Cañada de los Osos Apprentice Junior Hunts

CDFW is pleased to provide limited-permit apprentice deer, pig and upland game bird hunting opportunities for junior license holders at Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve near Gilroy. The hunts are conducted in coordination with volunteers from the Friends of Cañada de los Osos.

Hunts are scheduled throughout the year and applicants may only apply with the on-line registration link at the bottom of this page. Paper or any other electronic applications are no longer accepted. Due to the high demand, hunters who are unable to attend the hunt for which they are drawn must notify our office within 5 days of being notified that they were successfully drawn. Please only apply for hunt dates you can attend.

Successful applicants will be assigned a volunteer from the Friends of Cañada de los Osos who will act as their guide for the duration of the hunt. Successful applicants must also be accompanied by an adult (age 18 or older) chaperone at all times. Due to the passage of Assembly Bill 711, non-lead ammunition is required for all hunts.

Individuals interested in applying must use the online registration by the appropriate due dates listed below. With the exception of the turkey hunts, applications will become available approximately 45 days prior to their due date. Successful applicants will be selected by random drawing and notified at least two weeks prior to the hunt date.

Hunt Dates

Application Instructions

To apply, go to the License Sales and Service website and follow these instructions:

1. Log on using the Junior Hunters Go ID.
2. Click "Purchase License".
3. Click "2025 Hunting" (under menu on the left side).
4. Scroll down to "Drawings", and click on "2025 Special Hunt General Multi Choice Application" (right side).
5. Click ADD , which will take you to the Selection page.
   • Make your selection(s) from among the available hunt choices and click "submit." A confirmation page will show your choices.
6. Review the information on the confirmation page and if correct, click "Submit".
7. Check out.