California Free Hunting Day: Opening Doors to New Hunters

Participants who meet eligibility requirements can register for the event and join licensed hunters in the field, fostering new connections to California’s natural resources and introducing participants to the conservation and recreation benefits of hunting.

Parallel with the National Wild Turkey Federation's outreach events, CDFW’s Free Hunting Days underscore a shared commitment to preserving our hunting heritage and fostering a community of passionate hunters. By providing free hunting days, the CDFW aims to not only introduce newcomers to the world of hunting but also to retain and reactivate those who may have temporarily stepped away from the activity.

“Recruiting and retaining hunters is a huge priority of the National Wild Turkey Federation,” said Sebastian Garcia, NWTF conservation fundraising specialist in California. “California provides a unique opportunity with the free hunt day where hunters can introduce those who are curious to the life-changing power of the outdoors."

Taking place the weekend before Thanksgiving, the event is perfectly timed for those in the Golden State to introduce a family member or friend to hunting and potentially harvesting a wild turkey for their holiday table.

“The fall free hunting day in California is perfect timing to get a Thanksgiving turkey,” said Krista Modlin, NWTF district biologist in California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. “The free hunting day allows a budget friendly avenue to get outdoors with your loved ones and share the values of hunting.”

To participate in the California Free Hunting Days, participants must meet the requirements established in Fish and Game Code § 3040. These requirements include:

• Proof of completion of a hunter education course.
• Possession of a valid Free Hunt Days registration.
• Possession of any required tags or report cards, federal entitlements and entry permits.
• Participants must be accompanied by a hunter who holds a valid California hunting license, is at least 21 years of age, and that hunter only accompanies one free hunting day participant in the field at a time.

Free Hunt Days Registration is available to claim through CDFW sales offices, license agents, telephone sales services and online license sales.

Hunters participating in the free hunting day can take resident and migratory game birds, resident small game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, nongame mammals and wild pigs with a wild pig validation. Participants are also subject to all limitations, restrictions, conditions, statutes, rules and regulations, except the required possession of a valid hunting license, upland game bird hunting validation and state duck hunting validation.

For those unable to join this weekend, California’s next Free Hunting Day is scheduled for April 12, 2025.

For more information, participants should visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.