Source: https://legallabrador.org/california-quail-hunting-seasons/
Timestamp: 2017-11-24 01:41:55
Document Index: 181838576

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3500', '§ 3683', '§ 257', '§ 3031', '§ 700', '§ 3031', '§ 3200', '§ 600', '§ 3031', '§ 313', '§ 551', '§ 310', '§ 300', '§ 300', '§ 311', '§ 257', '§ 311', '§ 354', '§ 550', '§ 311', '§ 251', '§ 311', '§ 354', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 311', '§ 251']

California Quail Hunting Seasons, Laws, and 250+ Public and Private Hunting Locations - Legal Labrador
Here, we fetch up California quail hunting seasons, laws, and locations for public and private hunts.
Species of quail.
During the California quail hunting seasons, you can hunt the following species:
Species for California quail hunting seasons.
California quail, also known as California Valley Quail (all varieties).
Gambel’s quail, also known as California desert quail.
Mountain quail (all varieties).
When hunting quail, you must follow hunting rules for not only quail but also for the following categories:
See FGC § 3500(a)(2)-(4) [resident game birds], FGC § 3683(a)(2)-(4) [upland game birds], and 14 CCR § 257 [resident small game].
Field guide for California quail hunting seasons.
* Link to the 2002 California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) Guide to Hunting Quail in California. The guide includes California quail information and images, including California quail identification, hunting tips, images, hunting with dogs, maps for mountain quail and Gambel’s quail, hunting on public lands like BLM, in Northern California, Central California, and Southern California.
To hunt quail during the California quail hunting seasons, you must a Hunting License from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (“CDFW”). Warning shot!!! You must have your license in your immediate possession while hunting. See FGC § 3031 and 14 CCR § 700(b). There are also licenses for disabled hunters, hunting with a falcon, guides and outfitters, hunting clubs, and junior hunters.
California quail hunting seasons for mobility-impaired hunters.
If you’re a disabled hunter and want to hunt quail, you can apply for a Recovering Service Member Hunting License, Disabled Veteran Hunting License, or Mobility Impaired Disabled Persons Motor Vehicle License.
If you’re going to use a falcon to hunt quail during the California quail hunting seasons, you must have a Falconry License.
If you’re a commercial guide or outfitter that offers quail hunting, you must get a Guide License.
If you’re a commercial hunting club that offers quail hunting, you must get a Commercial Hunting Club License. Licensed quail clubs are exempt from the requirement to have a domesticated game breeder’s liens. See FGC § 3031, FGC § 3200, and 14 CCR § 600.
Non-residents must have a hunting license to take quail on a licensed shooting areas. See FGC § 3031(5).
If you’re a Junior and want to hunt quail, you must get a Junior Hunting License.
Warning shot!!! In addition to a hunting license, you may also need an Upland Game Bird Stamp to hunt quail.
Upland game bird stamp for California quail hunting seasons.
In general, you need an Upland Game Bird Hunting Validation to hunt upland game birds, including quail during the California quail hunting seasons. The only exception is for Juniors hunting with a valid Junior Hunting License.
Warning shot!!! You must carry your license and validation with you while hunting. See 14 CCR § 313.
Quail hunting zones for California quail hunting seasons.
California quail hunting seasons vary by (1) method of hunting, (2) geographical location, (3) species, and the (4) hunter’s age. There is a general shotgun season for hunting quail in California, as well as separate quail hunting seasons for archery and falconry. There are three California quail hunting zones established by the CDFW (Zone Q1, Q2, and Q3). There is a special California quail hunting season for mountain quail. Finally, there are special opportunities for youth during the California quail season. You can double-check these on the CDFW website.
Zone Q1 – Mountain Quail Only
The California mountain quail season in “Zone Q1” is the second Saturday in September through the Friday before the third Saturday in October (September 10 – October 14). (Expand image of the “California Quail Zone Map” above.)
Zone Q1
The California quail hunting season for all species in “Zone Q1” is the third Saturday in October through the last Sunday in January (October 15 – January 29, 2017). (Expand image above of the California quail zone.)
Zone Q2 (Early Costal Season)
The California quail hunting season for all species in “Zone Q2” is the last Saturday in September through the last Sunday in January (September 24 – January 29, 2017). (Expand image above of the California quail hunting zone map.)
Zone Q3 (Balance of STate)
The California quail hunting season for all species in “Zone Q3” is the third Saturday in October through the last Sunday in January (October 15 – January 29, 2017). (Expand image above of California quail zones.)
The was a youth California quail hunting season in the Mojave National Preserve is the first Saturday and Sunday in October (October 1 – 2). Visit us after July 1, 2015 for additional junior California quail hunting opportunities. For California youth hunting rules, link to our summary.
In general, quail hunting is authorized on all Type C Wildlife Areas, unless otherwise restricted in Sections 551(q) and (t). [14 CCR § 551(e)]. In general, quail hunting is NOT allowed on Type A and Type B Wildlife Areas unless specifically authorized. See “Public Hunting Areas” for Wildlife Areas where quail hunting is allowed.
The California archery-only quail season for all species is the third Saturday in August, extending for 21 days (August 20 through September 10). You can also use a bow during the general seasons. (Click here for California quail archery regulations.)
The California quail season for falconry is the third Saturday in August through the last day in February (August 20 through February 28, 2017). (Click here for falconry regulations.)
In general, shooting hours for all upland game birds, including quail during the California quail hunting seasons, are from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise until sunset. Warning shot!!! Shoot times may be further restricted on public land, e.g. Wildlife Areas and Ecological Reserves, and there are exceptions are for pheasant and spring turkey seasons. See 14 CCR § 310.5.
Hawking hours during the falconry season for quail are from sunrise to sunset. See 14 CCR § 300(a)(3)(B).
Shooting timetables for Northern California quail hunting seasons.
Shooting timetables for Southern California quail hunting seasons.
The daily quota, or daily bag limit, for California quail hunting is ten (10) quail in any combination for the authorized season.
The possession limit for California quail season is triple the daily bag limit (see above).
These California quail season regulations are located at 14 CCR §§ 300(a).
Methods of take for the California quail hunting seasons.
Quail hunting during the California quail hunting seasons is allowed, but only with the following hunting methods and restrictions: air rifles, archery, bait, boats, bow and arrow, calls, computers, crossbows, decoys, dogs, falconry, harassment, lights, motor vehicles, muzzleloaders, pistols, rifles, and shotguns.
In general, you can use an air rifle to hunt resident small game, including quail during the California quail hunting seasons. While you can use any caliber of pellet (except for turkey), the air rifle can only be powered by air or gas. See 14 CCR § 311(f).
Bait & Baited Areas
In general, it’s illegal to take any resident game bird, including quail, or any resident game mammal, within 400 yards of a Baited Area. See 14 CCR § 257.5 for any applicable exceptions.
There used to be a prohibition against shooting resident small game from boats, but the regulation was repealed. While you can shoot quail from a boat, it’s illegal to use a motorboat, powerboat, airboat or sailboat to pursue, drive, or herd any bird or mammal in California. When hunting, the the motor has been shut off, all momentum has ended, and the boat is either drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by a paddle, or or pole.
Archery California quail hunting seasons.
In general, Bow and Arrows are allowed for hunting quail in California. Any type of arrow can be used except arrows with (1) lighted nocks with a beam of light, (2) an explosive head, (3) tranquilizers, or (4) poison. See 14 CCR § 311(e) and (k) and 14 CCR § 354(c)-(i) and “Crossbows” below.
In general, you’re not allowed to have a firearm while hunting quail during any archery season.
NOTES: You only must use flu-flu fletching for migratory game birds and pheasant. In general, archery isn’t allowed on Type A or Type B Wildlife Areas during pheasant (or waterfowl) seasons. The only exception is at the Los Banos Wildlife Area and only as authorized in Section 551(u). See 14 CCR § 550(cc)(4)(F)].
Calling “devices” are NOT allowed for hunting quail (or any other resident small game). This includes: “Electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices.” See 14 CCR § 311(i).
It’s illegal to hunt quail with a Computer-Assisted Remote or to operate a Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Site. See 14 CCR § 251.9.
Crossbows for the California quail hunting seasons.
In general, you can hunt resident small game, including quail, with a Crossbow (which is a type of “firearm”). Any type of crossbow bolt can be used except crossbow bolts with (1) lighted nocks with a beam of light, (2) an explosive head, (3) tranquilizers, or (4) poison.
See 14 CCR § 311(n), 14 CCR § 354(d), (g) and (j), and our summary of archery-specific regulations. NOTE: you only must use flu-flu fletching for migratory game birds and pheasant.
Live decoys are NOT allowed for hunting quail or any other resident game bird. See 14 CCR § 311(l).
Hound dogs for the California quail hunting seasons.
In general, you can use dogs to Take and retrieve quail during the California quail hunting seasons. See 14 CCR § 311(o). Click here for California dog hunting laws, including place to hunt.
In general, you can use a falcon to hunt quail in California. The same is true for all resident small game. See 14 CCR § 311(d).
Motor vehicles for the California quail hunting seasons.
Muzzleloaders for the California quail hunting seasons.
In general, you can use to muzzle-loading shotguns to hunt quail during the general California quail hunting season. The same is true for all resident small game. See 14 CCR § 311(c).
Rifles and pistols are NOT allowed for hunting quail. (For resident small game, they’re only allowed for hunting squirrels and rabbits everywhere except in Los Angeles County.) See 14 CCR § 311(g).
Shotguns for the California quail hunting seasons.
In general, you can use a shotgun to hunt quail, during the California quail hunting season. However, there are restrictions for the shell capacity and type of gauge, plug, and shells. The same is true for all resident small game. See 14 CCR § 311(a) and (b).
In general, no shotgun larger than a 10-gauge may be used to hunt quail in California. However, no shotgun larger than a 12-guage may be used on, over, or adjacent to the waters of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County. Warning shot!!! There are similar restrictions at California Wildlife Areas. See 14 CCR § 311(a).
California quail hunting shotguns must be incapable of holding more than three (3) shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
Shotgun shell shot restrictions for the California quail hunting seasons.
Since July 1, 2016, you can only use non-toxic shot for hunting any upland game bird (except for dove, quail, snipe, and any game bird taken at a licensed game bird club), resident small game mammal, furbearing mammal, nongame bird or mammals, or any wildlife with a depredation permit).
While quail hunting in California, shot size larger than “No. BB” may not be used or possessed. All shot shall be loose in the shell. The quail shell size restriction is located at 14 CCR §§ 311(b).
After you kill any bird in California, including quail, it has to be identifiable by the CDFW until reaching your Personal Abode or Commercial Preservation Facility, or is being prepared to eat it right away. To be “identifiable,” the general rule is that you either must keep a fully feathered wing or head attached. One exception is that for doves, you must keep a fully feathered wing attached. See 14 CCR § 251.7(b).
Public hunting areas for California quail hunting seasons.
There are many great opportunities for quail hunting in Southern California, Central California, and Northern California. For your convenience, we’ve organized them by the six regions of the CDFW (see below). Follow the link to our summaries of area-specific quail hunting rules, regulations and procedures.
Region 1: Northern California Quail Hunting
Region 2: North Central California Quail Hunting
Region 3: Bay Delta California Quail Hunting
Region 4: Central California Quail Hunting
Region 5: South Coast California Quail Hunting
Region 6: Inland Desert Quail Hunting
Northern California Quail Hunting
CDFW Region 1 for California quail hunting seasons
Alturas (BLM land near Alturas)
Bald Mountain Area (BLM)
Cinder Cone Planning Area (BLM)
Fort Sage Special Recreation Management Area (BLM)
King Range Wilderness (BLM)
Lacks Creek Area Management Area (BLM)
Madeline Planning Unit (BLM)
Red Mountain (BLM Unit of the South Fork Eel Rver Wilderness)
Sacramento River Bend ONA (Paynes Creek Recreation Area)
Sacramento River Management Area (BLM)
Shasta Management Area (BLM)
Sheepy Ridge Wildlife Area (No CDFW webpage)
Surprise Valley Field Office (BLM)
Susanville (BLM land northeast of Susanville)
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (BLM)
North Central California Quail Hunting
CDFW Region 2 for California quail hunting seasons
Cache Creek Wilderness (BLM)
Consumnes River Preserve (BLM)
Bay Delta California Quail Hunting
CDFW Region 3 for California quail hunting seasons
Central California Quail Hunting
CDFW Region 4 for California quail hunting seasons
Curry Mountain Recreation Area (BLM)
Griswold Hills Recreation Area
Joaquin Rocks/Ridge Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Mountain Home Demonstration Forest
South Coast California Quail Hunting
CDFW Region 5 for California quail hunting seasons
Inland Deserts California Quail Hunting
CDFW Region 6 for California quail hunting seasons.
Big Maria Mountain Wilderness (BLM)
Mesquite Wilderness Area (BLM)
Palo Verde Ecological Reserve (BLM)
Pickle Meadow Wildlife Area
Poppett Flat Area (BLM)
Smuggler’s Cave Area (see Jacumba Wilderness above)
West Slinkard Valley Management Area (BLM)
California Quail Hunting Forum and Blog
To participate in our California quail hunting forum and blog, leave a question or comment.
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