News Archive

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer and pig hunting access permits for opening weekend, Aug. 10 and 11, 2024, in Zone A for the general season. This is not a special hunt; the drawing is to control the number of hunters in these areas on opening weekend only.

Chronic wasting disease has been detected for the first time in California’s deer and elk.

CDFW is initiating annual helicopter surveys to inventory and monitor mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep populations throughout the state. Flights will be conducted in portions of Solano, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties during February and March 2024.

At its December meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this month’s meeting held in San Diego, with an option for the public to join via Zoom. The Commission authorized publication of notice of its intent to amend regulations for waterfowl and big game hunting, including bighorn sheep, elk and deer.

CDFW invites nonprofit organizations to help fundraise for wildlife conservation and research by auctioning big game hunting license tags for the 2024-25 hunt season.