Do I Need a Hunting License in California in 2026?
Yes, you need a hunting license in California in 2026.
With a landmass of nearly 163,700 square miles, California is home to some of the most diverse terrain and wildlife in the United States. These features can provide outstanding hunting opportunities—if you can successfully navigate California hunting laws.
Having the state's required hunting license and knowing the state's detailed hunting regulations, hunter education requirements, and licensing criteria is essential for complying with the law. Whether you're pursuing waterfowl, upland birds, small game, or big game, here's what you need to know to hunt legally in the Golden State.
Can You Hunt Without a License in California?
This question is easy to answer: no.
Regardless of what weapon you're using or what species of bird or mammal you're hunting, California requires you to have a valid hunting license.
Once you get your license, you must carry it with you while hunting or be able to produce it when requested by wildlife officers. Fortunately, California offers a hunting and fishing license app that lets you display a digital version of your license on your phone.
If you are hunting, scouting with a weapon, or assisting another hunter without a license in California, you may face significant fines and loss of hunting privileges. Though there are some minor exceptions to California hunting license requirements, your safest bet is always to have a current license.
How Much Is a California Hunting License?
California offers several hunting license types based on residency status and age, with costs ranging from about $16 for a junior license to about $219 for a nonresident license, excluding tags. Current prices appear on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website.
The types of California hunting licenses available include:
- Resident
- Nonresident (including one-day and two-day)
- Junior
- Disabled Veteran or Recovering Service Member
Depending on the species you're hunting, you may also need to purchase:
- Big game tags for deer, bear, elk, antelope, or bighorn sheep
- Wild pig validation
- Upland game bird validation
- California duck validation and a federal duck stamp
You can purchase your California hunting license and required tags and validations through the CDFW license sales portal or from any of the hundreds of authorized agents and retailers across the state.
What are California Hunting License Requirements?
As with most states, you must complete an approved hunter education course before you are eligible to purchase your first California hunting license. You must also be at least 12 years old to qualify for a youth big-game hunting license. However, there is currently no age restriction for hunting small game or upland birds.
Quality hunter education courses (like ilearntohunt) include essential training in topics such as weapons safety, wildlife conservation, first aid, basic fieldcraft, game processing, and ethical hunting practices.
California hunting laws require that you show proof of hunter education course completion when purchasing your first license. Once you've obtained a California hunting license, you can buy subsequent licenses without repeating a hunter education course.
How Do I Get a Hunting License in California?
Once you've completed your California hunter education course, take the following steps:
- Collect your documentation, such as a hunter education certificate or a previous California hunting license.
- Visit the CDFW online license sales portal or a licensed vendor to start the purchase process.
- Select the correct license type (i.e., resident, nonresident, junior, etc.).
- Add any necessary validations or tags for the species you intend to hunt.
- Carry your license (paper or digital on your phone app) and paper tags with you at all times in the field.
By following these steps, you'll have the right hunting license in California so you can hunt legally.
Do California Hunting Laws Require a Hunter Education Course?
Yes!
If you've never held a California hunting license, you must complete the state's approved hunter education program. However, completing an online course through ilearntohunt is only part of meeting state requirements. You must also attend an in-person follow-up class taught by a California-certified hunter education instructor.
This two-part curriculum offers the convenience of self-paced online learning, complemented by hands-on instruction in firearms handling, shooting fundamentals, and field scenarios that are difficult to teach on a screen. Once you've completed both parts, you will receive a hunter education certificate, allowing you to purchase a California hunting license.
What Animals Can You Hunt Without a License in California?
In general, there are no game animals you can hunt within California's borders without a hunting license. The only exceptions are:
- Depredation permits
- Nuisance wildlife
- Emergency circumstances involving crop or property damage
However, do not view these as general exemptions. California hunting laws state that each of these exceptions falls under game management, not recreational hunting, and requires state authorization.
Almost all hunting in California requires a license. However, the state does offer Free Hunting Days when hunters can hunt after meeting specific requirements. A hunting license is not required for these hunting days as long as you meet the requirements.
Why Does California Require Hunting Licenses?
Hunting licenses are the foundation of a state's wildlife and habitat management plan. Harvest data provided by hunters, coupled with scientific research, helps craft policies for sustainable animal populations, habitat protection, and critical funding for conservation projects.
When combined, the small investment each hunter makes every season supports the game animals, ecosystems, and food sources that make hunting in California possible.
Start Your California Hunting Journey with Hunter Education
Whether your goals are to chase big horn sheep in the rugged desert mountains of Southern California or stalk the elusive black bears along the northern coast, you'll need to have a thorough understanding of California's hunter education and licensing requirements.
If you haven't held a California hunting license before, your first step should be completing the California hunter safety course through ilearntohunt. The online course covers every topic you'll need to meet the state's requirements, and it will help you gain the confidence to complete your first hunt successfully. After completing our online course, finish your certification through the state's in-person session.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to common questions about California hunting laws and licensing.
Q: Can you hunt without a license in California?
A: No. In general, you cannot legally hunt (i.e., take, pursue, capture, or kill) birds or mammals without a valid California hunting license when hunting outside of specific exceptions. Doing so is a wildlife violation and can result in fines and potential misdemeanor charges.
Q: How much is a CA hunting license?
A: The costs for a CA hunting license for the 2025–26 license year include: $62.90 for a resident annual hunting license, $219. 81 for a nonresident annual license, $16.46 for a junior license (under 16), and $62.90 for a two-day nonresident license. There are also reduced-fee options for eligible disabled veterans/recovering service members (approximately $10).
Q: What are the requirements for a hunting license in California?
A: To get a California hunting license, you must meet California’s hunter education requirements (e.g., have a current hunter ed certificate or equivalent documentation). Then, be prepared to show your license while hunting and remember that licenses are valid from July 1 through June 30 of the next year.
Q: Can you hunt anything without a license?
A: You can only hunt some species in California in very limited, specific cases. For example, on designated Free Hunting Days, when residents meet certain requirements (like having hunter education, registration, necessary tags, and being accompanied by a licensed adult), they can hunt without purchasing a license. Outside of these exceptions, you generally need a license (plus any required tags/validations) to hunt any birds or mammals.
