Field Guide / State Hunting Guide
The Guide to California Hunting Seasons 2026
If you’re anxious to get out and hunt deer this season, California is the place to be — the state offers one of the earliest deer seasons of any state. However, if deer isn’t your preference, you’ll find plenty of other wild game to hunt throughout the year.
To plan your year, HuntWise has the information hunters need for a successful hunt! We’ve compiled a guide to California hunting for 2026. 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.
Updated March 26, 2026
When Can I Hunt in California?
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 2026
California offers deer hunters something unique with its Free Hunting Days. For the 2026 season, these days are Saturday, November 22, and Saturday, April 11. 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.
What Are the California Hunting Seasons 2026?
While we provide some good information here, make sure you check the state's website 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.
As more dates become available for the 2026 hunting year, we'll update this guide accordingly.
California Deer Hunting SeasonSeasons are managed by area-specific hunting codes Premium Deer Zones and Hunts
B Zones:
C Zones:
D Zones:
X Zones
General Methods
Muzzleoader
J Zones
Archery
Check the Big Game Digest for additional hunting dates and details, including Apprentice Hunts. Make sure you also apply the best scouting and strategies as you plan your California deer hunt! | Turkey Seasons
To boost your chances of bringing home a turkey this season, do plenty of research about when and where to hunt and the best strategies for hunting California turkeys! |
WaterfowlCoots & Moorhens (Statewide): Same as Duck seasons Northeastern Zone
Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone
Colorado River Zone
Balance of State Zone
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days
Check dates and zones for additional details about these seasons, plus Youth, Veteran, and Special Management Area hunts. | ElkWhether you’re after Tule, Roosevelt, or Rocky Mountain elk, California provides excellent opportunities to hunt elk. Open season dates depend on location and the type of elk you target, from antlerless to bull and either sex. Archery
Muzzleloader/Archery (Roosevelt): October 25 – November 3, 2025 Muzzleloader (Tule): September 13 – 28, 2025 General (Roosevelt):
General (Tule): Various dates starting July 26, 2025 General (Rocky Mountain): Various dates starting September 6, 2025 Apprentice:
Visit the California Department of Wildlife website to find more details about elk hunt names, dates, and quotas.
|
Bighorn Sheep
| PronghornGeneral
Archery (Zones 2-6): August 9 – 17, 2025 Apprentice (Zones 3-6): August 23 – 31, 2025
|
BearGeneral bear season syncs with general deer season for the following zones (A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12) and extends through December 28, 2025 Archery season for bear hunting is August 16 – September 7, 2025. | Wild PigHunt wild pigs in California throughout the season, July 1 through June 30, with no daily bag or possession limit. |
Upland Game Birds
| Small Mammals
|
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.
| Dove (Mourning, White-Winged, Spotted, Ringed Turtle) | 15 (up to 10 white-winged), Early No limit (late season) | Duck | 7 per day (3x daily in possession) |
| Dove (Eurasian Collard) | No limit | Scaup | 7 per day (3x daily in possession) |
| Waterfowl | Ranging from 3, 7, and 30 per day, depending on the type of bird and zone | Geese | 23 – 30 per day (depending on the zone), 3x daily in possession |
| Turkey | 1 per day either sex, 2 per season (Fall), 1 bearded per day, 3 per season (Spring) | Bighorn Sheep | Based on tags and quotas |
| Pheasant | 2 males per day (first two days), 3 males per day after the first two days, 3x daily limit in possession (General) 2 pheasants per day (first two days), 3 pheasants per day after the first two days, 3x daily limit in possession (Archery) | Quail | 10 per day (3x daily in possession) |
| Ptarmigan | 2 per day (2 per season) | Snipe | 8 per day (3x daily limit in possession) |
| Chukar | 6 per day (3x daily limit in possession) | Ruffed Grouse | 2 per day (3x daily limit in possession) |
| Bear | 1 per hunting season | Elk | Based on tags and quotas |
| Pronghorn | Based on tags and quotas | Wild Pig | No limits |
| Squirrel | 4 per day (4 in possession) | Rabbits | 5 per day (10 in possession) |
| Jackrabbit | No limits |
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.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in California?
If you’re up for an earlier season to hunt deer (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 the Central and Napa Valleys. 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 cutting-edge map layers and 3-D views 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.
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 can 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 the 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 forecasting features can help you target the best days for hunting based on weather and animal movement.
Download the app and start your free trial! Try Pro and Elite features free during your first week, so you're ready to hunt when the season opens.
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