CDFW News

CDFW Anticipates Another Good Season for Quail and Chukar Hunting in California

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:37:47 GMT

Get your boots and bird dogs ready. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) expects above-average abundance of quail and chukar for the 2025-26 hunting season.

California has three native species of quail – mountain, California, and Gambel’s quail. At least one quail species can be found in every part of the state, offering close-to-home hunting opportunities for Californians no matter where they live.

California also hosts introduced chukar partridge populations that are native to the steppe regions of Asia and the Middle East. Chukar were introduced into California beginning in the 1930s and took hold in areas that most closely resembled their native lands – the steep, rocky terrain in the Modoc Plateau south into the Mojave Desert and Death Valley.

California is divided into three quail hunt zones (PDF). For the general hunt seasons, Zone 1 opened for mountain quail Sept.13. Zone 2 opens for both mountain and California quail on Sept. 27. On Saturday, Oct. 18, all quail species and chukar are open to hunting statewide. The season runs through Jan. 25, 2026. Hunters may take up to 10 quail per day in any species combination. Chukar harvest is limited to six birds a day. The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit for both quail and chukar.

Rainfall is important for quail and chukar populations: It supports the insect populations critical for chicks and the growth of lupine, clover, chickweed, filaree and fiddleneck, plants common in quail and chukar diets. The winter of 2024-25 was drier than normal but followed two wet winters so quail and chukar should have experienced an above-average nesting season this year.

CDFW will again deploy wing collection barrels on select public hunting lands in prime quail habitat throughout the state. At these locations, CDFW encourages hunters to donate a wing from each bird harvested. From these wing samples, CDFW can determine age ratios that inform quail and chukar productivity.

During the 2024-25 season, CDFW deployed wing barrels at 10 sites and collected 555 California quail wings, 31 Gambel’s quail wings and six chukar wings from 194 hunters. California quail productivity varied across the state. For Gambel’s quail, the sample size was too small to properly evaluate productivity.

The spring and summer of 2025 have been drier than normal, and the risk of wildfire remains high. Wildfires can benefit quail by setting back the plant succession and creating a mosaic of vegetation types that support quail habitat. Larger wildfires are less beneficial to quail populations. Hunters are reminded to check their favorite hunting areas ahead of time for wildfire-related closures.

In addition to a valid California hunting license, an Upland Game Bird Validation is required for hunting quail and chukar in California. No Upland Game Bird Validation is needed for youth with a Junior Hunting License. The money generated from the sale of upland game bird validations/stamps is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach.

In addition to public hunting opportunities available on many CDFW wildlife areas and some ecological reserves, CDFW offers a number of special quail and chukar hunts throughout the season along with private land opportunities through the SHARE Program.

For more information on hunting seasons and other regulations, visit CDFW’s Upland Game Bird Hunting (ca.gov) webpage. As a reminder, only non-lead ammunition may be used when hunting quail, chukar or any other species with a firearm in California.

CDFW photo of California quail by Travis VanZant.

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Media Contacts:
Katherine Miller, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 261-5019
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641

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

Free Fishing Day is on the Way as Summer’s End Nears

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:53:38 GMT

There’s one last chance this year to cast your line into a California river, lake or bay without a fishing license, and that’s Saturday, Aug. 31.

On Free Fishing Day the public can fish throughout the state with no fishing license required. Earlier this summer on July 6 unlicensed anglers enjoyed the first of the two Free Fishing Days.

Free Fishing Day is a low-cost opportunity to give a new hobby a try. For licensed anglers, it’s a great time to introduce or reintroduce someone to the joys of the sport of fishing — watching that bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight; feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it takes the worm on the end of the line; or netting a big trout as it’s reeled into the boat.

Free fishing days are also a perfect time for former anglers to dust off their fishing poles and tackle and reconnect to the activity.

Children 15 and younger can fish for free every day of the year in California, but Free Fishing Days offer a time when families and friends can experience the hobby together.

Those interested in fishing California’s lakes, streams and rivers can find information about inland fishing locations and species on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website. Information is also available about year-round free fishing opportunities found on specific piers, jetties and breakwaters along the coast. Other helpful tools for anglers include Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Program resources, the fishing guide and the fish planting schedule.

Bodies of water across the Golden State await anglers with catchable-size fish stocked by CDFW hatcheries staff.

Some of those waters include the Owens River in Inyo County, Reyes Creek in Ventura County, San Joaquin River in Madera County, Huntington Lake in Fresno County, Twin Lakes in Mono County, Halsey Forebay in Placer County, Lake Davis in Plumas County and Baum Lake in Shasta County.

A variety of offerings are also available from CDFW’s Fishing in the City program, which focuses on teaching Californians how and where to fish in metropolitan areas. General information about the Fishing in the City program can be found on the CDFW website.

CDFW encourages potential anglers to check rules and regulations for each water they plan to fish. All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect.

For new anglers “reeled” into the sport of fishing, it’s easy to purchase a sport fishing license online. Revenue generated from license sales helps conserve fish populations and habitats while supporting California's longstanding angling opportunities for future generations. Annual sport fishing licenses are now valid 365 days from the date of purchase. More information on licenses, validations and fees can be found on CDFW’s sport fishing licenses web page.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Taylor Williams, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362

Fish and Game Commission Revokes Commercial Fisherman’s License, Lobster Privileges

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:20:51 GMT

The California Fish and Game Commission has permanently revoked the commercial fishing license and lobster operator permit of a Los Angeles County resident.

During its executive session Feb. 15, 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to adopt the recommendation of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to permanently revoke the commercial fishing license and lobster operator permit of Rustin Craig Wilson, 40, of Lawndale.

The commission’s action followed a three-day hearing in November 2023 before an administrative law judge who heard testimony from both sides regarding Wilson’s history of violations in the commercial lobster fishery.

CDFW outlined 18 causes for discipline in addition to aggravating factors. Wildlife officers recounted multiple incidents and documented violations that included fishing in a State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), not servicing traps at the required intervals, leaving lobster traps in the water after the close of the season, failing to retrieve a closed and baited lobster trap from the water after the close of the season and retaining lobster traps and tags not issued to him.

Evidence was also presented of Wilson’s conviction in Los Angeles County Superior Court for fishing in the Blue Cavern SMCA, a conviction resulting from the diligent effort of prosecutors in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Environmental Justice Unit.

“Whether it’s hunting, recreational fishing, or commercial fishing, the opportunity to take and possess fish and wildlife resources in California requires a high degree of mutual trust between wildlife officers and the public,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division. “The commercial fishing industry is trusted to comply with laws and regulations, including avoiding Marine Protected Areas. Those who do not comply erode the trust between CDFW, the public, and their law-abiding fellow commercial fishers and threaten the sustainability of our coastal ecosystems.”

CDFW’s wildlife officers are entrusted with protecting marine resources by patrolling and enforcing the law along California’s vast, 840-mile-long coastline.

For more information and additional photos, see:

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Media Contacts:
Capt. Patrick Foy, CDFW Law Enforcement, (916) 508-7095
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

California Offers Abundant Opportunities for 2024 Spring Turkey Season

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:33:33 GMT

California’s general spring turkey season opens statewide March 30, and runs through May 5. With growing populations of wild turkeys in many parts of the state, spring turkey season has become one of the more anticipated opportunities on the hunting calendar.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will host a variety of special turkey hunts throughout the spring turkey hunting season. This spring season kicked off with an exclusive junior weekend March 23-24, followed by the general season beginning this weekend. An additional junior season aligns with the archery-only season, which trails the general season from May 6-19.  

Wild turkeys are resilient and have expanded their populations throughout California. Although drought and wildfire have caused their populations to fluctuate over the past decade, responsible hunting and conservation practices have helped ensure turkeys and their habitats are sustained. Managed hunting prevents overpopulation, supports habitat conservation and contributes funding toward broader wildlife management goals. 

CDFW Advanced Hunter Education (AHE) Program and Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Initiative have video resources for participants interested in beginning their turkey hunting journey. Check out the AHE webinars on: Turkey Hunting 101, Turkey Calling and Turkey Talk, Turkey Hunting with A Junior or New Hunter, Archery Turkey Hunting and the R3 Harvest Huddle Hour dedicated to An Introduction to Turkey Hunting.

Dozens of CDFW-managed wildlife areas will be open to wild turkey hunting on a walk-in basis throughout the season. Visit the CDFW Lands page for a listing of wildlife areas and the recreational opportunities available at each.

Shooting hours for spring turkeys are from one half-hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. Both a valid California hunting license and upland game bird validation are required to hunt wild turkeys. An Upland Game Bird Validation is not required for junior hunting license holders. 

Hunters are limited to one bearded turkey per day with a spring season limit of three birds.

Nonlead shot is required when hunting with a firearm anywhere in the state. Crossbows may be used for the general turkey season but not during archery season without a disabled archers permit. For more information on regulations, visit the CDFW Hunting Regulations site.  

Regulations regarding turkey season can be found on the Upland Game Bird Hunting web page. Please also visit CDFW’s Emergency Closures site to stay up to date on information regarding land closures.  

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Media Contacts:
Taylor Williams, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Upland Game Biologist, (916) 801-8708