Throughout the year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers hunt opportunities designed especially for new hunters, youth hunters, women hunters, mobility-impaired hunters and other individuals who have limited experience or opportunity to hunt on their own.

Application to wild bird hunts for dove, pheasant, chukar, quail and turkey is now done through the Online License System.

View upcoming special and apprentice hunt opportunities.

Participants in these hunts are chosen by lottery, but applicants must meet certain qualifications. (See FAQs for more information about the Hunt requirements.)

The CDFW Special Hunts Program will attempt to host all Apprentice hunt opportunities as planned but logistics, staffing or other factors may sometimes require that these hunts are rescheduled or cancelled on short notice.

Eligible, licensed hunters may start here to:

• Apply for a hunt
• View drawing results and current hunt information on hunts you have applied for
• View drawing results for all upcoming hunts

To start, click the “Login” button below.

Nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. Please plan accordingly. See the Department's Nonlead ammunition page for more information.

Please note: The Automated License Data System is used to verify valid hunting license information for all applicants. This system requires 24 hours for a new license purchase to be processed and to show up in the system. In order to successfully apply for any hunt within 24 hours of its application deadline, you should purchase your hunting license at least 36 hours prior to that deadline.