When most people think of California… they think of Hollywood, celebrities, beaches, and In-N-Out. Away from all the hustle and bustle, gossipy-celebrity-scandals, anti-plastic straw laws, and smog-filled cities… there are amazing wild areas within driving distance for the discriminating sportsman (or woman). Believe it or not, California was once the premiere destination for hunters decades ago. Leftist ideals, anti-hunting sentiment, ridiculous anti-gun laws, forestry and wildlife mis-management and politics have slowly degraded California’s top spot on the list of places to hunt… but if you look past all of that and can make the certain adjustments, California still remains as a sportsman’s paradise! This is especially true for you upland hunters!

Look on a map. Find some BLM or a National Forest. The chances of birds being there are very high! California is often overlooked as an upland hunting destination… and I am here to tell you: THERE ARE A TON OF BIRDS TO HUNT OUT HERE!

 

Species

California boasts one of the most eclectic lineups of upland birds in the nation. And if you plan and play your cards right, you might be able to come home with various species in your game vest, all on the same day!

• California (Valley) Quail – The California or Valley Quail is, rightfully, California’s state bird. It is everywhere! Keen on green valleys and foothills, you can also find this game bird in the coastal regions, forests, mountains and high deserts of California. North. Central. South. They are everywhere. They are a hardy bird, but populations react positively after good rain seasons. Found in coveys from small to large (up to a hundred or more in wet seasons), their abundance offers hunters a lot of action throughout the season.
• Gambel’s Quail – Gambel’s Quail are similar in appearance to the California Quail, though they lack the scaling pattern, have a bright copper head and cream bellies (males have a large circular black spot on their belly as well). Gambel’s tend to live in the south-east deserts of California and are know to be runners! They live in harsh areas where water is in little supply, getting much of their water intake from vegetation and insects that they eat. Their behavior and tendency to run, rather than fly and the harsh environments they live in, make them a challenging quarry!
• Mountain Quail – Mountain Quail are the largest and probably the most secretive of all quail in America! The elusiveness of this species is magnified by their love of dense chaparral and manzanita thickets on mountain-hillsides and shrubby-foothills. Mountain Quail are the only species of quail to migrate (albeit short distances, about 25-40 miles) and have home ranges in higher elevations during the spring and make their way down hill, below snow-lines, during the winter. This species is most affected by seasonal rains, and numbers plummet during dry seasons. They are known to not be more than a mile away from water sources. The rarity of this game-bird makes them a worthy trophy that all upland hunters dream of encountering.
• Pheasant – Introduced into California decades ago, small populations of Pheasant exist in Northern, Central and Southern California. These numbers are dwindling and you will be hard-pressed to find South Dakota type action in California. But they are present! Although bag-limits are restrictive (currently 2-per day on the first two days of the season and 3 per day after) they offer a rare chance of California wild pheasant!
• Chukar – Another introduced species, but far more successful than pheasant! Chukar found the hostile High-Deserts were just as homey as the craggy mountains of the Middle-East and Southern Asia where they originated from! This is a bird that knows how to utilize it’s terrain to evade predators, like silly upland hunters! They are most common in the arid hills and mountains of South-Eastern California. Strap your hiking boots and get ready for the suck!
• Sooty and Ruffed Grouse – Grouse are another of California’s “trophy” game-birds. Sooty Grouse are common in the forested-mountains of the Sierras and coastal forests of California. Ruffed Grouse are a rarer species of grouse found mainly in the highest western corner of California. Both species have specific counties that are open to hunting, so if you have grouse on the brain when in California, be sure to do your homework!
• Dove – There are variety of doves in California! The most common, Mourning Dove, are both migratory and resident birds. White-Winged dove are also common in California. Daily Bag-Limits are always generous for dove (15) and the bulk of harvesting occurs in California’s early season, which occurs September 1st through the 15th. A late season usually starts in November. Spotted and Ringed Turtle Doves can be hunted during both seasons as well. The invasive Eurasian Collared-Dove can be hunted year-long with no bag limits, offering hunters year long hunting opportunities!
• Snipe – Nope! Snipe hunting is not a joke! Snipe are a wading bird, often found by shallow marshes or flooded agriculture fields. Waterfowl hunters will often spot these fascinating birds around the duck ponds scattered around the state. If an Upland Hunter is willing to get his or hers boots wet, an opportunity to hunt a very unique and challenging bird is not far behind.
• Band-Tailed Pigeon – This rare game-bird is closely related to the now extinct passenger pigeon. Often found up the entire coast of California, they also live in oak-canyons, chaparral, and forested mountains where food sources are available. This game bird has been on the decline due to habitat loss and low-reproductive rates. Despite declining numbers, there are short windows to hunt Band-Tailed Pigeon, separated by North and South zones.

Check here for all current upland-game regulations and bag limits.

 

Licensing

All California residents (must be living in California at least 6 consecutive months) must have passed a mandatory “Hunter Safety” course before purchasing a license. If you are planning to hunt upland-birds, you will also need to purchase a separate “Upland Game” stamp.

Junior hunters (under 18) may purchase a reduced-cost Junior Hunter Licence and do not need to buy an Upland Game stamp.

All Non-Resident (Out-Of State) hunters are required to have a previous (Out-Of State) hunting license not more than 2 years old or proof of current hunter safety course certificate. All Non-Resident hunters planning to hunt upland game are required to purchase an Upland Game stamp. Non-Resident Junior hunters may purchase a Junior Hunter Licence and do not need to buy an Upland Game stamp.

Check here for all current license and stamp fees.

 

The Good

California offers unique upland hunting opportunities unlike anywhere in the USA. If you plan carefully, you can hunt several species at once! There are areas where you can hunt Mountain, Valley and Gambel’s quail all at once, for example.

California has some great Junior, Servicemen and Disabled Person programs that are really affordable.

Although public land access is always at risk, California still has very accessible areas to hunt upland game. Upland birds like quail and dove are plentiful on public land!

Despite, dry seasons, most of the resident upland birds in California are built for the climate and lack of precipitation. Quail are especially hardy birds and will carry over into the next season with average numbers even with minimal precipitation. Years with great rainfall will promote better chick conditions (more water = more weeds = more bugs = more quail) and that just means better hunting!

 

The Not So Great

The ever changing political climate is not always hunter friendly here in California. Far-left agendas are constantly attacking Second-Amendment rights, as well as our hunting heritage. There is a huge anti-gun sentiment among the population backed by weird PETA-esque ideals. It’s not looking great, but our duty as hunters is to continue to educate, pass on our knowledge and heritage and multiply our numbers. We shall prevail!

Currently, California is one of the few states that is planning to move forward with a complete ammo lead-ban. This has been a multi-phase process that started in 2015 and will be in full-affect by July 2019. The 2018/19 season will be the last year you can hunt upland game with lead. So, shoot ’em if you got ’em.

In 2017, California saw record rainfall, pulling it out of a 100 year drought! Despite that, California is a dry place and we are slowly regressing back. Wildlife, including upland game, are affected by (lack) rainfall and numbers will plummet during the driest of the seasons.

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California may rub you the wrong way when it comes to our politics, traffic, and annoying celebrities. But a drive into the wilderness… out chasing wild birds, will only remind you, California is so much more. It’s worth the visit. Bring your shotgun… and plenty of shells.

God Bless and Happy Hunting!

-JR

 

 

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