As the 2025 hunting season winds down, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officials are reminding all hunters of two key upcoming deadlines for mandatory tag reporting. Failing to report on time can result in penalties, including fines or restrictions on future tag applications, so don’t delay!
Deer Tag Reporting Deadline: January 31, 2026
All holders of 2025 deer tags — whether you harvested a deer or not — must submit a harvest report by January 31, 2026. Successful hunters must report within 30 days of the harvest date or by this deadline (whichever comes first).
- Report online quickly and easily at: https://www.licenses.wildlife.ca.gov/internetsales/
- Log in to your account, go to the harvest reporting section, and submit your results.
- Non-reporting deer tag holders face a $21.60 penalty fee when applying for future tags.
Bear Tag Reporting Deadline: February 1, 2026
For bear tags, the rules are slightly different:
– Successful hunters must report their harvest immediately after taking the bear.
– All bear tag holders (successful or unsuccessful) must submit a report by February 1, 2026.
– Use the same online portal: https://www.licenses.wildlife.ca.gov/internetsales/
– Timely reporting helps CDFW manage bear populations and ensures accurate harvest data.
These reporting requirements are essential for wildlife management in California. Accurate data from hunters helps track population trends, set future seasons, and maintain healthy game herds.
If you still have an unused or harvested tag from the 2025 season, take a few minutes today to log in and report. It’s a quick process that keeps you in good standing with CDFW.
Happy hunting, and stay safe out there!
