California Hunting Season 2021: Everything You Need to Know

About Hunting in California

In the largest state in the U.S. with a diverse ecosystem ranging from high mountain tops, sandy coastlines and forests in between there isn’t much more to ask for when outdoors in pristine conditions closer to nature and connecting with the wild then thought possible before.

There are many ecological reserve areas starting with San Diego and leading to Santa Cruz. Whichever you choose the general season for deer darts August 10th and the last day to hunt is February 7th for BigHorn Sheep, get ready for this year or gear up just in time for all that 2021 will offer!

California Hunting Seasons Offered

Big Game: Deer, Bear, Pronghorn, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Wild Pig

Small Game: Tree Squirrel, Rabbits, Varying Hare, Jackrabbit

Bird: Waterfowl, Upland Game Birds, Greater Sage, Grouse, Sooty, White Tailed Ptarmigan, Wild Turkey, Dove Band tailed pigeon, Snipe

California Hunting Season Dates 2021

Deer: General Season Aug 10- Nov 10 Archery July 11- Sept 27
Bear: General Closed early – max bear harvested Archery Aug 15- Sep 6
Pronghorn: General Season Aug 8- Sept 13 Apprentice hunts Aug 22-30
Elk: General Season July 25- Nov 1
Bighorn Sheep: Aug 15- Sept 27 and Dec 5 to Feb 7

Generally the California hunting date starts on August 10th however seasons vary due to the weapon used, what zone you are in as well as the species you are wanting to hunt. The chart below helps to see the different season starts based on these factors so that it is more clear when to start and what to expect.

A law has been passed that every purchase of a deer tag, reports their harvest even if they were unsuccessful or if they did not hunt.

California Archery Deer Season 2020

Season	Dates	Zone
Archery	July 11 – Aug 2, 2020	A
	Aug 15 – Sept 6,2020	B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5,B-6, D-6, D-7, D-8, D-9, D-10
	Aug 15- Sept 6,2020	D-3, D-4, D-5
	July 25- Aug 16,2020	B-4
	Sept 5-27, 2020	D-11, D-13, D-15, D-14, D-16, D-17, D-19
	Oct 3-25, 2020	D-12

California General Deer Season 2021

Season	Date	Zone
General	Aug 8- Sep 20,2020	A
	Sep 19- Oct 25, 2020	B-1, B-2, B-3,B-5
	Aug 22- Sept 27, 2020	B-4
	Sept 19- Oct 25,2020	B-5, B-6, C-1, C-2, C-3
	Sept 19- Oct 4, 2020	C-4
	Sept 26- Nov 1, 2020	D-3, D-4, D-5
	Sep 19- Nov 1	D-6, D-7
	Sept 26- Oct 25, 2020	D-8, D-9, D-10
	Sept 5- Sept 27,2020	D-11

Check the California Wildlife Commission to check to make sure all hunting dates
and quotas are correct.

California Hunting Licenses Info

You can buy a license at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales
Identification is required for a hunting license for any bird or mammal. Hunters who purchase a license for the first time must provide their proof of hunter education. You will need the following:

Buy a CA hunting license (resident vs non-resident)
Buy applicable tags (deer, bear, pronghorn, elk etch)

Resident/ Non Resident	License	Cost
Resident	Hunting	$51.02
Non Resident	Hunting	$178.20
Non Resident	One day hunting	$24.33

Big Game Tags/ Drawing Applications

Resident/ Non Resident	Title	Cost
Resident	First Deer Tag First Deer Tag Drawing Application	$33..48
Resident	Second Deer Tag or Second Deer Tag Drawing Application	$41.86
Nonresident	First Deer Tag First Deer Tag Drawing Application	$299.95
Nonresident	Second Deer Tag or Second Deer Tag Drawing Application	$299.95
	Elk, Pronghorn, Antelope and Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Applications	$8.13 per app
	Bear Tag	$49.42 Resident $315.95 Nonresident
	Elk Tag	$484.20 Resident $1,481.70 Nonresident
	Pronghorn Antelope Tag	$162.82 Resident $498.65 Nonresident
	Bighorn Sheep Tag	$443.25 Resident $1,641.00 Nonresident
	Wild Pig	$24.33 Resident $82.08 Nonresident

California Hunting News

California has a different take when it comes to getting outside. To most big game hunters actually it isn’t necessarily about having spent money or looking to earn but more about challenging the natural wonders outside to see if the survival skills are still engrained well within, just like they were left last.

Connecting with those who lived on the land prior is an exhilarating experience and every chance to learn more about the wild, life and death and all the wonders that this world, and this state offers is another chance to get out there and get those licenses! There are many guided hunts offered or various draws to keep the anticipation and terrain changing even in the same area.