Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
CA
Deer Hunting in California: Tags, Seasons & Regulations (2026)
Deer hunting in California starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $42.38 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $377.35 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Jul 12 – Sep 14 Archery
Draw Required? Mixed access California uses general, restricted, and premium deer tag categories. Check CDFW's current Big Game Hunting Digest before choosing a zone, buying a second tag, or applying for a preference point.
DEER QUICK ANSWER
California Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for California deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
California uses general, restricted, and premium deer tag categories. Check CDFW's current Big Game Hunting Digest before choosing a zone, buying a second tag, or applying for a preference point.
Archery; also check General.
Use this deer-specific page for California tag cost, season dates, bag limit, draw status, and non-resident cost. For broader base-license questions, start with the California license page before choosing tags or dates. For California deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Zone-based deer tag system; first deer tag is $42.38 resident, second deer tag is $52.92 resident, and non-resident deer tags are $377.35; premium tags require the annual drawing; non-lead ammo required. Because this page lists mixed access, confirm the exact tag type, zone, and application rule before planning travel. CWD has been detected in California, so carcass movement and testing rules deserve an early check.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in California
California deer planning starts with the exact tag category and zone. For 2026 deer tags, residents pay $42.38 for the first deer tag and $52.92 for a second deer tag, while non-resident deer tags are $377.35 each. CDFW separates deer opportunities into general, restricted, and premium deer tags, with premium tags handled through the annual big game drawing and preference-point rules. General zone families include A, B, C, and D zones, while premium X zones and some special hunts need application planning. A hunter may hold up to two deer tags if they qualify for the chosen tag categories. California hunters should also verify current CWD sampling, reporting, and carcass movement rules directly with CDFW before the season, especially for affected hunt zones and nearby areas.
Species present: Mule DeerBlacktail Deer
SEASONS
California Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
California offers 5 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
California Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$42.38
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$377.35
Access depends on hunt type or residency.
Zone-based deer tag system; first deer tag is $42.38 resident, second deer tag is $52.92 resident, and non-resident deer tags are $377.35; premium tags require the annual drawing; non-lead ammo required
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right California deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full California license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags; general license questions belong on the state hub.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in California
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Detected
D7, X9a, X9b, X9c, A16, A17, A18, G3, G39, J12
CWD Testing / Transport
CWD detected
Zones: D7, X9a, X9b, X9c, A16, A17, A18, G3, G39, J12
Strict carcass transport restrictions apply. Whole carcasses generally cannot leave CWD zones or be imported from positive states.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: 1 per tag (max 2 tags)
Forked-horn or better in most A zones; either-sex in some D zones
Allowed Weapons
Rifle, muzzleloader, bow
Access Planning
Access: Mixed access
Deadline: California uses general, restricted, and premium deer tag categories. Check CDFW's current Big Game Hunting Digest before choosing a zone, buying a second tag, or applying for a preference point.
Points system: Yes
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: California Department of Fish & Wildlife . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in California — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in California?
California has active CWD monitoring and affected-zone rules. Before hunting, check CDFW's current CWD page and Big Game Hunting Digest for the exact zones, sampling instructions, and carcass movement rules that apply to your tag.
What are the antler restrictions?
California strictly enforces a 'forked-horn' or better rule. A legal buck must have a branched antler in the upper two-thirds. Spike bucks are not legal.
Are there carcass movement restrictions?
Yes, CDFW strongly advises leaving internal organs and the spinal column at the kill site in CWD zones, and strict import bans apply to out-of-state deer.
What deer species can I hunt in California?
California deer hunting primarily involves mule deer and black-tailed deer. Allowed weapons and seasons depend on the tag, zone, and hunt type, so confirm the current CDFW zone rules before planning.
How much do California deer tags cost in 2026?
For the 2026-2027 license year, the California deer tag cost is $42.38 for a resident first deer tag, $52.92 for a resident second deer tag, and $377.35 for a non-resident deer tag. Those tag prices are separate from the annual hunting license, any draw application, and any retail or transaction fees.
How do California deer tags work in 2026?
California deer tags 2026 planning starts with the tag category and zone. General, restricted, and premium tags do not all follow the same path. Premium tags and many X-zone hunts go through the CDFW drawing and preference-point system, while other tag categories may depend on availability, zone quotas, and the hunter's first-tag or second-tag choice.
Can non-residents hunt deer in California?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in California, but they need the required annual California hunting license and the correct deer tag for the zone or hunt. A non-resident deer tag is $377.35 for the current license year. Premium tags and preference points are handled through CDFW's big game drawing rules, while other tag categories may follow different availability rules.