California Hunting Guide 2026
Complete California hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
California Hunting Seasons
Mule Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 16 | Nov 5 |
| Archery | Jul 8 | Sep 17 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 buck
Zone-based tag system with specific season dates per zone. Premium tags by draw for quality zones. Blacktail deer in coastal areas, mule deer inland.
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 23 | Nov 12 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Extremely limited draw. Tule elk and Roosevelt elk. Some of the hardest tags to draw in North America. Preference point system.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Mar 30 | May 5 |
| Archery | Mar 30 | May 5 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 3 (spring)
Spring bearded turkey season. Wild turkeys well established across foothills and oak woodlands. Fall season available in some zones.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 14 | Dec 31 |
| Archery | Aug 12 | Sep 3 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Bear tag required (separate purchase). Season may close when harvest quota reached. No use of dogs or bait. Healthy populations in Sierra Nevada and northern California.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Oct 21 | Jan 28 |
Bag limits: daily: 7, season: No season limit
Federal and state duck stamps required. Pacific Flyway. Sacramento Valley and Central Valley are premier waterfowl areas. Non-toxic shot required.
Wild Hog
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
| Archery | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit
Year-round with no bag limit. Wild pig tag required for each pig taken. Widespread across central and coastal California.
Quail
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Oct 14 | Jan 28 |
Bag limits: daily: 10, season: No limit
California quail (state bird), mountain quail, and Gambel's quail. Upland game bird stamp required. Good populations in foothill regions.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
California Hunting Guides
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California Deer Draw Odds: A-Zone OTC vs Premium Zone Tags
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