California Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 13 – January 25, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates and Limits for Upland Game Birds

  1. Pheasant
    • General Season: November 8 – December 21, 2025
    • Archery Only: October 11 – November 2, 2025, and December 22, 2025 – January 18, 2026
    • Falconry: August 16, 2025 – February 28, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 males per day for the first two days, then 3 males per day thereafter (archery: no more than 1 female per day; falconry: either sex)
    • Possession Limit: Triple the daily bag limit (6-9 males, depending on the day)
  2. Quail (California, Gambel’s, and Mountain)
    • Mountain Quail (Zone Q1): September 13 – October 17, 2025
    • All Quail (Zone Q1): October 18, 2025 – January 25, 2026
    • All Quail (Zone Q2): September 27, 2025 – January 25, 2026
    • All Quail (Zone Q3): October 18, 2025 – January 25, 2026
    • Early Junior Hunt (Mojave National Preserve): October 4-5, 2025
    • Archery Only: August 16 – September 5, 2025
    • Falconry: August 16, 2025 – February 28, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 10 quail (any species)
    • Possession Limit: Triple the daily bag limit (30 quail)
  3. Chukar
    • General Season: October 18, 2025 – January 25, 2026
    • Archery Only: August 16 – September 5, 2025
    • Falconry: August 16, 2025 – February 28, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 6 chukar
    • Possession Limit: Triple the daily bag limit (18 chukar)
  4. Sooty (Blue) and Ruffed Grouse
    • General Season: September 13 – October 13, 2025
    • Archery Only: August 16 – September 5, 2025
    • Falconry: August 16, 2025 – February 28, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 (all of one species or mixed)
    • Possession Limit: Triple the daily bag limit (6 grouse)
    • Note: Open only in specific counties (e.g., Alpine, Amador, Butte, etc.).
  5. Greater Sage-Grouse
    • General, Archery, and Falconry Seasons: Closed for 2025-2026 (0 permits issued for North Mono Zone).
  6. White-tailed Ptarmigan
    • General & Archery: September 13 – September 21, 2025
    • Falconry: August 16, 2025 – February 28, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 per day
    • Possession Limit: 2 per season
  7. Snipe
    • General Season: October 18, 2025 – February 1, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 8
    • Possession Limit: Triple the daily bag limit (24 snipe)

Required Licenses and Costs

To hunt upland game birds in California, hunters must have the following:

  • Hunting License:
    • Resident: $61.82
    • Non-Resident: $216
    • Junior (under 16): $14.30
    • Non-Resident 1-Day: $29.73
    • Non-Resident 2-Day: $61.82
    • Disabled Veteran/Recovering Service Member: $8.24
  • Upland Game Bird Validation: $24.33 (required for all hunters except those with a Junior Hunting License)
  • Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation: No cost, required for hunting doves, band-tailed pigeons, and snipe
  • Hunter Education Certificate: Required unless the hunter has held a valid hunting license from any state within the last two years.

Additional Notes

  • Nonlead Ammunition: Mandatory for all firearm hunting in California.
  • Zone Maps: Available on the CDFW website for quail, grouse, and band-tailed pigeons.
  • Special Hunts: Some hunts (e.g., sage-grouse, dove special hunts) require permits through a draw system.
  • Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for certain species (e.g., band-tailed pigeons).
  • Verification: Always check the CDFW website for the most current regulations, as rules may vary by zone or change.

For more details, visit the CDFW Upland Game Bird Hunting page: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds