California

California Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to California hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $62.90 General hunting

Non-Resident License $219.81 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1972-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026

LICENSE FEES

California Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Annual Hunting $62.90 —

Resident Junior Hunting (Under 16) $16.46 —

Resident Disabled Veteran Reduced Fee $10.29 —

Resident Apprentice Hunting $62.90 —

Resident Lifetime Hunting $1136 —

Resident 1-Day Hunting $25.10 —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Annual Hunting — $219.81

Non-Resident Two-Day Hunting — $62.90

Non-Resident Junior Hunting (Under 16) — $16.46

Non-Resident Apprentice Hunting — $219.81

Tags & Permits

Deer (First Tag) $41.30 $368.20

Deer (Second Tag) $51.58 $368.20

Deer (Premium X-Zone Draw) $41.30 $368.20

Elk (Draw Application) $595.25 $1825.85

Pronghorn Antelope (Draw) $36.39 $370.82

Bear $61.30 $387.85

Wild Pig $27.57 $98.85

Bighorn Sheep (Draw) $371.04 $1539.58

Endorsements & Stamps

Upland Game Bird Validation $24.84 Required for dove, turkey, quail, pheasant, chukar; includes turkey tag

California Duck Validation $39.96 Required for waterfowl hunting; state-level duck stamp equivalent

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl hunters 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for all migratory bird hunters

Public Lands Pass $25.25 Optional; access to CDFW-managed wildlife areas; recommended for public land hunters

PURCHASE

How to Buy a California Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing. Create a CDFW account or sign in (GO ID required). Select your license type and any tags/validations. Complete hunter education verification. Pay with credit/debit card (3% app fee + 5% agent fee). Print or save your license and tags; deer tags must be carried

Buy In Person

Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Walmart stores statewide, Local bait and tackle shops, CDFW regional offices (lower agent fee)

Buy By Phone

Call 916-928-5805. Agent handling fee applies

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your California hunting license is online through the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in California

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1972

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 10 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in California?

Junior (Under 16) $16.46 Reduced-fee junior license; must be supervised by licensed adult 18+; big game tags at full price since 2025

Senior (65+) Reduced fee available California residents 65+ may qualify for reduced-fee licenses through specific programs

Disabled Veteran (50%+) $10.29 / $9.79 50%+ service-connected disability; $10.29 from agents, $9.79 at CDFW offices; must be prequalified

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in California may purchase at resident rates

Native American Exempt on tribal lands Federally recognized tribal members may hunt on tribal lands under tribal laws

Landowner No license exemption All hunters must have a valid hunting license regardless of land ownership in California

SEASONS

California Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

Deer (A Zone) Archery Jul 12 – Sep 14 Bow only; non-lead broadheads required

Deer (A Zone) General Sep 20 – Nov 2 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader (non-lead ammo)

Deer (B Zone) General Oct 11 – Nov 2 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader

Deer (D Zones) General Sep 20 – Nov 2 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader

Deer (X Zones - Draw) Draw Hunts Oct-Dec – Varies Zone-specific; draw required

Elk (Tule/Rocky Mtn) Draw Only Aug-Dec – Varies Rifle, bow, muzzleloader; draw required

Wild Turkey Spring Mar 29 – May 4 Shotgun, bow

Wild Turkey Fall Nov 8 – Dec 14 Shotgun, bow, rifle

Dove Regular Sep 1 – Nov 30 Shotgun (non-lead ammo required)

Bear General (Archery/Rifle) Aug 9 – Dec 28 Rifle, bow, muzzleloader (non-lead ammo)

Wild Pig Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 Any legal weapon (non-lead ammo required)

Quail Regular Oct 18 – Jan 25 Shotgun

Pronghorn Draw Only Aug-Sep – Varies Rifle, muzzleloader

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct 18 – Jan 26 Shotgun (non-toxic shot required)

Band-tailed Pigeon Regular Sep 15 – Nov 30 Shotgun

BAG LIMITS

California Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

Deer 1 1 per tag (max 2 tags) Forked-horn or better in most A zones; either-sex in some D zones

Elk 1 1 Extremely limited; Tule elk found only in California; draw odds very low

Wild Turkey 1 1 bearded (spring) + 1 either-sex (fall) Separate spring and fall limits

Bear 1 1 One bear per season; no bear trapping; non-lead ammo required

Wild Pig No limit No limit Year-round; no bag limit; tag required per pig

Dove 15 No season limit Mourning and white-winged combined; non-lead ammo

Quail 10 No season limit Valley, Gambel's, and mountain quail combined

Duck 7 No season limit Species-specific limits within daily bag; non-toxic shot required

COMPARE

How California Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

California $62.90 $219.81

Oregon $39 $193 Nevada $38 $155 Arizona $37 $160

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About California Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in California?

Resident annual hunting costs $62.90. Non-residents pay $219.81 annual or $62.90 for a 2-day (small game only). Juniors under 16 pay $16.46. A 3% application fee + 5% agent handling fee apply at license agents. Disabled veterans pay $10.29.

Does California require non-lead ammunition?

Yes, California requires lead-free (non-lead) ammunition for ALL hunting statewide since 2019. This applies to all firearms hunting — big game, upland game, pest control. Copper bullets are the most popular alternative. Non-toxic shot required for waterfowl.

How much is a non-resident deer tag in California?

Non-resident deer tags cost $368.20 each. You can buy up to 2 tags per season. Residents pay $41.30 first / $51.58 second. California uses a lettered zone system with different season dates. Premium X zones require draw applications.

Can I hunt elk in California?

Yes, but only through an extremely limited draw. Elk draw application costs $595.25 (res) / $1,825.85 (NR). California has both Tule elk (unique worldwide) and Rocky Mountain elk. Draw odds are very low — some units take 15+ preference points.

What is unique about California's deer zone system?

California uses lettered zones (A, B, C, D1-D5) for deer hunting. Each zone has unique season dates, weapon types, and tag quotas. Premium X zones (X1-X12) require draw applications and have higher trophy potential. Understanding the zone map is essential.

Can I hunt wild pigs in California?

Yes, wild pig hunting is available year-round. Tags cost $27.57 (res) / $98.85 (NR) per pig — each pig harvested requires a tag. No bag limit. Pigs are classified as game animals in California and are found in coastal ranges, foothills, and agricultural areas.

What is the minimum age to hunt in California?

No minimum age — hunters under 16 need a Junior license ($16.46) and must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Hunter education required at age 10+. Note: since July 2025, junior big game tags are at full adult price (reduced junior tag fees sunsetted).

Can I buy a California hunting license online?

Yes, at wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing. A 3% application fee and 5% agent handling fee apply. Tags, validations, and draw applications are all available online. $21.60 non-reporting penalty if deer tags aren't returned by January 31.