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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: sharingan625 on October 07, 2010, 05:36:15 AM

Title: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: sharingan625 on October 07, 2010, 05:36:15 AM
Hi guys,

I apologize in advance if i am in wrong forum. I am new here wanting to invest on a air rifle with few of my friends and go plinking somewhere (probably some national park area where hunting is allowed). Do I still need a hunting license even if i don't shoot animals? I don't wanna go unprepared and end up with a big fine. Please help.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: crowpopper on October 07, 2010, 08:00:08 AM
http://www.huntnfishregs.com/?promo2 (http://www.huntnfishregs.com/?promo2)
check this site it has the state to state regs
dunno if ya need a licence for plinking but you might
it is cali so who knows
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: daveshoot on October 07, 2010, 09:28:07 AM
You want to shoot in National Forest, not Parks. Hunting and shooting in a national park is generally forbidden.

In California, you also want to check out BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. There is a fair amount of real estate under BLM where hunting and shooting are permitted.

If you're out there with a gun during hunting season it would be advisable to have a hunting license. I'm not sure if it is absolutely required, but it would make the conversations shorter and more pleasant. I suspect you don't technically need the license until you're in possession of, or shooting at, critters, but I could be wrong.

In California you also need to take and pass a Hunter Safety course to get a hunting license. They are fairly painless and not a bad idea.
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: SGTCPabon on October 07, 2010, 09:41:17 AM
Good advice Dave.  Yea brother,  if you ate going anywhere with a rifle,  having that license will definitely make the convo shorter.   Best of luck
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: Rico14 on October 07, 2010, 01:13:15 PM
I would recommend that you get a hunting license. California now allows you to hunt Resident Small Game with air rifles. §257. Resident Small Game Defined.

"Resident small game" means the following resident game birds: Chinese spotted doves, Eurasian collared-doves, ringed turtle-doves of the family Columbidae, California quail and varieties thereof, Gambel's or desert quail, mountain quail and varieties thereof, sooty grouse and varieties thereof, ruffed grouse, sage grouse (sage hens), white-tailed ptarmigan, Hungarian partridges, red-legged partridges, including the chukar and other varieties, ring-necked pheasants and varieties, and wild turkeys of the order Galliformes; and the following game mammals: jackrabbits and varying hares (genus Lepus), cottontail rabbits, brush rabbits, pigmy rabbits (genus Sylvilagus), and tree squirrels (genus Sciurus and Tamiasciurus).

§311. Methods Authorized for Taking Resident Small Game.

Only the following may be used to take resident small game:

(a) Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller using shot shells only and incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined. If a plug is used to reduce the capacity of a magazine to fulfill the requirements of this section, the plug must be of one piece construction incapable of removal without disassembling the gun;

(b) Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB, except that shot size larger than No. 2 may not be used or possessed when taking wild turkey. All shot shall be loose in the shell.

(c) Muzzle-loading shotguns;

(d) Falconry;

(e) Bow and arrow (see Section 354 for archery equipment regulations);

(f) Air rifles firing pellets and powered by compressed air or gas (0.20 caliber minimum for taking wild turkey); and firearm rifles and pistols for taking rabbits and squirrels, except in Los Angeles County, in addition to the methods listed in (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above;

(g) In San Diego and Orange counties only, rabbits may be taken at any time during the open season by means of box traps. Such traps shall not exceed 24 inches in any dimension, shall be tended at least once every 24 hours, and shall show the name and address of the trap owner. All rabbits taken under this section shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit;

(h) Electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices are prohibited when attempting to take resident game birds;

(i) Coursing dogs may be used to take rabbits;

(j) Archers hunting during any archery season may not possess a firearm while in the field engaged in archery hunting during an archery season;

(k) The use of live decoys is prohibited when attempting to take resident game birds;

(l) Pistols and revolvers may be used to take sooty and ruffed grouse in those counties only and for the season described in Section 300(a)(1)(E).

(m) Crossbows, except for provisions of Section 354(d) and (g).

(n) Dogs may be used to take and retrieve resident small game.

Amendment filed 8/25/09; effective 9/24/09

Have fun and be safe
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: sharingan625 on October 07, 2010, 05:40:32 PM
Thank you very much guys! Looks like i will have to go get myself a hunting license.  :D
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: RWSshooter on October 10, 2010, 02:29:15 AM
Yep, here in California, it's either illegal, or you have to pay money, and get a permit. It seems there's no in-between.  It's all about the money. 
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: SGTCPabon on October 10, 2010, 03:02:36 AM
That's absolutely horrible.   My girl and are moving out there within 18 months. I Have to pay 260 if I want to eat a squirrel for dinner? That means that pound by pound, squirrel is more expensive than almost any other cut of meat!!!!  What if the animal is on my property ? Any idea?
Title: Re: Hunting license for plinking in California?
Post by: crazyhorse1 on October 10, 2010, 10:26:02 AM
To clarify a couple things: Most SO CAL BLM lands there is no target practice allowed...only hunting period. McCain Valley (BLM in San Diego County) is posted for hunting only. The same is true in most Nat'l Forrests..in fact,if you are in Cleveland Nat'l Forrest armed without a hunting license,you will be cited.

California Hunter safety courses vary slightly in price..anywhere from $10/$20...license cost approx $46 with upland game stamp.

FEE INFO:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/huntdescrip.html (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/huntdescrip.html)