Unlock the Great Outdoors
Why limit yourself to public land when there is private land to explore.
Hunting in California
Hunting in California
California is one of the most geographically diverse states in the nation, offering hunters an incredible range of habitats and game species. From the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains to the fertile Central Valley, the coastal ranges to the vast Mojave Desert, California’s varied landscapes support populations of deer, wild pig, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and a wide array of upland birds and waterfowl. Despite its reputation as an urban state, California has more public land open to hunting than almost any other state in the contiguous US.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) manages hunting across the state’s 163,696 square miles. With approximately 58 million acres of land including 20 million acres of National Forest and 15 million acres of BLM land, hunters have vast public land options. The A-Zone along the coast and the coastal ranges offer some of the best deer hunting in the West, while the Central Valley’s rice fields and wetlands attract enormous concentrations of waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway.
While the percentage of Californians who hunt is low compared to rural western states, the absolute number of hunters is significant. California hunters enjoy world-class opportunities for tule elk—found nowhere else on earth—as well as wild pig hunting with a year-round season and no bag limit on private lands, making it one of the most accessible big game hunting experiences in the state.
Key Insights
-
- California has over 38 million acres of public huntable land, including 20 million acres of National Forest and 15 million acres of BLM land.
- The state is home to the tule elk, a subspecies found only in California, making it a unique big game destination.
- Wild pig hunting is available year-round on private land with no bag limit, making it one of the most accessible big game hunts in the West.
- California sits along the Pacific Flyway, making it a premier destination for waterfowl hunting with mallards, pintails, and Canada geese.
- Despite a low percentage of hunters per capita, California has over 267,000 licensed hunters pursuing game across its diverse landscapes.
Table of Contents
Hunters (Based on Hunting Licenses)
Land Types (Acres)
California ranks 8th among all 50 states for percentage of private land.
California Hunting Seasons
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.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
- (916) 928-2537
Popular Game in California
California’s incredible biodiversity makes it a destination for hunters targeting a remarkable variety of species. The state offers hunting for tule elk (a species found only in California), Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, mule deer, wild pig, black bear, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. Along the Pacific Flyway, California’s wetlands and rice fields draw massive concentrations of waterfowl, while the Central Valley and foothills support excellent populations of pheasant, quail, and dove. California’s year-round wild pig hunting on private land is among the most accessible big game hunting in the western United States.
Small Game Hunting in California
California offers diverse small game hunting opportunities across its varied habitats. California quail, the state bird, provides exciting upland hunting in the coastal ranges and foothills, while valley quail thrive in agricultural areas of the Central Valley. Ring-necked pheasant hunting is popular in the agricultural regions of the Central Valley, particularly around Yolo, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties.
Waterfowl hunting in California is exceptional, with the state sitting along the Pacific Flyway. The Sacramento Valley’s flooded rice fields and managed wetlands of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta attract impressive concentrations of ducks and geese each fall. Mallards, pintails, teal, and Canada geese are the most commonly pursued species, and dedicated wetland hunters enjoy some of the finest waterfowl shooting in the West.
Dove hunting opens the California hunting season each September and is extremely popular throughout the state. The Central Valley’s agricultural fields provide excellent dove hunting, with mourning dove and white-winged dove both present. Band-tailed pigeon hunting is also available in the coastal mountains during fall.
Big Game Hunting in California
California’s black-tailed deer hunting is world-renowned, particularly in the A-Zone along the northern Coast Range. This zone features an early archery season and general season that attract hunters from across the country seeking Columbian black-tailed deer in rugged, brushy terrain. The X-zones in the northeast corner of the state offer exceptional hunting for mule deer.
Tule elk hunting is one of California’s most unique big game opportunities. These elk, a subspecies found exclusively in California, offer hunters a chance to pursue a truly rare and spectacular animal. Tule elk tags are allocated by lottery through CDFW, and success rates vary by zone. Wild pig hunting is perhaps California’s most accessible big game opportunity, with a year-round season, no bag limit on many lands, and populations found across most of the state’s hilly terrain.
Black bear hunting is available in northern and central California, with a healthy population that supports an annual harvest. Pronghorn antelope hunting is available in northeastern California’s high desert through a limited lottery tag system, offering hunters a chance at this swift plains animal in spectacular high country scenery.
Unlock hidden profits in your land
The hassle free way to monetize your acreage.
Hunting Areas in California
California offers great hunting opportunities across the state, both on public and private land. We’ve included some of the best areas for public hunting below and as we have access we’ll be adding more private land too.
Unlock the Great Outdoors
We’re working with landowners all across California to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Public Land Hunting in California
California has an enormous amount of public land open to hunting, including 20 million acres of National Forest and 15 million acres of BLM land. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California is one of the largest national forests in the US, offering outstanding deer, bear, and turkey hunting across nearly 2.2 million acres of rugged mountain terrain. The Mendocino National Forest in the northern Coast Range is especially prized for black-tailed deer hunting.
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the Central Valley is a premier waterfowl hunting destination, drawing hunters from across the state to its managed wetlands each fall and winter. The complex encompasses several individual refuges that collectively offer tens of thousands of acres of prime duck and goose hunting habitat.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office in northeastern California manages vast acreages of high desert and sagebrush habitat that support mule deer, pronghorn, and sage grouse. BLM lands in California are generally open to hunting under state regulations and provide important hunting access in areas where national forests are not present.
1. Shasta-Trinity National Forest
2. Mendocino National Forest
3. Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
4. Los Padres National Forest
5. Plumas National Forest
Hunting Private Land in California
Since a large portion of California is private land, getting access for hunting can be very appealing. When you hunt private land, it’s not only less crowded, the animals also tend to be less skittish and this means you’ll have a better day out in the field. Traditionally, accessing private land for hunting has been complicated and expensive. You either needed to join a club, hire a guide, or start knocking on doors.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying this for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some options below.