Welcome to our guide on California Deer Seasons Schedules! Except for the main focus on the deer season, this article also provides important information on dates, limits, and regulations for other hunting seasons.
Let’s learn about the upcoming hunting opportunities in California, so you can be well-prepared for a successful and responsible outdoor experience.
California Deer Season
California offers a great deal of opportunities for deer hunting in its wildlife management zones. The season lasts more than 4 months so hunters always have a chance to enjoy hunting their prey.
The season dates vary in different zones. The following are the detailed dates for each zone.
Deer Archery Season
Deer General Season
Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt
- J1: November 2-3, 2024
- J8: December 7 – 31, 2024
- J10: October 5-6, and October 12-14, 2024
Apprentice Buck Hunt
- J3: November 30 – December 1, 2024
- J15: November 23- December 1, 2024
Apprentice Buck Hunt
- J4: November 23 – December 1, 2024
Apprentice Shotgun Only Either-Sex Deer Hunt
- J9: September 21 – 29, 2024
How Much Does It Cost For California Hunting Licenses?
Compared to 2023, the license fees for the 2024 year have increased a little.
| License Types | 2023 Costs | 2024 Costs |
| Resident Hunting License | $58.58 | $61.82 |
| Nonresident Hunting License | $204.69 | $216.00 |
| Junior Hunting License | $15.38 | $16.20 |
| One-Day Nonresident Hunting License | $28.08 | $29.73 |
| Two-Day Nonresident Hunting License | $58.58 | $61.82 |
| Disabled Veteran Reduced Fee Hunting License | $9.01 | $9.53 |
| Recovering Service Member Reduced-Fee Hunting License | $9.01 | $9.53 |
For California residents, if you are eager to participate in hunting activities each year, you can purchase a lifetime license for good to save any effort. Then, you can receive an annual license each year. Here are the costs:
- Ages 0-9: $679.75
- Ages 10-39: $1,112.00
- Ages 40-61: $1,001.75
- Ages 62+: $679.75
- Lifetime Bird Hunting Privilege Package: $394.50
- Lifetime Big Game Hunting Privilege Package: $827.50
To buy a hunting license or a tag, you can purchase through the Online License Service, at any CDFW License Sales Office or License Agent, or by telephone at (800) 565-1458.
In addition to a valid hunting license, hunters may also be required for a big game tag for hunting deer.
| Title | Fee |
| Resident First-Deer Tag or First-Deer Tag Drawing Application | $38.62 |
| Resident Second-Deer Tag or Second-Deer Tag Drawing Application | $48.09 |
| Nonresident First-Deer Tag or First-Deer Tag Drawing Application | $343.25 |
| Nonresident Second-Deer Tag or Second-Deer Tag Drawing Application | $343.25 |
| Elk, Pronghorn Antelope and Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Applications | $8.13 |
🔔Note:
The big game tags for deer hunts are issued through the big game drawing, which hunters can apply for on April 15 through June 2 each year.
Don’t forget to apply for the application to be qualified for the hunting tags.
California offers more than deer hunting. This state offers a wide variety of other game species, providing thrilling outdoor activities for hunting enthusiasts all year round.
In case you want to hunt other games in California, we also summarized the hunting seasons for other game species below.
California Free Hunting Days
Saturday, April 13, 2024
California Turkey Seasons
The 2025 turkey season in California has been updated! Check the following information to plan your hunt:
- Spring General Season: Mar 29 – May 4, 2025
- Spring Archery Only: May 5 – May 18, 2025
- Spring Additional Junior: Mar 22 – 23, 2025 and May 5 – 18, 2025
*Bag limits: 1 bearded turkey per day and 3 in total per person
California Bear Season
General bear season date: October 12 – December 29, 2024
Archery bear season date: August 17 – September 8, 2024
Bag limits:
One adult bear is allowed per hunting license. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs are not allowed to be taken.
⚠️Note: The bear season may close earlier if a total of 1,700 bears have been reported harvested by the Department, including those during the archery season.
California Waterfowl Season
Ducks Season
- Northeastern Zone: Oct 5 – Jan 15, 2025
- Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2025
- Southern California Zone: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2025
- Colorado River Zone: Oct 23 – Jan 31, 2025
- Balance of State Zone: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2025
Scaup Season
- Northeastern Zone: Oct 5 – Dec 1 & Dec 19 – Jan 15, 2025
- Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: Nov 7 – Jan 31, 2025
- Southern California Zone: Nov 7 – Jan 31, 2025
- Colorado River Zone: Nov 7 – Jan 31, 2025
- Balance of State Zone: Nov 7 – Jan 31, 2025
Geese Season
- Northeastern Zone: Oct 5 – Jan 12; Oct 5 – Dec 1; Jan 3 – Jan 15; Feb 5 – Mar 10, 2025
- Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2025
- Southern California Zone: Oct 26 – Jan 31, 2025
- Colorado River Zone: Oct 23 – Jan 31, 2025
- Balance of State Zone: Sept 28 – 30; Oct 26 – Jan 31&Feb 8 – 12, 2025
Tree Squirrels Season
Date: September 9, 2023 – January 26, 2025
Bag limit: 4 squirrels per day, 4 in possession
Brush, Cottontail And Pigmy Rabbits
Date: July 1, 2024 – January 27, 2024
Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession
The legal hunting hours for all mammals shall be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Jack Rabbits, Black-Tailed and WhiteTailed
Date: Open statewide all year
Bag limit: No limit
California Pheasant Season
General / Statewide: Nov 9 – Dec 22, 2024
Archery Only: Oct 12 – Nov 3; Dec 23 – Jan 19, 2025
Falconry Aug: Aug 17 – Feb 28, 2025
Bag limits: 2 per day for the first two days of the season; and then 3 per day after the first two days. The total possession limit is to triple the daily bag limits.
California Quail Season
Zone Q1(Mountain Quail Only): Sep 14 – Oct 18, 2024
Zone Q1 (All Quail): Oct 19 – Jan 26, 2025
Zone Q2 (All Quail): Sep 28 – Jan 26, 2025
Zone Q3 (All Quail): Oct 19 – Jan 26, 2025
Early Season: October 5 – 6, 2024
Archery Only: Aug 17 – Sep 6, 2024
Falconry Aug: Aug 17 – Feb 28, 2025
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 10 and the possession limit is 30 in total.
California Dove Season
Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove: Sep 1 – 15 & Nov 11 – Dec 25
Spotted Dove, and Ringed Turtle Dove: Sep 1 – 15 & Nov 11 – Dec 25
Eurasian Collared-dove: All Year
Bag Limits: The daily bag limits for the first season is 15 per day, and 45 in total. There is no limit for the second and third seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the deer hunting seasons in California?
The general deer hunting season starts in early August and ends in late December.
Do you need a hunting license to hunt on your own property in California?
Yes. You will need a hunting license to hunt on your own property. A Hunting License is required for any person who hunts any game animal within the California state.
Is baiting deer illegal in California?
Yes. It is illegal to bait deer in California and you can not bait or feed any deer during hunting.
Can I use dogs to hunt in California?
There are some regulations on using dogs for California hunting:
- During the archery seasons for deer or bears, using dogs is prohibited.
- It is not allowed to use dogs to take bears, bobcat, elk, bighorn sheep, and antelope.
- Hunters are limited to using one dog per hunter in the area of general deer season.
- In specific dog control zones, it is not allowed to use dogs for chasing or hunting mammals or for training purposes. This restriction applies from the first Saturday in April until the day before the general deer hunting season begins.
Do I need my identification when purchasing a license?
Yes. When you purchase a license, you are required to provide identification or a previously issued ALDS license to show an accurate record of your license history.
Do I need to report my deer tag for an unsuccessful hunt?
Yes. You still need to report your tag by the regulatory deadline of January 31 or report it late.
Or there will be a non-reporting penalty of $21.60 when you purchase the 2024 deer tag.
What can I hunt for with a 2-Day Nonresident California Hunting License?
With a 2-Day Nonresident Hunting License, you can only hunt migratory game birds, small game mammals, wild pigs, fur-bearing mammals and non-game mammals. This Hunting License is not valid to hunt bighorn sheep, bears, deer, elk, or pronghorn.
Do I still need to have my license in possession when hunting?
Yes. You need to carry your license, validation, report card, or tag with you when you are hunting.
Where can I obtain hunting maps for deer zones?
You can find the general maps for individual zone or deer hunt boundaries at CDFW’s website here: wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Deer.
Conclusion
The dates and limits may be subject to change over time, so it is suggested to stay updated with the latest information here. We have wrapped up the details on California’s hunting seasons for 2023-2024 for you, and remember to stay compliant, respect nature, and hunt ethically afield. Happy hunting!
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