News Archive

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.

To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, CDFW invites you to go fishing without a sport fishing license by taking advantage of the first of two 2026 California Free Fishing Days on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4. One of the oldest pastimes enjoyed by Americans, fishing gets you outside to experience, explore and appreciate the great outdoors.

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.

Fishing enthusiasts across the region are gearing up for one of California’s most anticipated outdoor traditions of the year, the opening of the 2026 statewide general trout season.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Central Region, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will hold an in-person outreach meeting to share information regarding the hunting programs in the northern San Joaquin Valley.