The Guide to California Hunting Seasons 2024

To plan your year, HuntWise has the information hunters need for a successful hunt! We’ve compiled a guide to California hunting for 2024. Plus, with our app, you can scout land any time to ensure you’re ready for opening day. 

Here’s what California hunters need to know to tag out this year. 

Why Do Hunters Hunt in California?

As we mentioned, if you’re up for an earlier season to hunt whitetail (then get back to your home state for your local season), California is your spot. It’s also a great place to hunt more unique animals, like bighorn sheep, Pronghorn antelope, bear, and elk. 

California hunting also includes waterfowl and pheasant, so hunters have an excellent mix of game to test their skills and heighten the challenge of bringing home trophies and meat for delicious meals. 

Where Should I Hunt?

If you’ve ever been to California (or you live there), you know the state offers just about any type of terrain a hunter could want to hunt – plus, you can spend a few days at the beach to round out your trip. 

Hunters can explore eleven mountain ranges, along with Central and Napa Valley. You can also hunt deserts and more than 200,000 acres of coastal wetlands. 

As the third largest state in the country, California has plenty of space to hunt – but you’ll want to pinpoint some good hunting locations so you don’t waste time roaming land unproductively during the open seasons. HuntWise can help you find and mark the best hunting areas for the game you’re after. 

So, when it’s time to get out for that Pronghorn hunt, you’ve already planned where to go for a successful day in the field. 

When Can I Hunt?

Before packing your gear and setting that early alarm, make sure it’s the right time to hunt the game you're after! California hunting season start and end dates remain relatively consistent from year to year. Still, it’s always smart to check with state regulators and official websites to ensure you don’t miss opening day. 

Free Hunting Days

California offers deer hunters something unique with its Free Hunting Days. For the 2023-2024 season, these days are November 25 and April 14. To register for these days, hunters must meet specific requirements, including passing a hunter safety course. 

California Preference Points

California uses a preference point and draw system for big game tags. Hunters must have a tag in addition to their hunting license. Points are by species, not zones. 

The state accepts applications from April 15 through June 2.

California Hunting Seasons

While we provide some good information here, make sure you check state websites for the latest information and regulations for hunting in California. It’s important to hunt only when the season opens and follow all the rules, including bag limits for each species. 

You can also reference eRegulations for California hunting information.

Additionally, make sure you’re up to date on the latest new and proposed hunting regulations in California as you plan your hunt.  

Deer Seasons

Approved zones for deer hunting this year include Zones A, B1-B6, C1-C4, D3-D19, and X1-X12.

For each zone, open season dates vary. The earliest dates start July 13 for Zone A (archery and general) through December 31 for several zones. So, while you have plenty of time to hunt deer in California, confirm dates, zones, and archery or bow regulations before planning your hunt. 

Turkey Seasons

• Fall: November 11 – December 10
• Spring: 
  • General: March 30 – May 5
  • Archery Only: March 30 – May 19
  • Additional Junior: March 23 – 24 and May 6 – May 19

Waterfowl

Waterfowl hunting also varies by zone and type of bird. Open season dates start October 7, and most species' seasons end by January 31. However, late-season CAGO (Canada goose), whitefronted goose, and white geese extend from February 17 – 21. 

Check dates and zones before heading out after ducks or geese!

Elk

Whether you’re after Tule, Roosevelt, or Rocky Mountain elk, California provides lots of opportunities to hunt these large animals. 

Open season dates depend on location and the type of elk you target, from antlerless to bull and either sex. Earliest elk hunting seasons open starting August 10 and run through January 2 for Fort Hunter Liggett Bull and Antlerless. 

Dove 

Hunters can hunt the Eurasian Collared dove year-round with no bag limits. Other dove hunting must follow the open seasons date below. 

• Mourning, White-Winged, Spotted, Ringed Turtle Doves (Early):  September 1 – 15
• Mourning, White-Winged, Spotted, Ringed Turtle Doves (Late):  November 11 – December 25

Bighorn Sheep

• Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9,10: December 7 – February 2
• Zone 7: August 17 – September 29

Antelope

• Archery Buck: August 5 – 13
• General Buck (1st Period): August 19 – 27
• Apprentice: August 19 – 27
• General Buck (Period 2): September 2 – 10

Pronghorn

• Apprentice Hunts Zones 3, 4, 5, 6: August 24 – September 1
• Archery Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: August 10 – 18
• General: August 24 – September 1 and September – 15

Bear

Bear hunting takes place according to zones. General Zone A season runs from September 2 to 10, and Bear Archery season runs from August 17 to September 8.

All other bear hunting seasons take place with varying dates per zone, starting August 26 and running through December 31. 

Pheasant

• Falconry: August 19 – February 29
• Archery (1st Season): October 14 – November 5
• General: November 11 – December 24
• Archery (2nd Season): December 25 – January 21

Wild Pig

Hunt wild pigs in California throughout the season, July 1 through June 30, with no daily bag or possession limit. 

What Do I Need to Know About Hunting Licenses?

California offers a fairly straightforward license system for hunting. 

Resident hunting licenses start at $61.82 and are required for anyone 16 years or older planning to hunt mammals or birds. Non-resident licenses start at $216 for anyone hunting birds or mammals aged 16 years or older. These licenses are good for the full year. 

However, non-resident one- or two-day licenses are also available at lower costs. Disabled Veterans can get a license at a discounted rate. 

You can buy a hunting license online or in person at several designated locations. You’ll also need the appropriate tag for big game and validations for birds. 

What Are the Bag Limits?

How many doves can you bring home this year? To comply with California hunting regulations, you must know the bag limits for everything you plan to hunt. 

For more details on deer and other big game bag limits, check out the California Hunting Digest. 

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

California requires first-time hunters to pass a hunter safety certification. Even if it’s not required, many experienced hunters recommend passing a safety course before hitting the field. 

You’ll also want to bring the right gear for your hunt and California’s varying terrain. HuntWise users save hundreds on gear from our app partners, from clothing to optics, decoys, and more. Use this member benefit to equip yourself in the field and tag out!

HuntWise Helps You Tag Out for California Hunting Seasons

We’ve covered a lot of details for California hunters. We hope it helps you plan a successful hunt (or several) this season, but as with any information, it can always change. Make sure you check with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the latest information as you plan your hunt!

Remember: Planning your hunt includes scouting land, marking locations, and accessing private landowner information. Download the HuntWise app and use it before and during your hunt. Our HuntCast, WindCast, and RutCast features can help you target the best days for hunting based on weather and animal movement. 

Download the app and start your free trial now! You’ll be ready to hunt when the season opens.