California Code
Fish and Game Code - FGC
DIVISION 4 - BIRDS AND MAMMALS

PART 1 - PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO BOTH

CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions

ARTICLE 1 - Methods of Taking

Section 3000. - 3000. It is unlawful to take any bird or mammal,...

Section 3001. - 3001. It is unlawful to take birds or mammals with...

Section 3002. - 3002. It is unlawful to shoot at any game bird...

Section 3003. - 3003. (a) It is unlawful for a person to shoot,...

Section 3003.1. - 3003.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1001, 1002, 4002, 4004, 4007, 4008,...

Section 3003.1. - 3003.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1001, 1002, 4002, 4004, 4007, 4008,...

Section 3003.2. - 3003.2. Notwithstanding Sections 4003, 4152, 4180, or 4180.1 of this...

Section 3003.5. - 3003.5. It is unlawful to pursue, drive, or herd any...

Section 3004. - 3004. (a) It is unlawful for a person, other than...

Section 3004.5. - 3004.5. (a) (1) Nonlead centerfire rifle and pistol ammunition, as...

Section 3004.5. - 3004.5. (a) (1) Nonlead centerfire rifle and pistol ammunition, as...

Section 3005. - 3005. (a) It is unlawful to take birds or mammals...

Section 3005.5. - 3005.5. (a) It is unlawful to capture any game mammal,...

Section 3005.5. - 3005.5. (a) It is unlawful to capture any game mammal,...

Section 3006. - 3006. Except as authorized under a domesticated game breeder’s license,...

Section 3007. - 3007. Except as provided in this code or regulations adopted...

Section 3008. - 3008. The physical control of a dog by its owner...

Section 3009. - 3009. Every person who while taking any bird or mammal...

Section 3010. - 3010. It is unlawful for any person to take any...

Section 3011. - 3011. No person, including employees of the state, federal or...

Section 3012. - 3012. It is unlawful to use any recorded or electrically...

ARTICLE 2 - Hunting Licenses

Section 3031. - 3031. (a) A hunting license, granting the privilege to take...

Section 3031.2. - 3031.2. (a) In addition to Section 3031, and notwithstanding Section...

Section 3031.2. - 3031.2. (a) In addition to Section 3031, and notwithstanding Section...

Section 3031.5. - 3031.5. For the purpose of obtaining a hunting license, enrollees...

Section 3032. - 3032. (a) As used in this section: (1) “Bear” and...

Section 3033. - 3033. (a) Pursuant to this section, the department shall issue...

Section 3034. - 3034. (a) The department shall prepare a report to the...

Section 3037. - 3037. A hunting license authorizes the person to whom it...

Section 3038. - 3038. Any member of the armed forces of the United...

Section 3039. - 3039. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, Section...

Section 3040. - 3040. (a) Notwithstanding Section 3031, the director shall, no later...

Section 3040. - 3040. (a) Notwithstanding Section 3031, the director shall, no later...

ARTICLE 2.5 - Hunter s Safety

Section 3049. - 3049. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting...

Section 3050. - 3050. (a) No hunting license may be issued to any...

Section 3051. - 3051. (a) The department shall provide for a course of...

Section 3052. - 3052. A person receiving instruction from a hunter education instructor...

Section 3053. - 3053. In the case of loss or destruction of a...

Section 3054. - 3054. The department shall furnish information on hunter safety, principles...

ARTICLE 3 - Special Colorado River Hunting Licenses

Section 3060. - 3060. The department, in conformity with such regulations as the...

Section 3061. - 3061. A special Colorado River hunting license may be issued...

Section 3062. - 3062. A special Colorado River hunting license shall entitle the...

Section 3063. - 3063. The fee for a special Colorado River hunting license...

ARTICLE 4 - Possession of Birds and Mammals After Season

Section 3080. - 3080. (a) For the purposes of this section, “donor intermediary”...

Section 3086. - 3086. Cold storage plants and frozen food locker plants shall...

Section 3087. - 3087. (a) (1) Every person who prepares, stuffs, or mounts...

CHAPTER 2 - Commercial Activities

ARTICLE 1 - Domesticated Game Breeding

Section 3200. - 3200. Any person engaged in raising or importing, or who...

Section 3201. - 3201. No person shall sell the carcass of any domesticated...

Section 3202. - 3202. There are classes of domesticated game breeder’s licenses, designated...

Section 3203. - 3203. The department shall issue a class 1 domesticated game...

Section 3204. - 3204. Licenses issued under the provisions of this article are...

Section 3205. - 3205. Carriers for hire may carry within the State live...

Section 3206. - 3206. No domesticated game bird or mammal shall be transported...

Section 3207. - 3207. The department shall collect three cents ($0.03) for each...

Section 3208. - 3208. On or before January 31st of each year, every...

Section 3209. - 3209. (a) In lieu of the tag required by Section...

Section 3212. - 3212. The keeper of a hotel, restaurant, boardinghouse, or club...

Section 3213. - 3213. A retail meat dealer may, without a license, sell...

Section 3214. - 3214. Domesticated game breeders or other persons holding domesticated game...

Section 3216. - 3216. All domesticated game birds and mammals, excepting deer, sold...

Section 3217. - 3217. The carcass of a game bird which shows that...

Section 3218. - 3218. Any license issued under this article may be revoked...

Section 3219. - 3219. Domesticated reindeer may be imported into this State and...

ARTICLE 2 - Commercial Hunting Clubs

Section 3240.5. - 3240.5. (a) For purposes of this article, the following terms...

Section 3241. - 3241. (a) An application for a commercial hunting club license...

Section 3242. - 3242. (a) The department may issue a commercial hunting club...

Section 3243.5. - 3243.5. The commission may transfer a commercial hunting club license...

Section 3245. - 3245. Commercial hunting club licenses are valid for a term...

Section 3246. - 3246. Any license issued under this article may be revoked...

ARTICLE 3 - Licensed Domesticated Game Bird Hunting Clubs

Section 3270. - 3270. (a) In order to provide additional hunting by stocking...

ARTICLE 4 - Licensed Domesticated Migratory Game Bird Shooting Areas

Section 3300. - 3300. It is unlawful for any person to engage in...

Section 3301. - 3301. The application for a license shall show the size...

Section 3302. - 3302. The commission may prescribe additional regulations deemed necessary for...

Section 3303. - 3303. Where domesticated migratory game birds are reared or held...

Section 3305. - 3305. All domesticated migratory game birds at time of release...

Section 3306. - 3306. Shooting shall be confined to blinds, except for shooting...

Section 3307. - 3307. All birds killed or injured by shooters shall be...

Section 3308. - 3308. Licensees shall pay the department an inspection fee not...

Section 3309. - 3309. No dead, domesticated migratory game bird shall be removed...

Section 3310. - 3310. It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot...

Section 3311. - 3311. The licensee shall comply with all applicable federal laws...

ARTICLE 5 - Enhancement and Management of Fish and Wildlife and their Habitat on Private Lands

Section 3400. - 3400. It is the policy of the state actively to...

Section 3401. - 3401. (a) The commission may authorize the department to issue...

Section 3402. - 3402. (a) A license for a wildlife habitat enhancement and...

Section 3403. - 3403. The commission shall require the landowners of a wildlife...

Section 3404. - 3404. (a) The commission may adopt regulations necessary for the...

Section 3406. - 3406. (a) Upon approval of the wildlife habitat enhancement and...

Section 3407. - 3407. The commission may require that any fish, bird, or...

Section 3408. - 3408. Any landholder who has paid the fee required by...

ARTICLE 6 - Management of Fish and Wildlife on Military Lands

Section 3450. - 3450. It is the policy of the state to actively...

Section 3451. - 3451. The department may coordinate and cooperate with all branches...

Section 3452. - 3452. The commission may adopt regulations and authorize the department...

Section 3453. - 3453. (a) Upon approval of specific management plans and programs,...

ARTICLE 7 - The California Waterfowl Habitat Program

Section 3460. - 3460. (a) Subject to appropriation pursuant to Section 3467, the...

Section 3461. - 3461. Each contract shall be for an initial term of...

Section 3462. - 3462. (a) Not later than 20 days after the director...

Section 3464. - 3464. The contract shall be automatically renewed in the same...

Section 3465. - 3465. (a) If during the contract period the owner or...

Section 3466. - 3466. The director and the owner or lessee may mutually...

Section 3467. - 3467. The California Waterfowl Habitat Preservation Account is hereby created...

Section 3467.5. - 3467.5. The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Account is hereby...

ARTICLE 7.5 - The California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program

Section 3469. - 3469. (a) There is established the California Winter Rice Habitat...

Section 3469.2. - 3469.2. Each contract shall be for an initial term of...

Section 3469.4. - 3469.4. If during the contract period the owner or lessee...

Section 3469.6. - 3469.6. The director and the owner or lessee may mutually...

Section 3469.8. - 3469.8. The California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program Account is...

ARTICLE 8 - Management of Wildlife at Public Use Airports

Section 3470. - 3470. It is the policy of the state to actively...

Section 3471. - 3471. The Legislature recognizes that, in a public use airport’s...

Section 3472. - 3472. The taking of birds by a public use airport...

Section 3472.1. - 3472.1. Take is authorized pursuant to this article only to...

Section 3472.2. - 3472.2. A public use airport certificated by the Federal Aviation...

ARTICLE 9 - Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program

Section 3480. - 3480. (a) (1) The department shall establish the Nesting Bird...

CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions

Section 3500. - 3500. (a) Resident game birds are as follows: (1) Doves...

Section 3501. - 3501. It is unlawful to use any powerboat, motor vehicle,...

Section 3502. - 3502. It is unlawful to use any mammal (except a...

Section 3503. - 3503. It is unlawful to take, possess, or needlessly destroy...

Section 3503.5. - 3503.5. It is unlawful to take, possess, or destroy any...

Section 3504. - 3504. Subject to the provisions of this code permitting the...

Section 3505. - 3505. It is unlawful to take, sell, or purchase any...

Section 3508. - 3508. It is unlawful to break, train, hold field trials...

Section 3511. - 3511. (a) (1) Except as provided in this section, Section...

Section 3513. - 3513. (a) It is unlawful to take or possess any...

Section 3513. - 3513. (a) It is unlawful to take or possess any...

Section 3514. - 3514. Exotic nonresident game birds are those birds of the...

Section 3515. - 3515. Exotic nonresident game birds may be released in this...

Section 3516. - 3516. The commission may adopt such regulations as it deems...

CHAPTER 2 - Particular Varieties

ARTICLE 1 - Pheasants

Section 3660. - 3660. It is unlawful for any person to have in...

ARTICLE 2 - Other Species

Section 3680. - 3680. Any person, other than the owner thereof, who at...

Section 3681. - 3681. In Districts 8 and 9, it is unlawful to...

Section 3682.1. - 3682.1. (a) It is unlawful for any person, except a...

Section 3682.2. - 3682.2. (a) Upon full implementation of the Automated License Data...

Section 3683. - 3683. Upland game bird species include both of the following:...

Section 3684. - 3684. (a) The Upland Game Bird Account is hereby established...

Section 3686. - 3686. Projects authorized pursuant to Section 3684 shall be governed...

ARTICLE 3 - Migratory Birds

Section 3700.1. - 3700.1. (a) It is unlawful for any person, except a...

Section 3700.2. - 3700.2. (a) Upon full implementation of the Automated License Data...

Section 3701. - 3701. (a) All funds derived from the sale of state...

Section 3702. - 3702. Funds deposited in the State Duck Stamp Account shall...

Section 3702.1. - 3702.1. An advisory committee, as determined by the department, that...

Section 3702.5. - 3702.5. The department may permit individual artists to sell a...

Section 3703. - 3703. Before the commission may consider any project which proposes...

Section 3704. - 3704. Two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) of the amount...

Section 3704.5. - 3704.5. Waterfowl projects authorized pursuant to Sections 3702 and 3460...

Section 3705. - 3705. Before allocating funds to any project to be undertaken...

CHAPTER 3 - Nongame Birds

Section 3800. - 3800. (a) All birds occurring naturally in California that are...

Section 3801. - 3801. Notwithstanding Section 3007 or any other provision of this...

Section 3801.5. - 3801.5. Nongame birds not covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty...

Section 3801.6. - 3801.6. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this code or...

Section 3802. - 3802. The department may enter into cooperative contracts with the...

Section 3803. - 3803. The department may take any individual bird, or birds...

Section 3806. - 3806. In order to aid in relieving widespread waterfowl depredation...

CHAPTER 4 - California Condor

Section 3850. - 3850. The department may carry out a California condor preservation...

Section 3851. - 3851. The department, jointly with the federal-state condor recovery team...

Section 3852. - 3852. The department shall provide funds to the Zoological Society...

Section 3853. - 3853. In addition to the programs in Section 3852, a...

Section 3854. - 3854. Not more than 10 percent of the funds provided...

Section 3855. - 3855. Both the breeding program and the release program, if...

Section 3856. - 3856. The department shall include copies of the biannual reports...

Section 3857. - 3857. To the extent possible, the department shall seek private...

Section 3858. - 3858. (a) For purposes of this section, the term “Northern...

CHAPTER 5 - Avian Influenza Wildlife Surveillance Act

Section 3860. - 3860. This chapter shall be known, and may be cited,...

Section 3861. - 3861. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:...

Section 3862. - 3862. The Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with the department,...

Section 3863. - 3863. (a) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall...

PART 3 - MAMMALS

CHAPTER 1 - Game Mammals

Section 3950. - 3950. (a) Game mammals are: deer (genus Odocoileus), elk (genus...

Section 3950. - 3950. (a) Game mammals are: deer (genus Odocoileus), elk (genus...

Section 3950.1. - 3950.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 3950 or any other provision of...

Section 3951. - 3951. The commission may authorize the taking of tule elk...

Section 3952. - 3952. The department shall develop a statewide elk management plan,...

Section 3953. - 3953. (a) The Big Game Management Account is hereby established...

Section 3953. - 3953. (a) The Big Game Management Account is hereby established...

Section 3960. - 3960. (a) As used in this section: (1) “Pursue” means...

Section 3960.2. - 3960.2. (a) As used in this section, the terms “bear”...

Section 3960.4. - 3960.4. (a) As used in this section, the terms “bear”...

Section 3960.6. - 3960.6. (a) As used in this section, the terms “bear”...

Section 3961. - 3961. Whenever an employee of the department is not present...

CHAPTER 1.5 - Exotic Game Mammals

Section 3965. - 3965. (a) Exotic game mammals include wild pigs, including feral...

CHAPTER 2 - Fur-Bearing Mammals

ARTICLE 1 - Trapping Provisions

Section 4000. - 4000. The following are fur-bearing mammals: pine marten, fisher, mink,...

Section 4001. - 4001. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code or regulations...

Section 4002. - 4002. Fur-bearing mammals may be taken only with a trap,...

Section 4003. - 4003. It is unlawful to use poison to take fur-bearing...

Section 4004. - 4004. It is unlawful to do any of the following:...

Section 4005. - 4005. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every...

Section 4006. - 4006. (a) A trapping license shall be issued as follows:...

Section 4007. - 4007. A trapping license authorizes the person to whom it...

Section 4008. - 4008. No trapping license shall be issued to any applicant...

Section 4009. - 4009. It is unlawful to remove or disturb the trap...

Section 4009.5. - 4009.5. The commission may adopt regulations as it determines to...

Section 4010. - 4010. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to,...

Section 4011. - 4011. (a) Fur-bearing mammals, game mammals, and nongame mammals, when...

Section 4012. - 4012. It is unlawful to take any red fox for...

CHAPTER 3 - Nongame Mammals and Depredators

ARTICLE 1 - Nongame Mammals

Section 4150. - 4150. (a) A mammal occurring naturally in California that is...

Section 4150. - 4150. (a) A mammal occurring naturally in California that is...

Section 4151. - 4151. Any house cat (Felis domesticus) found within the limits...

Section 4152. - 4152. (a) Except as provided in Section 4005, nongame mammals...

Section 4153. - 4153. (a) The department may enter into cooperative agreements with...

Section 4154. - 4154. (a) The department may enter into cooperative contracts with...

Section 4155. - 4155. (a) Beginning January 1, 2014, it shall be unlawful...

Section 4156. - 4156. (a) Except as provided in Section 4157 and notwithstanding...

Section 4157. - 4157. (a) Upon appropriation of funds by the Legislature for...

Section 4158. - 4158. (a) Before opening a bobcat hunting season pursuant to...

ARTICLE 2 - Depredators

Section 4180. - 4180. (a) Except as provided for in Section 4005, fur-bearing...

Section 4180.1. - 4180.1. It is unlawful to use snares, hooks, or barbed...

Section 4181. - 4181. (a) Except as provided in Section 4181.1, any owner...

Section 4181.1. - 4181.1. (a) Any bear that is encountered while in the...

Section 4181.2. - 4181.2. For the purposes of this article relating to damage...

Section 4181.5. - 4181.5. (a) Any owner or tenant of land or property...

Section 4185. - 4185. In any district or part of a district within...

Section 4186. - 4186. Nothing in this code prohibits the owner or tenant...

Section 4188. - 4188. (a) If a landowner or tenant applies for a...

Section 4190. - 4190. The department shall tag, brand, or otherwise identify in...

CHAPTER 4 - Deer

ARTICLE 1 - Taking Deer

Section 4301. - 4301. (a) Subject to the provisions of this code permitting...

Section 4302. - 4302. Any person taking any deer shall retain in his...

Section 4303. - 4303. The skin or hide of any deer lawfully taken...

Section 4304. - 4304. (a) A person shall not at any time capture...

Section 4304. - 4304. (a) A person shall not at any time capture...

ARTICLE 2 - License Tags

Section 4330. - 4330. It is unlawful to take any deer without first...

Section 4331. - 4331. The commission may determine the design and makeup of...

Section 4332. - 4332. (a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of...

Section 4333. - 4333. Tags are valid only during that portion of the...

Section 4334. - 4334. (a) The commission shall annually direct the department to...

Section 4336. - 4336. (a) The person to whom a deer tag has...

Section 4340. - 4340. (a) Any person who is convicted of a violation...

Section 4341. - 4341. Any person legally killing a deer in this state...

ARTICLE 3 - Archery Deer Hunting

Section 4370. - 4370. (a) In every area in which deer may lawfully...

Section 4371. - 4371. The provisions of this code relating to deer shall...

CHAPTER 5 - Marine Mammals

Section 4500. - 4500. (a) It is unlawful to take any marine mammal...

Section 4501. - 4501. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that several types...

Section 4502.5. - 4502.5. This section shall be known, and may be cited,...

CHAPTER 6 - Burros

Section 4600. - 4600. (a) It is unlawful to kill, wound, capture, or...

CHAPTER 7 - Wild Pigs

Section 4650. - 4650. (a) Wild pigs, as used in this chapter, means...

Section 4650. - 4650. (a) For purposes of this code, “wild pig” means...

Section 4651. - 4651. (a) The department shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature...

Section 4651.5. - 4651.5. (a) The department shall work with landowners to mitigate...

Section 4652. - 4652. (a) It is unlawful to take any wild pig,...

Section 4652. - 4652. (a) It is unlawful to take any wild pig,...

Section 4652.5. - 4652.5. (a) It shall be unlawful to intentionally or knowingly...

Section 4653. - 4653. (a) The department may determine the design and type...

Section 4653. - 4653. (a) The department may determine the design and type...

Section 4654. - 4654. (a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of...

Section 4654. - 4654. (a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of...

Section 4655. - 4655. (a) Wild pig tags are valid only during that...

Section 4655. - 4655. (a) Wild pig validations are valid only during that...

Section 4656. - 4656. Revenues received pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited...

Section 4657. - 4657. (a) The holder of a wild pig tag shall...

Section 4657. - 4657. (a) The holder of a wild pig validation shall...

CHAPTER 8 - Fully Protected Mammals

Section 4700. - 4700. (a) (1) Except as provided in this section, Section...

CHAPTER 9 - Bear

Section 4750. - 4750. It is unlawful to take any bear with firearm,...

Section 4751. - 4751. (a) Any resident of this state, 18 years of...

Section 4751. - 4751. (a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of...

Section 4752. - 4752. Bear tags are valid only during that portion of...

Section 4753. - 4753. The person to whom a bear tag has been...

Section 4754. - 4754. (a) Any person who is convicted of a violation...

Section 4755. - 4755. Any person legally killing a bear in this state...

Section 4757. - 4757. Any person taking any bear must retain in his...

Section 4758. - 4758. (a) Subject to the provisions of this code permitting...

Section 4759. - 4759. The skin, hide, teeth, claws, or other parts of...

Section 4760. - 4760. The provisions of this chapter relating to the possession...

Section 4763. - 4763. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to...

CHAPTER 10 - Mountain Lions

Section 4800. - 4800. (a) The mountain lion (genus Puma) is a specially...

Section 4801. - 4801. The department may remove or take any mountain lion,...

Section 4801.5. - 4801.5. (a) Unless authorized in this chapter, nonlethal procedures shall...

Section 4802. - 4802. Any person, or the employee or agent of a...

Section 4803. - 4803. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to Section 4802,...

Section 4804. - 4804. In order to ensure that only the depredating mountain...

Section 4805. - 4805. Whenever immediate authorization will materially assist in the pursuit...

Section 4806. - 4806. Any person issued a permit pursuant to Section 4803...

Section 4807. - 4807. (a) Any mountain lion that is encountered while in...

Section 4808. - 4808. As used in this chapter, “agent” means the agent...

Section 4809. - 4809. Mountain lions authorized to be taken pursuant to this...

Section 4810. - 4810. (a) As used in this section: (1) “Authorized research...

CHAPTER 11 - Bighorn Sheep

Section 4900. - 4900. The Legislature declares that bighorn sheep are an important...

Section 4901. - 4901. The department shall determine the status and the trend...

Section 4902. - 4902. (a) The commission may adopt all regulations necessary to...

Section 4902. - 4902. (a) The commission may adopt all regulations necessary to...

Section 4903. - 4903. Revenue from the fees authorized by this chapter shall...