Application Strategy 2024: California deer, elk, antelope and sheep

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 DEER, ELK, ANTELOPE AND BIGHORN SHEEP APPLICATION OVERVIEW

Contrary to popular belief, the Golden State offers a wide variety of species to hunt and there’s a lot of public land that you can target for those animals. The trophy quality and success rates are phenomenal for some and not so great for others. With predators through the roof and no management plan in place, the deer herds have taken a serious beating from what they were years ago. The elk are thriving while the antelope and bighorn sheep do what they do best: they fluctuate. There is no tag split between resident and nonresidents when it comes to applying for deer tags. For elk and antelope, there is only one nonresident tag available statewide and only two nonresident tags for bighorn sheep. As you can imagine, the odds associated with those tags are not the greatest. However, if you are going to buy a hunting license and deer tag, you may as well throw your name into the hat for the remaining species as it only costs an additional $8.13 to apply. 

Note: The application deadline for all species in California is June 2, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. You can apply online here. 

New Or Noteworthy For This Year

For the 2024 deer hunting season, the following deer tags have changed classifications:

From premium to restricted deer tags:

From premium to unrestricted deer tag:

From restricted to unrestricted deer tags:

For the 2024 elk season, they have added a couple of bull tags to the Grizzly Island hunts:

STATE INFORMATION

To view important information and an overview of the California rules/regulations, the draw system, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile. 

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION

HARVEST REPORTS

Deer tag holders who fail to submit a harvest report for any 2024 deer tag by Jan. 31, 2025 will be assessed a $21.60 non-reporting fee when purchasing a deer tag drawing application or deer tag in the 2025 license year. 

NONLEAD AMMUNITION REQUIRED STATEWIDE

All hunters must use non lead ammunition when taking any wildlife in California. Nonresidents will need to bring ammunition with them. California will not sell ammunition to nonresident hunters.

DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN CALIFORNIA

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Like most of the West, California has seen the second year in a row of great moisture. If it continues throughout the summer, then the fall seasons should produce some healthy animals. Unfortunately, it will also benefit the poorly managed predators, but you have to take the good with the bad. 

THE CALIFORNIA DRAW SYSTEM

California uses a preference point system in the draw process, which means they start with the highest point holder and work their way down. Those who are unsuccessful in drawing their first choice will earn a preference point for that species. Applicants may select three hunt choices when applying for premium deer tags and may only select one hunt choice when applying for antelope, elk and bighorn sheep. The state considers everyone’s first choice before moving on to anyone’s second choice.

PREFERENCE POINT CODES:

All applicants are required to purchase an annual hunting license prior to applying for any big game hunt. Once you have purchased your license you will also have to pay an application fee of $8.13 for elk, antelope and bighorn sheep for both residents and nonresidents. You are required to submit the full cost of the deer tag at the time of application. 

LICENSE AND TAG FEES:

Unsuccessful nonresidents may request a refund of the difference between the fees paid for a nonresident and a resident deer tag drawing application. This can be done if the application was submitted and a deer tag was not issued or if a nonresident deer tag is issued and all of the following conditions are met:

PARTY APPLICATIONS

California does allow party applications and your points will be averaged for the party. The way the party application works is simple. There is a party leader who will apply as the leader and select the hunt choices. Once he is finished, he will receive a “party number.” For those that wish to join the party, they will apply as a member and enter the “party number.” If your party draws the last available tag, the party leader will be awarded the tag and the other applicants will be placed on an alternate list. This means that no party applications are ever rejected. Most states will reject the application if there aren’t enough tags to satisfy the group, but California is the exception to that. 

Party members per species:

PREMIUM VS RESTRICTED/UNRESTRICTED DEER TAGS

Premium deer tags are issued by the state drawing. Restricted and unrestricted deer tags are issued upon request until the tag quota for the hunt is filled. These are typically your second and third choice options on your application or used for a second deer tag. 

PREMIUM DEER TAGS FOR 2024:

RESTRICTED DEER TAGS FOR 2024:

UNRESTRICTED DEER TAGS FOR 2024:

FIRST AND SECOND DEER TAGS

For first deer tags, typically, most hunters will apply for a hard to draw premium tag as their first choice followed by lesser desired restricted or unrestricted tags as their second and third choice. If you don’t have maximum points, then this gives you a random shot at a great hunt and you get a tag in your pocket for the season. You also gain another preference point for not drawing your first choice. If you chose three premium hunt choices and you struck out all around, then that’s where the second deer tag comes in handy. 

For second deer tags, hunters will normally buy a second tag if they were unsuccessful on their first or if they just feel like getting a second tag. Some seasons are earlier/later or shorter/longer than others, so this gives you the opportunity for multiple hunts in the same year.

CALIFORNIA’S SHARE PROGRAM

CDFW’s SHARE program provides public access for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities on private land. Visit this link to learn more.

SHARE elk hunts will be offered in Colusa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Shasta and Siskiyou counties. Property and application information will be posted on the SHARE webpage on May 17, 2024. There are no preference points for SHARE elk hunts. Other SHARE hunts:

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 MULE DEER BREAKDOWN

There are currently 38 zones in California that offer a chance to hunt mule deer. They can be found in just about any unit in the state except for the far northwest corner. The closer you get to the ocean, you will actually start to see a cross between blacktail and mule deer. Typically, you’ll see this in the C and D units on the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas. If you are looking for a chance to hunt each year, California offers a lot of opportunities whether it’s over-the-counter (OTC) tags or different draw areas. Most of the southern units have lower deer populations and more hunting pressure, but good bucks are still found. These hunts can be drawn with little to no points. Much of the mid to northern range of the Sierra Nevada’s have better herd numbers, higher success rates and can be great hunts, but they require more points. The late season hunts are extremely difficult to draw if you aren’t near the top of the point table, but there’s still that random chance.

HOW TO FIND HIDDEN GEMS FOR MULE DEER IN CALIFORNIA

As previously mentioned, with predators and poor management, the deer herds are in decline. That being said, the potential for finding good mature mule deer is still very present in most of the western units. Focusing on a specific unit year after year will allow you to learn and help you produce the best results. A hidden gem could come from just about anywhere, especially in the tags that you can get year after year. 

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

For the 2024 season, the maximum point total is now up to 22. Without any nonresident quotas, all deer applicants in California have the same odds of drawing whether you are a resident or not. Muzzleloader hunts M9, M5 and M3 will take between 19 and 20 points to draw with chances at great bucks. Rifle hunts G39, G3, X5b, G37 all take 18 to maximum points to draw and are recognized as the best in the state. This leaves a pile of great hunts that can be drawn between the five and 10-point range. So if you’re out of the maximum point race, there are a handful of great hunts still available. 

OTC OPTIONS

California offers OTC hunts in many different zones across the state. There is an archery only (AO) tag that allows the hunter to hunt in Zones A, B and D. With this tag you can hunt the archery and general seasons, but it must be with archery equipment only. The other options are A Zone and D Zone tags that allow the hunter to hunt during the early archery season and, if unsuccessful, return for a rifle hunt later in the fall. 

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 COLUMBIAN BLACKTAIL DEER BREAKDOWN

There are 16 zones that offer hunts for Columbian blacktail deer in California. California has absolutely dominated the record books for many years when it comes to Columbian blacktails. Whether you want a private land experience on the coast or would like to try your luck on the public land further to the east, there is something for everyone and the age class and trophy potential are some of the best in the world. In reality, if you are chasing the record books, then I’d recommend an A Zone North or South, private land experience.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

For the 2024 season, the maximum point total is now up to 22. If you have maximum points, I would highly suggest not using them on a blacktail tag. Some of the best blacktail deer hunts in the state can be drawn with zero points and can even be pulled as second or third choices on your application. If you are hunting California anyway then your best bet would be to apply for a premium mule deer hunt as a first choice and a blacktail hunt as your second. That way you build points for a future mule deer hunt and still put a tag in your pocket.

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 TULE ELK BREAKDOWN

Tule elk are considered the pinnacle of elk hunting and what most folks are lacking when it comes to their slam. As a nonresident, there are only three ways to check the box on this species. The first is that you simply pay for an outfitted landowner tag, which is extremely expensive ($25,000 to $40,000), but it’s the only surefire way to ensure a chance at these elk. The second is that you are the one and only nonresident to draw in the annual state drawing because California only issues one nonresident tag statewide for all elk species. The third way is to draw one of the SHARE permits that are located in a county that has tule elk. Even residents are still waiting at the maximum point level for a chance at the wapiti unicorn.

*All of the elk in this unit reside on private property. It is strongly advised to have arrangements made prior to applying for this hunt. Elk east of Hwy 101 are considered tule elk. If found on the west side of Hwy 101, they will not qualify for either the Roosevelt or tule elk category for Boone & Crockett (B&C). 

HOW TO UNCOVER HIDDEN GEM TULE ELK UNITS

With so few options to consider when looking to hunt tule elk, there are not any real hidden gems. The eastern sierra units that line the Owens Valley have the most public land by far and have thrown some record book bulls. So, although the average bulls might be lower than most, there are still big bulls in all of those units. 

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

If you're a resident and happen to be at the maximum point level (22), you may as well keep applying for what you believe to be the best hunt in the state. For all other applicants, your points carry no value and you essentially only have a shot at the random tag. Remember that the random drawing happens first so all applicants have an equal chance on this pass. If you do have the maximum number of points for the hunt code you applied for, then you actually have two chances to draw: one in each pass. 

If you are a youth hunter, then 50% of the available apprentice tags will be available in this random drawing and, if you are an adult, then 25% of the tags will be available in this random drawing. If you are a maximum point holder or close to it and you’re not completely dead set on taking a tule bull elk, then I’d suggest using Filtering to see what cow elk opportunities you have.

Only one nonresident will have the privilege of hunting elk in California each year. If you are actually going to submit an application for this, don’t waste it on applying for some mediocre tag because you are up against every other nonresident who applies. You may as well swing for the fence and apply for what you believe to be the best hunt in the state.

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK BREAKDOWN

There is only one hunt area in California that offers Rocky Mountain elk hunting: Zone 4 Northeastern. However, this unit could present the opportunity of killing an absolute giant bull. It’s hard to imagine that this unit produces like it does, but if your goal is a record book caliber of bull, it is as likely to happen here compared to anywhere in the country. The state offers one archery either-sex hunt in early September with 10 permits as well as one rifle hunt in mid-September that has 15 bull tags. There are cow tags available, but even as a resident, it’s probably smarter to look at other states if a Rocky Mountain cow elk is on your hit list.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

With only one option and very few tags issued (10 archery either-sex, 15 rifle bull and 10 rifle cow), your best bet as a resident is to look at the archery tags or the cow tags. For nonresidents, it’s probably smarter to look at other states for a Rocky Mountain elk.

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 ROOSEVELT ELK BREAKDOWN

There are three different zones that offer Roosevelt elk exclusively: Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3. While Zone 5 has a mixture of both Roosevelt and tule elk, unfortunately, the elk in this zone are entirely on private land and, if you were to harvest a bull on the west side of Hwy 101, then it would not qualify for either species in the record book.

However, the elk hunting in these areas can be incredible. If archery hunting is your passion, you will need to look at Zone 2 Marble Mountain, which, when you draw, is actually both an archery permit as well a muzzleloader/archery so this is the only hunt to really consider. A good proportion of the bulls can be found on public land. Del Norte, Humboldt and Trinity counties have long been the top producers for age class, so if you are looking for the best bull you can find, it’s best to stick within these areas and hunt west of Interstate 5.

*All the elk in this unit reside on private property. It is strongly advised to have arrangements made prior to applying for this hunt. Elk east of Hwy 101 are considered tule elk. If found on the west side of Hwy 101, they will not qualify for either the Roosevelt or tule elk category for B&C. 

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

Some of the best Roosevelt elk hunting in the world is happening in California. However, with a large amount of the area they call home on private property, it is best to have a plan in place prior to drawing the permit in order to get the most out of a tag you have likely waited a long time to get. All this considered: without an excessive amount of points, it is difficult to draw a mature bull permit. For nonresidents, you are up against every nonresident elk applicant in the state, including the cow elk applicants. So, in my opinion, Oregon and Washington would be better states to consider if your heart is set on a Roosevelt elk. 

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 ANTELOPE BREAKDOWN

Currently, there are six zones that hold hunts for antelope in California. All of the zones are located in the northeast corner of the state and all of them have public land percentages north of 50%. The antelope herds seem to fluctuate year over year, but overall tend to stay rather healthy. The odds of drawing an antelope tag in California are extremely low, but if you’re going to purchase a hunting license, then you might as well roll the dice for an additional $8.13. Tag quota’s for the rifle Zone 3 hunts are still under proposal and will be finalized soon. Nonresidents only have a shot at one tag statewide, so the odds are absolutely terrible. Keep that in mind as you consider whether it’s worth applying or not.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

As previously mentioned, there is only the potential for one tag a year for nonresidents. If you’re going to apply, shoot for the best hunt in the state because you are up against every other nonresident who has applied. 

If you’re a resident, you need to at least be at the 17- or 18-point level for a chance at an archery tag. For rifle, there were a couple tags that were drawn at the 20-point level. The bottom line is that you need to be near maximum points to be competitive for an antelope tag. Although the archery success rates are low, I wouldn’t let that sway your decision. Each unit for the rifle hunts have produced some great bucks over the years.

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP BREAKDOWN

For 2024, there will be a total of 21 bighorn sheep permits up for grabs. Although that’s a slight decrease from last year, the Sheep Hole Mountains in Zone 6 is offering a bighorn sheep tag for this season. There are nine different hunting zones that are open in 2024 and all of them offer a random tag. Aside from the expensive hunting license that you must purchase prior to applying, the random chance makes this a semi-attractive bighorn sheep application. Like last year, nonresidents will have a chance at two of these tags.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP

Even those at the maximum point level are facing a random draw with more applicants than tags available. Hopefully, time is on your side and eventually you won’t need any luck to draw your permit as it will just be your turn. In the meantime, apply for the hunt you have been dreaming of and cross your fingers. If you don’t have a high point total, your odds are rough and the chance of never reaching maximum points is a reality. However, each hunt has one random tag available.

For nonresidents, this isn’t about the odds that you will actually draw — it's that you simply can’t help not being in a bucket of raffle tickets when a bighorn sheep tag is up for grabs. If you can stomach the cost of the hunting license, swing for the fence. Your odds are going to be less than 1% no matter where you apply and there is no bad bighorn sheep hunt. So do your best research and good luck!