Bats taking flight and a variety of hunting opportunities are just some of the items on the August 2025 calendar for the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.
As a reminder, all calendar items are subject to change. Also, 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. A $14.86 non-refundable application fee is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Bat Talk and Tour, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Join the Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour event and learn all about these migratory bats, which are amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields before watching the flyout of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California from under the Yolo Causeway. The bats emerge in long ribbons as they head out to hunt insects for the night. For more information and to register, visit yolobasin.org/battalkandtour.
Archery and Falconry-only tree squirrel season is open and extends through Sept. 12. For archery and falconry tree squirrel seasons, limits and zone maps, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.
Saturday, Aug. 9
First General Season for black bears opens in A Zone. 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. 28. 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. 11 and extends through Dec. 28. 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.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Tribal Committee, Sacramento, time and exact location to be determined. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Wednesday - Thursday,
Aug. 13-14
California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, Sacramento, time and exact location to be determined. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Friday, Aug. 15
Spiny Lobster Report Cards go on sale. Sport lobster divers and hoopnetters can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card for the 2025-26 lobster season on CDFW’s Online License Sales site at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales, at sporting goods stores and tackle shops or by phone at 800-565-1458. The 2025-26 recreational lobster season opens at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Archery-only quail, chukar and sooty (blue)/ruffed grouse seasons open, extending through Sept. 5. For zone maps and other upland game season information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
Archery season for black bears opens. Archery bear season in all bear zones opens Aug. 16 and runs through Sept. 7. 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.
Archery deer season opens in many deer zones across the state, including B1-3, B5-6, D3-5 and D6-10. https://wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/deer.
Monday, Aug. 25
Hunter input meeting for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges. The meeting is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, the availability of water for wetlands, avian influenza and hunting access opportunities. State lands to be discussed are the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas, including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.
Thursday, Aug. 28
California Wildlife Conservation board meeting, 10 a.m. Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, located at the CNRA Headquarters Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P St., Sacramento. The public is welcome. For more information, visit WCB webpage.
