Hunting in California

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19 hunting trips from 6 outfitters starting from $500

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About hunting in California

California isn’t the first state that comes to mind when you think about hunting, and yet the Golden State features abundant hunting opportunities. California isn’t only about endless beaches and fields of the agricultural south, although even there a hunter can enjoy a great day afield. The north-western part of the state can boast of real wilderness areas, including Sequoia National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Trinity Alps Wilderness, where you can find snow-covered peaks, dark spruce woods, and whitewater streams. Located on the Pacific flyway, California offers excellent waterfowl hunting, both on the rice fields of the agricultural part of the state and on the big reservoirs such as the Trinity and Shasta lakes. Turkey hunters will find their favorite birds in abundance, too, even though the original California wild turkeys went extinct well before European colonization, and the population is the result of relocation effort from the 1950s and 1960s. Another feral creature that offers exciting sport year round is the wild hog, and small game hunters have a good choice of California Valley quail, mourning and Eurasian dove, band-tailed pigeon, rabbits and squirrels. From a trophy hunter’s perspective, one of the most interesting game to hunt in California is the coastal black-tailed deer. While it’s smaller in both body and antlers than a typical white-tailed or mule deer, it’s recognized by trophy clubs as a separate entry. California has flourishing populations of predators, such as black bear, bobcat, coyote and mountain lion, but only the black bear and coyote are legal to hunt at the moment. The mountainous areas of California are home to considerable herds of Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk, and the plains in the south-west of the state hold a decent population of pronghorn. And the grand prize of hunting in California is the desert bighorn sheep that is recognized as a separate trophy category by the OVIS club, and counts toward a Great Slam. Most deer and bear tags are available over-the-counter, but all archery, muzzleloader, and rifle elk tags in California are limited draw only. So are pronghorn, bighorn sheep, as well as some deer tags. California has a preference point-based drawings system, and a person who does not intend to hunt this year should enter a special drawing so as to accumulate points. The Golden State has a complicated array of hunting seasons and regulations, based on different wildlife management zones and areas, which is impossible to summarize quickly. Full information is available at the California Game and Fish website https://wildlife.ca.gov, but one regulation that needs to be mentioned is that starting from 2019, hunters in California must use non-lead ammunition only; you can’t even have with you lead ammo suitable for the firearm(s) you are carrying when hunting in California.

California on map

TAGs & licenses

Big Game

California’s big game species include mule deer/black-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, and wild pig. California does not have a general “big game license” – instead, you buy a standard hunting license and then individual tags for each big game animal you intend to hunt.

Deer hunting: California issues deer tags for specific zones – many general-season tags are available over the counter (first-come, first-served), but premium deer hunts (high-demand zones or seasons) are allocated by lottery draw each year (application deadline early June). Hunters can obtain up to two deer tags per year.

Elk, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep tags are extremely limited and awarded by lottery draw to a small number of applicants (both residents and non-residents may apply; non-residents are usually limited to no more than ~10% of tags).

Black bear: California requires a bear tag (one per hunter per year) – tags are sold over the counter, but the season is subject to an annual statewide harvest quota (once a set number of bears are taken and reported, the season closes).

Wild pigs (feral hogs) are plentiful in parts of California and are classified as big game – hunters must purchase wild pig tags (available OTC; unlimited tags can be bought).

Small Game

Small game in California covers upland game birds (pheasant, quail, chukar, grouse, dove, wild turkey, etc.), small mammals (rabbits, squirrels), and waterfowl.

California considers wild turkey an upland game bird – to hunt turkeys (or any upland bird) hunters must purchase an Upland Game Bird Stamp (validation) each year. For migratory waterfowl, a California State Duck Stamp is required along with the Federal Duck Stamp and HIP registration.

Hunting Coyotes does not require any special permits or tags beyond the basic hunting license.

Documents Required

California Hunting License
Appropriate Big Game Tags for each species
Upland Game Bird Stamp (for all upland birds including turkeys).
California Duck Stamp and Federal Duck Stamp (for waterfowl).
Hunter Education Certificate

Minimum Hunter Age

California does not specify a minimum age to hunt, but any hunter (regardless of age) must have a license. In practice, youths generally start hunting at age 12 or older once they can complete the Hunter Education course.

More information

wildlife.ca.gov - California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Price distribution

$500

$2,375

$4,250

$6,125

$8,000

California Hunting

Hunting in California? A lot of people will be surprised at the very notion that the Golden State, famous for Hollywood, hippies, the Gold Rush and Silicon Valley, could be a hunting ground. However, even though a large part of Californians support gun control, and some are highly vocal about animal rights, it’s wrong to assume that every resident of the state is a firearm-phobic vegan. In fact, California is home to many passionate hunters and competent outfitters.

Dec 6, 2020

California Hunting

Hunting methods

Stalking 17 hunts

Rifle Hunting 17 hunts

Bow Hunting 12 hunts

All methods (10)

Game classification

Big Game 16 hunts

Predators 4 hunts

Dangerous Game 3 hunts

All classifications (6)

Reviews

Client review

Kuwait

10.0

of 10

Verified review

Sep 27, 2024

Blacktail Deer Archery Hunt

10.0

of 10

JPC Guide Services

Outfitter

My cousin and I recently went on our first-ever archery hunt. We were looking for a guide and we are really glad to have chosen JPC. John is very professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about archery and hunting. He was also incredibly fun to be around, which made the whole experience enjoyable and memorable.

Alex

United States

8.8

of 10

Verified review

Oct 9, 2024

Lots of action

8.8

of 10

JPC Guide Services

Outfitter

Good company and saw lots of game, learned a lot very knowledgeable guide. Unable to get a legal buck but that is hunting

WILLIAM

United States

10.0

of 10

Verified review

Apr 23, 2025

Excellent hunting experience

10.0

of 10

Vast Country Outfitters

Outfitter

Stephen

United States

10.0

of 10

Verified review

Sep 29, 2022

Inspirational hunting experience!!!

10.0

of 10

JPC Guide Services

Outfitter

John from JPC outfitters was Extremely knowledgeable about various species of animals and their tendencies. His passion for hunting is infectious And I have become a lifetime fan.

Honestly I was only disappointing when my trip ended.

Reliable

High Quality

Unique

Good Value for Money

Nate

United States

10.0

of 10

Adventurous Hunt

10.0

of 10

Pismo Adventures

Outfitter

We had a good length hike, saw all the buck we were looking for, and found an excellent camp location for a fine meal and shelter placement. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity... As any experienced hunter can attest, big game hunting is a timely excursion that requires all the stars to align. Alhough I didn't get my game with Mike, I now know where to go and how to get it done, on my own. That's what it's all about for someone who's new to the Central Coast desperately looking for that next buck, or hog, or turkey, or fill-in-the-blank! Mike can get you to the place you need to go to find your game. Who knows, maybe you'll be even more fortunate than I was and take that game on the spot. Happy trails!!!

I didn't like poison oak, noises that go bump in the night (or early morning), and not getting anything. However, i know these are all part of the package and one day I'm going to get something where Mike took me!

Reliable

High Quality

Useful

Unique

Good Value for Money

Ryan

United States

10.0

of 10

One shot!

10.0

of 10

Pismo Adventures

Outfitter

We spent all day walking and checking likely deer spots. Come evening, Mike walked me up on a nice forked horn near a water hole. I had plenty of time to get the rifle up and be comfortable. I only fired one shot in two days, and nailed my first buck!

Reliable

High Quality

Good Value for Money