California Hunting Season 2025 Schedule: Dates&Limits

Welcome to our guide on California Hunting Seasons Schedules! Except for the main focus on the deer season, this article also provides important information on dates, limits, and regulations for other hunting seasons.

Let’s learn about the upcoming hunting opportunities in California, so you can be well-prepared for a successful and responsible outdoor experience.

*-Post last updated on January 13th, 2026

California Deer Season

California offers great opportunities for deer hunting in its wildlife management zones. The deer season dates last more than 4 months, so hunters always have a chance to enjoy hunting their prey.

The season dates vary in different zones. The following are the detailed dates for each zone.

There are a total of 362 tag quotas for elk hunting in 2025. In each different zone, the season and harvest limit vary.

Apprentice Seasons

Archery Seasons

Muzzleloader Seasons

Pronghorn Hunting Seasons by Hunt Codes

The hunting season varies by different hunt codes. We have grouped them by season dates to make it easier to find your hunt window.

🔔Note: 

The big game tags for the above hunts are issued through the big game drawing, which hunters can apply for on April 15 through June 2 each year.

Don’t forget to apply for the application to be qualified for the hunting tags.

California offers more than deer and other big game hunting. This state offers a wide variety of other game species, providing thrilling outdoor activities for hunting enthusiasts all year round.

In case you want to hunt other game in California, we also summarized the hunting seasons for other game species below.

California Free Hunting Days

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Saturday, April 11, 2026

California Turkey Seasons

California is loaded with many Rio Grande turkeys, offering a thrilling chance for turkey hunters.

We get both a Spring and a Fall season here. Spring is a big deal, usually starting the last weekend in March.

2026 Spring Turkey Seasons:

• General Season: Mar 28 – May 3, 2026
• Archery Only: May 4 – May 17, 2026
• Additional Junior: Mar 21 – 22, 2026, and May 4 – 17, 2026

*The fall season hasn’t been released yet. Please stay tuned!

To hunt turkey in California, you must be aware that California is a 100% non-lead state. You must use federally approved non-lead shot (like tungsten or bismuth) for turkeys. If a warden checks your vest and finds lead shells, your hunt is over.

To increase your chance with lower-pressure birds, don’t overlook those lower-elevation foothills that have great turkey populations. Just be ready to hike because the birds are high up in the ridges.

▶Read More: Guide to Spring Turkey Tag Applications, Draws & Leftover

California Bear Season

California has one of the healthiest black bear populations in the country. If you’re hunting deer in the high country, it’s always a good idea to have a bear tag in your pocket.

The bear season will be closed earlier if there are enough quota reported. So, take your time and grab your gear in the woods early.

• General bear season date: October 11 – December 28, 2025
• Archery bear season date: August 16  – September 7, 2025

Bag limits:

One adult bear is allowed per hunting license. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs are not allowed to be taken.

Unlike other states,  California does not have a lottery draw for the bear tag. You can just buy it over the counter. Remember to check the “Bear Harvest Tracking” page on the CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) website before you head out.

Since you can’t use bear bait or dogs in California, you’ve got to rely on “spot and stalk.” Look for signs around berry patches or old orchards. Bears are hungry in the fall, and if you find their food source, you’ll find the bear.

Waterfowl Seasons In California

If you’re a duck hunter in California, you’re in one of the best spots in the country. The Central Valley is a magnet for birds, and here is some info to know for 2026:

1. In the 2026 season, the daily limit for Pintail has increased to 3 birds.
2. Don’t forget your California Duck Validation and your Federal Duck Stamp.
3. Some duck hunting areas require a reservation or a lottery draw on the morning of the hunt.

California Small Game Seasons

Tree Squirrels Season

• General Season: September 13, 2025 – January 25, 2026
• Archery/Falconry Only: Aug 2 – Sep 12, 2025

Bag limit: 4 squirrels per day, 4 in total possession

Rabbits Seasons

• Rabbits & Varying Hare: July 1 – Jan 25, 2026 (General) and Jan 26 – March 15, 2026 (Falconry)
• Jackrabbit: Open statewide all year-round

Bag Limits: 5 per day, 10 in possession for rabbits and varying hare; and there is no limit on harvest for jackrabbit.

Hunting Hours: The legal hunting hours for all mammals shall be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

California Pheasant Season

General / Statewide: Nov 8 – Dec 21, 2025
Archery Only:  Oct 11 – Nov 2; Dec 22 – Jan 18, 2025
Falconry Aug:  Aug 16 – Feb 28, 2025

Bag limits: 2 per day for the first two days of the season, and then 3 per day after the first two days. The total possession limit is triple the daily bag limits.

California Quail Season

Zone Q1(Mountain Quail Only): Sep 13 – Oct 17, 2025

Zone Q1 (All Quail):  Oct 18 – Jan 25, 2025

Zone Q2 (All Quail):  Sep 27 – Jan 25, 2025

Zone Q3 (All Quail):  Oct 18 – Jan 25, 2025

Early Season: October 4 – 5, 2024

Archery Only:  Aug 16 – Sep 5, 2024

Falconry Aug: Aug 16 – Feb 28, 2025

Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 10, and the possession limit is 30 in total.

California has three types of quail (Valley, Mountain, and Gambel’s). The Mountain Quail season in the high country starts early, so get your boots on and get ready for a climb.

To find a good hunting spot among millions of acres of National Forest and BLM land, you can use an app like OnX or BaseMap to find the boundaries.

A lot of great small game hunting happens right on the edge of private vineyards and public hillsides. Just make sure you’re at least 150 yards away from any occupied buildings before you take a shot.

Dove Seasons For California

Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove: Sep 1 – 15 & Nov 8 – Dec 22, 2025
Spotted Dove, and Ringed Turtle Dove: Sep 1 – 15 & Nov 8 – Dec 22, 2025
Eurasian Collared-dove: All Year-round

Bag Limits: The daily bag limits for Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove season are 15 per day, and 45 in total. There is no limit for the rest species.

How Much Does It Cost For California Hunting Licenses?

Compared to 2024, the license fees and big game tags have increased a little. The following is a breakdown of the costs for each type of hunting license in the state:

For California residents, if you are eager to participate in hunting activities each year, you can purchase a lifetime license for good to save any effort. Then, you can receive an annual license each year. Here are the costs:

• Ages 0-9: $691.75
• Ages 10-39: $1,131.75
• Ages 40-61: $1,019.50
• Ages 62+: $691.75
• Lifetime Bird Hunting Privilege Package: $401.50
• Lifetime Big Game Hunting Privilege Package: $842.25

To buy a hunting license or a tag, you can purchase through the Online License Service, at any CDFW License Sales Office or License Agent, or by telephone at (800) 565-1458.

In addition to a valid hunting license, hunters may also be required to purchase a big game tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The dates and limits may be subject to change over time, so it is suggested to stay updated with the latest information here. We have wrapped up the details on California’s hunting seasons for 2023-2024 for you, and remember to stay compliant, respect nature, and hunt ethically afield. Happy hunting!