Key information about California's draw system for big game hunts to help you prepare to apply. If you're considering applying in California, this article is for you
California is home to a wide range of big game species with a couple of those found solely in the Golden State. The greatest opportunity for hunting big game is due to the various deer species found throughout the state. Columbian blacktails are found along the coastal regions in the western half of the state and mule deer can be found from the deserts in the south to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevadas in the north. There is a growing population of all three subspecies of elk: Rocky Mountain, Tule, and Roosevelt.
Permits for elk are very limited, but it’s a great hunt when you get a tag. Antelope are isolated to the northeast corner of the state and have a limited number of permits as well. Black bears can be hunted during the same seasons as deer. There are restrictions that don't allow the use of dogs or baiting, and with the thick cover that many of them inhabit, it can be hard to hunt them. However, with an over-the-counter (OTC) tag, you do have the opportunity to harvest one if you are already in the field hunting deer.
Be sure to check out our Application Strategy articles to learn in-depth research and application tips when it comes time to apply in California.
California uses a preference point system in the draw process. Applicants who are unsuccessful in drawing a permit will earn a preference point for that species. Applicants may select three hunt choices when applying for premium deer permits. Applicants may only select one hunt choice for antelope, elk and bighorn sheep. The state considers everyone's first choice before considering any applicant's second choice.
The number of tags available for each species to nonresidents in California is wholly dependent on the specific species being applied for Deer: For deer permits, residents and nonresidents are combined in the draw. They’re treated exactly the same (no advantage to one or the other). For premium deer permits, 90% of the tags are reserved for those applicants with the most points. 10% are drawn randomly.
Elk, antelope and bighorn sheep: For antelope, elk and bighorn sheep where there is a quota of four or more permits, 75% of the permits are drawn by applicants with the most preference points and the remaining 25% will be drawn randomly. Where there is a quota of three or fewer permits, one permit will be drawn randomly. Nonresidents are limited to one permit statewide for elk and antelope, which includes all of the elk subspecies. Nonresidents are limited to up to 10% of total tags statewide for bighorn sheep.
For deer hunts, applicants can list three choices; however, the state will look at your first choice first. If tags are remaining after the first choice round, the state will begin placing hunters based on their second and third choice options. Drawing a second or third choice hunt will not affect your point count. For elk, antelope and bighorn sheep permits, hunters can only list one hunt choice.
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 who 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. For deer applications, the maximum party size is six. Parties of two applicants can apply for elk and antelope licenses, but this party option is only available to residents. There are no party applications allowed for bighorn sheep applications.
Learn more information about hunting applications, draw systems, hunt regulations, tag allocations, and more in our State Profile sections:
For antelope, elk and bighorn sheep where there is a quota of four or more permits, 75% of the permits are drawn by applicants with the most preference points and the remaining 25% will be drawn randomly. Where there is a quota of three or fewer permits, one permit will be drawn randomly.
Nonresidents are limited to up to 10% of the total tags statewide for bighorn sheep.
Nonresidents are limited to one permit statewide for elk and antelope.
