California Hunting Season Dates
Recorded hunting windows for California, including historical and unverified entries.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
0 of 7 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
California Hunting Season Calendar
Find all hunting season dates for California including deer, elk, turkey, and waterfowl. Filter by species and hunting method.
Recorded Season Windows
All California hunting seasons organized by species
Deer 3 seasons
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Jul 12 - Sep 21, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | A Zone | Closed | Early archery | |
| Rifle/Firearm | Sep 20 - Nov 2, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | A Zone | Closed | General season | |
| Archery | Aug 16 - Sep 7, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | D Zones | Closed | Zone D archery | |
Turkey 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Legal Method | Mar 28 - May 3, 2026 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Closed | Spring season | |
Bear 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Legal Method | Oct 11 - Dec 28, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Closed | General bear season | |
Wild Pig 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Legal Method | Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Closed | Year-round hunting | |
Dove 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Sep 1-15, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Closed | Early dove | |
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California Hunting Regulations
License year, species, and agency information
- License Year
- Jul 1, 2025 - Jun 30, 2026
- Available Species
-
- Bear
- Deer
- Dove
- Turkey
- Wild Pig
- Hunting Methods
-
- Archery
- Rifle/Firearm
- Any Legal Method
- Shotgun
- Wildlife Agency
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.
Important Note for California
California has extensive zone system. Tag/license required for deer.
Hunting Method Legend
California Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting seasons in California
What are the hunting season dates for California?
Recorded California entries cover Bear, Deer, Dove, Turkey, Wild Pig. Dates include history and unverified records; the recorded license-year metadata is not current verification. Check row evidence and current agency regulations and your license.
When does deer season start in California?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2025-07-12 to 2025-09-21; 2025-09-20 to 2025-11-02; 2025-08-16 to 2025-09-07. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
Does California require a draw for hunting?
Draw requirements depend on species, GMU or zone, hunt code and license type. Recorded date windows do not establish eligibility. Check the current California agency rules and your actual license.
What should I know about hunting in California?
California has extensive zone system. Tag/license required for deer.
Other States
Compare hunting seasons across states
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