Canine companions are a valuable asset while hunting, given the proper training and handling. California restricts what animals these dogs can pursue, however, as well as when and where.
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
Dogs may not be used during archery season for deer or bear. During regular deer seasons, there is a limit of one dog per hunter for deer. Hunters are permitted up to three dogs for hunting wild pigs, so long as it is not deer season and they're not hunting inside dog control zones.
Dog control zones are areas where hunters are permitted to have dogs accompany them only during hunting season, from opening day of deer season through the first Friday in April. The rest of the year, these areas are off limits. All other zones are open for the use of dogs for both hunting and training.
As of 2013, new California laws prohibit hunters from using dogs for pursuit or take of bobcat or bear. Current regulations permit the pursuit of mountain lions for the purposes of depredation only, such as to chase them off and discourage their feeding on livestock or other domestic animals. Hunters cannot train their dogs on protected species or on mountain lions. It is permissible to train them on all other mammals, including nuisance species, such as rabbits, opossums, raccoons, or coyotes. The carrying of firearms, archery equipment, or other hunting weaponry is prohibited while training. Prey animals cannot be maimed, injured, or killed by dogs or hunters during training sessions.
VOTE NOW: Is California Gov. Jerry Brown Doing a Good Job?
Restrictions on devices and canine equipment also exist. Dogs cannot wear tree switches.
The California DFW defines a tree switch as any device that alerts the hunter when a dog lifts its head to a treed prey. Any electronic device that makes use of satellite transmissions is also prohibited.
To ensure the safety of their dogs and the local wildlife, as well as their fellow hunters and themselves, hunters should be confident they've familiarized themselves with all the appropriate regulations in effect before heading into the woods. Regulations and codes can change at any time of the year.
URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.