The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has established the following guidelines regarding take of wild pigs under Fish and Wildlife Code (FGC) sections 4181 and 4181.1 and California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14 section 401 to facilitate a clear understanding of these laws and regulations by the public, other agencies and Department employees. It shall be the policy of the Department to issue wild pig depredation permits pursuant to the provisions of CCR, Title 14, section 401. Below is a matrix of the authorities under which wild pigs may be taken under California law: (1) sport hunting; (2) depredation permit under FGC section 4181 and section 401, CCR, Title 14, section 401; (3) immediate depredation upon encounter under FGC section 4181.1.
Guidelines for the Take of Wild Pigs
| |
Sport Hunting |
Depredation Permit (FGC §4181 and T14 §401) |
Immediate Take (FGC §4181.1) |
| When does this type of authorization apply? |
Pursuant to sport hunting regulations. |
The applicant's property is being damaged or destroyed or is immediately threatened with damage or destruction by wild pigs. T14 §401(a) and FGC §4181(a) |
When damaging or destroying, or threatening to immediately damage or destroy land or property; landowner, agent or employee “encounters” damage or threat, may take immediately. |
| Hunting license required? |
Yes. T14 §700(b). |
No; Depredation Permit is required. FGC §4181 and T14 §401(a). |
No |
| Pig tags required? |
Yes. T14 §708(f). |
No; however, depredation tags are required prior to removing the carcass from the property in which it was taken. See T14 §401(g) for reporting requirements and §401(h) for tagging requirements when transporting carcass. |
No |
| Artificial light used to assist in take? |
No. T14 §250 and T14 §353. |
Yes; as specified under conditions in the permit. |
Yes;
(Exempt from FGC §2005 pursuant to FGC §2005(a)) |
| May wild pigs be trapped? |
No. T14 §250 and T14 §353. |
Yes, if designated on the permit, except no steel-jawed leg-hold traps, padded or otherwise, may be used. All other animals must be released. T14 §401(d)(1) and §465.5(e)(g). |
No |
| Disposition of carcass |
Tag and transfer or keep. T14 §708(f). |
Carcass may be utilized by permitee. However, depredation tags are required prior to removing the carcass from the property in which it was taken. See T14 §401(g) for reporting requirements and §401(h) for tagging requirements prior to transporting carcass. |
Persons must report the taking no later than the next working day to the nearest CDFW Regional Office. Unless otherwise directed by CDFW, the carcass may be possessed or transferred. The person in possession shall make use of the carcass. FGC §4181.1(b) and (c). Contact numbers:
Region 1 530-225-2300 Region 2 (916) 358-2900 Region 3 707-944-5500 Region 4 559-243-4005 Region 5 858-467-4201 Region 6 909-484-0167 Region 7 831-649-2870 |
| May carcass be left in the field? |
No |
Yes, only for reasons of high air temp., disease, parasites or conditions which preclude use of carcass. Every reasonable attempt to utilize carcass shall be made by permit holder. T14 §401(i). |
No; unless otherwise directed by CDFW. FGC §4181.1(b) and (c). |
| Must CDFW be notified |
Yes; report tags must be mailed to CDFW upon the killing of a wild pig. FGC §4657. |
Yes; a monthly report shall be furnished to CDFW by the 15th of each month for the previous month listing the dates taken, sex, and number of each taken. Permittee or designated agent shall submit to CDFW HQ pursuant to T14 §401(g). |
Yes; no later than the next working day. |
| Method of take |
As authorized in T14 §353. |
As specified in the permit pursuant to T14 §401(d). Safety issues may determine caliber and type of firearm, archery or crossbow. T14 §401(d)(1). |
As authorized in T14 §353. |
| Hours of take |
½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. T14 §352 and T14 §263. |
As stated on permit. |
Anytime. |
| Pursue? |
Yes |
Yes |
May be pursued as long as it is contemporaneous and continuous to the initial encounter. |
| Special conditions for take? |
Non-lead ammunition in the condor range. T14 §353(h). |
Under the terms of the permit. Non-lead ammunition in the condor range. T14 §353(h). |
Non-lead ammunition in the condor range. T14 §353(h). |
| Valid length of term for permit |
Valid hunting license year. FGC §4654. |
May be issued for up to one year by the CDFW. |
N/A |
| Persons Authorized to take/act as agent |
12 years or older with valid hunting license. FGC §4654. and T14 §708(f). |
21 years or older; permitee or designated agent(s) who must be named in permit. T14 §401(e)(2). |
Owner of livestock, land or property, owner's agent or employee, government agent or employee acting in official capacity. FGC §4181.1(b). |
| Persons prohibited from taking animals |
Unlicensed and under 12 years of age. FGC §4654. |
Either of the following; (1) a person convicted within prior 12 months of a violation regarding take or possession of game or furbearers; (2) on probation prohibiting firearms possession or hunting. T14 §401(f). |
A person on probation that prohibits firearms possession or hunting. |