Hunting Licenses

Fish and Game Code Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 1, Article 2 deals with hunting licenses in the State of California for birds and mammals.

Section 3031 provides that a hunting license, granting the privilege to take birds and mammals, is to be issued to any of the five specified persons. The commission must adjust the amount of the fees to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to those licenses.

Section 3031.2 requires the department to issue lifetime hunting licenses under this section. A lifetime hunting license authorizes the taking of birds and mammals anywhere in this state in accordance with the law for purposes other than profit for the life of the person to whom issued unless revoked for a violation of this code or regulations adopted under this code.

A lifetime hunting license is not transferable. A lifetime hunting license is valid for one year from July 1 through June 30 and may be renewed annually, regardless of any lapse of the license, at no additional cost to the licensee. A lifetime hunting license does not include any special tags, validations, stamps, or fees. A lifetime hunting license may be issued to residents of this state as specified.

Section 3032 defines the terms “bear,” “pursue,” and “hound.” The commission may establish a hound tag program. If a hound tag program is established, the commission may require six specified actions.

Section 3033 requires the department to issue to a disabled veteran or recovering service member who has not been convicted of a violation of this code a reduced fee hunting license that authorizes the licensee to take a bird or mammal as authorized by this code and regulations adopted pursuant to this code. The terms “disabled veteran” and “recovering service member” are defined.

Section 3037 states that a hunting license authorizes the person to whom it is issued to take birds and mammals, in accordance with law, for a term of one year from July 1st to June 30th, or, if issued after the beginning of the term, for the remainder of the term.

Section 3038 provides that any member of the armed forces of the United States who is in a military medical facility and who is at least 70 percent disabled is to be issued a hunting permit, on application therefor, by the department, in lieu of a hunting license and appropriate tags, authorizing the taking of birds and mammals.

Section 3039 makes it unlawful to sell or purchase a bird or mammal found in the wild in California. Shed antlers, or antlers taken from domestically reared animals that have been manufactured into products or handicraft items, or that have been cut into blocks or units that are to be handcrafted or manufactured into those articles, may be purchased or sold at any time. 

Section 3040 requires the director to designate two days per year as “Free Hunting Days.” The department is required to publish the exact dates of the free hunting days in annual publications of the department regarding current hunting regulations. During a free hunting day, a California resident may hunt if accompanied by a hunter who meets all of specified requirements.

The department is required to issue a free registration for free hunting days to any California resident who submits to the department all of the information required to issue an annual California hunting license and provides evidence of completing a course in hunter education. An unlicensed hunter who participates in a free hunting day is required to have in their possession all four of the specified documents.

An unlicensed hunter participating in free hunting days can take only resident and migratory game birds, resident small game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, nongame mammals, and wild pigs with a wild pig validation. An unlicensed hunter participating in free hunting days cannot apply for any draw or lottery to obtain any tag, reservation, or other hunting opportunity.