Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 550 - General Regulations for Public Use on All Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands
Current through Register 2021 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 24, 2021
(a) All department land, except for fishing
access and public access lands, is closed to visitor access and use until and
unless the land is opened for a use or uses through regulations adopted by the
commission in sections 550,
550.5,
551,
552,
630,
and
702
of these regulations. The commission determines whether proposed designations
and uses are consistent with the authorizing and reference statutes listed at
the end of this section and the purposes for which the lands were acquired.
Each proposed designation or use is subject to review pursuant to state and
federal regulatory requirements prior to being authorized.
(b) Definitions.
(1) "Department land" is defined as:
(A) any state-owned real property over which
the department has jurisdiction and management authority;
(B) real property over which the department
has management authority through a current lease, memorandum of understanding,
management agreement, or similar document;
(C) real property designated by the
commission as a wildlife area (Section
551
of these regulations);
(D) real
property designated by the commission as an ecological reserve (Section
630
of these regulations);
(E) real
property held or administered by the department as a fishing access;
(F) real property held or administered by the
department as a public access;
(G)
real property designated by the commission as a public shooting area.
(2) "Compatible uses" is defined
as uses that are consistent with the purposes and management of a particular
department land. Predominant compatible uses on department lands are hunting,
fishing, wildlife viewing, wildlife photography, environmental education and/or
environmental research.
(3)
"Environmental education" is defined as:
(A)
department administered or sponsored interpretive programs offered to the
public; or
(B) activities to
increase the understanding and appreciation of wildlife and the natural
environment conducted by organized youth or school groups.
(4) "Environmental research" is defined as
the field study of biological, physical, or cultural processes or values with
the primary purpose of improving the understanding of the natural
environment.
(5) "Visitor" is
defined as any person, other than a department employee or designee performing
official duties, who enters department land.
(6) "Entry permit" is defined as a permit
which allows entry to specified department land for department-authorized
activities where general access is restricted per subsection 550(c)(2)(D).
Entry permits may require payment of a fee to the department.
(7) "Hunting Pass" is defined as a proof of
payment of a fee that must be presented by a visitor in order to obtain an
entry permit to hunt on specified department lands.
(8) "Lands Pass" is defined as a proof of
payment of a fee for entry for authorized uses other than hunting that is
required of visitors who are not carrying a valid hunting, fishing or trapping
license on department lands listed in subsections
551(w)
and
630(c) .
(9) "Special use" is defined as an activity,
use, event or gathering on department land that is not authorized in sections
550,
551
or
630
of these regulations but which may be allowed with written authorization from
the department; typically in the form of a Special Use Permit. When allowed,
special uses occur on a limited basis as defined in the Special Use Permit or
other authorizing document. An authorized special use on department land shall
not conflict with the normal uses, purposes or management of the department
land.
(10) "Reservation" is defined
as a randomly drawn application that assures entry onto a wildlife area, when
presented with the appropriate entry pass as specified in Section
550.5(c) ,
if applicable.
(11) "Non-shooter"
is defined as a visitor who accompanies a hunter in the field or remains at a
designated parking area.
(12)
"Fishing" for the purposes of department land is defined as angling as defined
in Section
1.05 of these
regulations, or as taking fish on department wildlife areas using bow and arrow
fishing tackle as defined in Section
1.23
of these regulations.
(13)
"Hunting" for the purposes of department land is defined as the legal take (as
take is defined in Fish and Game Code Section
86) of wildlife species
pursuant to sections 550,
550.5,
551,
552,
and
630
of these regulations, in addition to the general hunting regulations for
seasons and method of take. The provisions of sections 550,
550.5,
551,
552,
and
630
shall have precedence over general hunting regulations on department land where
there may be differences between them.
(14) "Camping" for the purposes of department
land is defined as an overnight or after-hours visitor stay which may include a
vehicle, trailer, motor home, boat, tent, or any other type of vehicle or
shelter.
(15) "Wildlife viewing"
for the purposes of department land is defined as pedestrian use of roads or
designated trails when and where authorized by the department.
(16) "Dog training" for the purposes of
department land is defined as the noncommercial act of training a hunting dog
to improve the dog's performance in hunting migratory or upland game birds and
retrieval of downed game, and to enhance the hunting experience.
(17) "Dog trial" for the purposes of
department land is defined as an organized competitive or scored event for
testing hunting dog performance.
(18) "Upland game birds" for the purpose of
department land is defined as the upland game bird species listed in Fish and
Game Code Section
3683.
(c) Visitor Entry and
Responsibilities.
(1) Visitors are
responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to
fishing, hunting, and use of department land. These regulations are
incorporated by reference into and become a condition of all visitor entry,
passes, entry permits, and special use permits. Failure to comply with any such
regulations is a violation of this section.
(2) Visitor entry onto department land is at
the discretion of the department, which may limit entry as it deems
appropriate, to manage and protect fish, wildlife, native plants, habitats and
other natural resources. Entry may require payment of a fee, a pass and/or an
entry permit as provided in subsection
550.5(c) .
(A) Visitor entry, where authorized or
designated, is for activities authorized according to sections 550,
550.5,
551,
552,
or
630
of these regulations. lt shall be unlawful to enter or use department land
without complying with the applicable sections of these regulations.
(B) All visitors shall present and show valid
entry permits; day, season or annual passes, licenses, and all fish and game
taken on department land at the checking station or upon the request of any
department employee. Visitors shall return all entry permits to the checking
station or point of entry upon leaving department land.
(C) Visitor entry is authorized only from
sunrise to sunset except during department-authorized hunting or fishing
opportunities when access to hunting and fishing sites at other times may be
permitted.
(D) The department may
close all or portions of department land to visitors entirely, seasonally, or
to specific activities or uses, and may limit the number of visitors entering
an area for safety reasons, to reduce crowding, to avoid or reduce
environmental disturbance, to limit the take of species, or to protect natural
or cultural resources. Designated closures and use restrictions for specific
properties are provided in sections
551
(for wildlife areas) and 630 (for ecological reserves) of these regulations.
1. The department may close any department
land, or portion thereof, to any or all visitor use or access, without notice,
by posting closed signs.
2. No
visitor(s), other than those possessing written authorization from the
department, shall enter or access any department land or portion thereof which
is closed to visitors, including areas posted with closed signs and seasonally
closed areas. This restriction does not apply to department employees or
designees in the performance of official duties.
(E) On department land where entry and exit
sites are designated by the department, no visitor shall enter or leave the
land except at those designated sites.
(F) It shall be unlawful for a visitor to
enter any department land or portion thereof where the department has
restricted visitor entry without a valid entry permit or pass. Subsection
550.5(c)
specifies how to obtain an entry permit or pass.
1. Where a fee is required for entry, a pass
must be purchased in advance through the department's Automated License Data
System. Passes are sold by license agents, department license sales offices, or
online at www.wildlife.ca.gov.
2. Where an entry permit is required for
hunting, a hunting pass must be presented with photo identification at the time
of entry for issuance of an entry permit. Entry permits are available and
issued by the department only at the area checking station, point of entry, or
by mail for successful special drawing applicants.
3. Rules regarding entry and reservation fees
required for hunting on certain wildlife areas are in subsection
550.5(c)
and Section
702
of these regulations.
4. Where a
fee is required for entry for authorized uses other than hunting, a Lands Pass
must be purchased in advance. Additional rules for Lands Passes are in
subsection
550.5(c)
of these regulations.
(3) Daily Entry Permit Revocations, Refusals,
and Ejections. Employees of the department are authorized to refuse entry or
issuance of entry permits, revoke permits and/or eject any visitor from
department land for violation of any regulations, drug or alcohol intoxication,
disorderly conduct, or for any reason when it appears that the general safety
or welfare of the property or persons thereon is threatened. The decision and
duration of revocation, in such respect, of any department employee assigned
management or enforcement responsibilities for the area shall be final.
(A) Visitors found to violate any such
refusal, revocation or ejection may be cited and fined.
(B) Visitors affected by this subsection may
appeal such actions to the commission.
(4) Penalties.
(A) A visitor's failure to comply with
sections 550,
551,
552
or
630
of these regulations may result in any or all of the following:
1. denial of permission to enter department
lands;
2. revocation of any pass
and/or permit already issued;
3.
ejection from department lands for up to one calendar year from the date of
discovery; and
4. citation or
arrest under applicable provisions of the Fish and Game Code or these
regulations.
(B)
proceeding under any of the above provisions shall not preclude the exercise of
any other remedy.
(d) Special Use Permits. Any person, group,
organization, agency or company wishing to request approval of a special use,
as defined in subsection 550(b)(9), on any department land shall submit a
Permit Application for Special Use of Department Lands and the permit fee as
specified in Section
702
of these regulations to the department. Additional regulations that apply to
Special Use Permits are located in Section
550.5
of these regulations. Department review and issuance is dependent upon staffing
availability. If the department determines that the requested special use can
be conducted in a manner that is not in conflict with current uses, management,
or purposes of the department land on which the special use is proposed, the
department may issue a special use permit.
(1) The department will charge fees to
recover the department's reasonable costs to review and issue Special Use
Permits.
(2) Conditions of issuance
of the Special Use Permit may include a requirement to reimburse the department
for any staff time or other costs related to the special use.
(3) All permittees shall observe and comply
with all local, state and federal laws, regulations, requirements, terms, and
conditions applicable to the special use.
(4) The Special Use Permit must be approved
in writing by the department and in possession of the permittee prior to
entering, and during the use of, department land.
(e) Environmental Education. Environmental
education activities on department land shall be conducted only under written
authorization from the regional manager or designee and coordinated with the
area manager.
(1) If a purpose of the
environmental education activity is to generate revenue for a person, entity or
organization, the written authorization shall be in the form of a Special Use
Permit.
(f) Research.
Environmental research on department land shall be conducted only under written
authorization from the regional manager or designee. Authorization may be given
if the department determines that the environmental research and associated
activities are compatible with current uses, management and purposes of the
property. Conditions of approval may include, but are not limited to:
(1) proof of all necessary collecting
permits;
(2) submission of written
progress reports to the department;
(3) a schedule of activities and
deliverables;
(4) provision of
electronic copies of geospatial and all other field data and reports in a
digital format specified by the department; and
(5) submission of copies of Natural Diversity
Database field data forms for species tracked by the department.
(g) Protection of Resources.
Except for the take of fish and/or wildlife in compliance with general and
site-specific hunting and fishing regulations, or under written authorization
from the department to conduct environmental research or environmental
education, no visitor shall:
(1) mine or
disturb geological formations, archeological, cultural or anthropological
artifacts, structures, or resources;
(2) take or disturb any bird nest, or eggs
thereof;
(3) cut, saw, trim,
remove, or disturb any plant, mammal, fish, mollusk, crustacean, amphibian,
reptile, soil, sand, gravel, rock, mineral, or any other form of plant or
animal life on department land, except that non-woody vegetation may be cut and
used for temporary hunting blinds; or
(4) construct or build any type of structure,
including those made of vegetation (except as provided in subsection 550(g)(3)
) or any other type of material, on department land except as may be
specifically authorized by a Special Use Permit.
(h) Fishing. Fishing (as defined in
subsection 550(b)(12) ) on department land shall be allowed except as otherwise
stated in subsections
551(o) ,
551(y)
or
630(e)
of these regulations, or when the area is closed according to these regulations
or posted by the department with signs that prohibit entry or fishing.
(1) Fishing shall be conducted in accordance
with general fishing regulations, except that it shall be limited to fishing
from the shore unless boating facilities and/or areas for boats or other
floating devices are designated or as allowed in subsections
551(o) ,
551(y)
or
630(e)
of these regulations.
(2) No
visitor shall take fish (as defined in Fish and Game Code Section
45) from department land for
commercial purposes.
(i)
Regional Manager's Authority.
(1) The
regional manager or his designee shall have the authority to place temporary
restrictions on visitor use of department land for the purposes of protecting
public health and safety or natural resources when circumstances warrant
additional restrictions, and where such restrictions are not provided in
sections 550,
550.5,
551,
552,
and
630
of these regulations.
(2) On state
wildlife areas, the regional manager may authorize junior pheasant hunts during
or outside the general pheasant season and may authorize junior turkey hunts
during the regular season.
(3) For
Lower Sherman Island Wildlife Area only, the Regional Manager may determine
whether decoys may be left in the field.
(j) Wildlife viewing, hiking, and photography
are allowed on department land except when the property or portion of the
property is specifically closed.
(1)
Photography, videography, or filming of any type for commercial (profit or
sale) purposes on or of department land requires a Special Use Permit from the
department and a permit from the California Film Commission, pursuant to
Government Code section
14998.8,
et seq . The department shall not authorize or issue a Special Use Permit for
any commercial photography, videography, or filming of any type without a valid
permit from the California Film Commission.
(k) Introduction of Species. Visitors are
prohibited from releasing, introducing, or transplanting animal or plant
species, including domestic or domesticated species, onto or within department
land or waters without a valid permit issued by the department or except as
authorized for dog training in a designated area.
(l) Feeding of Wildlife. Visitors are
prohibited from feeding fish or wildlife except as part of an otherwise legal
activity, such as fishing in compliance with general fishing regulations, and
Section 550(h).
(m) Pets. Visitors
are prohibited from bringing pets, including but not limited to dogs and cats,
onto department land except on a leash of less than ten feet or inside a motor
vehicle, unless otherwise prohibited or restricted in subsections
551(o)
or
630(h)
of these regulations, or by prohibitions posted on the department land.
Visitors may use dogs for hunting during an open season for an authorized
species pursuant to subsection (n) of this section, unless otherwise
prohibited.
(n) Use of Dogs for
Hunting, Training and Dog Trials. The department may prohibit or restrict dog
training, dog trials, or the use of dogs for any purpose on any department
land. While in parking lots or checking stations, dogs must be leashed. While
engaged in authorized hunting, training or dog trials, dogs may be off leash.
On wildlife areas, while in transit between parking lots or check stations and
the areas where authorized hunting, training or dog trials take place, dogs may
be off leash but must be kept within ten feet of their owner or handler. On
ecological reserves, when not engaged in authorized hunting, training or dog
trials, dogs must be controlled per subsection (m) of this section.
(1) Dog training is allowed only on
department lands with designated dog training areas as identified in
subsections
551(i)
and
630(i)
of these regulations and, pursuant to those subsections, may require written
authorization.
(2) Dog trials are
authorized on department land identified in subsection
551(i)
of these regulations and require a Special Use Permit pursuant to subsection
550.5(d)
of these regulations.
(3) The use
of dogs for hunting mammals or training or trialing to prepare for or simulate
hunting mammals on department land is subject to the provisions of Section
265
of these regulations.
(4)
Additional site-specific regulations pertaining to dogs apply as specified in
subsection
551(o)
of these regulations.
(o) Horses, Pack Stock, and Horseback Riding.
Recreational use of horses is allowed on department lands designated as
wildlife areas except when the area is specifically closed or as specified in
subsection
551
(l) of these regulations. The recreational use of horses is
prohibited on all other department lands except lands with
department-designated horse trails or areas identified in subsection
630(g)
of these regulations.
(p) Camping,
Motorhomes, and Camp Trailers.
(1) No visitor
shall camp, including on a boat, on any department land except on those
wildlife areas where the department has designated campsites or camping areas,
as provided in subsection
551(m)
and Section
552
of these regulations. Within these wildlife areas, camping shall occur only in
the department-designated campsites or areas. Camping, where authorized, may be
conducted for up to seven consecutive nights and for a total of no more than
fourteen nights per calendar year.
(2) The department may provide written
authorization to camp outside of designated camping areas for authorized
research, monitoring or management purposes. Such written authorization shall
be in the immediate possession of the authorized person(s) at all times while
on department land.
(3) Campers,
camp trailers and motorhomes are prohibited on department lands except on those
lands with department-designated camp trailer or motorhome accessible camping
or parking areas.
(A) Visitors who wish to
camp must register their camper, camp trailer or motorhome at the checking
station or appropriate office and are limited to one camper, camp trailer or
motorhome per registrant in the parking area. Utility trailers and cargo
trailers are prohibited in designated camper, camp trailer and motorhome
accessible camping and parking areas unless specifically authorized under a
Special Use Permit.
(B) Parking
areas are for visitor use only. The visitor responsible for the registered
camper, camp trailer or motorhome shall show proof of use of the area within
the previous seven days upon request. Failure to do so may result in citation
and removal of the truck and camper, camp trailer or motorhome at the owner's
expense.
(C) Campers, camp trailers
and motorhomes over 30 feet in length are prohibited on all department
lands.
(D) Tow vehicles for camp
trailers must be stowed in designated vehicle parking lots.
(4) Camping is prohibited on all
department lands designated as ecological reserves.
(q) Fires.
(1) Except as further restricted in
subsection
551(n)
of these regulations, fires are restricted to portable gas stoves, charcoal
briquette barbeques, or fireplaces or pits developed by the department for
visitor use, within department-designated campsites or camping areas on those
lands designated as wildlife areas.
(2) Visitors are prohibited from using any
form of fire on other department lands, including but not limited to wildlife
areas that do not include designated campsites or camping areas and those lands
designated as ecological reserves.
(3) No fire shall be left unattended and all
fires shall be completely extinguished by the visitor before leaving the
site.
(r) Hazardous
Substances. No visitor shall apply, leave, dump, bury, release or dispose of
any pesticide, herbicide, or hazardous substance, material or waste in, on, or
from department land.
(s) Farming
or Grazing. Unauthorized farming or grazing (including but not limited to
cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and hogs) and associated activities on department
land are prohibited.
(t) Vandalism.
No visitor shall tamper with, deface, damage, destroy or remove any property
not their own when such property is located within any department
land.
(u) Signs and Markers. No
visitor shall tamper with, deface, damage, destroy or remove any barrier, sign,
signpost, trail marker, or signboard on any department land. No visitor shall
place any sign, flagging, or marking of any kind on any department land without
prior written authorization from the department.
(v) Litter. It shall be unlawful to leave,
deposit, drop, dump, bury, or scatter any bottles, cans, glass (including
broken glass), feathers, hides, carcasses, targets, shells, casings,
vegetation, earth, rock, waste, sewage, cigarettes, cigars, or other debris or
trash ("refuse") on any department land except in a receptacle or area
designated for that purpose. Where no designated receptacles are provided,
visitors must remove all refuse from the area.
(1) Visitors shall remove all of their
personal equipment and belongings from department land daily. Failure to do so
may result in unremoved items being deemed litter and disposed of.
(w) Fireworks/Explosives. No
visitor shall import, possess or use fireworks, explosives or incendiary
devices of any type on any department land unless authorized under permit by
the department for management purposes.
(x) Possession and Use of Alcohol, Marijuana,
and Controlled Substances.
(1) No visitor
shall possess, use, or be under the influence of alcohol while in the field
hunting. For the purpose of this section, "in the field" is defined as all
areas of department land except designated parking and camping areas. Visitors
under the influence of alcohol to a level determined to be unsafe may be cited
and ejected per section 550(c)(3).
(2) No visitor shall possess, use, or be
under the influence of marijuana on any department land. Visitors in possession
of medical marijuana cards and/or other legal authorization to possess
marijuana for medical purposes (per Health and Safety Code sections
11362.7 through
11362.83) may
only possess marijuana in that visitor's transport vehicle. Visitors with
authorization to possess marijuana may not use it or be under its influence on
department land. Visitors using or determined to be under the influence of
marijuana on department land, or in possession of marijuana in violation of
this section, may be cited and ejected per section 550(c)(3).
(3) No visitor shall possess, use, or be
under the influence of any illicit controlled substance on any department land.
Visitors possessing, using or under the influence of any illicit controlled
substance on any department land may be cited and ejected per section
550(c)(3). Illicit controlled substances for purposes of this regulation are
those substances where no medical authorization exists and no legal
authorization allows possession for legitimate use of the substance.
(y) Motor Vehicles.
(1) Visitors are prohibited from driving or
operating any motor vehicle or trailer on department lands except on designated
roads.
(2) Visitors are prohibited
from stopping any motor vehicle between designated parking areas to drop off
passengers or hunting equipment.
(3) On department lands where auto tour
routes are provided, visitors shall use any pullouts or wide spots along the
route to stop and view wildlife rather than block the road for other
visitors.
(4) Designated parking
areas are for visitor use only. Parking motor vehicles and trailers outside of
designated parking areas is prohibited except for special use or research
permittees who may be authorized otherwise. Utility, flatbed, cargo, or similar
trailers are prohibited on department lands except as authorized under a
Special Use Permit.
(5) No visitor
shall operate a motor vehicle carelessly in willful disregard of the rights or
safety of others, or without due caution, or at a speed or in a manner likely
to endanger any person, property, natural resources, or wildlife on department
lands.
(6) Operators of motor
vehicles shall not exceed 15 mph, unless otherwise posted, and shall comply
with traffic and other signs posted on department lands.
(7) The use of off highway vehicles (OHV's),
all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), motorcycles, and snowmobiles is prohibited on all
department land, except where authorized and designated in subsection
551(k)
of these regulations.
(z) Boats and Swimming.
(1) The department may restrict the use and
operation of boats, boat motors, and floating devices ("boating") on department
lands to protect natural resources or provide for the orderly operation of
compatible uses on these areas. Boating restrictions may include but are not
limited to, prohibitions on use and operation or, if boating is allowed,
limiting boat speeds and/or motor size and type. During the times waterfowl are
present, the provisions of Section
251
of these regulations, which prohibits pursuit or shooting of birds or mammals
from a motor driven vehicle (including but not limited to motorboats, airboats,
or sailboats) also apply.
(2) Boats
and floating devices are generally allowed on wildlife areas, except as
restricted or prohibited in subsection
551
(l) and Section
552
of these regulations. Boats are generally prohibited on ecological reserves
except as provided in subsection
630(f)
of these regulations. Where boats and/or floating devices are allowed on
department land, they shall be used subject to the following regulations:
(A) no visitor shall operate a vessel
carelessly in willful disregard of the rights or safety of others, or without
due caution, or at a speed or in a manner likely to endanger any person,
property, or wildlife;
(B) where
launch sites are designated by the department, all boats must be launched and
removed from those sites;
(C) any
boat trailer shall remain attached to the tow vehicle and be stowed in a
designated parking area;
(D) all
visitors shall remove their boats or floating devices from the water or beach
when instructed to do so by an employee of the department. Any peace officer
may remove the boat or floating device of any visitor who has been instructed
to remove it from the water or beach and fails to comply with that
instruction;
(E) the use of boats
or other floating devices may be restricted to certain zones designated by the
department;
(F) boat speed shall
not exceed five miles per hour unless otherwise posted; and
(G) any peace officer may remove any boat or
floating device that is left unattended on department land or in the water in
excess of 72 hours.
(3)
Swimming is prohibited on department lands except where designated and
authorized in subsection
630(f)
of these regulations.
(aa) Aircraft. No visitor shall operate any
aircraft, hovercraft, or hot air balloon within department lands except as
authorized by a Special Use Permit issued by the department.
(bb) Bicycles and bike riding are prohibited
on department lands except where authorized and designated in subsection
551(j) ,
Section
552,
and subsection
630(g)
of these regulations.
(1) On department lands
where trails or roads have been designated for bicycles, no visitor shall ride,
operate, leave, or park a bicycle except on those designated areas.
(cc) Firearms, Archery, and Other
Propulsive Equipment.
(1) Nothing in this
section shall prohibit the lawful possession of a concealed firearm by an
active peace officer listed in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830 ) of
Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code or a retired peace officer in lawful
possession of an identification certificate issued pursuant to Penal Code
Section
25455
authorizing the retired officer to carry a concealed firearm. Nor shall this
section prohibit the lawful possession of a concealed firearm pursuant to a
concealed carry permit issued pursuant to Penal Code Section
26150
or
26155.
(2) Possession, discharge, and use of
firearms or archery equipment is prohibited on department lands except within
department-designated hunting areas or shooting sites, or with a permit issued
by the department, or as authorized for dog training in a designated area, or
when fishing with bow and arrow tackle as defined in subsection 550(b)(12) and
allowed in subsection 550(h). This prohibition includes air or gas operated
devices or guns and all other propulsive devices.
(3) General (Non Hunting) Uses
(A) The use of glass or porcelain targets is
prohibited on all department lands. Clay targets shall be used only at
designated shooting sites where their use is allowed.
(B) Designated shooting sites are open daily
from sunrise to sunset unless otherwise listed in subsections
551(v)
or
630(j)
of these regulations.
(C) Except as
otherwise provided, an adult supervised youth may possess and discharge a BB
gun on any wildlife area. A BB gun is not an authorized method of take and may
not be used to take wildlife on any wildlife area. A BB gun is defined as an
air and/or spring-actuated rifle similar to Daisy BB gun models 96
(Timberwolf), 105 (Buck), or 1938 (Red Ryder), firing a spherical BB no larger
than 0.177 inches in diameter (4.5 mm) at a muzzle velocity no greater than 350
feet per second. For the purpose of this section a youth is defined as a
visitor under the age of 16.
(4) Hunting Method of Take. Where hunting is
allowed, it shall be conducted in accordance with general hunting regulations
and subject to sections 550,
550.5,
551,
552,
and
630
of these regulations.
(A) Possession or
discharge of shotguns larger than twelve gauge is prohibited on all department
lands designated as Type A or Type B wildlife areas.
(B) Except for bow and arrow tackle as
defined subsection 550(b)(12) and allowed in subsection 550(h), or as otherwise
provided, no rifles, pellet or BB guns, combination rifle-shotguns, pistols,
archery equipment, or revolvers shall be possessed in the field or discharged
on any Type A or Type B wildlife areas. All legal firearms and archery
equipment may be used on Type C wildlife areas unless prohibited in subsection
551(r)
of these regulations. Firearms and archery equipment may be used on ecological
reserves where hunting is authorized in subsection
630(d)
of these regulations, subject to any restrictions therein.
(C) The use or possession of shot size larger
than T in steel or BB in non-toxic (other than steel) shot is prohibited on all
department lands and national wildlife refuges. On those department lands where
big game species may be hunted, shotguns with slugs may be used.
(D) A hunter shall not possess more than 25
shot shells while in the field on Type A wildlife areas during the waterfowl
season unless otherwise provided for in subsection
551(o)
of these regulations. Subsection
551(o)
also specifies additional wildlife areas where a hunter shall not possess more
than 25 shot shells in the field during the waterfowl season. Only those
visitors possessing a valid hunting permit for that day may possess ammunition
in the field.
(E) It shall be
unlawful to take wildlife except in compliance with the non-toxic shot and
certified nonlead projectile requirements of Section
250.1
of these regulations.
(F) Except
for bow and arrow tackle defined in subsection 550(b)(12) and allowed in
subsection 550(h), archery equipment shall not be used during the waterfowl and
pheasant seasons on Type A or Type B wildlife areas, unless provided in
subsection
551(u)
of these regulations.
(G) Loaded
firearms, as defined in Fish and Game Code Section
2006
or Section
25850 of
the Penal Code, are prohibited in parking lots, visitor areas, checking
stations, and any other facility on department lands.
(dd) Falconry.
(1) On ecological reserves, falconry is
prohibited.
(2) On Type C wildlife
areas, raptors may be used to take legal game in accordance with general
hunting and falconry regulations.
(3) On Type A and Type B wildlife areas,
raptors may be used to take legal game only from the first Saturday following
the end of the waterfowl season through the end of the falconry pheasant
season. Raptors may be used only on Saturdays, Sundays, and
Wednesdays.
Notes
Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 203, 265, 710, 710.5, 710.7, 1050, 1530, 1583, 1745, 1764, 1765, 3003.1, 3004.5, 3039, 4001, 4004, 4150 and 10504, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 355, 711, 713, 1050, 1055.3, 1301, 1526, 1528, 1530, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1745, 1761, 1764, 1765, 1907, 2006 and 10504, Fish and Game Code; and Sections 25455, 26150 and 26155, Penal Code.
2. New subsections (a)(8), (24), (60), (70), (83), (94) and (98) and subsection renumbering filed 9-20-94; operative 10-24-94 (Register 94, No. 38).
3. Editorial correction of subsections (b)(10), (13), (14) and (16) (Register 94, No. 38).
4. Amendment filed 10-5-94; operative 11-4-94 (Register 94, No. 40).
5. New subsection (a)(99), amendment of subsections (b)(8)-(10) and (b)(15), new subsection (b)(18), and amendment of Note filed 9-12-95; operative 9-12-95 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4
6. Amendment of section and Note filed 10-1-96; operative 10-1-96 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4
7. New subsections (a)(63) and (a)(73), subsection renumbering and amendment of subsection (b)(12) filed 10-3-97; operative 10-3-97 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 97, No. 40).
8. New subsections (a)(52) and (a)(77), subsection renumbering and amendment of subsection (b)(2) filed 10-16-98; operative 10-16-98 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 98, No. 42).
9. New subsection (a)(81), subsection renumbering, repealer of former subsection (a)(106) and amendment of subsections (b)(2), (b)(6)(A), (b)(7), (b)(7)(B) and (b)(19) filed 10-6-99; operative 10-6-99 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 99, No. 41).
10. Repealer of subsection (a)(9), subsection renumbering and amendment of newly designated subsection (a)(96) and subsection (b)(13) filed 9-28-2000; operative 9-28-2000 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section215 (Register 2000, No. 39).
11. Amendment of subsections (a)(29), (a)(32), (a)(49), (a)(67), (a)(103), (b)(17) and (b)(19) filed 10-23-2001; operative 10-23-2001 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 2001, No. 43).
12. Amendment of subsection (a)(37), new subsections (a)(41), (a)(79) and (b)(20) and subsection renumbering filed 9-9-2002; operative 9-9-2002 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 2002, No. 37).
13. Amendment of subsections (a)(10)-(11), new subsections (a)(15) and (a)(35), subsection renumbering, amendment of newly designated subsection (a)(85) and subsections (b)(4) and (b)(14) and amendment of Note filed 11-4-2004; operative 11-4-2004 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section215 (Register 2004, No. 45).
14. New subsections (a)(13), (a)(34), (a)(36), (a)(96) and (a)(107), repealer of subsections (a)(30), (a)(35), (a)(48) and (a)(96), subsection renumbering, amendment of subsections (a)(70), (a)(74), (b)(6)(A), (b)(8)(B)2., new subsection (b)(2)(8)(B)5., amendment of subsection (b)(12), (b)(14) and (b)(19), new subsection (b)(20), subsection renumbering and amendment of newly designated subsection (b)(21) filed 11-7-2007; operative 12-7-2007 (Register 2007, No. 45).
15. Amendment of section heading, repealer and new section and amendment of Note filed 8-11-2014; operative
16. Amendment of subsection (a), new subsections (b)(7)-(8), subsection renumbering, amendment of newly designated subsections (a)(11)-(12) and subsections (c)(1)-(c)(2)(A) and (c)(2)(D)2.-(c)(2)(F)3., new subsection (c)(2)(F)4., amendment of subsections (c)(4)(A)2., (c)(4)(A)4., (d), (g) and (h), amendment of subsection hierarchy within subsection (p), amendment of subsections (t), (v), (y)(5), (z)(1), (z)(2)(D), (z)(2)(G), (cc)(2) and (cc)(4)(B)-(C), repealer and new subsection (cc)(4)(E), amendment of subsection (cc)(4)(F) and amendment of Note filed 3-17-2017; operative
17. Amendment of subsection (b)(2) and (b)(7)-(8), new subsection (b)(11), subsection renumbering, amendment of subsections (c)(2)(B), (h), (cc)(2), (cc)(4)(B), (cc)(4)(F), repealer of subsection (ee) and amendment of Note filed 7-10-2020; operative
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