California presents a diverse array of game animals, encompassing deer, black bears, elk, ducks, as well as more specialized species like bighorn sheep and pronghorn.
A quick snapshot of the California Hunting Season schedule:
General Deer: August 12, 2023, to November 26, 2023
Archery: July 7, 2023, to October 29, 2023
Muzzleloader: September 9, 2023, to November 5, 2023
Bear: Concurrent with general deer through December 31, 2023
Pronghorn: August 19, 2023, to September 10, 2023
Elk: September 6, 2023, to December 31, 2023
Rabbits and Varying Hare: From July 1, 2023, to January 28, 2024; Falconry hunt from January 29, 2024, to March 17, 2024
California hunters can’t use lead bullets. Projectiles can’t contain more than 1% lead.
Deer game is half-hour before sunrise and after sunset.
No motorized vehicle may be utilized to pursue, herd, drive, or catch a deer. You may safely retrieve a deer from the water if the boat is not moving and the engine is off. This regulation exempts disabled hunters with a valid Motor Vehicle Hunting License.
Never feed or bait deer.
Artificially lighting or luring deer is banned.
In California, bucks and does are identified differently by antlers. Antlerless that have unbranched antlers no longer than 3 inches.
While bow is allowed, using dogs is not, however Some California counties allow it.
Hunters must always consider their safety while utilizing firearms. Use a weapon carefully and know your destination. Know what’s beyond your concentration as well.
Make sure you don’t shoot the wrong sex or two at once.
License Fees
Hunting License Type
Fees
Resident
USD 54.00
Nonresident
USD 188.74
Junior
USD 14.30
One-Day Nonresident
USD 25.92
Two-Day Nonresident
USD 54.00
Disabled Veteran Reduced Fee
USD 8.24
USD 8.64
Recovering Service Member Reduced-Fee
USD 8.24
USD 8.64
Duplicate
USD 11.88
Buy Hunting Licenses
You may purchase the above licenses from the below mentioned points subject to license types.
In California, stealing a deer, especially a “trophy,” may lead to serious punishment.
16 or 22-inch-wide deer are prizes. Illegal trophy hunters may be fined between USD 5,000 and USD 40,000.
If convicted, you must pay for your own legal counsel and legal expenses.
You must hunt legally and know the rules before you go. Lack of knowledge or understanding cannot justify a costly blunder.
Contacts
California Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Inland Deserts Region (Region 6) 3602 Inland Empire Boulevard, Suite C-220 Ontario, CA 91764 (909)-484-0167 Website
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hunting seasons in California?
Quail game runs from August to January, deer season stretches from August to November, and bear hunting spans late August to December.
When does the California deer hunting begin and end?
The commencement and conclusion dates fluctuate by zone. Archery sessions unfold from July 7 to October 29, with the General hunt spanning August 12 to November 26.
When does the D7 deer season begin and end in California?
D7 deer activities kick off on August 19 for archery, wrapping up by September 10. For general engagements, the D7 schedule commences on September 16, concluding on October 29. This specific zone allows a tag quota of 9,000, signifying the maximum permits for hunters in this period.
When does the A zone deer season take place in California?
In California’s A zone, deer activities are split into two phases: archery engagements from July 8 to July 30, and general participation spanning August 12 to September 24. These schedules are relevant to both the South Unit 110 and North Unit 160. An assigned tag quota of 65,000 permits is available for participants in these regions.
What are the start and end dates of the B zone deer season in California?
Archery hunters in zones B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, and B-6 can participate from August 19 to September 10. General game, including B-4 and B-6, occurs from September 16 to October 22, with an exception for B-4, concluding on October 1. These specified dates provide distinct opportunities for participants to partake in deer pursuits within the designated B zones, each having an allocated tag quota of 35,000 permits.
When does the D6 deer season start and end in California?
D6 deer activities initiate on August 19 and conclude on September 10, 2023, exclusively for archery pursuits. General hunting in D6 opens on September 16, and closes on October 29. Throughout these specified periods, participants have the opportunity to partake in deer-related activities within Zone D-6, with an allocated tag quota of 10,000 permits for the designated period.
What are the California archery deer season 2023 dates?
It commences as early as July 8, in Zone A, concluding around September 10, in several zones like B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, D-3, D-4, D-5, D-6, D-7, D-8, D-9, D-10, D-13, D-14, D-15, D-16, D-17, and D-19. However, in Zone D-11, it extends until September 24, and in Zone D-12, it runs from October 7 to October 29. Additionally, Zones C1, C2, C3, and C4 observe an archery timeframe from July 8 to July 30.
Can non-residents participate in the hunting season in California?
Yes, non-residents are welcome to take part in the California hunting season. They must, however, get the proper permits and tags, which can vary from resident hunters’ requirements and costs.
What are the hunting regulations for bears in California?
California’s bear regulations are precise, designating the Northern Sierra Nevada and the Klamath Mountains as the sole permissible locations. Bear game is exclusively allowed during the archery, spanning from August 1 to December 31. Each bear zone specifies distinct start and finish dates, with zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10, and X12 initiating on August 30 and concluding on December 31. Meanwhile, zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a, and X7b begin on October 14, extending until December 31. Notably, a one-adult bear bag restriction applies to all zones, and there’s a brief bear hunting window from August 19 to September 10 across California.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
how can you determine what zone you are in for deer hunting in California