This page of California hunting seasons is updated annually. While Thepredatorhunter.com focuses on coyotes, fox, and bobcats, it is hoped other game hunters will take up predator hunting as well. We suggest you check out these predator hunting links specific to the state of California:
Purchase a hunting license in California here.
Learn the rules for hunting coyotes in California.
Learn the rules for hunting fox in California.
California hunting seasons for deer.
California hunting seasons for bear.
Bear Hunting Regulations
BEAR HUNTING SEASONS
Archery bear season in all bear zones opens August 20, 2022, and runs through September 11, 2022.
The general season for black bears opens with the general deer hunting seasons in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extends through December 25, 2022. In the remaining deer X zones, the season opens October 8, 2022, and extends through December 25, 2022. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. For daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit our website: www.wildlife.ca.gov/ Hunting/Bear or call toll-free (888) 277-6398.
Bag and Possession Limit
One adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken.
California hunting seasons for pronghorn antelope.
2022 Pronghorn Hunting Seasons
Learn more in the Big Game Hunting Digest.
| Hunt Type | Hunt Name | Hunt Code | Tag Quota | Hunt Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Zone 1 Mount Dome Buck | 710 | 2 | Aug 20-28 |
| General | Zone 2 Clear Lake Buck | 720 | 15 | Aug 20-28 |
| General | Zone 3 Likely Tables Period 1 Buck | 730 | 25 | Aug 20-28 |
| General | Zone 3 Likely Tables Period 2 Buck | 732 | 25 | Sept 3-11 |
| General | Zone 4 Lassen Period 1 Buck | 740 | 35 | Aug 20-28 |
| General | Zone 4 Lassen Period 2 Buck | 742 | 35 | Sept 3-11 |
| General | Zone 5 Big Valley Buck | 750 | 20 | Aug 20-28 |
| General | Zone 6 Surprise Valley Buck | 760 | 10 | Aug 20-28 |
| Archery | Zone 2 Clear Lake Buck | 728 | 1 | Aug 6-14 |
| Archery | Zone 3 Likely Tables Buck | 738 | 15 | Aug 6-14 |
| Archery | Zone 4 Lassen Buck | 745 | 5 | Aug 6-14 |
| Archery | Zone 5 Big Valley Buck | 755 | 1 | Aug 6-14 |
| Archery | Zone 6 Surprise Valley Buck | 765 | 1 | Aug 6-14 |
| Apprentice | Zone 3 Likely Tables Period 1 Either-Sex | 734 | 5 | Aug 20-28 |
| Apprentice | Zone 4 Lassen Period 1 Either-Sex | 790 | 5 | Aug 20-28 |
| Apprentice | Zone 5 Big Valley Either-Sex | 780 | 1 | Aug 20-28 |
| Apprentice | Zone 6 Surprise Valley Either-Sex | 766 | 4 | Aug 20-28 |
| Total | 205 |
California hunting seasons for Elk.
2022 Elk Hunting Seasons
Learn more in the Big Game Hunting Digest.
| Hunt TypeElk TypeHunt NameHunt Code2021 Tag Quota2021 Hunt DatesApprenticeRocky MountainNortheastern California either-sex4092Sept 14–25ApprenticeRooseveltMarble Mountains either-sex4084Sept 7–18ApprenticeTuleCache Creek Period 1 bull4841Oct 8–Oct 23ApprenticeTuleFort Hunter Liggett antlerless4711Dec 20–Jan 1ApprenticeTuleFort Hunter Liggett bull4721Dec 20–Jan 1ApprenticeTuleGrizzly Island Period 1 antlerless4662Aug 16–19ApprenticeTuleGrizzly Island Period 2 spike bull4692Aug 18–21ApprenticeTuleLa Panza antlerless4641Oct 8–30ArcheryRocky MountainNortheastern CA either-sex41110Aug 31–Sept 11ArcheryTuleFort Hunter Liggett only antlerless4508Nov 5–13ArcheryTuleFort Hunter Liggett only either-sex4496July 30–Aug 7ArcheryTuleLone Pine Period 1 antlerless3371Sept 10–25ArcheryTuleOwens Valley Multiple Zone bull4223Aug 13–21GeneralRooseveltMarble Mountain antlerless3018Sept 7–18GeneralRooseveltMarble Mountain bull30234Sept 7–18GeneralRocky MountainNortheastern CA antlerless30410Nov 9–20GeneralRocky MountainNortheastern CA bull30515Sept 14–25GeneralRooseveltNorthwestern California antlerless37415Sept 7–29GeneralRooseveltNorthwestern California bull3553Sept 7–29GeneralRooseveltNorthwestern California either-sex4833Sept 7–29GeneralRooseveltSiskiyou antlerless40120Sept 7–18GeneralRooseveltSiskiyou bull30020Sept 7–18GeneralRoosevelt/TuleMendocino bull3282Sept 21–Oct 2GeneralTuleBear Valley antlerless3291Oct 8–16GeneralTuleBear Valley bull3302Oct 8–16GeneralTuleCache Creek Period 1 bull4062Oct 8–23GeneralTuleCache Creek Period 2 antlerless4162Oct 15–Oct 30GeneralTuleEast Park Reservoir antlerless4632Sept 3–29GeneralTuleEast Park Reservoir bull4612Sept 3–29GeneralTuleFort Hunter Liggett Period 2 antlerless4486Nov 23–Dec 1GeneralTuleFort Hunter Liggett Period 3 bull4478Dec 20–Jan 1GeneralTuleGoodale period 1 bull3731Sept 10–25GeneralTuleGoodale Period 2 antlerless3651Oct 1–9GeneralTuleGoodale Period 3 antlerless3661Oct 15–23GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 1 antlerless4332Aug 16–19GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 10 bull3593Sept 15–18GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 11 antlerless3604Sept 20–23GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 12 bull3623Sept 22–25GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 13 antlerless3634Sept 27–30GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 2 spike bull4372Aug 18–21GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 8 spike bull3576Sept 8–11GeneralTuleGrizzly Island Period 9 antlerless3584Sept 13–16GeneralTuleIndependence Period 2 antlerless3681Oct 1–9GeneralTuleIndependence Period 2 bull3691Oct 1–9GeneralTuleIndependence Period 3 antlerless3701Oct 15–23GeneralTuleIndependence Period 3 bull3711Oct 15–23GeneralTuleLa Panza Period 1 antlerless4175Oct 8–30GeneralTuleLa Panza Period 1 bull4196Oct 8–30GeneralTuleLa Panza Period 2 antlerless4186Nov 12–Dec 4GeneralTuleLa Panza Period 2 bull4206Nov 12–Dec 4GeneralTuleLake Pillsbury Period 1 antlerless3314Sept 7–16GeneralTuleLake Pillsbury Period 2 bull3322Sept 26–Oct 5GeneralTuleLone Pine Period 2 bull4861Oct 1–9GeneralTuleSan Luis Reservoir either-sex4975Oct 1–23GeneralTuleWest Tinemaha Period 1 bull3151Sept 10–25GeneralTuleWhitney Period 2 bull3231Oct 1–9GeneralTuleWhitney Period 3 antlerless3241Oct 15–23MuzzleloaderRocky MountainIndependence Period 1 bull3671Sept 10–25Muzzleloader or ArcheryRooseveltMarble Mountains either-sex30310Oct 29–Nov 6 Total:281 |
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California hunting season for bighorn sheep.
2022 BIGHORN SHEEP HUNTS
Note: 501, 502, 503, 504 Vehicle access is limited to designated routes. 507 Extremely rugged terrain at very high elevations. Altitude sickness has affected previous hunters. Physical condition should be above average. Vehicle access limited to none (760) 872-6585. 508, 509 and 510 Vehicle access limited to designated routes.
| Hunt CodeHunt Tag Description2022 Season Dates599PREFERENCE POINT ONLY – BIGHORN SHEEP-501ZONE 1 – MARBLE/CLIPPER MOUNTAINS – GENERAL METHOD – RAMDec 3 – Feb 5502ZONE 2 – OLD DAD AND KELSO PEAK MOUNTAINS – GENERAL METHOD – RAMDec 3 – Feb 5503ZONE 3 – CLARK AND KINGSTON MOUNTAIN RANGES – GENERAL METHOD – RAMDec 3 – Feb 5504ZONE 4 – OROCOPIA MOUNTAINS – GENERAL METHOD – RAMDec 3 – Feb 5507ZONE 7 – WHITE MOUNTAINS – GENERAL METHOD – RAMAug 20 – Sep 25508ZONE 8 – SOUTH BRISTOL MOUNTAINS – GENERAL METHOD – RAMDec 3 – Feb 5509ZONE 9 – CADY MOUNTAINS – GENERAL METHOD – RAMDec 3 – Feb 5510ZONE 10 – NEWBERRY, RODMAN AND ORD MOUNTAINS – RAM Dec 3 – Feb 5 |
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California hunting season for waterfowl.
2021-2022 Regulations
The following is only a summary, not the legal language. See the Fish and Game Commission’s website(opens in new tab) for the actual language adopted on April 14, 2021 by the Fish and Game Commission.
AREA | SPECIES | SEASONS | DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS |
| Statewide | Coots & Moorhens | Concurrent w/duck season | 25/day. 75 in possession. |
| Northeastern Zone | Ducks | Oct 2 – Jan 12 | 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Possession limit: triple the daily bag. |
| Scaup | Oct 2 – Nov 28 & Dec 16 – Jan 12 | ||
| Geese | Regular Season Canada Geese: Oct 2 – Jan 9 White and white-fronted geese: Oct 2 – Nov 28 & Jan 1 – Jan 14 Late Season White and white-fronted geese: Feb 6 – Mar 10 | 30/day, which may include: 20 white geese, 10 dark geese (no more than 2 Large Canada geese). Possession limit triple the daily bag. | |
| Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone . | Ducks | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Scaup | Nov 7 – Jan 31 | ||
| Geese | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 30/day, which may include: 20 white geese, 10 dark geese. Possession limit triple the daily bag. | |
| Southern California Zone | Ducks | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Scaup | Nov 7 – Jan 31 | ||
| Geese | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 23/day, which may include: 20 white geese, 3 dark geese. Possession limit triple the daily bag. | |
| Colorado River Zone | Ducks | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards (no more than 2 females or Mexican-like ducks), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Scaup | Nov 7 – Jan 31 | ||
| Geese | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 24/day, up to 20 white geese, up to 4 dark geese. Possession limit triple the daily bag. | |
| Balance of State Zone | Ducks | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 7/day, which may include: 7 mallards (no more than 2 females), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Scaup | Nov 7 – Jan 31 | ||
| Geese | Early Season: (Large CAGO only) Oct 2 – 6 Regular Season: Oct 23 – Jan 30 Late Season: (Whitefronts and White geese) Feb 19 – Feb 23 | 30/day, which may include: 20 white geese, 10 dark geese. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| AREA | SPECIES | SEASONS | DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS |
| North Coast | All Canada Geese | Nov 8 – Jan 31 & Feb 19 – Mar 10 | 10/day, only 1 may be a Large Canada goose. Possession limit triple the daily bag. Large Canada geese are closed during the Late Season. |
| Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side) | All species | Closed during brant season | |
| Klamath Basin | Dark and white geese | Canada geese Oct 2 – Jan 9 White and White-fronted geese Oct 2 – Jan 14 | 30/day, which may include: 20 white geese, 10 dark geese (only 2 may be a Large Canada goose). Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Sacramento Valley | White-fronted geese | Open concurrently with general goose season through Dec 21 | 3/day. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Morro Bay | All species | Open in designated areas only | Waterfowl season opens concurrently with brant season. |
| Martis Creek Lake | All species | Closed until Nov 16 | |
| Northern Brant | Black Brant | Nov 8 – Dec 14 | 2/day. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Balance of State Brant | Black Brant | Nov 9 – Dec 15 | 2/day. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| Imperial County | White Geese | Nov 6 – Jan 31 & Feb 1 – 4, Feb 7 – 11, Feb 14 – 22 | 20/day. Possession limit triple the daily bag. |
| AREA | SPECIES | SEASONS | DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS |
| Northeastern Zone | Same as regular season | Sept 18 – 19 | Same as regular season |
| Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone | Feb 5 – 6 | ||
| Southern California Zone | Feb 5 – 6 | ||
| Colorado River Zone | Feb 5 – 6 | ||
| Balance of State Zone | Feb 5 – 6 | ||
| AREA | SPECIES | SEASONS | DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS |
| Northeastern Zone | Ducks only | Jan 15 – 16 | Same as regular season |
| Balance of State Zone | Ducks only | Feb 12 – 13 | |
| Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone | Same as regular season | Feb 12 – 13 | |
| Southern California Zone | Same as regular season | Feb 12 – 13 |
| AREA | SPECIES | SEASONS | DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS |
| Northeastern Zone | Same as regular season | Oct 2 – Jan 12 | 3/day, possession limit 9 |
| Balance of State Zone | Oct 23 – Jan 31 & Feb 5 – 6, Feb 19 – 20, Feb 26 – 27 | ||
| Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone | Ducks only | Oct 23 – Jan 31 & Feb 5 – 6, Feb 19 – 20, Feb 26 – 27 | |
| Southern California Zone | Same as regular season | Oct 23 – Jan 31 & Feb 5 – 6, Feb 19 – 20, Feb 26 – 27 | |
| Colorado River Zone | Ducks only | Oct 23 – Jan 31 & Feb 1 – 4 |
California hunting seasons for small game and mammals.
| SpeciesSeason/AreaSeason DatesDaily Bag LimitPossession LimitTree Squirrel Zone Map (PDF)(opens in new tab) | General | Sep 11 – Jan 30 | 4 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery/Falconry Only | Aug 7 – Sep 10 | |||
| Rabbits & Varying Hare | General | July 1 – Jan 30 | 5 | 10 |
| Falconry Only | Jan 31 – March 20 | |||
| Jackrabbit | General | Open all year | No limit | No |