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California Hunting Laws

California is the strictest ammunition state in the country: nonlead ammunition is required to take any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in the state, and suppressors cannot be owned at all.

Rules checked against California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, August 30, 2026.

At a Glance

Wildlife Agency

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Regulations Year

2026

Coverage

Verified against primary sources

Verified Rules on File

Rules Pending Review

Zones With Special Rules

Official regulations → Verify with California Department of Fish and Wildlife →

Check a Cartridge in California

Species

Weapon

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Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.

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Sourced Rules

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.

Rifle

1 rule

White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Pronghorn Black Bear

Big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear) may only be taken with centerfire rifle cartridges using softnose or expanding bullets — no rimfire; handguns must also be centerfire.

"(c) Except for the provisions of the following subsections (d) through (j), big game may only be taken by rifles using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles"

14 CCR § 353(c), (e)–(f) — Methods Authorized for Taking Big Game (2026-2027 Mammal Hunting Regulations, General Provisions) · verified Oct 2026

Species	Rule	Citation	Checked
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Pronghorn Black Bear	Big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear) may only be taken with centerfire rifle cartridges using softnose or expanding bullets — no rimfire; handguns must also be centerfire. "(c) Except for the provisions of the following subsections (d) through (j), big game may only be taken by rifles using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles"	14 CCR § 353(c), (e)–(f) — Methods Authorized for Taking Big Game (2026-2027 Mammal Hunting Regulations, General Provisions)	Oct 2026

All Weapons

2 rules

All species

Nonlead (certified ≤1% lead) ammunition is required to take ANY wildlife with ANY firearm anywhere in California.

"Effective July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California."

FGC § 3004.5(b); CDFW nonlead page · verified Aug 2026

All species

Owning a suppressor in California is a felony, so there is no lawful way to hunt with one, for any species. The only exceptions are for police agencies, the military and the licensed dealers who supply them — there is none for a private owner, even with a federally registered suppressor.

Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices

"Any person, firm, or corporation who within this state possesses a silencer is guilty of a felony"

Cal. Penal Code § 33410; exceptions in § 33415 (read 2026-10-16) · verified Oct 2026

Species	Rule	Citation	Checked
All species	Nonlead (certified ≤1% lead) ammunition is required to take ANY wildlife with ANY firearm anywhere in California. "Effective July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California."	FGC § 3004.5(b); CDFW nonlead page	Aug 2026
All species	Owning a suppressor in California is a felony, so there is no lawful way to hunt with one, for any species. The only exceptions are for police agencies, the military and the licensed dealers who supply them — there is none for a private owner, even with a federally registered suppressor. Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices "Any person, firm, or corporation who within this state possesses a silencer is guilty of a felony"	Cal. Penal Code § 33410; exceptions in § 33415 (read 2026-10-16)	Oct 2026

Federal Rules That Apply in Every State

These federal requirements apply in California on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)

Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)

Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)

Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)

On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations (Title 14 CCR text, updated July 1, 2026) California Fish and Game Commission / California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved October 16, 2026

California Penal Code § 33410 — Silencers (possession prohibited) California Legislature · retrieved October 16, 2026

CDFW — Nonlead Ammunition in California California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved August 30, 2026

How to Use This Page

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations are the final word.