Hunting wildlife in California is commonly done for food, sport or trade. Hunters can enjoy the pursuit, but they are subject to laws that exist within the hunting territory. Laws can differ from state to state, and special provisions can apply to a given forest, reserve or private hunting grounds. California allows hunting on private property, and regulations are stated in the
California Code of Regulations. Landowners must conform to established regulations, and should be aware of the following:
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
- California maintains three programs for hunting on private lands: Share Hunts, Private Lands Management (PLM), and Commercial Hunting Clubs.
- The SHARE Program was designed to extend the use of private lands to all licensed hunters. Owners of lands offered in the program are compensated for allowing this access, and they are protected from liability from accidents that occur in conjunction with this land use.
- Recreational hunters can use these private lands, but they must obey all California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, and behave with courtesy and ethical standards.
- More than 100 properties are involved in the SHARE program, which gives landowners incentives to preserve their property for wildlife habitation rather than convert to urban development, grazing lands or logging industry sites. Landowners can participate in the Ranching for Wildlife program, and they can include hunting opportunities in their plans.
VOTE NOW: Is California Gov. Jerry Brown Doing a Good Job?
- Program participation requires submission of a sound management plan to the state, which grants approvals and conducts site inspections to ensure that provisions for land improvements have been met.
- Many of these private properties can offer expanded hunting seasons from those set for the publicly owned lands, and bag limits can also differ.
- Hunters must abide by state laws while on the private properties, including having licenses. They must report their catches, which will be logged on a site report.
- Hunters must obey signs posted on the property, especially in regard to boundaries, trespassing conflicts and wildlife protection. Signs may also establish entry and exit routes, and species available to hunters, according to the PLM. These signs are posted by the landowners.
- Several wildlife species benefit from the land management, as hunting helps prevent overpopulation and associated problems.
- A list of participating private lands is maintained by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.