As the year and holidays end, California residents may be looking for that one last hurrah of the season. If you’ve gotten your ducks in a row, and your California waterfowl reservations already made (which need to be done 17 days prior to your hunting date) you could possibly catch the Jan.31 end-of-season deadline for waterfowl. However, there is one more opportunity that’s less time sensitive and includes not only waterfowl, but upland game birds, small game mammals, and wild pigs: the California Free Hunting Day, which occurs April 12, 2025. 

Thanks to legislation passed in 2021, California hosts two free hunting days per season with the first one of the 2024-2025 season occurring Nov. 23, 2024. The free hunting days in California are simple to wrap your head around: they encompass many game animals, require the basics in registrations and validations to participate in, and most importantly they’re free—which is a boon to your post-holiday wallet and hunting budget. Here’s how you hop on board for the last free hunting day of the season: 

First, you need the following: 

• 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. 

Furthermore, participants must be accompanied by a hunter who holds a valid California hunting license, is at least 21 years of age, and only accompanied by one free hunting day participant in the field at the time.  

Let’s break that down requirement by requirement… 

Hunter Education in California 

California offers traditional in-person hunter education courses, as well as a hybrid option of online courses with an in-person follow up to the course. There are two online courses to choose from: Hunter-ed.com California and ilearntohunt.com California. Follow up in-person classes are available Friday-Sunday every weekend between now and the free hunt day in April in locations from San Louis Obispo to San Jose (and almost everywhere in between).  

California Free Hunting Day Registration 

Registering for the free hunt day can be done through California’s online license sales services, CDFW sales offices, license agents, and by telephone. You can find the closest CDFW branch to you and their telephone number using this CDFW directory.  

Required Tags, Report Card, Federal Entitlements, and Entry Permits 

Of course, this is where it gets a little tricky as completing this step will be unique to the type of game sought on the free hunt day. Fret not — we broke it down by available game to make the process as painless as possible. 

---

SUBSCRIBE TO THE iSPORTSMANUSA NEWSLETTER FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

---

Waterfowl Hunting Requirements for California Free Hunting Day 

• California Free Hunting Day Registration 

• Federal Duck Stamp 

Federal Duck Stamps can be purchased from many post offices and some license agents. You can find the post office nearest you using USPS’s locator tool. Save yourself the drive and call ahead to ensure they carry the duck stamp. You can also use the CDFW’s license agent search tool to find the nearest agent near you.   

• HIP Validation (no fee) 

The Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation will be available to add to your cart when purchasing your hunting license online. HIP Validations are also available through any license agent or CDFW sales office.   

• Any required entry permits 

Upland Game Bird Hunting Requirements for California Free Hunting Day

• HIP Validation (no fee) 

The Harvest Information Program (HIP) Validation will be available to add to your cart when purchasing your hunting license online. HIP Validations are also available through any license agent or CDFW sales office.   

• Any required entry permits 

Small Game Mammal Hunting Requirements for California Free Hunting Day

• Free Hunt Day Registration 

Wild Pig Hunting Requirements for California Free Hunting Day

• Participants are required to purchase a “Wild Pig Validation- Free Hunt Days” when claiming their Free Hunt Day Registration 

• Participants must be 12 years of age or older 

List of Tools and Resources: 

• Hunter-ed California online courses 
• Ilearntohunt.com California online courses 
• CDFW Online Course and Follow-up Class event listing 
• CDFW License and Revenue Branch listing 
• USPS Locations listing 
• CDFW License Agent listing 
• CDFW Online License Purchasing portal 

Find more about hunting in California on iSportsmanUSA.