CDFW News

End-of-Season Deer Hunts Coming to Los Banos, North Grasslands Wildlife Areas

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:08:28 GMT

Hunters must apply by Aug. 3 for one of 11 available access permits

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 A Zone deer season, September 16 through September 20.

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 given to successful applicants. The number of access permits is limited to support healthy deer populations on the wildlife areas.

Hunters can find the application online (PDF) or request an application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications may be submitted via e-mail to LosBanosWA@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 2026 A Zone deer tag at the time of application is not necessary.

The application process for these deer hunts takes place outside of CDFW’s Automated License Data System. Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. August 3, 2026. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. August 4, 2026. 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# 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.

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 also be validated by wildlife area staff. Biological samples will be taken. CDFW staff is collecting biological samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease, among other conditions. CDFW is testing for and monitoring the disease to protect California’s elk and deer populations as well as hunting opportunities.

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 more resources and helpful information.

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

CDFW Accepting Applications for Deer Hunting Opportunities at Cosumnes River Ecological Reserve

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:30:15 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for deer hunting opportunities at the Cosumnes River Ecological Reserve in Sacramento County for the 2026 A Zone and D-5 Zone archery and general seasons.

CDFW initiated a limited deer hunting program within the ecological reserve in 2021. The program proved safe and popular with hunters and was expanded in 2022, doubling the number of access permits offered to eight.

In 2026, permits again will be issued for eight separate one-week hunting periods – four permits for the A Zone and four for the D-5 Zone seasons that fall within the reserve’s boundaries. Each permit will accommodate up to two hunters. Only archery equipment may be used during the A Zone archery season and D-5 Zone archery season. Only archery equipment or shotguns with nonlead slugs may be used during the general season hunt dates. Rifles, pistols or muzzleloaders will not be allowed due to safety concerns. Harvest is limited to one legal buck per hunter per access period.

The A Zone hunts take place in July through September within the reserve’s Arno Unit, located west of Highway 99. The D-5 Zone hunts are offered in mid-August through early November within the reserve’s Dillard Unit, east of Highway 99.

Hunters can download the applications online at the Cosumnes River Ecological Reserve web page. Hunters can also request an access permit application by calling CDFW’s Rancho Cordova office at (916) 358-2900 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. Applications may be submitted via e-mail to R2CRPhunts@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Rancho Cordova office at 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.

For the A Zone, Arno Unit general hunt applications must be received by 2 p.m. on July 13, 2026. For the D-5 Zone Dillard archery and general hunts, applications must be received by 2 p.m. on Aug 3, 2026. Permits will be awarded by a computerized, random drawing. Successful applicants will be notified by e-mail or phone call/text message within two working days of the drawing, and will receive additional information, including maps and special instructions, prior to the hunt. Results will not be given over the phone.

Up to two people may apply for the hunt as one party by including all required information on the application form. Junior hunting license holders who are 12 years of age or older may also apply if accompanied by an adult hunter. Applicants may apply for one access permit on one area only. An individual’s name may appear in the drawing only once. Any individual’s name who appears on more than one application will cause all applications with that individual’s name present to be disqualified.

Hunters selected for an access permit for the Arno Unit (A Zone) or Dillard Unit (D-5 Zone) must possess the necessary A Zone, D3-5 Zones or Archery Only deer tag for the 2026 season. All hunters selected for a permit must also possess a 2026-27 California hunting license.

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Media Contacts:
Dustin Wallis, CDFW North Central Region, (916) 282-8977
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

‘A Massive Win’: Rehabilitated Black Bears Thriving After Fall Releases

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:57:03 GMT

Five orphaned black bear cubs that were rehabilitated and released into northern California in November 2025 successfully hibernated through the winter and returned to the landscape this spring healthy and active, according to recent data reviewed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) scientists.

These bears were part of an experimental effort led by the department’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, in coordination with CDFW’s Game Conservation Program and North Central Region, to test the viability of releasing rehabilitated juvenile black bears back in the wild in the fall versus the typical spring release. This practice – which can be helpful in mitigating human-wildlife conflict – has been successful in other states but had yet to be tested in California.

All five bears were ear-tagged, microchipped and fitted with GPS collars for scientific study and individual identification. Based on collar data, all five bears successfully established dens, hibernated during the winter, and reemerged this spring back on the landscape.

“This is a massive win. These bears spent their first winter hibernating naturally in the wild as opposed to staying overwinter in a facility, which can be costly and difficult to do. It means less time in rehabilitation and less opportunity to get comfortable around humans,” said Dr. Heather Perry, CDFW’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program Coordinator. “We were able to work together to release these healthy young animals back to the wild where they belong. It highlights the important and unique role of wildlife rehabilitators – and wildlife rehabilitation by its very definition – in the conservation of California’s native wildlife.”

The releases were made possible by CDFW’s wildlife rehabilitation partners with support from the CDFW Wildlife Health Lab and veterinary staff who provided health assessments prior to release. CDFW decided to test the fall bear releases after noting the success of fall releases in other western states, specifically Nevada and Washington.

“Bears are incredibly resilient. They have an innate behavior to find shelter when snow starts to accumulate on the ground,” said Alexia Ronning, CDFW Environmental Scientist and Tahoe bear specialist. “They teach us all the time that we need to trust their ability to survive on the landscape.”

The five bears include:

Two female siblings reported to CDFW as orphaned near Nevada City, Nevada County in May 2025. Both cubs were captured and taken to the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation then returned together to suitable habitat in Nevada County.

One male cub reported to CDFW as abandoned in South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County in July 2025. The cub was captured and taken to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation then returned to suitable habitat in El Dorado County.

Three male siblings reported to CDFW as abandoned in Arnold, Calaveras County in July 2025. The cubs were captured and taken to the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. One sibling arrived sick and was humanely euthanized. The remaining two cubs were transferred to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue then returned together to suitable habitat in Calaveras County.

CDFW provides year-round education, outreach and community support on living responsibly with black bears and recreating in bear country through its affiliations with the Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) and BearWise. Preventing black bears from accessing trash, human food sources and other attractants is key to preventing human-bear conflicts.

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Media Contact:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

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CDFW Image: A cluster of GPS points overlayed on satellite imagery over a three-month period in winter shows very little movement and indicates to CDFW biologists that the GPS-collared Calaveras County bear wearing the collar found a den and hibernated.

CDFW Taking Applications for Opening Weekend Deer and Pig Hunting Access Permits for Cottonwood Creek, San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Areas

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:16:14 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer and wild pig hunting access permits for general season opening weekend, Aug. 8 and 9, 2026, in Merced County (Zone A). This is not a special hunt; the drawing is to control the number of hunters in these areas on opening weekend only.

Locations include Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife areas. Reservations are required for access to wildlife areas and only 30 permits will be issued for each day (Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9). Hunters can access the application online through the Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area or San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area web pages or request an application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications may be submitted via email to LosBanosWA@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635.

Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. July 6, 2026. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. July 9, 2026. The drawing is 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.

Applicants must have a 2026-27 hunting license. If drawn, hunters may take both deer and pig; it is the responsibility of the hunter to have the appropriate deer tag or wild pig validation.

Up to three people may apply as one party by including all the required information on the 2026 Zone A application form. Junior license holders aged 12 and older may also apply if accompanied by an adult hunter.

Applicants may apply for a one-day hunt, in one area only. A hunter’s name may appear in the drawing only once. If a hunter’s name and GO ID# appears on any other applications, they will be disqualified from all drawings.

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

CDFW’s SHARE Program Offering Spring Elk Hunts in Del Norte County

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:26:41 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is accepting applications for five bull elk tags offered through its Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program this spring.

These first-time special spring hunts are intended to relieve Roosevelt elk pressure and damage on 12 properties in Del Norte County. The properties are bottomland ranches and farms consisting of a total of 1,834 acres near Crescent City.

Hunting conditions vary from property to property so successful applicants skilled in legal methods of take beyond rifle hunting – such as archery and muzzleloading equipment – should bring that gear for additional opportunity.

The hunts will take place between April 1 and June 30. Each hunter will have four consecutive days of access to be determined by the hunter and hunt coordinator. Specific details for these hunts can be found on the SHARE web page.

The SHARE elk tags will be distributed through a random drawing to hunters who were not awarded any elk tags in the 2025-26 license year. Hunters with a valid 2025-26 hunting license may apply online at CDFW’s Online License and Sales Services website or at any CDFW license sales office or sales agent through Wednesday, March 11.

A $14.86 non-refundable application fee will be charged for each hunt application. Applicants may view their draw results and download hunt packets on March 13 from their online CDFW licensing accounts.

CDFW’s SHARE Program provides public hunting opportunities on private lands and other properties typically off-limits to public access in cooperation with participating landowners. These elk hunts and more SHARE big-game hunting opportunities are offered outside of and in addition to CDFW’s Big Game Drawing. Preference points do not apply and are not gained or lost in SHARE hunts.

By expanding access and creating new hunting experiences, SHARE plays a key role in CDFW’s Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) initiative across California.

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Media Contacts:
Victoria Barr, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 203-0567
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3848