Title FGC, California Fish & Game Code

For the purposes of this chapter, the Members of the Legislature shall constitute an interim investigating committee on the subject of this chapter and as such shall have the powers and duties imposed upon such a committee by the Joint Rules of the Senate and the Assembly. (Enact…

(a) A common carrier may transport the carcass of a dead domesticated game bird or mammal tagged with a domesticated game breeder’s tag as provided in Article 1 (commencing with Section 3200) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 4. (b) A tag or label shall be affixed to every packa…

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3206, the carcasses or parts of domesticated game birds which have been raised outside of this State may be imported into this State, and transported, sold, or possessed in this State. Common carriers may receive and transport such carcas…

It is unlawful to take any deer without first procuring a deer tag or permit authorizing the taking of that deer. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 285, Sec. 83. Effective January 1, 2008.)

The commission may determine the design and makeup of the deer tag and prescribe the procedures for issuance and use. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 285, Sec. 84. Effective January 1, 2008.)

(a) Any resident of this state, 12 years of age or over, who possesses a valid hunting license, may procure one tag for the taking of one deer by one person during the current license year, upon payment of the base fee of ten dollars ($10) for the license year beginning July 1, 1…

Tags are valid only during that portion of the current hunting license year in which deer may be taken or possessed in any area. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 285, Sec. 86. Effective January 1, 2008.)

(a) The commission shall annually direct the department to authorize, pursuant to Section 1054.8, the sale of not more than 10 deer tags for the purpose of raising funds for programs and projects as set forth in Section 3953. All revenue from the sale of tags pursuant to this sec…

(a) The person to whom a deer tag has been issued shall carry the tag while hunting deer. Upon the killing of any deer, that person shall immediately fill out the tag completely, legibly, and permanently, and cut out or punch out and completely remove notches or punch holes for t…

(a) Any person who is convicted of a violation of any provision of this code, or of any rule, regulation, or order made or adopted under this code, relating to deer shall forfeit his or her deer tags, and no new deer tags shall be issued to that person during the then current lic…

Any person legally killing a deer in this state shall have the tag for that deer countersigned by a person employed by the department, a person designated for that purpose by the commission, a notary public, a postmaster, a peace officer, or an officer authorized to administer oa…

The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interest of the people of the state and California’s marine resources and fisheries that the use of commercial hook and line fishing gear be regulated in a manner that assures the orderly development of the fisheries, main…

(a) Troll lines or handlines having not more than two hooks (plugs excepted) may be used in any district, and troll lines with more than two hooks may be used in Fish and Game Districts 6, 7, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 19A, and that portion of Fish and Game District 11 west of the G…

Set lines may be used in Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19. It is unlawful to use set lines with hooks more than 100 feet above the anchor or ocean bottom. (Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 318, Sec. 8.)

(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 9026, 9028, or 9029, in the area described in subdivision (b), it is unlawful to use more than 150 hooks on a vessel to take a fish for commercial purposes when using fishing lines authorized pursuant to this article. (2) In the area described in s…

(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 9026, 9028, or 9029 in the area described in subdivision (b), it is unlawful to use more than 150 hooks on a vessel to take fish for commercial purposes when using fishing lines authorized pursuant to this article. (2) In the area described in subd…

Notwithstanding Sections 8603 and 9025.5, it is unlawful to use fishing lines, including, but not limited to, troll lines and handlines more than 900 feet in length unless they are used as set lines pursuant to Sections 8601 and 9026 or they are used as part of deep-set buoy gear…

(a) Notwithstanding Section 9028, a fishing line which is anchored to the ocean bottom at one end and attached at the surface to a fishing vessel or a buoy may be used in Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19. (b) A fishing line otherwise permitted pursuant to subdivision (a), may n…

Notwithstanding Sections 9025.5, 9026, and 9029, it is unlawful to use set lines, vertical fishing lines, or troll lines to take fish for commercial purposes within one mile of the nearest point of land on the mainland shore in Fish and Game District 7 or 10 from sunset on Friday…

(a) The board shall investigate, study, and determine what areas within the state are most essential and suitable for wildlife production and preservation, and will provide suitable recreation; and shall ascertain and determine what lands within the state are suitable for game pr…

The board shall also ascertain what lands are suitable for providing cover for the propagation and rearing in a wild state of waterfowl, shore birds, and upland birds, and the possibilities of acquiring easements on such lands to provide such cover. (Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 4…

As a result of the studies, the board shall determine what areas, lands, or rights in lands or waters should be acquired by the state in order to effectuate a coordinated and balanced program resulting in the maximum restoration of wildlife in the state and in the maximum recreat…

(a) The board shall authorize the acquisition of real property, rights in real property, water, or water rights as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The board may authorize acquisition by the department, but the department shall not acquire any property …

Before the board authorizes the purchase of any land, or any interest therein, the board shall notify all owners of record of adjacent parcels of land of the intent of the board to purchase the land. The notice to the adjacent owners of land and the public notice shall include an…

When the board acquires real property, other than by eminent domain, the purchase price for the real property shall not exceed the fair market value of the property, as defined in Section 1263.320 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The fair market value shall be set forth in an appr…

(a) No governmental entity may condemn any wildlife conservation easement acquired by a state agency, except as provided in subdivision (b). As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Public use” as used in Article 6 (commencing with Section 12…

No farm lands may be acquired under the provisions of this chapter by proceedings in eminent domain except by specific authorization of the Legislature, notwithstanding any provision of Section 1348. Nothing in this section shall apply to any proceedings to acquire farm lands whe…

(a) (1) The department shall, when authorized by the board, construct in accordance with law those facilities as are suitable for the purpose for which the real property or rights in real property or water, or water rights, were acquired. Each completed project shall be managed a…

Each recreational area shall be so managed and controlled that the public shall have access to and use of the area for all recreational purposes. (Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)

(a) The money in the Wildlife Restoration Fund, as provided for by former Section 19632 of the Business and Professions Code, as that section read on January 1, 2024, is available for expenditure under this chapter. (b) All federal moneys made available for projects authorized by…

(a) The San Francisco Baylands Restoration Program Account is hereby established within the Wildlife Restoration Fund, as provided for by former Section 19632 of the Business and Professions Code, as that section read on January 1, 2024, for the purpose of acquiring and restoring…

The board may purchase such boats, aircraft, or equipment as it deems necessary for the use of the department for the improvement and protection of marine fisheries. (Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)

The board may authorize the acquisition of such lands or rights in land as may be necessary for the purpose of furnishing public access to lands or waters open to the public for fishing, hunting and shooting. The board may authorize such acquisition by the department. (Added by S…

The net proceeds of the sale or other disposition of real property used as a fish hatchery that has been acquired by or is under the jurisdiction of the board or the department, either in easement or in fee, shall be deposited in the Wildlife Restoration Fund or the Fish and Game…

The board, when it prioritizes the use of available funds for proposed acquisitions, with regard to the priority of a proposal to acquire forestland, may consider and take into account the potential of that proposed acquisition to beneficially reduce or sequester greenhouse gas e…

(a) In every area in which deer may lawfully be taken during the general open season there is an archery season for the taking of deer with bow and arrow. The season for each area shall be as the commission may prescribe, with a minimum interposing interval of three days immediat…

The provisions of this code relating to deer shall be applicable to the taking of deer with bow and arrow. (Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)

A spade, shovel, hoe, rake, or other appliance operated by hand may be used to take mollusks, sand crabs, and shrimps in Districts 1, 112, 2, 212, 3, 312, 4, 418, 434, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, and 21, except as specified in Section 7332, except th…

(a) Spears, harpoons, and bows and arrows may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays, and sharks, except soupfin sharks. (b) This section shall become operative January 1, 1999. (Repealed (in Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1174, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1994.…

Slurp guns may be used to take fish for commercial purposes in fish and game districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 20A. (Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 742, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 1993.)

(a) Powered equipment of such design as may be prescribed by the commission may be used to take crustaceans and mollusks under a revocable permit issued by the department and under such regulations as the commission shall prescribe. (b) Taking of lobster or crabs under this secti…

Sea urchins shall not be taken for commercial purposes except under a valid sea urchin diving permit issued to that person that has not been suspended or revoked, subject to regulations adopted by the commission. Rakes, airlifts, or other handheld appliances may be used to take s…

The commission shall adopt regulations related to commercial sea urchin diving permits, and the vessels used to commercially fish for sea urchin, in order to better manage the number of permits issued. (Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 876, Sec. 16. (SB 500) Effective January 1, 2024.)

(a) The base fee for a sea urchin permit authorized pursuant to Section 9054 is five hundred ninety-eight dollars and fifty cents ($598.50). (b) Upon notification from the California Sea Urchin Commission, the department shall charge an additional two hundred dollars ($200) for a…

The department shall adopt regulations regarding the marking and color coding of lines used in state managed fisheries. (Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 876, Sec. 18. (SB 500) Effective January 1, 2024.)

The board may act either independently or may cooperate with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, or any other federal agency in determining any of the questions referred to in this chapter, or in the acquisition and construction of any of the proj…