CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsFree Hunting Days Offer Californians Opportunity to Connect with the Hunting Experiencehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/free-hunting-days-offer-californians-opportunity-to-connect-with-the-hunting-experienceWildlifeTue, 07 Nov 2023 15:39:05 GMTIt’s the thrill of seeing a high-octane pointing dog slam to a standstill. It’s having a front-row seat as a wetland comes to life at dawn. It’s the chaos of a valley quail covey erupting from cover; the heart-pounding excitement of a tom turkey somewhere in the distance answering your call. It’s the chance to share with friends and family a wild game meal they can’t get in any grocery store, farmer’s market or five-star restaurant.<p>It’s the thrill of seeing a high-octane pointing dog slam to a standstill. It’s having a front-row seat as a wetland comes to life at dawn. It’s the chaos of a valley quail covey erupting from cover; the heart-pounding excitement of a tom turkey somewhere in the distance answering your call. It’s the chance to share with friends and family a wild game meal they can’t get in any grocery store, farmer’s market or five-star restaurant.</p> <p>Californians will have two ideal opportunities to acquaint themselves with the hunting experience during California’s Free Hunting Days. Stemming from a revised California law newly implemented this year, each year the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director will designate two Free Hunting Days. In this license year, they are Nov. 25, 2023, and April 13, 2024. On these days, eligible California residents may hunt without purchasing a California hunting license, provided other requirements are met.</p> <p>Those requirements include proof of completion of a hunter education course, possession of a valid Free Hunt Days Registration, and any required tags, federal entitlements, and entry permits. All hunting participants in Free Hunting Days must be accompanied by a mentor at least 21 years of age who holds a valid California hunting license.</p> <p>“The dates were chosen carefully and intentionally to provide the widest variety of hunting opportunities and options for anyone interested in giving hunting a try,” said Taylor Williams, the Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Manager at CDFW.</p> <p>“On Nov. 25, waterfowl seasons and many upland game seasons, from rabbit and squirrel to dove, pheasant, quail and fall wild turkey, will be open in various zones throughout the state,” Williams said. “It’s also a holiday weekend when friends and family get together so it can be a great time to take out a friend or relative who has been interested in giving hunting a try.”</p> <p>California’s second Free Hunting Day will be April 13, 2024. This date was chosen with wild pig and wild turkey in mind, two popular species to hunt in the spring.</p> <p>“We encourage California residents to try Free Hunting Days and discover their own connection to nature and wild food in our state,” Williams said. “Free Hunting Days provide opportunities for people interested in hunting to finally give it a try at little cost, and experienced hunters the chance to mentor someone new.”</p> <p>With the possession of a valid Free Hunt Day Registration, residents wishing to hunt on the two designated days are not required to possess a California Hunting License, a California Duck Validation or a California Upland Validation. All hunting regulations, including bag limits, gear restrictions and shooting times remain in effect for Free Hunting Days. Participants must also possess any additional requirements, including passes for state-operated wildlife areas, tags and federal entitlements such as a Federal Duck Stamp for those hunting waterfowl who are 16 and older. Those choosing to hunt wild pigs will need to purchase and possess a Wild Pig Tag.</p> <p>More information is available at <a href="/Licensing/Hunting/Free-Hunting-Days">CDFW’s Free Hunting Days web page</a>. The Free Hunting Days Registration is available at no cost at CDFW license sales offices, from license agents and through <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/" target="_blank">CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website</a>. Hunting seasons, regulations, places to hunt and other resources are available at <a href="/Hunting">CDFW’s Hunting in California web page</a>. For additional information on participants hoping to get started hunting this season, please visit <a href="/R3">CDFW’s R3 web page</a> for a variety of resources.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor Williams</a>, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362<br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> CDFW to Begin Offering 365-day Fishing Licenses for 2023https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-to-begin-offering-365-day-fishing-licenses-for-2023R3Thu, 06 Oct 2022 15:00:12 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will begin selling 365-day fishing licenses far sooner than expected, thanks to extensive efforts by staff to expedite sales. Beginning November 15, 2022, California anglers will be able to purchase a 2023 fishing license that will take effect on January 1, 2023, and last the entire year. All licenses purchased on or after January 1, 2023, will be effective from the date of purchase for a continuous 365 days.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will begin selling 365-day fishing licenses far sooner than expected, thanks to extensive efforts by staff to expedite sales. Beginning November 15, 2022, California anglers will be able to purchase a 2023 fishing license that will take effect on January 1, 2023, and last the entire year. All licenses purchased on or after January 1, 2023, will be effective from the date of purchase for a continuous 365 days. </p> <p>"I’m proud to announce that we’re able to sell yearlong licenses many months sooner than we anticipated,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “I applaud the staff that worked tirelessly to bring this benefit to California’s anglers who have been asking for the 365-day license for a very long time.”</p> <p>Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) introduced AB 817 in February 2021, allowing a transition of California’s fishing license validity from a calendar year to a full 365 days from purchase. Prior to this change, anglers who purchase their license after New Year’s Day were charged the same price for fewer days of fishing, and some are not willing to pay the full price of a license when purchasing it later in the year resulting in fewer license sales. This change will allow anglers to receive 365 days' worth of benefits after purchasing a license any time of year.</p> <p>“Thanks to the dedicated staff efforts at CDFW, California will be moving to our new 365-day fishing license even sooner than expected,” said Wood. “This license will encourage more Californians to fish and increase fishing license revenue which funds critical state fishing and conservation programs. Making fishing more accessible really supports communities that rely on outdoor recreation and tourism, like my northern California district.”</p> <p>The idea, which has been discussed and desired by California’s fishing community for many years, was embraced by CDFW’s Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) initiative. The concept was further developed with stakeholders responsible for drafting the R3 initiative, including Wayne Kotow of the Coastal Conservation Association – California (CCA CAL).</p> <p>“Providing a fishing license that offers greater value and incorporates 21st-century technology is long overdue,” said Kotow, executive director of CCA CAL, sponsor of AB 817 which led to the new license option. “It is also an important step in the implementation of California’s R3 program, which seeks to boost the number of anglers and others recreating in the outdoors. We are thrilled Assemblymember Wood’s perseverance on this issue has paid off, and proud to partner with CDFW to achieve this milestone for California anglers.”</p> <p>CDFW’s R3 team works alongside partners and stakeholders, like CCA CAL, to create goals and strategies and then implement changes that reduce the barriers to participation in outdoor activities.</p> <p>To purchase a fishing license, please visit CDFW’s online <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/">internet sales webpage</a>. At checkout there is an additional option to enroll in auto-renewal for fishing licenses, which allows anglers to automatically purchase and receive their new license when their current one expires, so California’s anglers never miss a day of fishing!</p> <p>Interested in becoming an angler but not sure where to start? Check out CDFW’s <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/r3">R3 webpage</a> to find the latest information on fishing programs, regulations, tutorials and additional resources. Don’t miss the California’s Wild Kitchen tab to view recipes for use on harvested fish plus additional informational videos found under the R3 Harvest Huddle Hour (R3H3) section.</p> <p>For additional information, please visit CDFW's <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing#445183569-365---day-sport-fishing-licenses">365-day Sport Fishing License Frequently Asked Questions webpage</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>Photo credit: </strong> © Donald Magahis, all rights reserved.</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor Williams</a>, CDFW R3 Manager (916) 203-1362</em></p>