California Hunting Seasons, 2023-2024
If you thought California was just beaches and sunny city strips, you’re in for a surprise. The Golden State offers a bounty of hunting, including deer, bear, elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. If you’re looking for a hunting adventure with beautiful views, scenic California has woods to get “lost” in.
Many of California’s hunting seasons are broken up by regional zones. With countless zones, it can be confusing on which area you may hunt or reside in. For more information on hunting zones, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
California Deer Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 12-Nov. 26** |
| Archery | July 7-Oct. 29** |
*Specific areas within a zone can have different start and end dates. California has an extensive list of hunting zones. These are general season dates. For more information about hunting in your specific zone, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
California Bear Seasons
| General Season | Concurrent with general deer season through Dec. 31 |
| Archery | Aug. 19-Sept. 10 |
California bear hunting season ends whenever the state’s total bag limit is met, which means the season could end early. Be sure to check with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for the current quota count.
California Pronghorn Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 19-Sept. 10** |
| Archery Season | Aug. 5-13 |
| Apprentice Hunts | Aug. 19-27 |
**Season dates vary by zone
California Elk Seasons
| General Season | Sept. 6-Dec. 31** |
| Archery Season | July 29-Nov. 12** |
| Muzzleloader Season | Sept. 9-Nov. 5** |
| Apprentice Season | Sept.7-Jan. 1** |
**Season dates vary by zone. Elk seasons generally run between August and November, but vary greatly by hunting region. Hunts in some areas have been canceled due to increased military training in those regions.
California Desert Bighorn Sheep Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 19-Sept. 24** and Dec. 2-Feb. 4** |
**Season dates vary by zone. Bighorn sheep seasons generally run between August and February, but vary greatly by hunting region. Some areas are extremely rugged and at high altitudes, requiring hunters to take extra safety precautions.
California Small Game Seasons
| Tree Squirrel | Archery/Falconry: Aug. 5-Sept. 8 General: Sept. 9-Jan. 28 |
| Rabbits and Varying Hare | General: July 1-Jan. 28 Falconry: Jan. 29-March 17 |
| Jackrabbit | Open season |
**Season dates vary by take method
Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for California hunting seasons do vary based on animal and seasons. For more information on obtaining licenses, permits and regulations, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.