NorCal Hunt
Stay ahead of CDFW rule changes, draw deadlines, bag limits, and proposed updates — so you're always hunting legal in Northern California.
2026–2027 SEASONS
Key open and close dates for NorCal's major hunting seasons. Always verify with the official CDFW regulation booklet before heading out.
A & B Zones (Coastal & Northwest California)
Zone A (North & South):
Archery: July 11 – August 2, 2026
General (Rifle): August 8 – September 20, 2026
Zones B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6:
Archery: August 15 – September 6, 2026
General (Rifle): September 19 – October 25, 2026
Zone B4 (Mendocino Coastline):
Archery: July 25 – August 16, 2026
General (Rifle): August 22 – September 27, 2026
Zone C1:
Archery: August 15 – August 30, 2026
General (Rifle): September 19 – October 25, 2026
Zones C2 and C3:
Archery: August 15 – September 5, 2026
General (Rifle): September 19 – October 25, 2026
Zone C4:
Archery: August 15 – August 30, 2026
General (Rifle): September 19 – October 4, 2026
Zones D3, D4, and D5:
Archery: August 15 – September 6, 2026
General (Rifle): September 26 – November 1, 2026
Zones X1, X2, X3a, X3b, and X4:
Archery: August 15 – September 5, 2026
General (Rifle): October 3 – October 18, 2026
Zones X5a and X5b:
Archery: August 15 – September 5, 2026
General (Rifle): October 3 – October 18, 2026
Zones X6a and X6b:
Archery: August 15 – September 5, 2026
General (Rifle): October 3 – October 18, 2026
Zones X7a and X7b:
Archery: August 15 – September 5, 2026
General (Rifle): October 3 – October 18, 2026Double
Zone: Balance of State Zone
This zone covers the vast majority of Northern California, including the Sacramento Valley, Bay Area, and North Coast.
Ducks (General Season): October 24, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Scaup (Bluebill): November 7, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Geese (Early Season - Large Canada Geese Only): October 3 – October 5, 2026
Geese (General Regular Season): October 24, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Late Season Canada Geese: February 20 – February 21, 2027
Late Season White-Fronted (Specklebelly) & White Geese: February 20 – February 24, 2027
This zone covers the far northeast corner of the state, primarily Modoc, Lassen, and parts of Siskiyou and Shasta counties.
Ducks (General Season): October 3, 2026 – January 13, 2027
Scaup (Bluebill - Split Season): October 3 – November 29, 2026 & December 17, 2026 – January 13, 2027
Geese (Regular Season Canada Geese): October 3, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Geese (Regular Season White & White-Fronted Geese): October 3 – November 29, 2026 & January 1 – January 13, 2027
Late Season White & White-Fronted Geese: February 5 – March 10, 2027
Fall 2026 General Season: November 14 – December 13, 2026
Spring 2027 General Season: March 27 – May 2, 2027
Spring 2027 Archery-Only Extension: May 3 – May 16, 2027
Spring 2027 Junior Weekend: March 20 – March 21, 2027
Spring 2027 Additional Junior Extension: May 3 – May 16, 2027
Year-Round — No Closed Season
OTC wild pig tag required (no draw)
Valid CA hunting license required
No bag or possession limit. Both sexes legal.
Early Split (Mourning & White-winged): September 1 – September 15, 2026
Late Split (Mourning & White-winged): November 14 – December 28, 2026
Eurasian Collared-Dove: Open Year-Round (January 1 – December 31, 2026)
Required Items: California Hunting License, Upland Game Bird Validation, and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation.
Statewide Archery-Only Season: August 15 – September 4, 2026
Zone Q1 (Early Mountain Quail Only): September 12 – October 16, 2026
Zone Q1 General Season (All Species): October 17, 2026 – January 31, 2027 (Interior counties including Shasta, Siskiyou, Lassen, and Plumas)
Zone Q2 General Season (All Species): September 26, 2026 – January 31, 2027 (North Coast coastal counties)
Required Items: California Hunting License and Upland Game Bird Validation.
Verify Before You Hunt: While we make every effort to ensure all season dates, deadlines, and bag limits are highly accurate for the hunting season, wildlife regulations are subject to sudden shifts, emergency closures, and administrative changes by state agencies.
NorCalHunt is an independent resource and is not an official representative of the State of California. We assume no legal liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies, typographical errors, or formatting omissions on this website.
Hunters are ultimately responsible for knowing the law. Before heading out into the field, always double-check the final, legally binding dates and zone boundaries on the official California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Website
WHAT'S CHANGING
Proposed updates currently under CDFW review or public comment.
Bighorn Sheep — Approved:
Big Horn Sheep
Three Brand New Hunt Zones Opened for 2026For the premier tag chasers, the Commission officially finalized the creation of three brand-new Desert Bighorn Sheep hunt zones in San Bernardino County to expand opportunities for these highly coveted tags
Ammunition — In Effect
In effect since 2019 — fully enforced on all public and private lands. Lead-free projectiles (solid copper or polymer-tipped copper) required for all wildlife taken by firearm. CDFW wardens actively checking compliance.
STAY LEGAL
The most important statewide rules every NorCal hunter needs to know before heading out this season.
Lead-free bullets required for all wildlife statewide — public and private land. Solid copper or polymer-tipped copper only. Re-zero your rifle as copper rounds fly differently.
Your 2026–2027 CA hunting license and validations must be accessible on your person at all times while in the field. You may utilize the official CDFW License App to digitally display your hunting license and validations. However, physical big game tags (deer, bear, wild pig, etc.) must be physically carried on your person so they can be notched and attached immediately upon a successful harvest.
Deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear must be reported within 10 days of harvest via the CDFW License Portal or the CA Outdoors app. Failure to report can result in loss of future tag privileges.
Most upland and big game: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Waterfowl: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Always check species-specific rules in the CDFW booklet.
All waterfowl hunters 16 and older must carry a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. Available at post offices, CDFW offices, or online at store.usgs.gov.
Trespassing while hunting is a misdemeanor in California and can result in license revocation. Use onX Hunt or CalTopo to verify public/private boundaries before accessing any land.
NEVER MISS A REGULATION UPDATE
Season dates, proposed regulation updates, draw deadlines, gear picks, and field reports — every Monday morning, free.