California's 2024-2025 hunting season offers opportunities to hunt various species including deer, elk, and waterfowl across diverse zones throughout the state, with proper licensing required from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Quick Guide
- Approved 2024 Deer Seasons By Zone
- 2024 Mammal Hunting Regulations Guide
- Free Hunting Days Regulations
- Night Hunting and Use of Lights
- Head Mounted Night Vision Goggles
Approved 2024 Deer Seasons by Zone
Table: Approved 2024 deer seasons for A zone, B1-B6 zones, C1-C4 zones, D3-D19 zones, and X1-X12 zones. This table has been formatted to meet current ADA requirements.
Notes:
(a) B-zone, C-zone and D3-5-zone tags are issued for use in any of a group of zones. For these tags, figures provided for Tag Quota
are totals for each group of zones.
Approved 2024 Deer Seasons by X-Zone
2024 MAMMAL HUNTING REGULATIONS GUIDE
Comprehensive regulations for hunters targeting both big and small game mammals, with detailed information split across two essential publications:
The 2024 Big Game Hunting Digest is your definitive resource for pursuing major game species. It outlines:
- Hunting seasons and tag quotas
- Drawing processes for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep
- Specific regulations for bear and wild pig hunting
- Additional pertinent hunting guidelines
For a broader scope of mammal hunting, consult the 2023-2024 Mammal Hunting Booklet (updated through June 2024), which covers:
- Regulations for both small and big game mammals
- Furbearer trapping guidelines, including rules for fox, badger, beaver, and raccoon
- Nongame animal hunting protocols for species such as bobcat, coyote, and weasel
Both publications ensure hunters are well-informed about:
- Legal hunting methods and equipment
- Season dates and geographical restrictions
- Licensing requirements and tag systems
- Harvest reporting procedures
Adherence to these regulations supports wildlife conservation efforts while providing ethical hunting opportunities. Always verify current rules before your hunt, as regulations may be subject to updates.
California Free Hunting Days Regulations
These regulations aim to provide opportunities for new hunters while ensuring safe and responsible hunting practices.
Definitions
1. Free Hunting Day Registration: A no-fee license available only to authorized unlicensed hunters for use on two designated free hunting days of the license year.
2. Authorized Unlicensed Hunter: A California resident who holds a free hunting day registration.
3. Licensed Supervising Hunter: A hunter accompanying an authorized unlicensed hunter, who holds a valid California hunting license and is at least 21 years old.
Key Provisions
- Authorized unlicensed hunters are eligible to participate in free hunting days for only one license year.
- Applicants must submit all information required for an annual California hunting license and provide evidence of completing a hunter education course.
- While hunting, one must possess the free hunting day registration, required tags, validations, report cards, and other necessary documents for the current license year.
- Hunting is limited to specific game: upland and migratory game birds, resident small game, furbearing mammals, nongame mammals, and wild pigs.
- Authorized unlicensed hunters are subject to the same regulations as licensed hunters, with few exceptions.
- Free hunting day registration does not allow participation in drawings or reservations requiring an annual hunting license.
Supervision Requirements
- Authorized unlicensed hunters must be accompanied by a licensed supervising hunter.
- Each licensed supervising hunter can accompany only one authorized unlicensed hunter.
- During hunting activities, both must maintain close visual and verbal contact.
- The licensed supervising hunter must provide adequate direction and be able to immediately control the firearm or other legal method of take.
Additional Information
- Annual free hunting dates are designated by the director and published in the department's annual hunting regulations publications.
- For more details, refer to Fish and Game Code Section 3040.
Night Hunting and Use of Lights
California's diverse wildlife and vast landscapes require careful regulation of hunting practices, especially concerning night hunting and the use of artificial lights. This article outlines the key regulations governing these activities, as specified by the California Fish and Game Code (FGC) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). California's regulations on night hunting and the use of lights strike a balance between wildlife conservation and the needs of hunters and property owners. By understanding and adhering to these rules, hunters can engage in their sport responsibly while helping to preserve California's rich wildlife heritage.
General Prohibitions
Under FGC §2005, it is generally unlawful to use artificial lights to assist in taking game birds, mammals, or fish. This prohibition extends to spotlighting, where one or more persons cast light on areas where game mammals are commonly found while possessing a firearm or weapon capable of killing such animals.
The use or possession of night vision equipment for taking any bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, or fish is strictly prohibited. This includes infrared lights used with electronic viewing devices and optical devices using electrical or battery-powered light amplifying circuits.
Timing Restrictions
FGC §3000 establishes that taking any bird or mammal (except nongame mammals) is unlawful between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise at the place of taking, unless otherwise provided by law or regulation.
Specific Area Restrictions
T14 CCR §263 prohibits hunting wildlife from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise in Monterey and San Benito counties east of Highway 101.
Exceptions and Allowances
Several exceptions to these general prohibitions exist:
1. Sport fishing in ocean waters or other areas where night fishing is permitted, provided artificial lights are not part of the fishing tackle.
2. Commercial fishing.
3. Taking of mammals governed by FGC §4180.
4. Use of small, hand-held flashlights not affixed to weapons.
5. Use of non-directional lamps or lanterns.
6. Normal use of vehicle headlights without intent to locate game.
7. Agricultural landowners or employees on their land or controlled land.
8. Other uses authorized by commission regulation.
Zoned Regulations for Light Use
California has specific zones where lights may be used for taking furbearing or nongame mammals under certain conditions:
Zone 1
Covering portions of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba counties, this zone allows the use of lights of any size or voltage, subject to the following conditions:
- Prohibited where the general deer season is open.
- Lights may be used from a stopped vehicle with the motor off, but not from public roads or highways.
Zone 2
Encompassing portions of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, and San Bernardino counties, and all of Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties, this zone has similar regulations to Zone 1.
Remainder of the State
In areas not covered by Zones 1 and 2, lights may be used under the following restrictions:
- Only 9-volt or smaller lights, hand-held or head-worn, are permitted.
- Users must be on foot.
- Lights cannot be used in or from a vehicle or powered by external sources.
Special Provisions for Property Protection
Landowners or tenants suffering property damage from furbearing or nongame mammals may designate individuals in writing to use artificial lights exceeding 9 volts to address the issue. However, they must notify the nearest fish and game office when animals are taken under this provision.
Head-Mounted Night Vision Devices
While the use of night vision equipment for hunting is generally prohibited in California, it's important to understand the capabilities of these devices, as they may be used for other outdoor activities or in jurisdictions where such use is permitted.
Modern head-mounted night vision devices, such as the Pinty head-mounted binoculars, offer advanced features for nighttime observation:
- Magnification: Typically 7x magnification with digital zoom capabilities.
- Display: Dual small TFT screens (e.g., 1.4 inch) with high resolution (390x390 pixels).
- Imaging: Ability to capture high-resolution photos (3MP) and videos (1080P).
- Night Vision: Multi-level infrared illumination for enhanced visibility in darkness.
- Durability: Weather-resistant designs (e.g., IP54 waterproofing) for outdoor use.
- Versatility: Can be head-mounted, helmet-mounted, or handheld.
- Battery Life: Long-lasting rechargeable batteries (e.g., 3.7V 3000 mAh) with convenient charging options.
- Observation Range: Night time observation distances up to 820 ft (250 m).
- Adaptability: Features like diopter adjustment for personalized use.
- Operating Conditions: Wide temperature range tolerance (e.g., -4 to 122°F or -20 to 50°C).
These devices are designed for various nighttime outdoor activities, including wildlife observation, security, and search and rescue operations. However, it's crucial to remember that their use in hunting is strictly regulated in California.
