License Costs

Species Costs

Important Dates

Draw Result Dates

Draw System

Getting a Tag

Unit Profiles

Hunting Rules

California is home to a wide range of big game species, with a couple of those solely found in the Golden State. The greatest opportunity for hunting big game is the various species of deer that are found throughout the state. You have Columbian Blacktails along the coastal regions in the western half of the state and Mule deer can be found from the deserts in the south to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevadas. There is a growing population of all three subspecies of elk - Rocky Mountain, Tule, and Roosevelt.

Permits for elk are very limited but are a great hunt when you get a tag. Antelope are isolated to the northeast corner of the state and have a limited number of permits as well. Black Bears can be hunted during the same seasons as deer. There are restrictions that don't allow the use of dogs or baiting, and with the thick cover that many of them inhabit, it can be hard to hunt them. However, with an over-the-counter tag, you do have the opportunity to harvest one if you are already in the field hunting deer.

Tag Lottery

California uses a preference point system in the draw process. Applicants who are unsuccessful in drawing a permit will earn a preference point for that species. Applicants may select three hunt choices when applying for premium deer permits. Applicants may only select one hunt choice for antelope, elk, and bighorn sheep. The state considers everyone's first choice before considering any applicant's 2nd choice.

Nonresident tag allocation

Application choices

Building points in California

Applicants can build points in one of two ways in California: Either by being unsuccessful in the primary drawing for their first choice tag or by applying for a point only. California does not have a separate point-only purchase period.

Party Applications

When applying as a party, you will be prompted to either create a new party (party leader), or join an existing party. If you apply as the party leader, you will receive a PartyNumber at the end of your transaction. Those who wish to join the party application must enter that Party Number, in order to join.

Correcting applications

Applicants can call CDFW prior to the application deadline to correct any application errors. It is recommended to do this as early as possible to avoid lengthy wait times.

Waiting Period

There are no waiting periods for deer, elk or antelope. Bighorn sheep permits are limited to one in your lifetime.

Leftover licenses

Around mid-August the state will make any remaining licenses available for purchase in a first-come-first-serve manner. These licenses can be purchased through CDFW offices, license agents, by telephone at 800-565-1458, or online

Credit Cards

Credit cards are accepted online. (Visa or Mastercard)

Hunting license

California requires all hunters to hold an annual hunting license before applying for or purchasing hunting permits.

Landowner Tags

Landowner tags are available to purchase in California. The state allows landowners to market and resell tags to the public. Most of the permits are sold as a guided package for Roosevelt and Tule elk.

Youth Tags

Hunters who are younger than 16 as of July 1st for the year in which they are applying qualify as a junior. There are a couple of benefits, one of which is a discounted rate on the annual hunting license for both residents and nonresidents. There are also junior or apprentice hunts that are reserved for the youth. With apprentice hunts, 50% of the permits go to the max point pool, and 50% are drawn randomly.

Returning Tags/Transferring Tags

Premium deer tags cannot be returned. Non-premium deer permits may be returned if certain criteria is met. For a list of criteria, check out the state regulations.

Want to learn more about specific hunting areas in this state? GOHUNT’s Unit Profiles are an excellent place to start. Think of them as your all-in-one scouting hub — packed with insider details, maps, and the kind of local knowledge you’d normally only get from years in the field.

You’ll get access to comments from other hunters, real photos from the unit, and deep-dive data on terrain, access, harvest stats, and more. Even better? These profiles help you cut through the guesswork so you can focus on finding animals, not just figuring out where to start.

Some content is open to everyone, but GOHUNT members unlock the full experience — all the data, all the features, all in one spot. Whether you’re chasing your first tag or planning your next trophy hunt, our Unit Profiles are built to give you an edge before your boots ever hit the dirt.

Minimum age to hunt

Hunters must be 12 years of age or older on or before July 1st to hunt deer, elk or antelope. Hunters must be 16 years of age or older on or before July 1st to hunt bighorn sheep.

Hunters education

California requires anyone applying to provide an accepted form of hunter education. The proof of hunter education must be entered by a licensed agent.

The following are acceptable forms of proof:

Bowhunters education

California does not require a bowhunter's education

Hunters orange

California does not require hunters orange.

Nonlead Hunting Ammunition

As of July 1, 2019, all hunters must use nonlead ammunition when taking any wildlife in California.

Weapons Restrictions

California does have some weapon restrictions that you should pay attention to before you apply. For more information, check out the state regulations.

Hunting opportunities for military members

Residency

Any person on active military duty with the U.S. Armed Forces or auxiliary branch may purchase licenses as a resident providing the conditions are met immediately prior to the person submitting their application for a license or permit.

Disabled veteran reduced-fee hunting license

This option is available for any resident or nonresident who is an honorably discharged veteran with a 50% or greater service-connected disability.

Recovering service member reduced fee hunting license

This license option is available to any recovering service member. A recovering service member is defined as a member of the armed forces, including a member of the national guard or a reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy and is in an outpatient status while recovering from a serious injury or illness related to the member's military service.