If you plan on hunting in California, make sure you have your California hunting license ready for presentation. California hunting is regulated by the California Fish and Game Code; read on and learn what it takes to go hunting in California.
Before Applying for a California Hunting License
Prior to applying for a California hunting license, prospective applicants must attend – and pass – a hunter’s education class and subsequent exam. Hunter Exam offers fulfillment of this prerequisite to applying for a license to go hunting in California via a convenient online home study course. This prerequisite is waived if you had a California hunting license last year.
Once you passed the home study course, there is a four hour follow up class to ensure that you truly absorbed the knowledge needed to safely hunt in California.
Who May Go Hunting in California?
It is interesting to note that juveniles are not barred from hunting in California, as long as they possess their own California hunting license. Some licensed hunters are as young as 10 years of age.
Where Do I Buy a California Hunting License?
Most gun shops and department stores that sell firearms also offer hunting licenses. REI, Wal-Mart, and similar locales license those ready to go hunting in California. Moreover, the Department of Fish and Game operates an authorized license agent search engine online, which permits would-be hunters to check by zip code for a place to buy a California hunting license.
What Does a California Hunting License Cost?
If you are 16 years of age or older, plan on spending $41.20; if you are under 16, you are only required to pay $10.75. If you hail from out of state and want to go hunting in California, prepare to dig deeper and spend $143.35. Disabled veterans only pay $6.25 to hunt. Remember that a basic California hunting license entitles you to hunt for mammals and birds. If you are going after deer or other big animals, you need to also apply for a big game tag.
Deer
$27.55 buys you a first deer tag, while $34.40 also buys a second deer tag. Nonresidents must pay $242.80 for a first and again for a second deer tag.
Bears
Bear tags are restricted to one per hunter per year. A resident pays $40.45 for a bear tag, while nonresidents pay $243.75.
Wild Pigs
Unlimited numbers of wild pig tags are for sale at $19.70 per resident ($66.15 per nonresident).
Elk, Bighorn Sheep, and Antelope Tag Drawing
$7.50 entitles you to participate in a lottery for a tag to hunt this kind of big game. If you are successful and are issued an elk tag, prepare to pay an additional $376 (or $1,162.50 if you are a nonresident); an antelope tag costs $125.25 ($387.50); and a bighorn sheep tag runs $354.50 ($500).
Bird Stamps
Waterfowl require a number of different stamps. Before you go duck hunting in California, adults must apply for a federal duck stamp ($15) and also a California duck stamp ($17.85).
A Word on Seasonal Hunting in California
While your California hunting license prequalifies you for hunting in California, keep in mind that the state keeps clearly defined California hunting seasons. They are updated yearly, and prior to heading on out to the state’s wildlife areas, check in with the Department of Fish and Game’s hunting regulations site to ensure you are hunting in season.
