See our comprehensive list of hunting seasons for animals of all types and all areas of California. We’ve made it easier than ever to find the dates you can hunt, length of the season, what type of hunting is allowed and other important details. Plus, check out hunting resources and direct links to California state resources.
Why limit yourself to public land when there are millions of acres of private land to explore.
The information below provides a comprehensive list of California’s hunting seasons for various animals such as deer, bear, pronghorn, elk, bighorn sheep, wild pig, waterfowl, upland game birds, small game mammals and turkey. This helps hunters plan their trips in advance and ensure that they are hunting within legal limits. It also allows them to take advantage of the best possible hunting conditions for each type of animal. This information is critical to help California hunters enjoy a successful and safe hunting experience.
Use the forms below to filter by game, type of hunting, time of year, bag / tag limits and much more. We’ve gone through the state of California Hunting Seasons’s hunting season data and simplified it so you can easily find what you’re looking for. Please note, that information realated California state hunting is subject to change so be sure to check the state resources linked below the table before heading out to hunt.
| Season | Season Begins | Season Ends | Game | Hunting Type | Type Details | Zone | Bag / Tag | Other Info | Season Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope > Archery Buck | August 6, 2022 | August 14, 2022 | Antelope | Archery | None | Zone: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | N/A | Buck | 9 |
| Antelope > General Buck (Period 1) | August 20, 2022 | August 28, 2022 | Antelope | General | None | Zone: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. | N/A | Buck. See hunting digest for more information. | 9 |
| Antelope > General Buck (Period 2) | September 3, 2022 | September 11, 2022 | Antelope | General | None | Zone: 3, 4. | N/A | Buck. See hunting digest for more information. | 9 |
| Bear > General A | August 13, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone A | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 135 |
| Bear > Archery | August 20, 2022 | September 11, 2022 | Bear | Archery | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | One adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Bear > General (B-4) | August 27, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone B-4 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 121 |
| Bear > General B | September 17, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones B-5 and B-6 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Bear > General B | September 17, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones B-1, B-2, B-3 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Bear > General C | September 17, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Bear > General X | September 17, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones X-9A, X-9B, X-12 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Bear > General D | September 17, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones D-6, D-7 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Bear > General (X-10) | September 24, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone X-10 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 93 |
| Bear > General D | September 24, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones D-3, D-4, D-5, D8, D-9, D-10 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 93 |
| Bear > General (X-8) | September 24, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone X-8 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 93 |
| Bear > General (D-19) | October 1, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone D-19 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 86 |
| Bear > General X | October 1, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | All X Zones except for X-18, X-9A, X-9B, X-10, and X,12. | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 86 |
| Bear > General D | October 8, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zones D-11, D-13, D-14, D-15, D-17 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 79 |
| Bear > General (D-16) | October 22, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone D-16 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 65 |
| Bear > General (D-12) | November 5, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Bear | General | None | Zone D-12 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 51 |
| Coyote | January 1, 2022 | December 31, 2022 | Coyote | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | No limit. | Open all year. | 365 |
| Deer > Archery C | July 9, 2022 | July 31, 2022 | Deer | Archery | None | Zone: C1, C2, C3, and C4 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > Archery A | July 9, 2022 | July 31, 2022 | Deer | Archery | None | Zone: A | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > Archery B 2 | July 23, 2022 | August 14, 2022 | Deer | Archery | None | Zone: B4 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > General A | August 12, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: A | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 45 |
| Deer > Archery B 1 | August 20, 2022 | September 11, 2022 | Deer | Archery | None | Zone: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, X1, X2, X3a, X3b, X4, X5a, X5b, X6a, X6b, X7a, X7b, X8, X9a, X9b, X9c, X10, X12 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > General B 2 | August 27, 2022 | October 2, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: B4 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 37 |
| Deer > Archery D 1 | September 3, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Deer | Archery | None | Zone: D11, D13, D15, D14, D16, D17, D19 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > General X 3 | September 17, 2022 | October 10, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: X9a, X9b | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 24 |
| Deer > General D 2 | September 17, 2022 | October 30, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D6, D7 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 44 |
| Deer > General B & C | September 17, 2022 | October 16, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: B6, C1 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 30 |
| Deer > General B 1 | September 17, 2022 | October 23, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: B1, B2, B3, B5, C2, C3 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 37 |
| Deer > General C | September 17, 2022 | October 2, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: C4 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 16 |
| Deer > General X 6 | September 17, 2022 | October 10, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: X12 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 24 |
| Deer > General X 5 | September 24, 2022 | October 9, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: X10 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 16 |
| Deer > General D 1 | September 24, 2022 | October 30, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D3, D4, D5 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 37 |
| Deer > General D 3 | September 24, 2022 | October 23, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D8, D9, D10 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 30 |
| Deer > General X 2 | September 24, 2022 | October 9, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: X8 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 16 |
| Deer > General D 8 | October 1, 2022 | October 30, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D19 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 30 |
| Deer > General X 1 | October 1, 2022 | October 16, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: X1, X2, X3a, X3b, X4, X5a, X5b, X6a, X6b, X7a, X7b | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 16 |
| Deer > Archery D 2 | October 1, 2022 | October 23, 2022 | Deer | Archery | None | Zone: D12 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > General D 7 | October 8, 2022 | October 30, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D17 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > General D 4 | October 8, 2022 | November 6, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D11, D13, D15, D14 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 30 |
| Deer > General X 4 | October 15, 2022 | November 6, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: X9c | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Deer > General D 6 | October 22, 2022 | November 20, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D16 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 30 |
| Deer > General D 5 | November 5, 2022 | November 27, 2022 | Deer | General | None | Zone: D12 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Eurasian Collared Dove | January 1, 2022 | December 31, 2022 | Eurasian Collared Dove | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | No Bag Limit. | No Closed Season. | 365 |
| Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove > Early | September 1, 2022 | September 15, 2022 | Mourning Dove and White | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged doves | Check state DNR for more details. | 15 |
| Spotted Dove and Ringed Turtle Dove > Early | September 1, 2022 | September 15, 2022 | Spotted Dove and Ringed Turtle Dove | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | No Limit | Check state DNR for more details. | 15 |
| Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove > Late | November 12, 2022 | December 26, 2022 | Mourning Dove and White | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged doves | Check state DNR for more details. | 45 |
| Spotted Dove and Ringed Turtle Dove > Late | November 12, 2022 | December 26, 2022 | Spotted Dove and Ringed Turtle Dove | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | No Limit | Check state DNR for more details. | 45 |
| Duck | October 2, 2022 | January 12, 2023 | Duck | General | None | Northeastern Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 103 |
| Duck | October 23, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | Duck | General | None | Colorado River Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 101 |
| Duck | October 23, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | Duck | General | None | Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone, Southern California Zone, Balance of State Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 101 |
| Elk > Tule > Archery | July 30, 2022 | August 7, 2022 | Elk – Tule | Archery | None | Fort Hunter Liggett | N/A | either-sex | 9 |
| Elk > Tule > Archery | August 13, 2022 | August 21, 2022 | Elk – Tule | Archery | Bull | Owens Valley Multiple Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 9 |
| Elk > Tule | August 16, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | Elk – Tule | General | None | Different start and end dates for certain draw areas. | N/A | Check regulations for details. | 139 |
| Elk > Rocky Mountain > Archery | August 31, 2022 | September 11, 2022 | Elk – Rocky Mountain | Archery | None | Northeastern CA | N/A | either-sex | 12 |
| Elk > Roosevelt | September 7, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | Elk – Roosevelt | General | None | Different start and end dates for certain draw areas. | N/A | Check regulations for details. | 23 |
| Elk > Early Muzzleloader | September 10, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Elk – Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | None | Independence | N/A | Bull | 16 |
| Elk > Tule > Archery | September 10, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Elk – Tule | Archery | Antlerless | Lone Pine | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 16 |
| Elk > Rocky Mountain Bull | September 14, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Elk – Rocky Mountain | General | None | Northeastern | N/A | Bull | 12 |
| Elk > Roosevelt/Tule | September 21, 2022 | October 2, 2022 | Elk – Roosevelt/Tule | General | None | Mendocino | N/A | Bull. Check regulations for details. | 12 |
| Elk > Roosevelt > Archery/Muzzleloader | October 29, 2022 | November 6, 2022 | Elk – Roosevelt | Archery/Muzzleloader | None | Marble Mountains | N/A | either-sex | 9 |
| Elk > Tule > Archery | November 5, 2022 | November 13, 2022 | Elk – Tule | Archery | Antlerless | Fort Hunter Liggett | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 9 |
| Elk > Rocky Mountain Antlerless | November 9, 2022 | November 20, 2022 | Elk – Rocky Mountain Antlerless | General | Antlerless | Northeastern CA | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 12 |
| Goose > Canada Geese | October 2, 2022 | January 9, 2023 | Canada Geese | General | None | Northeastern Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Goose > White and White-Fronted Geese (Season 1) | October 2, 2022 | November 28, 2022 | Goose – White and White-Fronted Geese | General | None | Northeastern Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 58 |
| Goose > Early season (Large CAGO only) | October 2, 2022 | October 6, 2022 | Goose | General | None | Balance of State Zone | N/A | Large CAGO only | 5 |
| Goose | October 23, 2022 | January 30, 2023 | Goose | General | None | Balance of State Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 100 |
| Goose | October 23, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | Goose | General | None | Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone, Southern California Zone, and Colorado River Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 101 |
| Goose > White and White-Fronted Geese (Season 2) | January 1, 2023 | January 14, 2023 | Goose – White and White-Fronted Geese | General | None | Northeastern Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 14 |
| Goose > White and White-Fronted Geese (Late season) | February 6, 2023 | March 10, 2023 | Goose – White and White-Fronted Geese | General | None | Northeastern Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 33 |
| Goose > White and White-Fronted Geese | February 19, 2023 | February 23, 2023 | Goose – White and White-Fronted Geese | General | None | Balance of State Zone | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 5 |
| Sooty and Ruffed Grouse > Archery | August 20, 2022 | September 9, 2022 | Sooty and Ruffed Grouse | Archery | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 2; All of one species or mixed. | Check state DNR for more details. | 21 |
| Soot and Ruffed Grouse > Falconry | August 20, 2022 | February 28, 2023 | Soot and Ruffed Grouse | Falconry | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 2; All of one species or mixed. | Check state DNR for more details. | 193 |
| Sooty and Ruffed Grouse > General | September 10, 2022 | October 10, 2022 | Sooty and Ruffed Grouse | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 2; All of one species or mixed. | Check state DNR for more details. | 31 |
| Wild Pig | January 1, 2022 | December 31, 2022 | Wild Pig | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | No bag limit. Requires hunting license and wild pig tag. | Check state DNR for more details. | 365 |
| Pheasant > Falconry | August 20, 2022 | February 28, 2023 | Pheasant | Falconry | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily bag limit of 2 pheasants per day for first two days of the season; 3 pheasants per day after the first two days of the season.The daily falconry bag may contain birds of either sex. | Hawking hours are Sunrise to Sunset. | 193 |
| Pheasant > Archery (1st season) | October 8, 2022 | October 30, 2022 | Pheasant | Archery (1st season) | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit: 2 pheasants per day for first two days of the season; 3 pheasants per day after the first two days of the season. The daily archery bag may contain not more than 1 female pheasant. | Check state DNR for more details. | 23 |
| Pheasant > General | November 12, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Pheasant | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit: 2 males per day for first two days of the season; 3 males per day after the first two days of the season. | Check state DNR for more details. | 44 |
| Pheasant > Archery (2 Season) | December 26, 2022 | January 22, 2023 | Pheasant | Archery (2nd Season) | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit: 2 pheasants per day for first two days of the season; 3 pheasants per day after the first two days of the season. The daily archery bag may contain not more than 1 female pheasant. | Check state DNR for more details. | 28 |
| Quail > Falconry | August 20, 2022 | February 28, 2023 | Quail | Falconry | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 193 |
| Quail > Archery | August 20, 2022 | September 9, 2022 | Quail | Archery | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 21 |
| Mountain Quail | September 10, 2022 | October 14, 2022 | Mountain Quail | General | None | Zone Q1. | Daily Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 35 |
| Quail (Zone Q2) | September 24, 2022 | January 29, 2023 | Quail (Zone Q2) | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 128 |
| Quail (Early Season) | October 1, 2022 | October 2, 2022 | Quail (Early Season) | General | None | For Hunters with Junior Hunting Licenses in Mojave National Preserve. | Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 2 |
| Quail (Zone Q3) | October 15, 2022 | January 29, 2023 | Quail (Zone Q3) | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 107 |
| Quail (Zone Q1) | October 15, 2022 | January 29, 2023 | Quail (Zone Q1) | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 107 |
| Jackrabbits | January 1, 2022 | December 31, 2022 | Jackrabbits | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | No limit. | Open all year. | 365 |
| Rabbits & Varying Hare | January 1, 2023 | January 29, 2023 | Rabbits & Varying Hare | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily bag limit of 5 per day, 10 in possession. | Check state DNR for more details. | 29 |
| Rabbits & Varying Hare > Falconry | January 30, 2023 | March 19, 2023 | Rabbits & Varying Hare | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily bag limit of 5, possession limit of 10. | Check state DNR for more details. | 49 |
| Bighorn Sheep (Zone 7) | August 20, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Bighorn Sheep (Zone 7) | Ram | None | White Mountains | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 37 |
| Bighorn Sheep | December 3, 2022 | February 5, 2023 | Bighorn Sheep | General | None | Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9,10 | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 65 |
| Turkey > Spring > Archery | May 1, 2022 | May 14, 2022 | Turkey | Archery | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | 1 bearded per day. 3 per season. | Check state DNR for more details. | 14 |
| Turkey > Fall | November 12, 2022 | December 11, 2022 | Turkey | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | 1 either sex per day. 2 per season. | Check state DNR for more details. | 30 |
| Turkey > Junior (Season 1) | March 18, 2023 | March 19, 2023 | Turkey | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 2 |
| Turkey > Spring > General | March 25, 2023 | May 30, 2023 | Turkey | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | 1 beared per day. 3 per season. | Check state DNR for more details. | 67 |
| Turkey > Junior (Season 2) | May 1, 2023 | May 14, 2023 | Turkey | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | N/A | Check state DNR for more details. | 14 |
| White-tailed Ptarmigan > Falconry | August 20, 2022 | February 28, 2023 | White | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 2 | Check state DNR for more details. | 193 |
| Chukar > Falconry | August 20, 2022 | February 28, 2023 | Chukar | Falconry | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 6. | Check state DNR for more details. | 193 |
| Chukar > Archery | August 20, 2022 | September 9, 2022 | Chukar | Archery | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 6. | Check state DNR for more details. | 21 |
| White-tailed Ptarmigan > General and Archery | September 10, 2022 | September 18, 2022 | White | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily Bag Limit 2. | Check state DNR for more details. | 9 |
| Band-tailed Pigeon (North) | September 17, 2022 | September 25, 2022 | Band | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily bag limit of 2 per day, possession limit of triple the daily bag limit. | Check state DNR for more details. | 9 |
| Snipe > General (Statewide) | October 15, 2022 | January 29, 2023 | Snipe | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily bag limit of 8, Possession limit of triple the daily bag limit. | Check state DNR for more details. | 107 |
| Band-tailed Pigeon (South) | December 17, 2022 | December 25, 2022 | Band | General | None | Not specified. Check state resources. | Daily bag limit of 2 per day, possession limit of triple the daily bag limit. | Check state DNR for more details. | 9 |
| Season | Season Begins | Season Ends | Hunting Type | Zone |
For the most accurate information on California Hunting Seasons, along with the state’s requirements for tag and bag limits, it’s a good idea to check with the California DNR. We’ve provided their contact information below, along with links to helpful resources, including licensing.
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