CDFW News

CDFW Seeks Public Input in Developing Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:21:17 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking public input in developing a Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan.

The public is invited to participate in a virtual workshop to help guide the development of the management plan. The two-hour session will provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the development process as well as the background and outline of the plan. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions and share input with CDFW staff.

Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Virtual Platform: Zoom. (https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/88628762826)

Input received during this scoping session will help guide the preparation of a draft plan, which CDFW anticipates releasing for public review early 2026.

The development of the Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan follows on the heels of the Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan for California (PDF) and The Conservation and Management Plan for Bighorn Sheep in California (PDF), both of which were released in April 2025.

For more information about the Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan or the public input meeting, please contact:

Brian Leo
Statewide Deer Coordinator
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
BigGame@wildlife.ca.gov

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Media Contacts:
Brian Leo, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 628-0553
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

California Deer Season is in Full Swing

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:37:22 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) celebrated the kickoff of deer season with the Zone A General Season opener August 9, 2025. Most other hunting zones across the state will open in September and October, providing ample opportunity for deer hunters statewide.

Detailed information about the specific zones and their opening dates can be found in CDFW’s approved 2025 deer seasons by zone (PDF).

Hunters looking to purchase deer tags should act promptly, as tag availability varies by zone. A current list of available deer tags (PDF) can be found online. Tags can be purchased through CDFW’s automated license and data system, or in person at a designated license agent. CDFW urges all hunters to familiarize themselves with regulations and to follow them carefully to support sustainable wildlife management and conservation efforts.

As a reminder, it is the responsibility of the hunter to ensure deer tags are properly affixed to the animal and validated before transporting harvested game. Tags can be validated by authorized individuals, including CDFW employees, firefighters, public notaries, peace officers, meat processors, USDA Forest Service staff and other designated state, federal and local agents. Validation is mandatory, the only exception is while the animal is being transported directly to the nearest authorized tag validator.

In response to recent detections of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state, the California Fish and Game Commission has adopted regulations that define a CWD management zone as any deer hunt zone, or county, where CWD has been detected or is within 5 miles of a CWD detection. The regulations also provide the director authority to designate, based on management goals and feasibility, CWD management zones as mandatory sampling or mandatory sampling and handling zones.

For the 2025 hunting season, all hunters who harvest deer within hunt zones D7, X9a, X9b and X9c must have their animal sampled for CWD. All deer specialty hunts that occur within these deer hunt zones are included in the mandatory sampling. Please note that CWD testing is currently delayed. Hunters should continue to submit CWD samples. Testing hunter-harvests is vital to managing this disease and hunters continue to play a key role in CWD surveillance and management. For more information on CWD and how to get your harvest sampled for CWD testing, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/CWD.

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Media Contacts:
Jen Benedet, Office of Communications, Education and Outreach, (916) 202-4465
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Los Banos, North Grasslands Wildlife Areas to Offer Deer Hunting Opportunities

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:00:00 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer hunting access permits at the Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas for the last week of the A Zone deer season, Sept. 16 through Sept. 22.

Recently, CDFW requested the California Fish and Game Commission make deer a huntable species on the Los Banos Wildlife Area and the China Island and Salt Slough units of the North Grasslands Wildlife Area. This new designation allows CDFW for the first time to offer limited access to hunt these areas under provisions of the A Zone general deer season.

An access permit issued by CDFW is required and only 11 permits (five on Los Banos, three on Salt Slough and three on China Island) will be awarded.

Hunters can find the application online (PDF) or request an application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Applications may be submitted via e-mail to Kimberly.Reynoso@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635. Possession of a valid 2024 A Zone deer tag at the time of application is not necessary.

Successful applicants will be allowed access to the area they were drawn for and must have a valid hunting license, A Zone deer tag and follow all hunting regulations. Hunters must also adhere to wildlife area specific regulations regarding parking in designated parking lots, no stopping along roadways and no access other than walking or using non-motorized bicycles. Only legal bucks may be taken. Each hunter is allowed to bring one non-hunting guest. The areas will be closed to all other visitors throughout the week.

Hunters may only use a shotgun with nontoxic slugs as their authorized method of take. All deer harvested must be validated by wildlife area staff. Biological samples will be taken. CDFW staff is collecting biological samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), among other conditions. This year, the first case of CWD, a fatal neurological disease in deer, elk and other cervids, was detected in California. CDFW is testing for and monitoring the disease to protect California’s elk and deer populations as well as hunting opportunities.

The application process for these deer hunts takes place outside of CDFW’s Automated License Data System (ALDS). Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. Aug. 5, 2024. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. Aug. 6, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the drawing. Results will not be given over the phone.

Each applicant may only apply for one area and must include all required information on the application. If an individual’s name and GOID number appear in the drawing on any other applications, that individual will be disqualified from all drawings. Junior hunting license holders 12 and older may apply if accompanied by an adult 18 or older.

For participants new to hunting or looking to try a different style of hunting, visit CDFW’s Hunter Education and R3 (Recruit. Retain. Reactivate.) web pages for resources and helpful information.

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Media Contacts:
Sean Allen, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Applications Now Being Accepted for Opening Weekend Deer and Pig Hunting Permits in Merced County

Fri, 26 May 2023 12:36:53 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer and pig hunting permits for opening weekend of the A Zone general season, Aug. 12-13. This is not a special hunt, but rather a drawing to control the number of hunters on popular public land during opening weekend.

Locations for this hunt include Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife areas, both in western Merced County. Reservations are required to access the wildlife areas during opening weekend and only 30 permits will be issued for each day, Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13.

Hunters can download the application online at wildlife.ca.gov/lands/places-to-visit/cottonwood-creek-wa. Hunters may also request an access permit application by calling CDFW’s Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Applications may be submitted via email to Logan Brooks at Logan.Brooks@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Avenue, Los Banos, CA 93635.

Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. on July 7, 2023. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. on July 10. The drawing will be open to the public. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the drawing. Results will not be given over the phone.

Up to three people may apply for the hunt as one party by including all required information on the A Zone application form. Junior license holders who are 12 years of age or older may also apply if accompanied by an adult hunter.

Applicants may apply for a one-day hunt on one area only. An individual’s name may appear in the drawing only once and additional or duplicate applications will be disqualified from the drawing.

All hunters are required to use non-lead ammunition when hunting with a firearm anywhere in California.

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Media contact:
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Sean Allen, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463