California Deer Season 2026
Firearm deer season opens between August 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes November 29, 2026. Every listed deer season for California is below, with zones and notes where the agency gives them.
Quick answer
California's 2026 firearm deer season opens between August 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes November 29, 2026.
Archery deer season opens between July 11, 2026 and October 3, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes October 25, 2026.
Regular Firearm Deer (D-7) runs Sep 19-Nov 1, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to California CDFW.
Deer
141 listed rowsDeer
Either-Sex Hunt (Military Only; Hunt Day Restrictions)
Hunt G-10; Military Only; Hunt Day Restrictions
Zone: Camp Pendleton
Deer
Either-Sex Hunt (Military Only)
Hunt G-7; Military Only
Zone: Beale
Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: D-7
Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: D-6
Deer
Apprentice Either-Sex Hunt
Hunt J-21
Zone: East Tehama
Deer
Apprentice Either-Sex Hunt
Hunt J-16
Zone: Bucks Mountain/Nevada City
Deer
Either-Sex Hunt
Hunt G-19
Zone: Sutter-Yuba Wildlife Areas
Deer
Regular Firearm
D3-5 Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Zones D-3, D-4 or D-5. Tag quota is total for D3-5 zones.
Zone: D-3
Deer
Apprentice Either-Sex Hunt
Hunt J-17
Zone: Blue Canyon
Deer
Regular Firearm
D3-5 Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Zones D-3, D-4 or D-5. Tag quota is total for D3-5 zones.
Zone: D-5
Deer
Regular Firearm
D3-5 Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Zones D-3, D-4 or D-5. Tag quota is total for D3-5 zones.
Zone: D-4
Deer
Archery Either-Sex
Hunt A-31. Los Angeles Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt.
Zone: Los Angeles
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DeerArchery Only Tag · A, B, D Zones and Hunt G-10Hunt AO. Archery Only Tag. Valid during the archery and general seasons in the A, B and D Zones and Hunt G-10 (Archery Methods Only); NOT valid during any C or X Zone season or hunt. | dates not listed | Closed |
| DeerArchery · A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · B-4B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-8 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-1Hunt A-3. Zone X-1 Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-2Hunt A-4. Zone X-2 Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · B-2B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery Only · C-3Hunt A-1. Tags issued for use in C zones. Tag quota is for the C zone as a group. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-5aHunt A-8. Zone X-5a Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-7 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-9aHunt A-16. Zone X-9a Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery Only · C-1Hunt A-1. Tags issued for use in C zones. Tag quota is for the C zone as a group. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-9 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-6bHunt A-12. Zone X-6b Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-5bHunt A-9. Zone X-5b Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-4Hunt A-7. Zone X-4 Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · B-6B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-6 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-9bHunt A-17. Zone X-9b Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · B-3B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-5D3-5 Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Zones D-3, D-4 or D-5. Tag quota is total for D3-5 zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · B-1B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-3bHunt A-6. Zone X-3b Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-3D3-5 Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Zones D-3, D-4 or D-5. Tag quota is total for D3-5 zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-7bHunt A-14. Zone X-7b Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-6aHunt A-11. Zone X-6a Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-10Hunt A-19. Zone X-10 Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · B-5B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-8Hunt A-15. Zone X-8 Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-12Hunt A-20. Zone X-12 Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-10 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-3aHunt A-5. Zone X-3a Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery Only · C-2Hunt A-1. Tags issued for use in C zones. Tag quota is for the C zone as a group. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-4D3-5 Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Zones D-3, D-4 or D-5. Tag quota is total for D3-5 zones. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-9cHunt A-18. Zone X-9c Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · X-7aHunt A-13. Zone X-7a Archery Hunt. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery Only · C-4Hunt A-1. Tags issued for use in C zones. Tag quota is for the C zone as a group. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · B-4B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerEither-Sex Hunt (Military Only) · VandenbergHunt G-11; Military Only | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-16 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-17 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-13Also Valid in Zones D-11 and D-15 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-11Also Valid in Zones D-13 and D-15 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-14 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-15Also Valid in Zones D-11 and D-13 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery Either-Sex (Split Season - First Portion) · San DiegoHunt A-22. Split season. Tags issued for use in split seasons. Tag quota is for Hunt A22 as a group. | Closed | |
| DeerArchery · D-19 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-9aGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-9a See Hunt A-16. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · C-4C Zone Tags are Valid during the General Season Only in Any C Zone. For Archery Deer Seasons in the C Zones See Hunt A-1. Tag quota is total for all C zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · C-3C Zone Tags are Valid during the General Season Only in Any C Zone. For Archery Deer Seasons in the C Zones See Hunt A-1. Tag quota is total for all C zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · B-2B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · C-1C Zone Tags are Valid during the General Season Only in Any C Zone. For Archery Deer Seasons in the C Zones See Hunt A-1. Tag quota is total for all C zones. | Closed | |
| DeerShotgun Either-Sex Hunt · Gray LodgeHunt G-12 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-9bGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-9b See Hunt A-17. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · B-3B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-12General Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-12 See Hunt A-20. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · B-1B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · B-5B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · B-6B Zone Tags are Valid during the Archery or General Season in Any B Zone. Tag quota is total for all B zones. | Closed | |
| DeerApprentice Shotgun Either-Sex Hunt · Little Dry CreekHunt J-9 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · C-2C Zone Tags are Valid during the General Season Only in Any C Zone. For Archery Deer Seasons in the C Zones See Hunt A-1. Tag quota is total for all C zones. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-8 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-8General Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-8 See Hunt A-15. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-10General Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-10 See Hunt A-19. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-10 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-9 | Closed | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Pacific/Grizzly FlatHunt J-18 | Open | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Fort Hunter LiggettHunt J-10; Season dates are Oct 3-4 and Oct 10-12 (two separate segments) | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-5bGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-5b See Hunt A-9. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-7aGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-7a See Hunt A-13. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-2General Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-2 See Hunt A-4. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-3bGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-3b See Hunt A-6. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-6aGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-6a See Hunt A-11. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-1General Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-1 See Hunt A-3. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-19 | Open | |
| DeerArchery Either-Sex · Lake SonomaHunt A-25. Lake Sonoma Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt. Hunt Day Restrictions apply. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-5aGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-5a See Hunt A-8. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-7bGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-7b See Hunt A-14. | Closed | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Zone X-7aHunt J-19 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-3aGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-3a See Hunt A-5. | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-6bGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-6b See Hunt A-12. | Closed | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Zone X-7bHunt J-20 | Closed | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-4General Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-4 See Hunt A-7. | Closed | |
| DeerLate Season Archery Either-Sex · Fort Hunter LiggettHunt A-33. Fort Hunter Liggett Late Season Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt. Hunt Day Restrictions apply. | Open | |
| DeerArchery · D-12 | Closed | |
| DeerArchery Either-Sex · MontereyHunt A-24. Monterey Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt. | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-15Also Valid in Zones D-11 and D-13 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-14 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-13Also Valid in Zones D-11 and D-15 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-11Also Valid in Zones D-13 and D-15 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-17 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · X-9cGeneral Season Only. For Archery in Zone X-9c See Hunt A-18. | Open | |
| DeerLate Season Buck Hunt · X-10Hunt G-38 | Open | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt · Bass HillHunt M-8 | Open | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt · Horse LakeHunt M-4 | Open | |
| DeerArchery Buck · Devil's GardenHunt A-27. Devil's Garden Archery Buck Hunt. | Open | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt · Devil's GardenHunt M-9 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-16 | Open | |
| DeerLate Season Buck Hunt · Round ValleyHunt G-39 | Open | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt · East LassenHunt M-5 | Open | |
| DeerAntlerless Deer Hunt · San DiegoHunt G-13 | Open | |
| DeerLate Season Buck Hunt · Zone C-4Hunt G-1 | Open | |
| DeerRegular Firearm · D-12 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Lake SonomaHunt J-1 | Upcoming | |
| DeerLate Season Archery Either-Sex · Ventura/Los AngelesHunt A-32. Ventura/Los Angeles Late Season Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt. | Upcoming | |
| DeerArchery Buck · CoveloHunt A-30. Covelo Archery Buck Hunt. | Upcoming | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt · Northwestern CaliforniaHunt M-11 | Upcoming | |
| DeerArchery Buck · Anderson FlatHunt A-21. Anderson Flat Archery Buck Hunt. | Upcoming | |
| DeerBuck Hunt · Ventana WildernessHunt G-21 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · RiversideHunt J-14 | Upcoming | |
| DeerArchery Either-Sex (Split Season - Second Portion) · San DiegoHunt A-22. Split season. Tags issued for use in split seasons. Tag quota is for Hunt A22 as a group. | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Los AngelesHunt J-13 | Upcoming | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt · DoyleHunt M-3 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · San BernardinoHunt J-11 | Upcoming | |
| DeerArchery Buck · Bass HillHunt A-26. Bass Hill Archery Buck Hunt. | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Buck Hunt · Shasta-TrinityHunt J-4 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Buck Hunt · Anderson FlatHunt J-15 | Upcoming | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Either-Sex Hunt · VenturaHunt M-7 | Upcoming | |
| DeerBuck Hunt · Anderson FlatHunt G-37 | Upcoming | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle/Archery Either-Sex Hunt · San Luis ObispoHunt MA-1 | Upcoming | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle/Archery Buck Hunt · Santa BarbaraHunt MA-3 | Upcoming | |
| DeerLate Season Buck Hunt · D-7Hunt G-40 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Buck Hunt · Tehama Wildlife AreaHunt J-3 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Buck Hunt · Round ValleyHunt J-12 | Upcoming | |
| DeerBuck Hunt · GoodaleHunt G-3 | Upcoming | |
| DeerApprentice Either-Sex Hunt · Daugherty Hill Wildlife AreaHunt J-8 | Upcoming | |
| DeerBuck Hunt · Kern River Deer HerdHunt G-6 | Upcoming | |
| DeerMuzzleloading Rifle Either-Sex Hunt · San DiegoHunt M-6 | Upcoming |
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Nearby deer seasons
California Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in California?
Firearm deer season opens between August 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes November 29, 2026. The earliest listed deer season of any kind is archery deer, opening July 11, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with California CDFW.
What are the 2026 deer season dates in California?
California lists 140 deer season windows: Archery Deer (Jul 11-Aug 2, 2026); Archery Deer (Jul 25-Aug 16, 2026); Regular Firearm Deer (Aug 8-Sep 20, 2026); Archery Deer (Aug 15-Sep 6, 2026); Archery Deer (Aug 15-Sep 6, 2026); Archery Deer (Aug 15-Sep 6, 2026); Archery Deer (Aug 15-Sep 6, 2026); Archery Only Deer (Aug 15-Sep 6, 2026); and more. Always verify against California CDFW before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in California?
Yes — California lists separate deer seasons for Archery Deer, Regular Firearm Deer, Archery Only Deer, Either-Sex Hunt (Military Only) Deer, Either-Sex Hunt (Military Only; Hunt Day Restrictions) Deer, Archery Either-Sex (Split Season - First Portion) Deer. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and California CDFW.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in California?
Yes. California generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with California CDFW.