nov 16 – March 31 (No Limit)
Bobcat
Currently prohibited in California since 2020
CA Game Licenses & Permits
| Category | License/Tag | Fee (Resident) | Fee (Non-Resident) |
| Hunting Licenses | Resident | $58.58 | N/A |
| Junior | $15.38 | $15.38 | |
| Nonresident | N/A | $204.69 | |
| One-Day | N/A | $28.08 | |
| Two-Day | N/A | $58.58 | |
| Disabled Veteran Reduced Fee | $9.01 | $9.01 | |
| Recovering Service Member Reduced-Fee | $9.01 | $9.01 | |
| Duplicate | $12.96 | $12.96 | |
| Big Game Tags | Bear Tag | $30.81 | $361.90 |
| Elk Tag | $25.41 | $1,700.35 | |
| Pronghorn Antelope Tag | $25.41 | $571.60 | |
| Bighorn Sheep Tag | $532.75 | $1,977.05 | |
| Wild Pig Tag | $28.08 | $94.22 | |
| Duplicate Big Game Tag | $12.96 | N/A | |
| Bird Validations | California Duck Validation | $37.29 | N/A |
| Upland Game Bird Validation | $23.25 | N/A | |
| Federal Requirements | Federal Duck Stamp | N/A | N/A |
| Other Requirements | Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation | Free | Free |
| Lifetime Hunting | Lifetime (Age 0-9) | $679.75 | N/A |
| Lifetime (Age 10+) | Varies | N/A | |
| Disabled Permits | Mobility Impaired Disabled Persons Motor Vehicle | Free | Free |
| Visually Disabled Muzzleloader Scope Permit | Free | Free | |
| Disabled Archer Permit | Free | Free | |
| Duplicate Fees | Duplicate Hunting Validation | $3.50 | N/A |
| Duplicate Hunter Education Certificate | $8.13 | N/A |
Note: You may also review CDFW License on fish and wildlife website.
CA Game Regulations
General Regulations
- Statewide, it’s required to use non-lead ammunition.
- Special hunting days are set and free to participate.
- Hunters holding premium tags can return them but only in particular situations.
- Remote hunting aided by computers is not allowed.
- There are set shooting times for upland and migratory game birds.
- Harassing, herding, or chasing game animals is against the law.
- Rules exist for how to handle, move, and bring in game birds.
- Stick to the rules about how many animals you can have or keep.
Deer Regulations
- You need a tag to hunt a deer. There’s a lottery system where hunters can submit their applications for these tags.
- Different regions have unique rules concerning deer hunting.
- If you prefer using a bow, there are certain areas with tags only for archers.
- There’s a hunting program for rookies too, aptly called apprentice deer hunts.
- And for our soldiers, certain military lands offer a limited number of exclusive hunting tags.
Waterfowl Regulations
- Hunters must use non-lead bullets for waterfowls.
- Duck hunting can last up to 102 days.
- In certain areas, Canada goose hunting is just for 3 days.
- Hunting waterfowl only by approved means, falconry and certain shotguns, for instance.
- Bullets for waterfowls must be approved non-lead types.
- No motors on scull boats when hunting birds on the move.
Additional Information
- California is part of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. This agreement acknowledges hunting license restrictions from other places.
- Certain areas have warnings about eating waterfowl. The issue? The high selenium content.
Top California Game Locations by Place Name and Species
California – a hunter’s paradise. It’s got all types of landscapes. Plenty of animals too. Big mountains are home to deer and elk. There are lush valleys with lots of waterfowl to find. This makes California perfect for honest hunters. Let’s highlight some top spots to find particular species:
Big Game Hunting:
- Mule Deer: In Lassen, Inyo, and Mono Counties, nestled in the east Sierra Nevada region, the mule deer populations thrive. Majestic mountain vistas form a spectacular backdrop for archery and rifle hunting adventures in these areas.
- Black Bear: From Mendocino to Humboldt County, the North Californian coast mountains are home to black bears. Perfect conditions are offered to these big hunters by thick woods and plentiful food supplies.
- Elk: Far up in California, you’ll find the Klamath Mountains, Klamath National Forest, and Six Rivers National Forest. These places are great for elk hunting. You’ll face tough grounds and lots of elks. It’s a real wild trip.
Upland Game Bird Hunting:
- Ring-necked Pheasant: The Sacramento Valley is a renowned destination for pheasant hunting. Agricultural fields and riparian corridors provide ample cover and food for these popular game birds.
- Wild Turkey: The Central Valley is wrapped in foothills, covered with oak woods and hilly landscapes, perfect for wild turkeys. Finding and pursuing these cautious birds among the oaks presents a hunting challenge.
- California Quail: In California, the coastal mountains draped in chaparral are prime spots for hunting California quail. These swift birds need keen instincts and a top-notch hunting dog to capture.
Waterfowl Hunting:
- Central Valley: This area houses a broad system of marshlands, irrigated paddy fields, and animal havens. Places like Gray Lodge Wildlife Area and Delevan National Wildlife Refuge are among them. They turn into a significant rest space for ducks and geese during winter. With a rich variety of species and high population numbers, it is a prime waterfowl hunting location.
- California Coast: This region features preserved bays, estuaries, and seaside lagoons, including notable sites such as Tomales Bay and Morro Bay. They draw in various ducks, geese, and wading birds during migration seasons. Saltwater marshes and expansive tidal flats become excellent hunting grounds for these water creatures.
Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com
Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.
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