California Bow Hunting: Blacktails & Tule Elk
📅 2026 Season & License Info
Archery Season Open
July 12
Archery Season Close
October 31
Min Draw Weight
40 lbs
Resident License
$63/yr
Non-Resident License
$208/yr
Top Species
Black-Tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Tule Elk, Wild Pig, Wild Turkey
📍 Top Public Hunting Spots
Mendocino National Forest
Black-Tailed Deer, Wild Pig
North Coast Range. Best black-tail habitat in California. Early archery season beats the heat.
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Black-Tailed Deer, Bear, Turkey
Northern California mountains. Mule deer and blacktail overlap in some zones.
Los Padres National Forest
Mule Deer, Wild Pig, Bear
Central and Southern California. Year-round wild pig hunting opportunity.
⚖️ California Archery Regulations
- •Minimum draw weight: 40 lbs
- •Hunting zone system — verify your zone's open dates
- •Tule elk require special draw tag
- •Wild pig can be hunted year-round on most public land with valid license
💡 Expert Tips for California
- →California's zone system is complex — download the zone maps before planning your hunt
- →Early archery season (July) for black-tailed deer in velvet is exceptional
- →Tule elk lottery has 5+ year wait times in top units — apply every year
- →Wild pig provides year-round bowhunting opportunity on many properties
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency & Sources
Hunting seasons, tag quotas, and bag limits are established by state wildlife agencies and change annually. For official regulations, proclamations, and license purchases, consult:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
Official State Wildlife Agency
Status: 2026 Season Guide
California Bowhunting FAQ
Can I hunt wild pigs year-round in California with a bow?
Yes — wild pigs in California have no closed season and no bag limit on most private and some public lands with a valid hunting license and pig tag ($25.04 for residents). This makes California one of the best states for year-round bowhunting of wild pigs, with millions of acres of accessible land.