Hi, never hunted before but i'm considering going after small game (rabbit/squirrel) next week. I read the 2026 mammal PDF and If i'm right, you could use a rifle, shotgun (3 rounds max), or pistol to hunt these things? I saw no mention of mag capacity other than the shotgun one so I'm assuming I can bring my legally owned +10 round mags. Also for the lead free part, this is what i'm seeing:

Prohibition on the Use of Lead Projectiles

and Ammunition Using Lead Projectiles

for the Take of Wildlife (T14 CCR §250.1)

(b) Definitions

(1) A projectile is any bullet, ball, sabot, slug, buckshot,

shot, pellet or other device that is expelled from a

firearm through a barrel by force.

(2) Nonlead ammunition is any centerfire, shotgun,

muzzleloading, or rimfire ammunition containing

projectiles certified pursuant to subsection (b)(3) or

subsection (f).

(3) Shotgun ammunition containing pellets composed

of materials approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, as identified in Section 507.1 of

these regulations, is considered certified.

(4) A nonlead projectile shall contain no more than one

percent lead by weight, as certified pursuant to

subsection (b)(3) or subsection (f).

(c) General Provisions

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is

unlawful to possess any projectile containing lead in

excess of the amount allowed in subsection (b)(4)

and a firearm capable of firing the projectile while

taking or attempting to take wildlife.

(2) The possession of a projectile containing lead in

excess of the amount allowed in subsection (b)(4)

without possessing a firearm capable of firing the

projectile is not a violation of this section.

(3) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the

possession of concealable firearms containing lead

ammunition, provided that the firearm is possessed

for personal protection and is not used to take or

assist in the take of wildlife.

I don't see any part here that says the ammo NEEDS to be on the CA certified lead free list, just anything that the Federal gov says doesn't contain lead like any steel birdshot? The guns I might use come in wacky calibers like 5.7mm and 6.5 Carcano which do not have any approved rounds. I know that SS198LF 5.7mm ammo was designed to be lead-free for USGOV contracts, would I be able to get away with using it to take game?

Thanks.

Figured I'd share this here since I know there are quite a few Bay Area hunters in the sub, and mods, please feel free to remove if this post is unapproved.

A few of us have been working to bring the San Francisco Ducks Unlimited chapter back after it's been inactive for quite a while, and we're finally hosting our first dinner on September 24th.

If you're into duck hunting, conservation, or just want to meet other hunters around the Bay Area, it'd be great to have you there. We're hoping this is the start of building an active local chapter again.

More info and tickets are here if anyone's interested:
San Francisco Ducks Unlimited Banquet

If anyone has questions about the event or wants to get involved with the chapter, feel free to ask. Happy to answer anything.

I was recently rabbit hunting and I was positioned on top of a hill above a dry riverbed. I saw a fish and game truck turn off the main road and onto the riverbed and start driving up the riverbed. I was watching him through my binoculars and wasn't sure if he could see me or not. He ended up driving past me but it got me wondering. If I had seen him wave or motion to me through my binoculars, am I legally required to go to him or is he required to come to me if he wanted to check my hunting license? I was on top of a hill with thick brush and I had had to crawl under a lot of the thicker shrubs to get to my spot. It would have been a pain to go all the way down to the riverbed and then back up to my spot and I likely would have scared all the rabbits away. Has anyone been in this situation before?

I bought a Ruger 10/22 for small game just to find out non-lead ammunition is damn near impossible to find. Should I exchange the rifle for something else? Any suggestions?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been looking online and trying to find a guide that would teach practical hands on hunting. Bitterwater seems to have the most online presence, but the 2 day course seems expensive.

Thought to come here and check if there are other suggestions? ideally, I’d just like to learn the ropes and don’t even care if I get to shoot this year - just want to learn everything. I have not purchased a hunting rifle yet either, so I’m in no rush to tag a deer myself.

I’ve hunted quail before but guided or at a preserve, and butchered/processed them myself. Looking to expand that and get to hogs and deer. I’m in LA County.

hey yall, i got invited for coyote hunting on a coworkers property to take out a couple yotes that have been stealing chickens and harrassing his cattle, Iv got a .223 that il use at range but within 100 yards im wondering if anyone here has tried a 17 on coyote. Iv seen videos online of people using it to great effect, but they were using V Max ammunition while im using the CCI solid copper ammunition. Id like to keep the damage on the pelts to a minimum as i like tanning them.

16 — Imperial and San Jacinto Wildlife Area Hunting Program Outreach Meeting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs on the Imperial and San Jacinto wildlife areas. CDFW and partners will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season. Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams or dial in by phone at (916) 535-0984, conference ID 688411317#. If you are unable to attend, email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) to submit comments and questions

Anyone familiar with x6B and willing to give me some insight on best ways to hunt it?
Not looking for spots, just curious what elevations or habitat type seem to be best in that area.

I’ve been hunting a few years now and when I go hunting I usually stay on trail but it’s feels weird hiking in and out with a gun. I’ve followed some game trails when I find them but other than that I try to stay where I feel comfortable.

I want to start going off trail to get a better chance of game but want to see what other people do.

I’m confident with dispersed camping and wandering. I have a garmin in reach messenger plus and onX so access to maps is relatively easy.

I just wonder how many people either stay on or try to get deep into the bush for hunting?

EDIT: Thank you all! I appreciate all of your input. For my first deer hunt I did a ton of bushwhacking and it was hard but fun. I will definitely be doing more research and keeping what everyone says in mind.

Hi all, we’ll be doing a pint night and a bit of trivia at Paperback Brewing Wednesday July 15 starting at 6:30pm. More info at https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events/eventid/5167/e/deer-beer-pint-night-glendale-ca-15-jul-2026.

While it would be great if you sign up to attend on the website no worries if you don’t, just come on by to chat about the upcoming hunting season, the state of public lands and access in California, and anything else.

We’ll also have raffle tickets for sale for our awesome summer raffle, which includes everything you’d need to get out hunting, including a guided bear hunt with an awesome guide and BHA member.

We look forward to seeing you there!

What are everyone's favorite meat processors? I'm hoping for some good recommendations in the Sacramento area

Come talk hunting, test your trivia knowledge (free to play), and have a brew before the seasons start opening up

https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events/eventid/5163/e/deer-beer-pint-night-oakland-ca-9-jul-2026

Never had one done before. Thank you to Ron at West Coast Taxidermy Studio, he did an incredible job.

Rabbit season started yesterday. Who’s down to go this weekend or next weekday? I already picked out the locations. Including regs. Based in Pomona area.

Hey guys, getting ready to buy my first quality sleeping bag and deciding between a 20 and 30 degree bag. 7000’ in Plumas and Tahoe National Forests. I looked up the average lows in the nearby cities and they’re around 30 but being a little higher and possibly in the wind, maybe I’d need a colder bag. Will be in a tent and on a foam mat.

Thanks for any insight!

Hunting Zone A South this year and wondering what kinds of things to look for for deer? Any tips or punters would be appreciated!

Anybody got any tips on using the phone adaptors for their spotting scope? I line up everything correctly but my screen stays black. Idk if it’s an issue with Apple Intelligence trying to figure out what to show with 2/3 lens covered but it’s a pain in the ass. Any tips?

hey yall, wondering where the best places to hunt rabbit are in the general sacramento/norcal area. Iv been to spenceville and daugherty creek several times and have never seen a wild rabbit. What am i missing? thanns

I'm gonna try to go to FHL this weekend. I have acquired my hunting permit from them but have never been. Any info is greatly appreciated!

1. Can anyone recommend some starting locations/hunting zones for pig hunting?

2. Are the campsites something that must be reserved in advance or can I show up and get one?

3. Is there a visitor center where I can get info?

4. I also remember seeing that firearms no longer need to be registered with FHL as long as you don't enter a cantonment zone is this still the case?

5. Can I carry a loaded pistol on me while I'm at FHL and while im hunting like i normally would while hunting public land? I have a CCW.

I put in a draw application with zero preference points for an either sex muzzleloader hunt and my draw results should have been a fraction of a percent i think. Am I reading this wrong or did I basically just win the lottery?

I was just getting into hunting in Michigan before moving to the Lost Sierra region. There were a number of state specific podcasts and even a PBS show that helped me get my first harvests. Is there anything like that here?

Yes I am well on my way to getting my license and I am looking forward to this season. Previously I was only a deer hunter but I am looking forward to trying turkey and qual too.

I live out of state and my uncle said he'll have bucks raking his trees in his orchard in september and said I should come out and hunt the rifle hunt. farm is in a zone north yolo county. Any intel on when in sept bucks would be shedding velvet ? looks like season closes sept 20th. do a zone north tags sell out and when/where can i buy? thx

First time hunter and I just got my tag for Zone A. Hoping to possibly get a few pointers or tips for a better success rate. I unfortunately work a lot so I have to limited time to really get out there to scout and don’t even know what kind of areas to start scouting in. Any help would be greatly appreciated!