California · License · 2026 Edition
California Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $64.54 for residents and $225.46 for nonresidents. The cheapest short-term option for nonresidents is the One-Day Nonresident Hunting License at $31.06 — Game-bird-club hunting only; not valid for deer or other big game.
California's deer, bear, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep tags are drawing applications, not guaranteed purchases — the fee below buys an entry, not a tag. There is no separate turkey tag; turkey hunting is covered by the Upland Game Bird Validation (which also covers dove, quail and pheasant).
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $64.54 | |
| Junior Hunting License (under 16) | $17.02 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Nonresident Hunting License | $225.46 | |
| One-Day Nonresident Hunting License | $31.06 | Game-bird-club hunting only; not valid for deer or other big game. |
| Two-Day Nonresident Hunting License | $64.54 | Not valid for deer, bear, elk, pronghorn or bighorn sheep. |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident First-Deer Tag / Drawing Application | $42.38 | |
| Resident Second-Deer Tag / Drawing Application | $52.92 | Must already hold a First-Deer Tag. |
| Nonresident First-Deer Tag / Drawing Application | $377.35 | |
| Nonresident Second-Deer Tag / Drawing Application | $377.35 | Must already hold a First-Deer Tag. |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upland Game Bird Validation (covers turkey) | $25.41 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. No separate turkey tag exists — this validation also covers dove, quail and pheasant. Junior license holders are exempt. |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California Duck Validation | $41.04 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Hunters under 16 are exempt. Not sold at CDFW offices — buy at post offices or select license agents. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. California duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
California requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. No birth-year cutoff — required for anyone without a prior California hunting license, a California Hunter Education Certificate, or a hunting license issued within the last two years by another state or province.
California hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through CDFW Online License Sales, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in California — WMAs by county & access rules →
California hunting licenses are valid July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Fees include a nonrefundable 3% application fee (capped at $7.50/item); agent purchases add a 5% handling fee.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in California without a license?
No — California requires a hunting license regardless of land ownership. The one landowner-specific carve-out is a narrow depredation-permit process for wild pigs causing damage, which is not a general hunting license.
How much is a hunting license in California?
A resident annual California hunting license costs $64.54, and the nonresident annual license costs $225.46. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in California?
$225.46 for the annual nonresident license. The cheapest short-term option is the One-Day Nonresident Hunting License at $31.06 — Game-bird-club hunting only; not valid for deer or other big game. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in California?
Resident First-Deer Tag / Drawing Application — $42.38. Resident Second-Deer Tag / Drawing Application — $52.92. Nonresident First-Deer Tag / Drawing Application — $377.35. Nonresident Second-Deer Tag / Drawing Application — $377.35. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in California?
California requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through CDFW Online License Sales, the state's official portal. California hunting licenses are valid July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Fees include a nonrefundable 3% application fee (capped at $7.50/item); agent purchases add a 5% handling fee.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a California hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. No birth-year cutoff — required for anyone without a prior California hunting license, a California Hunter Education Certificate, or a hunting license issued within the last two years by another state or province.
Verified · California Department of Fish and Wildlife · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the CDFW license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-05-15. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.