Multiple hunting seasons will open in October, while some special tours are on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife calendar as well.

As a reminder, CDFW officials note that wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.

Various Days

Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) access permit application deadlines for multiple hunting opportunities. Wild pig, deer, bear, turkey, dove and quail hunts are available through the SHARE program, with two new hunts this fall. Juniors can apply for two guided deer hunts on Catalina Island and hunters may apply for a four-person blind for waterfowl hunting in Yolo County. A $13.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.

Guided Wetland Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The half-mile walking route can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is 15 people, by reservation only. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

General bear season opens in select deer zones. General black bear season will open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extend through Dec. 29. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. For those portions of zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins on Oct. 12 and extends through Dec. 29. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. The bag and possession limit for either archery or general season is one adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling toll free (888) 277-6398.S

Oct. 12

General deer season opens in zones D11, D13-15 and D17. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

General bear season opens in the remaining X zones. General bear season opens in deer hunting zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a and X7b in areas open to bear hunting. The general bear season will remain open until Dec. 29, or until CDFW determines that 1,700 bears have been taken. All hunters must get their tag validated and present the bear head for tooth extraction by CDFW personnel. Current bear hunting regulations, in-season updates and general black bear information can be viewed at wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear.

Early archery-only season for pheasant opens, extending through Nov. 3. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly, guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday of each month. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain. The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages, first come, first served with a maximum group size of 25 people. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.

Oct. 19 — General deer season opens in Zone X9c. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

General season for all quail opens in Zone Q1 and Zone Q3, extending through Jan. 26, 2025. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

General season for chukar opens statewide, extending through Jan. 26, 2025. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

General season for snipe opens statewide, extending through Feb. 2, 2025. For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

Oct. 20

Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.

Oct. 23

General duck and goose season opens in the Colorado River waterfowl zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

Oct. 26

General duck and goose season opens in the balance of state, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California waterfowl zones. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

General deer season opens in Zone D16. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.

Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. This hour-and-a-half tour will stroll one-third of a mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, rabbits, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in northern California, and migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. Tours begin on Oct. 26 and continue every weekend. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To sign up, visit the Eventbrite page. To purchase a Lands Pass, visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 25 people per tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Oct. 28

California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest Opens. CDFW is accepting entries through Dec. 6 for the annual California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The winner will be featured on the 2024-25 California Upland Game Bird Stamp. For contest rules and entry forms, visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.