What You Pay for a California Hunting License

A California hunting license costs $16.10 for a resident and $164.35 for a non-resident, as of 2024. These are the base annual licenses that let you hunt most game in the state. The price covers the license itself plus a small habitat conservation fee that goes to wildlife management.

If you hunt only specific game — like deer or waterfowl — you also need a separate tag or stamp on top of the base license. A deer tag costs $20.63 for residents and $371.35 for non-residents. A waterfowl stamp costs $15.06 for everyone. These stack on top of your hunting license, so your total cost depends on what you actually hunt.

Prices change each year, usually in July. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife sets the rates. You can buy a license online through their website, by phone, or at sporting goods retailers and bait shops throughout the state.

Key Takeaways

  • A resident hunting license in California costs $16.10 per year; non-residents pay $164.35.
  • Hunting specific game like deer or waterfowl requires an additional tag or stamp on top of your base license.
  • You can purchase licenses online, by phone, or at retail locations like sporting goods stores.
  • Prices are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and change annually, usually in July.
  • Some hunters may have access to for reduced-price or free licenses based on age, military status, or disability.

Reduced and Free Licenses for Specific Groups

California offers discounted or free hunting licenses to certain people. Residents aged 16 and under hunt free with a valid license (you still need the document, but pay nothing). Residents aged 65 and older pay $5.06 for an annual license instead of the full $16.10.

Military members on active duty and veterans with a service-connected disability can hunt for free. You need to show military ID or a disability information letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Disabled residents who cannot hunt standing up may also may have access to for a free license; contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife directly to ask about your situation.

Landowners who hunt only on their own property in certain rural counties may pay a reduced rate, but this varies by county. Check with your county assessor or the Department of Fish and Wildlife to see if your land qualifies.

What Tags and Stamps Cost Beyond the Base License

Once you have a hunting license, you need additional tags or stamps to hunt specific animals. A deer tag — required to hunt any deer — costs $20.63 for residents and $371.35 for non-residents. A pig tag costs $16.10 for residents and $164.35 for non-residents. These are separate purchases from your base license.

Waterfowl hunting requires a state waterfowl stamp that costs $15.06 for everyone, plus a federal duck stamp that costs $27.50. The federal stamp is the same price nationwide and goes to wetland conservation. You buy the state stamp from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the federal stamp from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or post offices.

Upland game birds like quail and pheasant do not require a separate tag — your base hunting license covers them. However, some areas have special restrictions or seasons that limit when and where you can hunt them.

How to Buy Your License Online or In Person

The fastest way to get a hunting license is through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website at wildlife.ca.gov. You create an account, enter your information, and pay by credit card. The license prints when ready as a PDF that you can carry with you or show on your phone. You do not need to wait for anything in the mail.

You can also buy a license by phone by calling the Department of Fish and Wildlife's licensing line. Hours and phone numbers are on their website. If you prefer to buy in person, sporting goods stores like Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops sell licenses, as do many local bait and tackle shops. They charge the same price as buying online.

Bring your California ID or driver's license when you buy. Non-residents need a valid ID from any U.S. state or country. You must be at least 16 years old to hunt in California, though younger hunters can hunt with a parent or guardian under specific conditions.

Resident vs. Non-Resident License Differences

A resident license costs much less than a non-resident one because California residents fund wildlife management through taxes. To may have access to as a resident, you must have lived in California for at least six months before buying your license. Military members stationed in California count as residents even if they moved there recently.

Non-residents pay a premium because they do not contribute to the state's wildlife fund through taxes. The non-resident license gives you the same hunting rights as a resident license — you can hunt the same animals in the same areas — but costs about ten times more. Some non-residents buy a short-term license instead: a 10-day non-resident license costs $48.05, and a one-day license costs $20.63.

If you are not sure whether you count as a resident, the Department of Fish and Wildlife can tell you. Call or email them with your situation, and they will clarify which license type applies to you.

Special Licenses and Youth Hunting Opportunities

California offers special hunting licenses for young people learning to hunt. A junior hunting license for residents aged 12 to 16 costs $5.06 and is valid for one year. Young hunters aged 12 to 15 can also participate in the Youth Hunting Program, which offers special hunting days before the regular season opens. You still need a regular hunting license to participate, but the program gives newer hunters a chance to hunt with less crowding.

Apprentice hunting licenses are available for adults aged 18 and older who have never hunted before. An apprentice license costs $16.10 for residents and $164.35 for non-residents, the same as a regular license. The apprentice license is valid for two years and lets you hunt without taking the hunter safety course first — though you must take the course before you renew. This is designed to let people try hunting before committing to the full safety training.

All hunters aged 16 and older must have completed a California hunter safety course or hold a valid hunting license from another state or country. The course is free or low-cost and teaches firearm safety, wildlife law, and hunting ethics. You can take it online or in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a hunting license to hunt on my own land?

Yes, you need a hunting license even to hunt on property you own. The only exception is that you do not need a license to hunt certain animals like coyotes or ground squirrels under specific conditions, but this varies by species and season. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's hunting regulations to see what applies to your land and the animals you want to hunt.

Can I buy a hunting license for just one day?

Yes. Non-residents can buy a one-day license for $20.63. Residents cannot buy a one-day license — the shortest option for residents is the annual license at $16.10. If you are a non-resident and only want to hunt for a few days, the one-day or 10-day license is cheaper than the annual non-resident license.

What happens if I hunt without a license?

Hunting without a valid license is a misdemeanor in California and can result in fines up to $1,000, loss of hunting privileges for up to three years, and confiscation of your equipment. The Department of Fish and Wildlife enforces hunting laws through game wardens. It is not worth the risk — a license costs very little compared to the penalty.

Does my hunting license cover fishing too?

No. A hunting license and a fishing license are separate. You need a fishing license to fish in California, even on your own land. Both are available through the same Department of Fish and Wildlife website, but you must buy them separately.

Can I use my out-of-state hunting license in California?

No. You must have a California hunting license to hunt in California, even if you have a valid license from another state. Non-residents can buy a short-term license if they are only visiting, or an annual license if they plan to hunt in California regularly.