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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.

Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified 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
1
Rules pending review
5
Zones with special rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with California Department of Fish and Wildlife →

Check a cartridge in California

Results update as you choose. Checks state + federal rules on file — not legal advice; always confirm in the current regulations.

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

Planning to apply in California?

See draw odds by point level, fees, and deadlines on the California draw odds page.

Sourced rules

Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.

All weapons

2 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
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 Suppressor ownership is banned in California, so hunting with one is not possible. Cal. Penal Code § 33410 (ownership ban — primary cite pending verification) Aug 2026 needs review

Rifle

4 rules
Species Rule Citation Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer Big game must be taken with centerfire ammunition; the exact 14 CCR § 353 text is pending verification. 14 CCR § 353 (pending primary verification) Aug 2026 needs review
Elk Big game must be taken with centerfire ammunition; the exact 14 CCR § 353 text is pending verification. 14 CCR § 353 (pending primary verification) Aug 2026 needs review
Pronghorn Big game must be taken with centerfire ammunition; the exact 14 CCR § 353 text is pending verification. 14 CCR § 353 (pending primary verification) Aug 2026 needs review
Black Bear Big game must be taken with centerfire ammunition; the exact 14 CCR § 353 text is pending verification. 14 CCR § 353 (pending primary verification) Aug 2026 needs review

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

2017 California Big Game Hunting Digest California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2017 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2017 Elk, Pronghorn Antelope and Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2018 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2018 Elk, Pronghorn Antelope and Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2019 Big Game Drawing Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2019 California Big Game Hunting Digest California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2019 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2020 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2020 California Big Game Hunting Digest California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2020 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2020 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2020 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistic - General Method Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 California Deer Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Elk Harvest Success Rates California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Elk Conservation and Management Program · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-Sex Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 10 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-Sex Hunts by Point Value: 10.5 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 10 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 10.5 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9.5 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 19 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2021 Pronghorn Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistic - General Method Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 California Deer Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Elk Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Elk Conservation and Management Program · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-Sex Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-Sex Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 10 to 20 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2022 Pronghorn Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistic - General Method Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 California Deer Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 0 to 6 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 15 to 21 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Pronghorn Antelope Tag Drawing Statistics - Archery and General Hunts by Point Value: 7 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2023 Pronghorn Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics - Hunts by Point Values 0 to 9 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics - Hunts by Point Values 10 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 California Deer Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Area Specific Archery Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Area Specific Archery Hunts by Point Values 15 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Area Specific Archery Hunts by Point Values 8 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Values 15 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Values 8 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Values 15 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Values 8 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Values 15 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Values 8 to 14 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Values 0 to 10 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Values 11 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Values (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Values 0 to 10 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Values 11 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Applicants by Point Values 0 to 10 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Applicants by Point Values 11 to 22 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2024 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Values (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics - Hunts by Point Values 0 to 10 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics - Hunts by Point Values 11 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 California Big Game Hunting Digest California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 California Deer Harvest Statistics California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Value (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Area Specific Archery Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Area Specific Archery Hunts by Point Values 16 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Area Specific Archery Hunts by Point Values 8 to 15 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Values 16 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - General Late Season Hunts by Point Values 8 to 15 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Values 16 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Muzzleloader Hunts by Point Values 8 to 15 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Values 0 to 7 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Values 16 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Deer Tag Drawing Statistics - Zone Hunts by Point Values 8 to 15 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Values 0 to 8 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Values 16 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Antlerless and Either-sex Hunts by Point Values 9 to 15 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Values (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Values 0 to 8 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Values 17 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Elk Tag Drawing Statistics - Bull and Spike Bull Hunts by Point Values 9 to 16 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Applicants by Point Values 0 to 8 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Applicants by Point Values 17 to 23 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Applicants by Point Values 9 to 16 Points (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2025 Pronghorn Tag Drawing Statistics - Apprentice Hunts by Point Values (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
2026 California Big Game Hunting Digest California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
Approved 2018 Deer Seasons by Zone (PDF) California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved September 1, 2026
Bighorn Sheep Hunting (CDFW landing page) -- 2025 Desert Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics table California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Bighorn Sheep Hunting (CDFW page, Wayback capture 2022-08-26) -- 2021 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics table California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Bighorn Sheep Hunting (CDFW page, Wayback capture 2023-08-25) -- 2022 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics table California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Bighorn Sheep Hunting (CDFW page, Wayback capture 2024-09-01) -- 2023 Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics table California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Bighorn Sheep Hunting (CDFW page, Wayback capture 2025-09-09) -- 2024 Desert Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics table California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Bighorn Sheep Hunt Zones [ds784] California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
California Fish and Game Code section 331 (pronghorn antelope tags) California Legislature (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) · retrieved September 1, 2026
California Fish and Game Code section 332 (elk tags) California Legislature (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) · retrieved September 1, 2026
California Fish & Game Code § 3004.5 (AB 711) California Legislature · retrieved August 30, 2026
California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a -- Holdings by Agency Classification GreenInfo Network, published via California Natural Resources Agency (data.ca.gov) · retrieved September 1, 2026
CDFW — Nonlead Ammunition in California California Department of Fish and Wildlife · retrieved August 30, 2026
Deer Hunt Zones - Title 14, Section 360 [ds342] California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Elk Hunt Zones [ds786] California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Pronghorn Hunt Zones [ds787] California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) · retrieved September 1, 2026

Sources & methodology

Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.

Legal disclaimer — please read

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.

  • Confirm every rule in the current official California hunting regulations before your hunt.
  • Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
  • When in doubt, contact California Department of Fish and Wildlife directly.

The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.