Cañada de los Osos Apprentice Junior Hunts

CDFW is pleased to provide limited-permit junior 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 must confirm with CDFW staff within 5 days of being notified that they were successfully drawn or their spot will be given away. 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

Species Hunt Date Application Start Date Application Due Date
Spring Turkey March 21 - 22, 2026 January 15, 2026 March 2, 2026
Spring Turkey April 11 - 12, 2026 January 15, 2026 March 2, 2026
Spring Pig May 16 - 17, 2026 March 11, 2026 April 11, 2026
Summer Pig July 18 - 19, 2026 April 15, 2026 June 27, 2026
Deer Sept 12 - 13, 2026 Apirl 15, 2026 August 22, 2026
Fall Pig October 3 - 4, 2026 April 15, 2026 Sept 12, 2026
Upland Game Nov 14 - 15, 2026 September 1, 2026 October 24, 2026

Application Instructions

To apply, follow instructions found here: Online Hunt Applications Instructions

Bay Delta Region (Region 3)
Regional Manager: Erin Chappell
Main Office: 2825 Cordelia Road, Suite 100, Fairfield, CA 94534 | (707) 428-2002
Stockton Office: 2109 Arch Airport Rd, Stockton, CA 95206 | (209) 234-3420
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