Hunting in California
Everything you need to hunt legally in California. Access shooting hours calculators, season dates, bag limits, license costs, and hunter education requirements all in one place.
Quick Facts
Digital License
Accepted in field
License Year
July 1 (hunting) / January 1 (fishing) - June 30 (hunting) / December 31 (fishing)
Wildlife Agency
CDFW
Draw System
preference points
Updated: January 2026
California Hunting Tools
Free calculators and lookup tools to help you hunt legally in California.
Shooting Hours Calculator
30 minutes before sunrise
Calculate legal shooting times in California based on your exact location and date. Know exactly when you can start and stop hunting.
Season Dates Finder
5 species tracked
Find all California hunting season dates by species and method. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and more with archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates.
License Cost Calculator
From $63 resident
Compare California hunting license prices for residents and non-residents. Find the best value licenses and required permits.
Bag Limits Lookup
13 species covered
California bag limits by species. Daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game.
Hunter Education Requirements
Online courses accepted
California hunter education requirements. Find out if you need certification, available exemptions, and approved course providers.
Complete License Guide
All license types & pricing
Detailed guide to all California hunting and fishing licenses, draw systems, official app info, and state-specific requirements.
California License Costs
Compare resident and non-resident hunting license prices for 2026.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Res |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | $62.90 | $219.81 |
| Resident Fishing | $62.90 | $169.82 |
| Deer Tag | $41.30 | $368.20 |
| Upland Game Bird Stamp | $9.34 | $9.34 |
California Hunting Seasons
Upcoming and current hunting seasons in California.
Deer
Archery (A Zone)
Jul 12
to Sep 21
Deer
Rifle (A Zone)
Sep 20
to Nov 2
Deer
Archery (D Zones)
Aug 16
to Sep 7
Turkey
Mar 28
to May 3
Bear
Oct 11
to Dec 28
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CDFW
Digital License Info: Digital licenses via CDFW License app. Aspira-powered system.
Hunter Education
California requirements
Neighboring States
Hunting resources for states near California.
Store Your California License in Hunter Passport
Keep your CA hunting and fishing licenses alongside all your other states. Works completely offline, displays instantly to game wardens.