California Varmint Hunting License

To hunt varmints, or pest animals, in California, you need to acquire a California hunting license.

Requirements

Applicants for a California hunting license must be able to read and write, to complete a Hunter Safety/Education Class and receive the California Hunter Education Certificate. If the applicant has a valid hunting license from another state or country, or has completed another state's hunting education program, he may also be eligible to receive a license.

"Varmints"

Varmints generally are pests, vermin and other small nongame animals. According to the California Code of Regulations, animals that may be taken year-round include "English sparrow, starling, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents." In addition, "Aoudad, mouflon, tahr, and feral goats may be taken all year."

Exceptions

Animals that may be considered pests but that are forbidden to be hunted under California law include tree squirrels and flying squirrels, as well as any species listed as threatened or endangered. Deer of any species may be hunted only during the general deer season. Crows may be hunted only when they are causing harm to livestock or property, or when enough are in one place "as to constitute a health hazard or nuisance."

References

• California Code of Regulations: Title 14, Chapter 6
• California Department of Fish & Game Hunting Q & A