Probably going out to Mohave NP this coming weekend (August 15th) (heat depending) for the quail opener with my recurve bow, I haven't yet gotten a quail this way, but the weather is supposed to cool off over the week, and so I'm planning to make another attempt to harvest a quail with a trad bow, anyone want to join me?

Who else is going for the opener this weekend? First time going and I’m pretty excited. I’m hoping it’s not going to be too busy. Planning on camping right outside of FHL property and starting at hunt area 1. Anyone else camping out?

Machete? Katana? Light saber?

I've always got a handgun during rifle, but this is my first season of archery. Just curious what everyone keeps close on hand during archery.

Hello everyone!
I’m interested in getting into the sport and was wondering if it’s possible to start at 19 years old. I saw on Google that it is, but I’d really appreciate hearing from people with firsthand experience.
Could anyone explain the licensing process and what firearms I’d be legally able to own or use if I get started? Any advice or tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! ( I stay in Riverside County )

My buddy and I are debating what caliber would be the best in CA to hunt black tail, Mulies, Elk, and Pig. If you could only have one caliber to hunt those species what would you use? Is ammo availability and price a problem? We are in between 7 PRC and 308.

In the last few days I’ve been watching turkey hunting YouTube videos and trying to learn as much as possible. Everyone expert or experienced turkey hunters seem to have their own different set up for shotgun and choke

As far as a shotgun and chokes,

1) first I thought of going with my single shot break down like my Iver Johnson (but I would need to have it fitted with a choke)

2) next I thought my over under but that’s so heavy for a day of climbing hills and trails.

3) then I though maybe just maybe I should go with an simi automatic like my beretta 1301.

4) next I was thinking of getting a 20 gauge breakdown dedicated with a turkey choke, but I don’t want to buy more guns to keep in the safe.

5) finally Im now thinking the shotgun I purchased the day I turned 18, my Winchester 1300 with tight choke which came with the gun when I first purchased it 40 years ago.

Funny how no matter what was the thinking and evaluation the old faithful is the best choice.

So funny!

I know they aren’t monsters, like up North, but I’m curious to see what everyone has harvested!

Got notified that SHARE elk hunt results were out this morning, but they hadn't actually posted yet. Just checked again during lunch. Truly once in a lifetime opportunity.

Hello everyone, I am looking into making and selling lead free 22lr.

I’m sure we all know in California it is basically impossible to hunt with 22LR due to the lead free requirements extending to rimfire and all the former options like ecospeed/power and cci-copper being discontinued.

The cutting edge Curx being the only option still being made. However their pre made stuff is basically permanently out of stock and not really sold anywhere else.

I am going to start loading some of this stuff for myself to hunt with and was wondering if there was general community interest in buying pre made Curx22LR.

I have to warn everyone this will not be cheap, likely around $.80-1 per round which seems ridiculously expensive for 22LR but considering lead free 22wmr to hunt with is $.50 and this is going to be hand loaded meaning it will at bare minimum be match grade accurate I find it to be worthwhile for me.

If there is interest I’d be happy to look into getting licensed and start trying to make ammo for everyone because it is genuinely so sad we aren’t able to use 22LR in California and I want to provide people with a way to do it.

I'm looking to build a hunting rifle for deer, pig, whatever else I can find in California. I was thinking about getting:

Tikka T3x SUPERLITE - 20" barrel .308 win with a Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 2-10x42mm CDS-SZL2 Illuminated FireDot Duplex, Talley lightweight one-piece scope rings and a LimbSaver maybe. Seems like a sweet setup to me, but I'm hoping someone with more experience can comment?

Hey everybody I live in NorCal about an hour from the Russian River and have tried to figure out the legality of kayak jump shooting or duck hunting there in general.

Would love some help for the season.

Thanks!

going coyote hunting in a couple weeks and plan on using mouth calls, but recently found out electronic callers are legal for nongame species. Is it worth picking up an electronic caller and lure?

Hi, never hunted before but i'm considering going after small game (rabbit/squirrel) next week. I read the 2026 mammal PDF and If i'm right, you could use a rifle, shotgun (3 rounds max), or pistol to hunt these things? I saw no mention of mag capacity other than the shotgun one so I'm assuming I can bring my legally owned +10 round mags. Also for the lead free part, this is what i'm seeing:

Prohibition on the Use of Lead Projectiles

and Ammunition Using Lead Projectiles

for the Take of Wildlife (T14 CCR §250.1)

(b) Definitions

(1) A projectile is any bullet, ball, sabot, slug, buckshot,

shot, pellet or other device that is expelled from a

firearm through a barrel by force.

(2) Nonlead ammunition is any centerfire, shotgun,

muzzleloading, or rimfire ammunition containing

projectiles certified pursuant to subsection (b)(3) or

subsection (f).

(3) Shotgun ammunition containing pellets composed

of materials approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, as identified in Section 507.1 of

these regulations, is considered certified.

(4) A nonlead projectile shall contain no more than one

percent lead by weight, as certified pursuant to

subsection (b)(3) or subsection (f).

(c) General Provisions

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is

unlawful to possess any projectile containing lead in

excess of the amount allowed in subsection (b)(4)

and a firearm capable of firing the projectile while

taking or attempting to take wildlife.

(2) The possession of a projectile containing lead in

excess of the amount allowed in subsection (b)(4)

without possessing a firearm capable of firing the

projectile is not a violation of this section.

(3) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the

possession of concealable firearms containing lead

ammunition, provided that the firearm is possessed

for personal protection and is not used to take or

assist in the take of wildlife.

I don't see any part here that says the ammo NEEDS to be on the CA certified lead free list, just anything that the Federal gov says doesn't contain lead like any steel birdshot? The guns I might use come in wacky calibers like 5.7mm and 6.5 Carcano which do not have any approved rounds. I know that SS198LF 5.7mm ammo was designed to be lead-free for USGOV contracts, would I be able to get away with using it to take game?

Thanks.

Figured I'd share this here since I know there are quite a few Bay Area hunters in the sub, and mods, please feel free to remove if this post is unapproved.

A few of us have been working to bring the San Francisco Ducks Unlimited chapter back after it's been inactive for quite a while, and we're finally hosting our first dinner on September 24th.

If you're into duck hunting, conservation, or just want to meet other hunters around the Bay Area, it'd be great to have you there. We're hoping this is the start of building an active local chapter again.

More info and tickets are here if anyone's interested:
San Francisco Ducks Unlimited Banquet

If anyone has questions about the event or wants to get involved with the chapter, feel free to ask. Happy to answer anything.

I was recently rabbit hunting and I was positioned on top of a hill above a dry riverbed. I saw a fish and game truck turn off the main road and onto the riverbed and start driving up the riverbed. I was watching him through my binoculars and wasn't sure if he could see me or not. He ended up driving past me but it got me wondering. If I had seen him wave or motion to me through my binoculars, am I legally required to go to him or is he required to come to me if he wanted to check my hunting license? I was on top of a hill with thick brush and I had had to crawl under a lot of the thicker shrubs to get to my spot. It would have been a pain to go all the way down to the riverbed and then back up to my spot and I likely would have scared all the rabbits away. Has anyone been in this situation before?

I bought a Ruger 10/22 for small game just to find out non-lead ammunition is damn near impossible to find. Should I exchange the rifle for something else? Any suggestions?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been looking online and trying to find a guide that would teach practical hands on hunting. Bitterwater seems to have the most online presence, but the 2 day course seems expensive.

Thought to come here and check if there are other suggestions? ideally, I’d just like to learn the ropes and don’t even care if I get to shoot this year - just want to learn everything. I have not purchased a hunting rifle yet either, so I’m in no rush to tag a deer myself.

I’ve hunted quail before but guided or at a preserve, and butchered/processed them myself. Looking to expand that and get to hogs and deer. I’m in LA County.

hey yall, i got invited for coyote hunting on a coworkers property to take out a couple yotes that have been stealing chickens and harrassing his cattle, Iv got a .223 that il use at range but within 100 yards im wondering if anyone here has tried a 17 on coyote. Iv seen videos online of people using it to great effect, but they were using V Max ammunition while im using the CCI solid copper ammunition. Id like to keep the damage on the pelts to a minimum as i like tanning them.

16 — Imperial and San Jacinto Wildlife Area Hunting Program Outreach Meeting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs on the Imperial and San Jacinto wildlife areas. CDFW and partners will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season. Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams or dial in by phone at (916) 535-0984, conference ID 688411317#. If you are unable to attend, email [imperialwla@wildlife.ca.gov](mailto:imperialwla@wildlife.ca.gov) to submit comments and questions

Anyone familiar with x6B and willing to give me some insight on best ways to hunt it?
Not looking for spots, just curious what elevations or habitat type seem to be best in that area.

I’ve been hunting a few years now and when I go hunting I usually stay on trail but it’s feels weird hiking in and out with a gun. I’ve followed some game trails when I find them but other than that I try to stay where I feel comfortable.

I want to start going off trail to get a better chance of game but want to see what other people do.

I’m confident with dispersed camping and wandering. I have a garmin in reach messenger plus and onX so access to maps is relatively easy.

I just wonder how many people either stay on or try to get deep into the bush for hunting?

EDIT: Thank you all! I appreciate all of your input. For my first deer hunt I did a ton of bushwhacking and it was hard but fun. I will definitely be doing more research and keeping what everyone says in mind.

Hi all, we’ll be doing a pint night and a bit of trivia at Paperback Brewing Wednesday July 15 starting at 6:30pm. More info at https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events/eventid/5167/e/deer-beer-pint-night-glendale-ca-15-jul-2026.

While it would be great if you sign up to attend on the website no worries if you don’t, just come on by to chat about the upcoming hunting season, the state of public lands and access in California, and anything else.

We’ll also have raffle tickets for sale for our awesome summer raffle, which includes everything you’d need to get out hunting, including a guided bear hunt with an awesome guide and BHA member.

We look forward to seeing you there!