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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.).
- Greater Sage-Grouse
- General, Archery, and Falconry Seasons: Closed for 2025-2026 (0 permits issued for North Mono Zone).
- 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
- 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
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