California hunters will lose access to millions of acres of popular private timberlands starting June 22, just weeks before many summer hunting opportunities and ahead of the 2026 deer seasons. The closure, a now-familiar annual wildfire precaution, could remain in place well into the fall unless fire conditions improve.
A controversial proposal that could eventually lead to the return of grizzly bears to California has cleared the state Senate. While supporters describe the measure as a scientific assessment process, opponents—including ranching groups, rural lawmakers, and many hunters—see it as the first major step toward bringing grizzlies back to the Golden State.
California hunters can now access newly adopted 2026–2027 seasons and regulations for waterfowl, upland birds, small mammals and furbearers in the Hunterizer app. The update follows earlier additions of 2026–2027 big game seasons and introduces new features including species-specific zone maps and after-harvest requirement guidance.
California hunters are running out of time to get into one of the state’s biggest annual draws. The deadline to submit applications for California’s 2026 Big Game Drawing is 11:59:59 p.m. on June 2, covering opportunities for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and desert bighorn sheep. At the same time, hunters can start purchasing their 2026–2027 California hunting licenses, validations, bear tags, and other access passes for the upcoming season.
California’s latest 2026 wolf depredation investigations report confirms continued livestock losses and expanding wolf territory across Northern and Sierra Nevada regions. Year-over-year increases in depredation incidents and wolf population estimates highlight growing overlap with major California deer hunting zones.
A major court filing in April could accelerate the legal battle over California’s 11% excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and parts. While the tax remains in effect, gun owners, hunters, and retailers are watching closely as the case moves toward a potential decision that could reshape firearm costs statewide.
California bear hunters received one of the biggest wins in years after the Fish and Game Commission approved sweeping black bear regulation changes on April 16. The new rules authorize up to two bear tags per hunter and expand legal hunting opportunity into new northeastern California areas. If final administrative approval is completed in time, the changes could reshape the 2026 season.
With the release of the 2026 Big Game Digest by the CDFW, the Hunterizer app has rolled out updated seasons and tag information. California hunters are looking at expanded access, more tags, and brand-new hunt zones, pending final approval this April by Fish & Game Commission.
California hunters may see rare new opportunities as regulators respond to a booming bear population. Proposals for a second tag and expanded hunting areas are expected to be approved this spring. Insights from Bill Gaines on the Hunterizer Podcast suggest momentum is firmly on the side of expansion.
AB 1912 clears its first committee hurdle, signaling potential changes for California’s archery deer season. Supporters say it enhances safety, while critics worry about impacts to fair chase principles.
After years of court battles, California has backed down from enforcing its controversial youth firearms marketing ban. The development marks a major legal win for hunting and shooting organizations nationwide.
CDFW released the North Central Deserts Bighorn Conservation Unit Plan on February 10, 2026, unlocking major new desert bighorn hunting opportunities. The plan recommends 3 brand-new hunt zones — Granite/North Bristol, Providence/Woods/Hackberry, and Castle/Piute Mountains — with conservative quotas that could boost the unit’s total tags from the current 5 to as many as 15 starting in the 2026-27 season. With roughly 900 healthy desert bighorn in the unit and strong science-based management, this marks one of the biggest expansions of sheep hunting opportunity in California in years.
We sat down with Bill Gaines — 30-year California hunting advocate, lobbyist, and chair of the California Hunting and Conservation Coalition — for a sweeping conversation on the apex predator crisis, legislative battles, bear hunting changes in 2026, the SHARE program, and what every California hunter must do right now.
Multi-year case uncovers widespread illegal harvest across three counties. Wildlife officers say dozens of deer may have been taken using unlawful methods, including spotlighting and out-of-season hunting.
Several hunting and conservation organizations have filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the approved plan to remove all mule deer from Catalina Island. The plaintiffs argue the project was approved without the full environmental review required under California law.
Bipartisan legislation introduced in Sacramento would ensure millions of dollars generated by hunters are reinvested directly into California’s state wildlife areas for habitat management and hunting access.
A recently introduced bill in the California State Senate seeks to explore the reintroduction of grizzly bears, absent from the state for over a century. While proponents highlight ecological and cultural benefits, critics worry about the implications for local wildlife management and human activities in the outdoors.
Meghan Hertel has officially taken the helm of California’s wildlife agency, bringing a background in habitat conservation and land management. Her leadership arrives at a time when hunters are watching closely for direction on wildlife management, access, and conservation priorities across the state.
Hunters have a limited chance this spring to pursue Roosevelt elk on private ranchlands along California’s North Coast. Applications are open now, with tags issued by random draw as part of a targeted effort to reduce agricultural damage and manage herd impacts.
The California Fish and Game Commission has designated six Central and Southern California mountain lion populations as threatened under state law, while leaving Northern and Sierra populations unchanged. The decision could reshape habitat policy, predator management, and long-term deer herd dynamics in key hunting regions. Here’s what the ruling means for sportsmen, ranchers, and wildlife conservation across the state.
Seasonal hiring across national forests and grasslands aims to strengthen habitat projects, wildfire preparedness, and public access ahead of the 2026 field season. The added workforce will support recreation, wildlife monitoring, and conservation work that directly benefits hunters and other public land users. Applications are expected to open in the coming months, offering outdoor enthusiasts a chance to work where they hunt and explore.
California’s Catalina Island mule deer face total eradication after CDFW green-lights a five-year lethal removal plan, ending a century of regulated hunting on the island. Some conservation groups hail the move as essential to restore native habitats and reduce wildfire risk, while hunting organizations strongly condemn it as unnecessary and a loss of a cherished sporting tradition.
CDFW’s longtime director is out, and new leadership is taking over at a critical moment for California hunters. From deer tags and bear management to wolves and salmon closures, the decisions made next will directly affect hunting opportunity and access across the state.
As predator populations expand across California, lawmakers heard blunt testimony from ranchers, hunters, and wildlife managers about livestock losses, public safety, and limited management tools. The hearing underscored the widening gap between predator protection policies and the realities faced by rural communities.
Report your 2025 deer tags by January 31, 2026, and bear tags by February 1, 2026, to stay compliant and help manage our wildlife populations.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has issued a new order directing federal land agencies to expand hunting and fishing access while cutting back unnecessary regulations. The move reinforces hunting as a priority use of public lands and could open the door to more seasons, clearer rules, and fewer access restrictions for sportsmen.
Hunterizer, a leader in hunting regulation tools and public land access, proudly announces the release of the Hunterizer—a powerful new tool for understanding when hunting seasons are open across the U.S. (currently encompasses CA, MT, TX, PA, and WI, with more states coming soon). Built to simplify the confusing patchwork of hunting regulations, the Hunterizer …
Most folks think of California’s Central Valley as duck country. And they’re not wrong. The Los Banos and North Grasslands Wildlife Areas have long been known for waterfowl: flooded fields, duck blinds, and late-season limits. But this fall, there’s a new reason to lace up your boots and grab your bow. For the first time, …
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) just opened up a golden opportunity: limited deer hunting access at the Cosumnes River Ecological Reserve. If you’ve been hunting public ground for years, this could be your chance to explore a special reserve with solid opportunity and fewer crowds. What’s Open, When, and Where A Zone …
Every hunter knows the off-season isn’t really “off.” It’s a time to prep, scout, and sharpen your edge—both literally and figuratively. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) gets it too. Their June calendar is packed with opportunities that keep you in the game, even if you’re not shouldering a rifle or casting a …
Hunters looking to get an early start this season in California’s A Zone should take note of a limited-access opportunity now open for application. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering opening-weekend hunting permits for two wildlife areas in Merced County: Cottonwood Creek and San Luis Reservoir. This is a straightforward, no-frills …
If you hunt in northern California, there’s a new tool you’ll want to keep an eye on. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) just rolled out an interactive wolf mapping system. It’s designed to give the public – including us hunters – a better look at where wolves are roaming. This might sound …
A group of Northern California sheriffs is speaking out against a proposed change to state hunting regulations that would make it harder for ranchers and landowners to legally hunt coyotes. The proposal, currently under consideration by the California Fish and Game Commission, would limit coyote hunting to cases where there is direct evidence of property …
California’s Fish and Game Commission is considering a significant shift in how coyotes are managed — and hunters across the state have reason to pay attention. At its upcoming meeting on May 15, 2025, the Commission will discuss whether to begin rewriting the rules that have long allowed for year-round, no-limit coyote hunting. The proposal …
If you’ve spent any time in the backcountry lately-especially in northern or central California-you’ve probably noticed the same thing the biologists have: black bears are showing up in more places, more often. Whether it’s tracks along a high ridge, scat near a trailhead, or the telltale bark-scratches on a cedar tree, bear signs are on …
When news broke that a California man lost his hunting privileges for three years and had to cough up over $13,000 after poaching a trophy pronghorn antelope, it hit a nerve in the hunting community. Not just because of what he did-but because it reminds us all what’s at stake when folks step outside the …
California’s black bear population has surged to record numbers, with estimates now ranging between 60,000 and 80,000, more than double what it was just a decade ago. As bear encounters become more frequent and dangerous, including California’s first confirmed fatal black bear attack in 2024, policymakers are searching for solutions that balance public safety with …
As hunters, we respect wildlife and understand that predators play a vital role in the ecosystem. But when mountain lions lose their natural fear of humans, the balance shifts—putting people, livestock, and even the lions themselves at risk. California Senate Bill 818 (SB 818) proposes a smart, science-based approach to managing these big cats by …
Spring turkey season is right around the corner, and if you’re planning to hit the woods in California this year, now’s the time to get ready. With its rolling hills, oak woodlands, and prime turkey habitat, the state offers some great opportunities to bag a bearded turkey. Whether you’ve been chasing California turkeys for years …
California may soon see a significant change in how black bears are managed. Assembly Bill 1038, introduced by Assembly Member Hadwick, proposes reinstating the use of hounds in bear hunting, a method banned in 2013 under Senate Bill 1221. With the state’s bear population now estimated at 60,000 to 80,000-more than double previous estimates-the bill …
Buckshot is a tool that many hunters assume is an option for deer hunting, but in California, its use comes with some restrictions that can be confusing. Unlike other states where buckshot might be a common choice, California law only allows it under specific conditions. To help clear things up, we’re breaking down exactly when …
California deer hunters, take note: significant changes to the way we tag and hunt in the D3-D5 and C4 zones could be on the horizon. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) is exploring a proposal that would restructure these hunting areas to better manage deer populations, separating migratory and residential deer. If implemented, …
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